Spotlight on UT Dallas Engineering

Prodigy Finance UT Dallas Engineering spotlight

Everything about applying to UT Dallas Engineering & what life is like in Dallas, Texas. Get the facts, figures, and an international student loan.

Ready to learn everything you need to know about engineering and STEM masters degrees at University of Texas at Dallas? You're in the right place!

Although UT Dallas is still a young university, it’s definitely making a mark for itself. In 2018, it was ranked #1 in the Times Higher Education’s Top Universities in the World Founded Less than 50 Years Ago list.

And, in addition to the thriving Asian and Latin American student populations, the University of Texas is focused on growing the number of international students over the next several years.

Where is UT Dallas?

- City: Dallas, Texas (TX)

- City population: 1.318 million, with a metropolitan population of 7,233,323

- Region: Southwest

- Climate: Humid subtropical climate type: winters are mild to cool (Jan avg: 8.3°C/47°F), sometimes with 1-2 days of snow; summers are hot and humid (Jul avg: 36°C/96°F)

- Nearest airport: Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)

- Time zone: CST from November-March (GMT -6); CDT from March to November (GMT-5)

UT Dallas fast facts

Public university

University enrollment: 29,543

Living alumni: 113,000+

Graduate students: 8549

Engineering grad students: 2248

Engineering masters students: 1632

International students: 6000

Countries represented: 100+

Most represented countries: India, China, Iran, Taiwan (China), and Bangladesh

What can you study at University of Texas at Dallas Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science?

In addition to its place in first position on the Times Higher Education’s Top Universities in the World Founded Less than 50 Years Ago, the university is growing in rankings and recognition.

The Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science itself has plenty to be proud of. Indeed, with just six departments, UT Dallas engineering is drawing attention from employers and engineering associations.

Bioengineering

US News Rank: 69

Degree options:

  • MS in Biomedical Engineering

Interested in Bioengineering at UT Dallas Engineering?

Computer Science

Interested in Computer Science at UT Dallas Engineering?

US News Rank: 52

Degree options:

  • MS in Computer Science

  • MS in Software Engineering

  • Executive Masters in Software Engineering

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Interested in Electrical and Computer Engineering at UT Dallas Engineering?

US News Rank: 53

Degree options:

  • MS in Computer Engineering

  • MS in Electrical Engineering

  • MS in Telecommunications Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Interested in Mechanical Engineering at UT Dallas Engineering?

US News Rank: 77

Degree options:

  • MS in Mechanical Engineering

Systems Engineering

Interested in Systems Engineering at UT Dallas Engineering?

US News Rank: no rank available

Degree options:

  • MS in Systems Engineering and Management

UT Dallas Engineering job placement

UT Dallas hosts career fairs throughout the year, notably:

  • Career Expo Days (February and September)

  • Graduate School Expo (October)

There are often specific days for STEM field students.

UT Dallas engineering places a lot of emphasis on internships and practical training to prepare you for a career.

This is a more personal approach than large-scale career fairs and the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science tends to prepare students for internships with the expectation that many will find and accept permanent employment through these opportunities.

In addition to a range of career search workshops, UT Dallas’ Career Centre hosts on-campus interview days and an employment search platform exclusively for UT Dallas students.

Many UT Dallas grads, including international students, remain in Texas for employment after graduation. Want an MS Engineering degree from this university? Begin your job search by looking at in-state companies.

When you want an idea of salaries, start by considering these figures.

UT Dallas MS electrical engineers have a median salary of $81,229 in the first year which rises to $106,209 within 5 years of graduation and to $132,557 in 10 years.

$96,799

median salary for Systems Engineering grads

35+

top-level companies recruiting UT Dallas MS grads

1st

for best value for public universities in Texas (Forbes)

$84,128

median salary for Computer Engineering grads

What's it like to live at the University of Texas at Dallas?

International students make up a large portion of the UT Dallas population and there are no shortages of international clubs and associations to join. In addition, there are plenty of sports and activities to get involved in while making yourself at home.

The university offers a couple of apartment-styled on-campus housing options which are both affordable - and filled with everything you need to remain comfortable in Dallas. International students may want to consider these options before looking at off-campus accommodation.

Grad students travelling with their families (spouses and/or children) may be able to secure on-campus family housing if they apply early and act quickly.

Meal plans are available for graduate students and there are plenty of options for on-campus dining including cafeterias, a campus pub, and a number of national fast food chains.

Getting around campus is simple enough due to the university layout, climate, and on-campus transportation options - and you may only need to rent a car if you’re planning a road trip with your classmates or you plan to live quite far from campus. Companies such as ZipCars are designed to meet students’ needs for just such occasions.

How to get into UT Dallas Engineering

UT Dallas Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science does rank among the best engineering schools in the world and you can expect the admissions process to be somewhat competitive.

Last year, the 5194 hopefuls applied for acceptance for a seat in the various engineering departments at masters level - and 2445 were accepted for an acceptance rate over 45%. But you’ll still need to ensure your application is as polished as it can be.

Keep in mind that UT Dallas master’s level engineering courses do have a minimum undergraduate GPA. Students that fall below this level may want to consider taking an additional class or two in order to boost their admissions chances.

When applying to the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science, remember that it’s located in one of the largest US metropolitan areas. At the same time, the number of graduate students in the engineering department make it one of the cozier offerings when it comes to MS engineering class sizes (for most departments, that is). When crafting your Statement of Purpose essay, you may want to think about how you’ll thrive in a smaller engineering department within a large, thriving city.

You’ll also want to consider the following averages in addition to the minimum marks required by your department:

  • Average undergrad GPA: 3.4

  • Average GRE scores: 150 verbal, 163 quantitative

  • Mean TOEFL score: 98 iBT

UT Dallas Engineering applications

Fall admission deadline: 1 May

Early application deadline: 15 January

Spring admission deadline: 1 October

Application fee: $50 + $50 international credential evaluation fee

SOP essay: required for some departments, but not all

Recommendations: 3, completed online

GRE test: required, no min score

GPA: 3.0 minimum, some departments have higher minimums

Language test: required for all non-native English speakers with exceptions for undergrad study in English; TOEFL, IELTS, and PTE scores are accepted

  • Min TOEFL score: 80 iBT, 550 pBT

  • Min IELTS score: 6.5

  • Min PTE score: 67

Does the University of Texas at Dallas offer scholarships to international students?

In addition to offering plenty of information on scholarships on their financial aid pages (including those aimed at international students), UT Dallas also offers graduate teaching and research assistantships - but you’ll need to get in touch with the department directly.

But, your first stop should be the fellowships and scholarships promoted by the UT Dallas Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science itself. You may just find one to alleviate your expenses while pursuing your degree at this amazing university in one of the most exciting US cities.

Prodigy Finance international student loans for UT Dallas

Prodigy Finance offers loans for international masters students at Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science at University of Texas at Dallas.

Students from supported countries pursuing masters programmes that can be completed in less than 2 years are eligible to apply.

  • Maximum loan amount: up to 100% of the school-provided cost of attendance (tuition plus living expenses)

  • Minimum loan amount: $15,000

  • All loans disbursed directly to the university according to due dates

Prodigy Finance also supports loans for University of Texas at Dallas students pursuing masters degrees in these schools:

Ready for a UT Dallas Engineering masters?

Prodigy Finance provides loans to international masters students pursuing their masters degrees at top universities, including the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Texas at Dallas.

Prodigy Finance Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

If you want to go ahead and know the difference between master of science and master of engineering, or if you want to know what and where to study, try our Study Centre which is filled with expert opinions on a range of topics.

For any other information about Prodigy Finance, or our student loan process, feel free to browse through our site, or register for a webinar to have your questions answered by one of our team.

Post updated for accuracy and freshness on March 5, 2020. Originally published on May 17, 2018.