Computer Engineering — careers, salary and study routes

Computer engineering covers the whole stack from transistors and digital logic up through processor architecture, operating systems and application code. Compared with pure computer science it spends more time on circuits, microcontrollers, embedded systems and how hardware and software fit together.

In Maharashtra and Gujarat, 'Computer Engineering' is simply the local name for what most of India calls CSE, and placements are much the same. Elsewhere, and abroad, it is a distinct hardware-leaning degree. Either way, graduates can go into software development, but also chip design, embedded firmware, IoT and networking, where a smaller pool of qualified people can be an advantage.

• Digital logic design and computer organisation
• Data structures, algorithms and programming
• Microprocessors, microcontrollers and embedded systems
• Computer architecture
• Operating systems and computer networks
• Signals, circuits and basic electronics
• VLSI design or FPGA programming electives
• Databases and software engineering

You need PCM in Class 12. Admission is through JEE Main and JEE Advanced for national institutes, and through state processes such as MHT CET in Maharashtra and GUJCET or JEE Main in Gujarat, where the branch is most common. Private universities use their own tests or JEE scores, and colleges must be AICTE approved.

Typical degrees

• B.E. / B.Tech in Computer Engineering (four years)
• B.Tech in Computer Science and Engineering (four years)
• M.Tech in Computer Engineering or Embedded Systems (two years)

Entrance exams

• JEE Main
• JEE Advanced
• MHT CET
• GUJCET
• BITSAT
• COMEDK UGET

United States

In the US, computer engineering is an ABET-accredited BS usually run by electrical and computer engineering departments; graduates can take the FE and PE exams, though most in industry never need a licence.

United Kingdom

UK universities offer BEng and MEng degrees in computer or electronic and computer engineering, typically accredited by the IET, which leads towards Chartered Engineer (CEng) status.