group of U of M Students in front of a windmill in Spain

Learning Abroad in the College of Science and Engineering

     

    College of Science and Engineering (CSE) Recommendations

    Consult with the CSE International Office and your academic advisor to determine the best time for you to go abroad.

    CSE Majors

    The College of Science and Engineering has 19 majors.  Click here for a full list of majors offered. 

    Timing

    • Some CSE degrees have more flexibility than others. For some majors, the Spring Semester of Sophomore Year is a good semester to consider going abroad and Fall Semester of Senior Year is good for other majors. 
    • For some degrees, due to the high number of sequenced technical requirements, Junior Year can be a challenging time for a semester abroad. 

    Academic Planning

    • Unless you are fluent in languages beyond English, you will most likely focus your search on universities with engineering schools that offer technical coursework in English (whether or not the locally spoken language is English). You are not required to take your technical coursework in English. If you are eligible to take coursework in another language, you certainly can.
    • Search the U Credit Abroad Search to select from more than 2,000 study abroad courses that have already been pre-approved for liberal education requirements and a growing list of technical courses. You may also submit any liberal education course not yet evaluated for approval online.
    • CSE uses the U Credit Abroad Search to store major/minor requirements. If your department is one of them, you may search for equivalencies approved for your requirements. To have new courses reviewed for technical equivalencies, start by talking with the CSE International Programs Office.
    • Information about courses open to study abroad students is not always readily available and correspondence with the host university’s department may be necessary.
    • Spending a semester or two abroad is a possibility to fulfill core major requirements and technical electives. Careful planning will be required since some of your academic requirements are only offered once per year at the UofM.

    Ready to get going?

    • Meet with the CSE International Office in 115 Lind Hall to discuss your options and the courses you plan on taking abroad. You can make an appointment with the CSE International Programs Team to learn about options and processes.
    • Drop-in CSE learning abroad advising is also offered weekly during the fall and spring semesters:
      • Lind Hall 115, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2:00–4:00 p.m.
    • Students planning on studying abroad will need to start working on their Academic Planning for Study Abroad Form as soon as they have selected a program. 

    Program Types

    CSE Exchange Programs

    CSE has made special arrangements for students to earn technical credits at top engineering universities abroad through CSE Exchange Programs. Credit transfer is easy, and the cost is lower than similar semester programs.

    Comprehensive University Study

    Many CSE students look at comprehensive university study abroad programs or “Uni Study in” programs where they will have access to science and engineering coursework in English.

    CSE Technical Seminars Abroad

    To help ensure access to international experiences, CSE offers technical seminars abroad. Every year, CSE faculty lead seminars abroad during breaks in our regular semester schedule--Winter Break, Spring Break, and May Session. Students can experience the world without necessarily being gone for an entire semester.

    Additional Program Options

    The Learning Abroad Center (LAC) also works with a variety of affiliate programs. If the program or university is not listed in this resource, consider using the LAC subject search for additional options.

    Get Involved While On Campus

    Looking to get more involved with global conversations, while still here in Minnesota? Join CSE International Ambassadors.

    Programs

    Africa and the Middle East

    South Africa

    University Study in South Africa: University of Cape Town

    • A comprehensive university with courses in science & engineering.

    Middle East

    CSE: Global Engineering Education Exchange: Israel

    • Global E³ is an exchange program for engineering students: a student can study abroad while continuing to pay tuition at home. With member universities in 23 countries, students at over 70 universities have the opportunity to study abroad. 

    Americas

    Chile

    Chilean Universities Program, Santiago (Available through IFSA Chile)

    • Students can take engineering and science courses at the Universidad de Chile, the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, and Universidad Diego Portales as long as students meet prerequisites.
    • All courses in Spanish; five semesters of college-level Spanish required.

    Costa Rica

    Universidad Nacional Partnership (Available through IFSA Costa Rica)

    • Take engineering courses at the Universidad Nacional in Heredia, Costa Rica. Students may not be eligible for the more advanced course if placed into a lower level of Spanish.
    • All courses in Spanish; four semesters of college-level Spanish required.

    Peru

    Pontificia Universidad Católica de Peru Partnership (Available through IFSA Peru)

    • A variety of courses available through the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Peru in Peru’s capital city Lima.
    • All courses in Spanish; five semesters of college-level Spanish required.

    Asia and Oceania

    Australia

    University Study in Australia: University of Melbourne

    • A comprehensive university with courses in science & engineering.

    University Study in Australia: James Cook University

    • A variety of chemistry courses are available.

    University Study in Australia: University of Sydney

    • A comprehensive university with courses in science & engineering.>
    • Review the U Credit Abroad Search to see if course equivalencies from this institution have been approved for major requirements.

    CSE Exchange in Australia: Queensland University of Technology 

    • Review the U Credit Abroad Search to see if course equivalencies from this institution have been approved for major requirements.

    CSE: Global Engineering Education Exchange: Australia

    • Global E³ is an exchange program for engineering students: a student can study abroad while continuing to pay tuition at home. With member universities in 23 countries, students at over 70 universities have the opportunity to study abroad.

    China

    CSE: Engineering Exchange in Hong Kong—Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

    • Review the U Credit Abroad Search to see if course equivalencies from this institution have been approved for major requirements.
    • All courses are offered in English.

    Japan

    Exchange in Tokyo, Japan: Sophia University

    • Two programs in English, Green Science and Green Engineering are available.
    • The “Green Science” program focuses on the atomic and molecular levels of green material sciences.
    • The “Green Engineering” program, focuses on electrical and mechanical engineering skills to develop energy conservation technology, efficient power generation and distribution and power transmission.

    Exchange in Nagoya, Japan: Nagoya University

    • Nagoya offers seven undergraduate programs taught entirely in English, known as the "Nagoya University Global 30 International Programmes."
    • The Automotive Engineering Program at Nagoya University requires students to study not only mechanical or electrical and electronic engineering, but also other relevant fields such as materials, chemicals, and traffic engineering.
    • The Fundamental and Applied Physics Program is jointly offered by the Department of Physics in the School of Science and the Department of Physical Science and Engineering in the School of Engineering. The program is designed to allow early exposure to specialized scientific fields and to cultivate well-balanced individuals through broad-based education and professional knowledge.

    CSE: Global Engineering Education Exchange: Japan

    • Global E³ is an exchange program for engineering students: a student can study abroad while continuing to pay tuition at home. With member universities in 23 countries, students at over 70 universities have the opportunity to study abroad.

    Malaysia

    CSE:  Global Engineering Education Exchange: Malaysia

    • Global E³ is an exchange program for engineering students: a student can study abroad while continuing to pay tuition at home. With member universities in 23 countries, students at over 70 universities have the opportunity to study abroad.

    New Zealand

    University Study in New Zealand: University of Auckland

    • A comprehensive university with courses in science & engineering.

    University Study in New Zealand: University of Otago

    • Courses in chemistry, earth sciences, computer science, mathematics, and physics are available.

    University Study in New Zealand: Victoria University of Wellington

    • Courses in chemistry, earth sciences, computer science, mathematics, and physics are available.

    CSE: Global Engineering Education Exchange: New Zealand

    • Global E³ is an exchange program for engineering students: a student can study abroad while continuing to pay tuition at home. With member universities in 23 countries, students at over 70 universities have the opportunity to study abroad.

    Singapore

    CSE: Engineering Exchange in Singapore—National University of Singapore

    • Review the U Credit Abroad Search to see if course equivalencies from this institution have been approved for major requirements.
    • All courses are offered in English.

    CSE: Global Engineering Education Exchange: Singapore

    • Global E³ is an exchange program for engineering students: a student can study abroad while continuing to pay tuition at home. With member universities in 23 countries, students at over 70 universities have the opportunity to study abroad.

    South Korea

    CSE: Engineering & Science Research in South Korea—Pohang University of Science and Technology

    • Upper-division courses are offered in English.

    University Study in South Korea: Korea University

    • Engineering coursework available.
    • With 24 colleges and divisions, KU offers coursework, taught in English by world-class faculty, in virtually any field.

    CSE: Global Engineering Education Exchange: South Korea

    • Global E³ is an exchange program for engineering students: a student can study abroad while continuing to pay tuition at home. With member universities in 23 countries, students at over 70 universities have the opportunity to study abroad.

    Europe

    Denmark

    CSE: Engineering & Science Exchange in Denmark—Denmark Technical University

    • Upper-division courses are offered in English.

    France

    Engineering in France

    • Engineering courses are available in English and/or French.

    CSE: Global Engineering Education Exchange: France

    • Global E³ is an exchange program for engineering students: a student can study abroad while continuing to pay tuition at home. With member universities in 23 countries, students at over 70 universities have the opportunity to study abroad.

    Germany

    CSE: Engineering Exchange in Germany—Technical University of Munich

    • Intermediate German-language skills are required.

    CSE: Global Engineering Education Exchange: Germany

    • Global E³ is an exchange program for engineering students: a student can study abroad while continuing to pay tuition at home. With member universities in 23 countries, students at over 70 universities have the opportunity to study abroad.

    Iceland

    Scholarship Exchange in Iceland

    • This program provides two students per year near-full scholarships to spend an academic year at the University of Iceland.
    • A variety of course options are available.

    Ireland

    University Study in Ireland—University of Limerick

    • A comprehensive university with courses in science & engineering.
    • Review the U Credit Abroad Search to see if course equivalencies from this institution have been approved for major requirements.

    Study Abroad In Dublin—University College Dublin

    Italy

    CSE: Global Engineering Education Exchange: Italy

    • Global E³ is an exchange program for engineering students: a student can study abroad while continuing to pay tuition at home. With member universities in 23 countries, students at over 70 universities have the opportunity to study abroad.

    The Netherlands

    CSE: Global Engineering Education Exchange: The Netherlands

    • Global E³ is an exchange program for engineering students: a student can study abroad while continuing to pay tuition at home. With member universities in 23 countries, students at over 70 universities have the opportunity to study abroad.

    Norway

    CSE: Engineering & Science Exchange in Norway—Norwegian University of Science and Technology or the University of Agder

    • Attend classes in engineering and related fields with Norwegian students.
    • These universities are nationally known for technological education and research within the natural sciences.
    • Upper-division courses are offered in English.

    Exchange in Oslo—University of Oslo

    • Courses in chemistry, computer science, and physics are available.

    Spain

    Study and Intern in Madrid

    • Take engineering courses in English at the local university, Universidad Carlos III.
    • Participate in an internship related to engineering.

    CSE:  Global Engineering Education Exchange: Spain

    • Global E³ is an exchange program for engineering students: a student can study abroad while continuing to pay tuition at home. With member universities in 23 countries, students at over 70 universities have the opportunity to study abroad.

    Sweden

    CSE: Engineering & Science Exchange in Sweden—Chalmers University of Technology

    • Upper-division courses are offered in English.

    CSE: Global Engineering Education Exchange: Sweden

    • Global E³ is an exchange program for engineering students: a student can study abroad while continuing to pay tuition at home. With member universities in 23 countries, students at over 70 universities have the opportunity to study abroad.

    United Kingdom

    University Study in the UK: Queen Mary, University of London

    • A comprehensive university with courses in science & engineering.
    • Review the U Credit Abroad Search to see if course equivalencies from this institution have been approved for major requirements.

    University Study in the UK: University of Glasgow

    • A comprehensive university with courses in science & engineering.

    University Study in the UK: University of Northumbria

    • Some courses in mathematics, computer science, civil engineering and mechanical engineering are available.

    CSE: Global Engineering Education Exchange: United Kingdom

    • Global E³ is an exchange program for engineering students: a student can study abroad while continuing to pay tuition at home. With member universities in 23 countries, students at over 70 universities have the opportunity to study abroad.

    Still looking for more options?

    Some CSE students use Summer Session abroad to do something like intensive language study. Some exchange partners also offer summer sessions available for visiting students. Other students are doing volunteer work abroad through student groups like Engineers Without Borders or Innovative Engineers. CSE students also work abroad through IAESTE.