Study Abroad & International Experiences

Australia

Melbourne - Swinburne University of Technology offers engineering students the opportunity to study in Melbourne, Australia, for a semester (two quarters) or year. Visit the Cal Poly Abroad website for more information. Recommended for Fall quarter of Junior year.

France

Paris- Experience Paris as a learning lab through site visits and lectures that complement the classroom curriculum. Engineering majors will be able to take two engineering courses, as well as two general education courses on this program.   Visit the Cal Poly Abroad website for more information. Recommended for Fall quarter of  Sophomore year.

Germany

Munich - Munich University of Applied Sciences offers engineering students the option to take engineering courses for a summer. The study program is complemented by field trips (e.g. to the factory of a famous Bavarian car brand) and enriched with cultural activities in Munich and Bavaria. Visit the Cal Poly Abroad website for more information. Recommended for Spring quarter of Junior year.

Karlsruhe - The Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences offers students the opportunity to take engineering courses while studying in Karlsruhe, Germany, for up to a year. Visit the Cal Poly Abroad website for more information. Recommended for Fall quarter of Junior year.

Mexico

Queretaro - Instituto Tecnológico de Monterrey offers engineering students the opportunity to study abroad in Mexico while taking major classes in English. Each semester, students enroll in six to nine units of Spanish language and six to nine units of academic coursework taught in English. Visit the Cal Poly Abroad website for more information. Recommended for Sophomore year.

Spain

Madrid - In CEA Engineering and Social Sciences in Madrid, students will expand the scale and scope of their engineering coursework alongside local Spanish students at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, one of the leading higher education institutions in Spain. Visit the Cal Poly Abroad website for more information. Recommended for Fall quarter of Sophomore and Junior year.

San Sebastian - TECNUN University of Navarra offers engineering students the ability to take engineering courses while studying in San Sebastian, Spain, for a semester (two quarters) or year. Visit the Cal Poly Abroad website for more information. Recommended for Fall quarter of Junior year.

Barcelona - The Engineering and Social Sciences program in Barcelona, Spain offers courses taught in Spanish and English and allows the opportunity to complement engineering coursework with electives in the liberal arts, social sciences, and sciences. Visit the Cal Poly Abroad website for more information. Recommended for Summer of Sophomore, Junior, or Senior year.

Sweden

Stockholm - The KTH Royal Institute of Technology exchange program offers students in Engineering the ability to take engineering courses while living in Stockholm, Sweden, for a semester (two quarters) or year. Visit the Cal Poly Abroad website for more information. Recommended for Fall quarter of Senior year.

Goteborg - Chalmers University of Technology conducts research and offers education in engineering, science, shipping and architecture with a strong focus on sustainability. Chalmers University of Technology offers engineering students the opportunity to take classes while living in Goteborg. Students must be a fourth year to enroll. Visit the Cal Poly Abroad website for more information. Recommended for Fall quarter of Senior year.

Switzerland

Lucerne - Lucerne University of Applied Sciences offers students the opportunity to take engineering courses while studying in Lucerne, Switzerland, for a semester (two quarters). Visit the Cal Poly Abroad website for more information. Recommended for Fall quarter of  Junior year.

Am I eligible to study abroad?

Engineering students that are eligible to study abroad are in good academic standing (no academic probation), have a 2.5 cumulative GPA, and have completed at least two years of study. 

When should I apply?

The deadline to apply for winter and spring study abroad programs is fall. Refer to the information links provided for further information.

When should I go abroad?

Spring and summer are most recommended for studying abroad because many of the programs are semester-long. Below are flowcharts with programs during the year that works best with your major.

Civil Engineering	Environmental Engineering

What classes can I take abroad?

This depends on the program (CEA, CSU IP, or Cal Poly International Program). Some programs have pre-approved classes but you should visit CENG International Exchange Program advising to ensure you are taking the right classes. Refer to the flowcharts above to get a better understanding of programs that work best with your major.

Who can I talk to for advising?

You are welcome to visit the CENG International Exchange Program office during scheduled drop-in advising hours (call Engineering Student Services at 805-756-1461 to verify hours). The office is located in Engineering South, Building 40, Room 115. If you have any inquiries, please email them at: intlengr@calpoly.edu.

What steps should I take if I want to Study Abroad?

Firstly, make sure to attend a study abroad workshop. After attending, decide when the best time to travel based on your flowchart and classes. 

How many units should I take abroad?

There is no unit restriction or minimum for our exchange programs, except if you receive financial aid. For students on financial aid, please meet with an financial aid advisor to discuss the unit requirement to keep your aid while you are abroad. In general, we encourage students to take a full load (12 Cal Poly units) to be a competitive applicant.  

How will study abroad affect my GPA?

Courses taken abroad will be calculated into a your Higher Education GPA. Any grades in major courses will also be applied to your major GPA.  

How do I get credit from study abroad classes?

You should submit substitution petitions prior to going abroad. These petitions can be downloaded on Cal Poly's International Center's website. Please note that substitution petitions are not required prior to applying. We recommend meeting with an advisor if you have any question about completing the substitution petition. Once you have completed the petition, please attach course descriptions for each course you list and drop it off in Engineering Student Services (40-115). Note: ECTS credits can be converted to quarter units by dividing the ECTS credits by 2 and multiplying by 1.5 (example 4 ECTS = 3 Qtr units). You should request to have your official transcripts sent to Cal Poly. Cal Poly's Office of the Registrar will then input the courses into your Degree Progress Report (this process can take up to a quarter).