Engineers Abroad

Want to Go Abroad?

CU offers numerous study abroad options all around the globe. Some programs are as short as two weeks in duration, and others can take you abroad for a full academic year. You can take courses in English or in a foreign language of your choice, and you can even study abroad more than once and in multiple locations! 

If you want to study abroad, start planning early, and save as many of your elective and H/SS requirements as possible, as these are the easiest courses to transfer back to CU. 

Explore Your Major

Semester study abroad programming is not available for aerospace engineering students on a four-year graduation plan. However, you can declare the five-year Global + Co-op track, which allows you to earn a BS in aerospace engineering sciences with a minor in computer science, engineering management, or engineering entrepreneurship. You will benefit from robust training in CS or engineering management, significant experience abroad, and in-depth career exposure before you graduate. Plus, you won't pay tuition during your Co-op semester and can expect to be paid for your work. 

Global Co-op: Computer Science Track:

Study abroad options for this program are the same as those for computer science majors (expand the CS section below). While abroad, you'll focus on upper-division coursework toward your CS minor and outstanding H&SS coursework.

  • During your first three years, you will follow the same aerospace undergraduate curriculum as your peers while also completing prerequisite and foundation courses for the CS minor.
  • Early in the spring semester of your third year, you will declare the Global + Co-op track and apply to study abroad the following fall semester. You must have a 3.0 GPA to declare this track to ensure the competitiveness of your co-op application!
  • During the fall semester of your fourth year, you will participate in a computer science-focused semester study abroad program. 
  • In the spring semester of your fourth year, you will return to the U.S. to participate in a full-time, industry-based co-op. CU cannot guarantee you a co-op placement but will provide resources to guide your application. 
  • You will return to CU for full-time study in your fifth year to complete any outstanding requirements for your aerospace engineering degree and computer science minor. 

Global Co-op: Engineering Management/Entrepreneurship Track:

Study abroad options for this program are the same as those for engineering management majors (expand the EMEN section below); entrepreneurship students should work with their advisors on course planning. While abroad, focus on upper-division coursework toward your EMEN minor and outstanding H&SS coursework.

Complete your co-op before the fifth year, which must be taken on the CU Boulder campus.

Learn More babyÖ±²¥app the Global + Co-op Program 

Where Can I Go?

There are 13 recommended universities in 8 different countries.

Europe

Asia

Africa

Oceania

  • (CIEE or exchange)
  • University of Melbourne ( or )
  • (TEAN or exchange)
  •  

​ 

Where Can I Go?

Europe

  • Carlos III University of Madrid, Spain ( or )

Asia

Oceania

  • (CIEE or exchange)
  • University of Melbourne ( or )
  •  

 

When Can I Go?

CVEN: The best time to study abroad as a civil engineer is spring semester of your junior year. The fall semester of your junior year can also work with careful planning--please consult with your academic advisor. 

EVEN: The best time to study abroad as an environmental engineer is spring semester of your sophomore year. Either semester of junior year can also work with careful planning.

AREN: The best time to study abroad as an architectural engineer is fall semester of your junior year, but it will require careful planning. Please consult with your academic advisor. 

Where Can I Go?

There are 22 recommended universities in 12 different countries.

Europe

  • Carlos III University of Madrid, Spain ( or )

Asia

Oceania

  • (TEAN or exchange)
  •  (CIEE or exchange)
  • University of Melbourne ( or )

Africa​

South America

 

When Can I Go?

CHEN:  The best time to study abroad is fall semester of your sophomore year (Monash University and ISA Spain) or fall semester of your junior year (University of Canterbury and University College Dublin). Spring semster of junior year is also possible if planned carefully (University of Canterbury and University College Dublin). UNSW Sydney is a summer option between sophomore and junior years.

CBEN: The only time to study abroad is fall semester of your sophomore year (Monash University and ISA Spain) or fall semester of your junior year (University of Canterbury and University College Dublin). UNSW Sydney is a summer option between sophomore and junior years.

Where Can I Go?

There are 5 recommended universities in 4 different countries.

Europe

  •  (jr fall)
  •  (soph fall)

Oceania

  • (TEAN or exchange) (jr fall)
  •  (soph fall)
  •  (summer after soph year)


 

 

When Can I Go?

Computer science majors have relative flexibility. Since CS courses are in high demand around the world, it's highly recommended students complete data structures, algorithms, and software design before studying abroad. These prerequisite courses provide access to numerous upper-division CS elective courses. 

Where Can I Go?

There are 22 recommended universities in 14 different countries.

Europe

  • Carlos III University of Madrid, Spain ( or )
  • (ISA or exchange)

Asia

Oceania

  • University of Melbourne ( or )
  • (TEAN or exchange)
  •   (CIEE or exchange)
  • (TEAN or exchange)

Africa​

  •  


 

 

Where can I go?

There are 17 recommended universities in 12 different countries.

Europe

  • Carlos III University of Madrid, Spain ( or )
  • (ISA or exchange)

Asia

Oceania

Africa

Where Can I Go?

There are 15 recommended universities in 12 different countries.

Europe

  • Carlos III University of Madrid, Spain ( or )
  • (ISA or exchange)

Asia

Oceania

  • (TEAN or exchange)

Africa

South America

 

Integrated Design Engineering (IDE) majors can study abroad all over the world! Since each IDE major follows a different curricular path, IDE students should explore program options based on their IDE emphasis. For example, an IDE major with an emphasis in mechanical engineering should focus on the programs listed for mechanical engineering majors. Using the , IDE students can find IDE core courses (GEEN) taught abroad as well as courses associated with their emphasis (e.g. ECEN, EVEN, MCEN, etc.). Finally, a number of IDE concentrations also offer coursework abroad, maximizing study abroad opportunities for e+ students.

When should I go? 

Depending on your particular degree plan, either semester of your sophomore or junior year should be feasible for a study abroad semester. 

Where can I go?

There are 15 recommended universities in 12 different countries.

Europe

Asia

  •  (TEAN or exchange)

Oceania

  • (TEAN or exchange)
  •   (CIEE or exchange)
  • University of Melbourne ( or )

Africa

South America

When Should I Go?

The best time to study abroad as a mechanical engineer is fall semester junior year. Spring semesters of your sophomore or junior year are also good times to study abroad, if planned appropriately.

Where Can I Go?

There are 25 recommended universities in 14 different countries. 

Europe

  • Carlos III University of Madrid, Spain ( or )
  • Arcadia Scotland:

Asia

  •  (TEAN or exchange)

Africa

South America

Oceania

  •   (CIEE or exchange)
  • University of Melbourne ( or )
  • (TEAN or exchange)

Multi-country


 

 

 

The Basics

Academics

There are  from each engineering curriculum that count directly towards your degree, as well as dozens of Technical Electives and H&SS courses that help you can stay on track for graduation. You can always apply to  and credit can also be awarded for an international research position or internship.

Finances

The cost of an international experience depends on program type, location, and duration, but there are affordable options all over the world. You can apply most of your CU & scholarships on a program abroad, and there are also a number of available especially for study abroad.  Explore and compare different program costs , or read through the study abroad s.

Next Steps

  1. Meet with your degree advisor to plan the academics of your study abroad.
  2. Visit Education Abroad's page to complete Abroad 101 and learn more about program options, pre-approved courses, financial aid and more!
  3. to discuss any questions and begin the application process.

A group of students posing for a photo while visiting West Lake in Hangzhou, China.

A group of students posing for a photo while visiting West Lake in Hangzhou, China.

Deadlines

  • Spring: (Sept. 1 - Oct. 1)
  • Fall or Summer: (Feb. 1 - March 1)
    Dates Vary by Program

Kiki Garthwaite (TAM) and Elise Brizes (ChemBio) summit Palau Padar in Komodo National Park, Indonesia

Kiki Garthwaite (TAM) & Elise Brizes (Chemical) at Palau Padar in Komodo NP, Indonesia.

Jared Campbell descends stairs

Jared Campbell (Mechanical) descends the steps at Fisherman's Bastion in Budapest, Hungary.