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UTC - UNIVERSITé DE TECHNOLOGIE DE COMPIèGNE Program Level: Undergraduate Number of Weeks/Term: 20 |
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- Background
- Location Information
- Program Dates
- Host Institution
- Academic Information
- Academic Disciplines
- Credit Transfer Information
- Eligibility Requirements
- Program Costs
- Housing and Meals
- Insurance
- Extracurricular Activities
- Climate
- VISA & Passport Information
- Your Next Steps
- Experiences of Former Students
- Contact Details
BACKGROUND
Georgia Tech (GT) has developed a number of overseas programs around the globe. These programs provide students with the opportunity to complete a portion of their academic programs in top-notch foreign universities that are partnered with GT. As a result of immersion in a foreign academic and cultural environment, students have the maximum opportunity to learn to operate effectively in an atmosphere that is wholly different from that of GT and the U.S.
LOCATION INFORMATION
France
A member of the European Union and the largest country in Western Europe, one of France's most notable characteristics is its diverse landscapes. You can go skiing one day, then hop on a train and go sunbathing the next. Your greatest dilemma may be deciding whether you should ski in the Alps or the Pyrenees or swim in the Mediterranean Sea, the English Channel or the Atlantic Ocean. France's history spans from the ancient Celts' immigration to Napoleon's Rule in the First Empire and to the present to create the unique and diverse French culture. France has a long history of excellence in engineering that dates back to Napoleon, who placed a strong emphasis on education, and especially on engineering education.
Compiègne
Compiègne and its surrounding towns have a population of 70,000, having tripled in the last 40 years. The city has a glorious and royal past. It has managed to preserve its provincial character and the natural beauty of its prestigious forest. The city is an unusual mixture of technology and tradition, where a tranquil lifestyle and economic vigor complement each other. Compiegne is located approximately 45 minutes north of Paris by train and 45 minutes from Charles de Gaulle Airport by car.
PROGRAM DATES
Academic Year: early September - late June
Spring Term: early March February - late June
NOTE: Students may participate in this program for the spring or for a full academic year.
YEAR PROGRAM STARTED:
2002
HOST INSTITUTION ACADEMIC INFORMATION
The Université de Technologie de Compiègne (UTC) was the first of its kind to be founded in France. It was created in 1972 with the legal status of a scientific, cultural and professional public institution. Its main purpose is to promote and develop technology in education and research. UTC provides educational, research and commercial opportunities. It is a third avenue for aspiring engineers in the French educational system, which until it was established, had been divided between traditional "grandes ecoles" for engineers and the engineering departments in regular universities. UTC has the status of "grande ecole" and awards French engineering diplomas, but the structure of its studies is very different. UTC students are admitted based on their performance on an entrance exam and then they complete all 5 years of their engineering diplomas at UTC. Today with a student body of 3,250 (2,800 undergraduate and 450 graduate) and a faculty of 330, UTC awards 500 diplomas annually.
ACADEMIC DISCIPLINES
Subject Areas Available:
- Biology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Science
- Economics
- Electrical Engineering
- French
- History, Technology, and Society
- Management
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Modern Languages
- Philosophy, Science, and Technology
- Physics
Language Information
UTC classes are taught in French with the exception of a few European Union courses taught in English. GT recommends that students complete at least 2 years of college level French or have the equivalent advanced/3000 level of skills before participating in this program.
At the beginning of each semester, UTC offers a free intensive French course for international students. While it is not required, UTC strongly encourages new international students to take part in this course. The intensive French courses are about 4 weeks long and focus on the language skills students need to succeed in their regular UTC courses. Another option for working on your French language is the GT French Language for Business and Technology Program, which takes place each summer. You may be able to participate in this intensive language program in the year before going to UTC or perhaps in the summer immediately before starting at UTC.
Course Information
For detailed course information: click here
Internship Option
Students who study at UTC in the fall semester qualify for assistance in finding an internship for the spring semester. Internships are not handled through OIE, for more information contact Debbie Gulick in the Work Abroad Office at debbie.gulick@dopp.gatech.edu. Top
CREDIT TRANSFER INFORMATION
Credit for courses taken as part of GT exchange programs is added as transfer credit on the GT transcript. Since it is important to know which kind of credit students will earn abroad as soon as possible, GT requires that courses be pre-approved for transfer. With a Foreign Credit Approval Form (available from OIE) in hand, and the credit transfer system information (listed below), students should submit course descriptions to the appropriate academic unit to request their approval. If taking Math classes, for example, then the student should go to the GT School of Mathematics to get permission for the courses to transfer to GT. If approved, the GT School of Mathematics signs the Foreign Credit Approval Form showing how the courses will transfer so that students will know which type of credit they should expect to receive.
For detailed credit transfer instructions click here
For the Foreign Credit Approval Form click here
CREDIT TRANSFER SYSTEM
This information is intended for undergraduates students only. Graduate students must speak with their academic unit to to determine the acceptance of transfer credits.
UTC uses the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS):
1.4 ECTS credits = 1 GT credit
GRADING SYSTEM
UTC uses the ECTS grading system listed below:
UTC Grade = US Grade
A, B = A
C = B
D = C
E = D
FX, F = F
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Eligible students must meet the following criteria:
PROGRAM COSTS
Keep in mind that you are responsible for the costs of books, health insurance, food, living expenses, and travel money, as well as pre-departure costs like your passport and visa. In general, France is more expensive than most areas of the United States, so you will want to devise and use a budget. Students in France are able to get lots of discounts on things like movie tickets, train tickets, and museum entrance fees. Students also benefit from subsidies provided by the French government for school dorms and cafeterias. UTC and your fellow students will help you find out about these discounts.
The currency in France is the Euro (EUR). Exchange rates fluctuate, so check the newspaper or click here for the most current rates.
DON"T FORGET TO APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS!! See the OIE web site for more info: click here
Following are cost estimates for one semester at UTC that may help you prepare for your term(s) abroad. All costs are in USD.
In State Tuition $3,035 Out of State Tuition $3,285 GT Mandatory Fees $818 Books and Supplies $250 Administrative and/or Application fees $0 Miscellaneous (includes passport/visa fees, required field trips, local transportation and incidentals) $573 Roundtrip Airfare $1,200 Room and Board $3,500 Additional Language Instruction $0 Mandatory Insurance $150 Total $9,526 (in state) $9,776 (out of state)
*Out-of-state students pay in state tuition, plus $250 for this exchange program.
*Costs in the preceding chart are estimates for undergraduates based on tuition rates posted by the GT Bursar for "continuing students." Guaranteed tuition rates, graduate tuition rates, and MBA tuition rates vary. Please check the GT Bursar's web site click here to confirm actual tuition rates based on degree, term, or level of study. Actual costs may be higher or lower than those listed above, depending on the exchange rate and personal spending habits/needs.
HOUSING AND MEALS
Housing
For the intensive French program one month prior to the beginning of classes, you and other international students will be housed in an International Residence in individual rooms reserved by UTC. During that month, you will have time to find housing for the semester. If you wish to live in a dorm, you may reserve a room through the national housing service, CROUS. Or you may contact the ALSEC (Association pour le Logement des Etudiants et Stagiaires de Compiègne), a student organization that helps international and other students find housing. For details, click here. Students may also consider finding a private residence (apartment) in town.
Meals
INSURANCE
Students participating in this program will be assessed $150 per semester for mandatory insurance coverage. You will be covered by T.W. Lord and Associates. For detailed information about this insurance plan, go to click here. This cost is included in the above cost estimates for the program.
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
UTC offers a wide range of extracurricular activities with over 45 student associations and an athletic facility offering opportunities to participate in both individual and team sports such as Basketball, Soccer, Rugby, Volleyball, Aikido, Badminton, Baseball, Dance, Golf, Judo, Karate, Squash, Tennis, Ultimate, Waterpolo, Yoga, and many, many more! For those who like the great outdoors there are numerous opportunities for hiking, cycling and horseback riding in the national forest of Compiegne.
CLIMATE
Compiegne's weather is temperate year round but also rather maritime. In summer, temperatures range from 55ºF to 80ºF with warm sun shine and a refreshing cool breeze. Rain gear is a must as are layers of clothing. Keep in mind that houses and buildings are not heated as they are in the US. and students should be prepared for cooler indoor temperatures; keep a sweater handy.
VISA AND PASSPORT INFORMATION
Complete information about how to apply for or renew a U.S. passport is available from the GT Office of International Education or online: click here
U.S. citizens participating in this program will need a valid passport. U.S. citizens participating in this program must apply for a visa. US citizens should begin the visa process by registering through the French Consulate's CampusFrance web site: click here
Citizens of other countries should contact the nearest French Consulate to ask whether it will be necessary to obtain a student visa.
For information and instructions on how to obtain a student visa for France, visit the Consulate General of France's web site: click here.
YOUR NEXT STEPS
To begin the process of participating in this exchange, please do the following:
EXPERIENCES OF FORMER STUDENTS
click here
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ms. Becky Gunter, Semester Study Abroad Advisor
GT Office of International Education
631 Cherry Street
Savant Building, Suite 211
Atlanta, GA 30332-0284
Phone: (404)894-7475 Fax: (404)894-9682
E-mail: becky.gunter@oie.gatech.edu
OIE web site: click here
Host/Program Web Site: click here
Compiegne
France
Europe
Semester
20
12
French
For more info, contact OIE.
Can I go abroad while pursuing a GT degree?
GT students have many opportunities to participate in semester/exchange and study abroad programs. In a semester program, you actually take classes with the host universitys students and faculty. (In some cases, this means that you must have excellent knowledge of the local language to participate). Semester program participants usually pay normal GT tuition and fees for each term abroad. Credits can be pre-approved to transfer back to GT so that you do not get behind in your studies. The application deadline for fall and academic year programs is in early February; for spring programs the deadline is in September/October.
In a study abroad program, the courses are taught by GT faculty and you register for regular GT courses. Residents pay normal matriculation fees, but do not pay ancillary fees (athletic, health, etc.). Non-residents only pay resident matriculation plus $250 ($1500 for GTL Summer/$2000 for GTL Spring/Fall) . This is a savings of over $6,000 for out-of-state students who participate in GT study abroad programs as full-time students! Deadlines for summer study abroad programs vary from early January to mid-February.
In most cases, if you are eligible for financial aid or scholarships, you can apply your grants, scholarships, and/or loans toward the expenses associated with participating in all GT programs.
GTs International Plan: More than just study abroad
Your major is participating in this new initiative!
The International Plan is an intensive, degree-long program designed to prepare GT graduates professionally and personally for successful lives in the 21st century. Requirements of the program include international coursework, two terms abroad (any combination of study, research or internship abroad), proficiency in a second language, and a culminating course. Students who complete the program will have a designation on their diploma indicating completion of the degree with global competence: for example, BS in Mechanical Engineering: International Plan. For more information or an application, contact your major advisor or OIE and visit the website: click here