Engineering

This page covers:

Engineering Programs

Note:

  • Study Abroad programs and Northwestern may have specific prerequisites, including language prerequisites, for admission. Click on the program name, below, to view prerequisites and other details.
  • Northwestern has a number of requirements that students must adhere to while they are abroad. View these requirements.

English Language Programs

Program
 Location
 Coursework
 NU Terms Abroad
Global Healthcare Technologies Cape Town, South Africa
  • This program is designed to introduce NU students to the healthcare needs of developing countries and to the design and management of the technology infrastructure that will improve health outcomes and support the needs of resource poor environments.
  • Four classes are offered consisting of a combination of seminars, projects, and site visits. Students will receive 4 credits for the program
 Spring Quarter
Science and Engineering Research Beijing, China
  • Students receive research placements in labs at a leading Chinese university for science and engineering.
  • There are 12 engineering departments plus research institutes.
  • The School of Science includes math, chemistry, biology & physics.
  • Language instruction is included (no language prerequisite).
 Summer Quarter
Nanotechnology & Culture in Germany Munich, Germany
  • This program takes advantage of the high tech importance of the Technical University of Munich in offering a mix of expertise in the latest trans-disciplinary field of nanotechnology, as well as an exposure to the heart of German culture.
  • This program provides the unique opportunity to visit nine different research technology centers in Germany to get a behind-the-scenes look at German technological culture, highlighting possible career opportunities.
  • Students take an introductory German language course, and all other courses are taught in English.
 Summer Quarter
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) Hong Kong, China
  • Internationally renowned research university with programs in Chemical, Civil, Computer, Electrical, Environmental, Industrial, and Mechanical Engineering.
  • Strong research ties to top institutions in mainland China.
 Fall Quarter, Winter-Spring Quarters, Full Year
Queen Mary, University of London London, England Coursework includes mechanical, biomedical, manufacturing, industrial, electrical, computer engineering, aeronautical, computer science, material sciences, applied math. Fall Quarter, Winter-Spring Quarters, Full Year
Trinity College Dublin Dublin, Ireland Coursework includes civil, electrical, environmental, mechanical, manufacturing, computer science and materials. Full Year
Swansea University Swansea, Wales
  • Among the top three engineering schools in the UK.
  • Coursework includes aerospace, chemical, biological, electrical, electronic, information, communication and computing technology, materials, mechanical, medical, nanotechnology and product design.
 Fall Quarter, Winter-Spring Quarters, Full Year
University of Melbourne Melbourne, Australia Coursework includes biomedical, chemical, civil, electrical, environmental, mechanical, manufacturing, industrial, computer engineering, computer science, materials, and management. Fall Quarter, Winter-Spring Quarters, Full Year
University of Sydney Sydney, Australia Coursework includes aeronautical, biomedical, chemical, civil, electrical, mechanical, computer engineering and computer science. Fall Quarter, Winter-Spring Quarters, Full Year
University of New South Wales Sydney, Australia Coursework includes aeronautical, chemical, civil, electrical, environmental, mechanical, petroleum, biomedical, industrial, manufacturing, computer engineering computer science and materials. Fall Quarter, Winter-Spring Quarters, Full Year
University of Queensland Brisbane, Australia Coursework includes chemical, civil, computer, electrical, materials, mechanical, and computer science. Fall Quarter, Winter-Spring Quarters, Full Year
American University in Cairo Cairo, Egypt Various engineering courses are offered, specifically in architectural, computer, construction, electronics, mechanical and petroleum & energy engineering. Fall Quarter, Winter-Spring Quarters, Full Year
CIEE-University of Hyderabad Hyderabad, India The School of Mathematics & Computer/Information Sciences and the School of Engineering Sciences & Technology are open to qualified students.
 Fall Quarter, Winter-Spring Quarters, Full Year

Foreign Language Programs
Program
 Location
 Coursework
 NU Terms Abroad
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) (Northwestern Exchange)
 Zurich, Switzerland Students on this Northwestern exchange program directly enroll in the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, or ETH, which is a science and technology university known throughout the world for its outstanding research record. Classes are generally taught in German (varies by department, some are in English), although texts and exams may be in English. Fall-Winter Quarters, Winter-Spring Quarters, Full Year
Ecole Polytechnique (Northwestern Exchange)
 Paris, France This Northwestern Exchange program offers a combination of French-taught courses and research in engineering, the physical sciences, and mathematics. The Ecole Polytechnique, situated in Palaiseau about 30 minutes from the center of Paris, is a renowned Grande Ecole established just after the Revolution that trains France's scientific and industrial elite. Fall-Winter Quarters, Winter-Spring Quarters, Full Year
Universite Louis Pasteur (Northwestern Exchange)
 Strasbourg, France Students on this Northwestern exchange program directly enroll in the Universite Louis Pasteur, a comprehensive university that offers some engineering studies courses including chemical, mechanical and electrical engineering. Fall-Winter Quarters, Winter-Spring Quarters, Full Year
IFSA-Chilean Universities Program Santiago, Chile Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, IFSA's partner institution, offers a variety of engineering courses taught in Spanish and claims to be the highest ranked engineering school in South America. Fall Quarter, Winter-Spring Quarters, Full Year
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (NU Exchange) Santiago, Chile Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile offers a variety of engineering courses taught in Spanish and claims to be the highest ranked engineering school in South America. Fall Quarter, Winter-Spring Quarters, Full Year
C.V. Starr – Middlebury School in Latin America Florianópolis, Brazil Civil, industrial, chemical, material, electrical, mechanical and environmental engineering courses are offered at the Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina. Fall Quarter, Winter-Spring Quarters, Full Year
IES-Berlin Berlin, Germany
  • Chemical, electrical, civil & architectural, industrial, physical, and mechanical engineering courses are offered at the Technische Universitat Berlin.
  • Most courses are taught in German, but some are taught in English.
  • Language requirement: FQ, FY-2 years of college level German; WSQ-2.5 years.
 Fall Quarter, Winter-Spring Quarters, Full Year
Year of Study in Munich Munich, Germany
  • Aeronautical, chemical, electrical, physical, computer, environmental, industrial, mechanical, medical, and nuclear courses are offered at the Technische Universitat Munich.
  • Most courses are taught in German.
  • Language requirement: 2 years of college level German.
 Full Year
IES Abroad Nantes Nantes, France

The Université de Nantes' two engineering schools offer a variety of French-taught courses and six engineering specializations: civil engineering, computer engineering, computer science, electronic and digital technologies, electrical engineering, material sciences, thermal and energy sciences.

 Fall Quarter, Winter-Spring Quarters, Full Year
BU-Madrid Language and Liberal Arts Program Madrid, Spain Advanced language students who attend for the full year or spring semester can also take engineering courses at the partner institution Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. Fall Quarter, Winter-Spring Quarters, Full Year

Tips for Earning Major/Minor Engineering Credit Abroad

  • Research the course descriptions of the classes you plan to take abroad so your advisor can ensure the classes correspond to requirements at Northwestern.
  • Complete and return the Study Plan, Time and Scheduling Sheet, and Curriculum Petition form to Dean Holtgreive. All technical course work (math, science, and engineering courses) must be evaluated and approved by a faculty member in the appropriate correspondent department.
  • If you plan to study abroad during your senior year, complete and return a degree application, along with any other necessary paperwork required for your degree (i.e. Themes form, Area of Specialization/Technical Elective/Option form) to the Academic Services Office, Tech L269
  • Retain all class descriptions, syllabi, papers, readings, and other course material from your classes overseas; these might be needed to determine the kind of transfer credit you will receive.
  • Credit is not given for repetition of work which has already received Northwestern credit or for internships or independent study not specifically approved and supervised by McCormick School faculty.
  • If you are interested in pursuing honors work in your major, you should be sure to discuss this with you department before you go abroad. The same is true if you might want to apply for various national scholarships such as Rhodes or Marshall when you return, whose deadlines are early in fall quarter.
  • Figure out which courses you want to take at NU when you return from study abroad. This is necessary because not all courses are offered every quarter.
  • Consider earning an International Engineering Experience (IEE) Certificate from McCormick! Requirements include: a minimum of 1 year's language proficiency + 6 months of technical study, work, or research at a foreign location. For more information, contact the Undergraduate Engineering Office at 491-7379.

NU Contacts for Studying Engineering Abroad

Asst. Dean Joe Holtgreive, jjh@northwestern.edu, 847-491-3332, Tech L268

Program Coordinator Mary Stanton, m-stanton@northwestern.edu, 847-491-5261, Tech L269