ENGR Exchange: Universidad Politecnica Valencia (UPV) (Spain)

 

All students accepted to an Exchange program are automatically considered for an award of $1,000! See Cost tab for more information.

                               
If you are an engineering major with an interest in Spanish culture and life abroad, apply to study abroad at the Universidad Politecnica de Valencia (UPV)! With a wide range of engineering courses on offer, you can earn credit towards your Civil, Industrial, Computer, Telecom, Electrical, or Mechanical Engineering degree as you explore a new city and gain invaluable international and cross-cultural experience.

Host Institution
UPV is a public educational institution that enrolls over 35,000 students. The city of Valencia, located in the middle-east of Spain on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea, is considered the third largest city in Spain. The University is a modern institution with its history going back only 40 years, although some of its departmental schools have existed for more than a century (such as the School of Engineering Design, the Higher Politechnic School of Alcoy, and the Faculty of Fine Arts). The University was established in 1971 with the creation of the Higher Politechnic School of Valencia. However, it was not until the 11th of March 1971 when a decree gave the Higher Politechnic School of Valencia the highest academic rank and the institution finally became the University Politecnica de Valencia. UPV is comprised of 14 centres and 5 associated institutions (the Technical School of Industrial Engineering, located at the Ford Motor Company, for example).

Host City
The city of Valencia is the capital of the ‘Comunidad Valencian’ and the province of Valencia. It is located in the middle-east of Spain, on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea. The city is considered the third largest city of the Spanish State, according to its population rate, 1,500,000 inhabitants. The province of Valencia has an area of approximately 10,807 km2. Inland, you can find mountainous areas whilst on the coast the land is completely flat, and has many beaches as well as a big lake called “La Albufera”.

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Exchange programs are highly competitive and space in each program is limited. You must meet the following eligibility requirements in order to apply to this program:

• 3.25 GPA
• You must have completed 2 semesters at UMD
• You must be an ENGR major

Exchange programs are a good fit for students looking for immersion, personal growth, and the opportunity to strengthen qualities such as independence and adaptability.

Student Visa Information
View the Spanish Embassy website for details about obtaining a student visa.

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1. Click "Apply Now" at the top of this page. You will log in with your UMD directory ID and password.
2. Submit all application materials by the deadline listed below. This includes meeting with your EA advisor (listed at the top of this page), and may include requesting a faculty letter of recommendation, and submitting an official transcript. If a letter of recommendation and/or official transcript are required, it will be listed in MyEA once you start an application for this program. 
3. After the application deadline, we will review all completed applications and nominate students for available spots in each exchange program.
4. If you are nominated to participate in this exchange, you will work with your EA advisor (listed above) to apply directly to the host university, who will formally admit you to the exchange program. Nominated students must complete the host university application in accordance with the host university’s stated deadlines and instructions.
5. Nominated students will then work with their EA advisor (listed above) and our partner universities to coordinate all aspects of the stay at the host university such as course registration, visas and arrival.

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Academic Planning

Visit the Academics & Study Abroad page which outlines key considerations for your academic planning as you navigate different phases of study abroad:

• Pre-Departure Course Selection & Approval
• Finalizing Course Enrollment Abroad
• Transcripts and Credits on your UMD Record

Coursework

This program offers courses in Civil Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Computer Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering.

Although most classes are in Spanish, UPV does offer courses taught in English each semester. About 10 business courses per semester are offered. Not all courses are offered each semester. You are advised to check the semester availability of courses based on the current academic year.
 

 

There may be other course offerings on this program that are not currently listed in the Study Abroad Course Database (SACD). 

• If you are interested in taking an engineering course not listed in the SACD, please submit an engineering course evaluation request.
• If you are interested in taking a non-engineering course not listed in the SACD,  please submit a transfer credit evaluation request.

 

Credit

All credit you earn on this program will count as transfer credit towards your UMD degree.  Most courses at Universidad Politecnica Valencia will be converted as follows:

Universidad Politecnica Valencia Credit	UMD Credit
.8 UPV Credit	1 UMD Credit
5 UPV Credit	4 UMD Credit

The credit conversion listed above was approved by the UMD Study Abroad Transfer Credit Committee on December 12, 2015.

Grading

Undergraduates must receive a C- equivalent or better in order to be eligible for the transfer of credit.

Universidad Politecnica Valencia Grade	UMD Grade
5	C-

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There are several options in regards to accommodation including student dorms, sharing/renting a flat, and living with a host family. You can visit this website for more information regarding available housing options.

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Exchange Program Cost of Attendance
UMD students participating in an Exchange program have the benefit of paying UMD tuition rates to attend an institution abroad. For specific information about this Exchange program, please reference the Cost of Attendance Chart.
 

Tuition and fees for exchange programs are charged directly to your UMD account, which means you can apply UMD scholarships, state and federal financial aid, and alternative loans towards the cost of an exchange. Students participating in a BMGT or ENGR exchange program are not charged differential tuition. Housing costs are paid directly to the host institution or on-site housing agency.

You can use the cost of attendance comparison worksheet to view how study abroad programs compare to each other and the amount you pay on campus at UMD. As always, your EA advisor (listed above) is available to help you complete this worksheet and find affordable programs that fit your study abroad goals.

Exchange Scholarship
All students accepted to an Exchange program are considered for an automatic award of $1,000! To be considered for this scholarship, you must:

• Be a current degree seeking undergraduate UMD student (graduate students are not eligible for this award)
• Not currently receive full tuition scholarship/benefits (i.e. Banneker Key, tuition remission, Frederick Douglass Scholarship, etc.)

Additional Financial Resources

• Financial Aid
• Scholarships
• Financial Policies

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Maximize your time abroad by taking advantage of resources at your host institution!

Student Clubs and Organizations
On the UPV campus, students are welcome to participate in sports activities and cultural events in order to enhance their experience at UPV.

International Welcome/Orientation
UPV offers both a general orientation meeting and a school-specific information/welcome session. Students will receive emails with specific information on both offerings. In addition to these sessions, UPV offers a Buddy Program for students to take part in.

Counseling & Health Services
International students are offered a student insurance plan that covers comprehensive medical-pharmaceutical care, hospitalization, surgery and financial compensation in certain circumstances.

Resource Guide for Students with Disabilities*

Resource Guide for LGBTQ+ Identities*

*These resource guides provide general information about services at UMD’s partner institution. For more information, consult your EA advisor.

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