International Programs

Going abroad

Outgoing mobility programs are designed to integrate into the curriculum and contribute to the acquisition of skills: disciplinary consolidation, autonomy, the ability to thrive in multicultural environments, and preparation for international careers.

Mobility Formats

Academic Exchange

Exchanges allow students to spend a semester or a year at a partner university, with academic recognition of coursework according to current agreements. They offer a unique opportunity to:

• deepen knowledge in a specific discipline;
• experience other teaching and assessment methods;
• develop linguistic and intercultural skills.

Good tip: anticipate your mobility to target the semester with the widest course offering (often at the start of the academic year).

Double Degree

Double degrees are based on specific agreements and lead to the awarding of two diplomas, subject to meeting the academic requirements of both institutions.
These require more commitment, but they send a very strong signal on a CV: you know how to adapt, maintain a rigorous academic path, and work within two academic systems.
The School has 22 double degree agreements within its partnership network.

International Internship

Internships abroad are part of a professionalization and integration approach: immersion in an international work environment, adoption of various professional standards, and network consolidation. Depending on the program, they can be combined with academic mobility.

European Mobility (Erasmus+)

The School’s European relations are governed by Erasmus+, and Mines Saint-Étienne has signed 40 agreements within this framework.
Erasmus+ can also provide access to financial aid for mobility (depending on eligibility, destination, and terms of stay).

Funding Your Mobility

Erasmus+ scholarships can cover part of the costs related to departure (transport, language preparation, cost of living, etc.) for eligible students.
Depending on your campus and situation, regional support programs may also exist.

4-Step Process

1. Define an objective (academic, linguistic, professional)
2. Choose a format (exchange, double degree, internship) and a period
3. Validate the project (equivalences, program coherence, timeline)
4. Prepare for departure (language, budget, procedures, insurance, accommodation)

Coming to Study at Mines Saint-Étienne

Mines Saint-Étienne welcomes international students within the framework of exchange agreements (credit validation) or degree programs. The welcome procedures aim to ensure both academic quality and practical integration (administrative procedures, settling in, student life).

Two Types of Admission Status

Exchange Student (credit-seeking)

Students come to follow a set of courses for a defined period, within the framework of an agreement between institutions. The objective is credit validation, subsequently integrated into the original curriculum.
If your university is a partner, your application generally goes through a nomination via your home institution (international office).
“Good timing” matters: to benefit from a wider choice of courses, it is often advisable to arrive at the beginning of the academic year.

Degree-Seeking Student (degree-seeking)

You are pursuing a degree programme (according to the programme, admission requirements, and entry level).
Mines Saint-Étienne offers several degree pathways open to international students.

• Engineering Degrees (programs “Master’s degree in engineering”): in some cases, international students may be admitted for the last 2 years and obtain a 2-year Master’s Degree in Engineering.
• Masters (Master of Science): an MSc is obtained with a strong course component + 6-month internship/thesis, and can be completed in 1 or 2 years depending on the entry level.
• PhD: accessible to candidates holding a Master of Science in Engineering (or equivalent), depending on topics and funding.

Languages: What You Need to Know

French as a Foreign Language courses can be offered to incoming students.

Applying: Standard Process

• Identify the programme (exchange / Master of Science in Engineering / other).
• Check the timeline and required documents (transcripts, language level, etc.).
• Submit your application according to the procedure indicated by the programme.
• Prepare for arrival (accommodation, health coverage, administrative procedures).

Contact

International Relations Office — Incoming Students
Email: international@mines-stetienne.fr

Study in English

For non-French-speaking candidates (or those wishing to pursue a course in English), the School highlights Master of Science in Engineering programmes entirely taught in English.
Each Master of Science in Engineering includes, in its final phase, 6 months of coursework and 6 months of internship / thesis, in connection with research environments and, frequently, industrial partners.

Key Takeaways

• It’s a “direct” entry point for international profiles.
• It’s also an interesting option for those who want to study in France without an immediate language barrier.
• And a possible step before pursuing a PhD.