FAQ about URI’s International Engineering Program

Is there a separate application for the IEP from the main URI app? How do I enroll?

When you apply to URI, be sure to check off the box for entrance into the College of Engineering. For accepted engineering students, you can enroll in the IEP as early as your summer orientation by filling out our enrollment form (available on the IEP website here) and then signing up for a language class with the help of your advisor. If you have experience in your language of choice, be sure to ask for help with placement.

Many students also enroll during their first semester or first year, but it may also be possible to join later (discuss your path with an IEP director). If you are unsure if you want to join right away, taking a language class each semester starting during your first semester at URI will allow you to join the IEP without getting behind. We do encourage enrolling in the IEP sooner rather than later so that you don’t miss important advising information or get behind on your language curriculum.

Do I have to be accepted into it?

No, it’s actually an opt-in program, but to join, you must be majoring in engineering and a world language and intend to spend a full year studying and interning abroad. Note: You need a 2.5 GPA to study abroad in most cases.

How can participating in the International Engineering Program set me apart from my engineering peers?

You will become one of the 0.1% of U.S. undergraduate engineering students (2025 IIE Open Doors Report) who can put on their resume that they have a full calendar year of international study and internship experience.

All of our graduates must complete this experience as a requirement of our program. With about 15-25% of URI’s College of Engineering students choosing this unique path, it’s one way to stand out from your peers.

In participating in the IEP, you demonstrate that you are capable of taking on challenges by not only learning a language alongside your engineering courses, but also balancing a dual degree workload and adapting to life in another country and language. You will develop your skills as a communicator, which is essential for both navigating different cultures and also communicating effectively between different groups of people at your future job. The linguistic skills and intercultural knowledge you develop will help you to become flexible, adaptable and able to problem-solve from multiple perspectives. Your full-time six-month internship experience abroad will stand out on your resume as well. You may even be able to participate in additional research opportunities while abroad. The network you develop through the program both at URI and abroad will serve you long past your time as an undergraduate student. Your time abroad will help you grow as a person in many important ways!

If interested in hearing a student and/or alumni’s perspective on participating in the program, be sure to let us know.

What courses should I take in high school to get ready to study engineering in college?

Math and science. You should definitely take physics, and courses such as engineering, computer science, robotics, etc. could help too! If you don’t meet the College of Engineering requirements upon applying to URI but are accepted to another college, you can transfer in once you have made up those courses. As for international engineering, prior language study in your chosen language will give you an edge for several reasons (see below), but if you start with a new language, it is still possible to complete the IEP!

Should I pick a new language or continue with one I already have experience with?

It may depend on your individual situation, but in general, we advise that you choose the language that most motivates you professionally, academically and/or personally.

If you continue with a language that you already have some experience with, you may be able to receive incentive credit or transfer credit, might have more curricular flexibility and/or the possibility of additional opportunities available to you while abroad. It is absolutely possible to start a new language from scratch and you may find that you enjoy the new language and proficient oriented training more than your language learning experience in HS, and that it is more in line with your interests and goals. You will also likely find that the skills you previously acquired from any language learning experiences are likely to aid you with this new one as well.

If you have extensive knowledge (native/near native, having spent most of your K-12 years in an educational environment where that language is used) of one of our six languages, it may be suggested that you begin with another language so that there are enough classes for you to take and so that you can get the most out of the program.

Is there financial aid available from the program?

There is generally financial aid through URI for qualified students. Make sure to contact URI Admissions and the Financial Aid Office when you apply with any questions. Make sure you submit all parts of your app by the Dec. 1 deadline to apply to the College of Engineering and also be considered for URI’s Merit Scholarships. No separate application, but the deadline is important. You are automatically considered.

Once enrolled in the IEP, there are also numerous scholarships that only IEP students are eligible for. Check out our scholarship page for more information.

Do I have to go abroad in my fourth year of this five-year program?

IEP students are typically required to spend their fourth year abroad, completing a mandatory semester of study at a partner university followed by a six-month internship in a company or research facility. Although some students may be allowed to go abroad in their fifth year, there are only certain circumstances that this is recommended for and approval must be given by a student’s IEP director.

Being a varsity athlete, in ROTC, a transfer student or participating in the FastTrack B.S./M.S. in engineering are some considerations for going in the fifth year. Students interested in combining IEP with the accelerated BS/MS program need to contact their IEP director and the graduate director of their desired master’s program.

Can I participate in the IEP as a Talent Development, transfer or FastTrack B.S./M.S. Student?

Yes, this is an opportunity you can explore with our IEP directors to see how/if the IEP curriculum can work for you specifically. In all of these scenarios, you should also meet with your engineering advisor to discuss your plans.

Transfer Students: If you are a transfer student, you should also schedule a meeting with Assistant Dean Kathleen Maher to ensure that all of your credits transfer appropriately. Before transferring, take advantage of your language study options at your current institution in order to get a head start on your language degree.

FastTrack B.S./M.S.: If you are a potential FastTrack B.S./M.S. student, contact the graduate director of your desired master’s program. Note: The IEP plus FastTrack path will likely put you on a six year plan, but you would then graduate from URI with two bachelor’s degrees, a master’s degree and a full year of international experience in just six years.

Is there special housing available for students in the International Engineering Program?

Yes, our International Engineering Program Living and Learning Community (IEP LLC) is for students sophomore year and up. (First-year students have the option to live in the College of Engineering LLC elsewhere on campus). There’s room for about 70 students between the two buildings we manage. Here, students can live alongside international students from our partner universities from around the world. It’s a tight-knit community with an international feel, providing access to global cultures without leaving campus.. Even dining comes with international flair, as this LLC has its own professional chef dedicated to the intercultural mission of the program. For more information, contact Angela Graney at agraney@uri.edu.

What does an engineer or an international engineer do?

Engineers make things, solve problems, and design objects or systems using math, science and technology. An international engineer can do this with an adaptable and informed perspective with people from other cultures and in other languages.

Can I come visit the International Engineering Program at URI?

Yes! We encourage it. Contact the IEP to plan a meeting with current students and faculty (virtually or in-person). A tailored campus visit could potentially include a whole range of different activities (class shadow, lab visit, facility tour, 1-on-1 conversations, etc.).

URI events: There are Open Houses each October, Welcome Days in March/April and the Office of Admissions runs tours and info sessions throughout the year. On certain days during the school year, Admissions and the College of Engineering offers special info sessions on engineering for prospective students that IEP also participates in, so be on the lookout for those as well.

College of Engineering