Aerospace Engineering

General Planning Tips For Aerospace Engineering 

  • With careful and early planning, you can study abroad and still graduate on time. 
  • The minimum eligibility requirements to study abroad are the completion of one semester on campus and a GPA of 2.5 or higher.  Some programs may have additional eligibility requirements.
  • Study abroad is a great way to satisfy your KU Core requirements. Therefore, it is a good idea to reserve some of your KU Core classes to take abroad.
  • Scholarships are available for study abroad both through KU Study Abroad & Global Engagement and national organizations. Connect with your School of Engineering advisor to learn more about scholarship opportunities for engineering students pursuing international study.
  • Courses to take at KU: In addition to taking Intro to Astronautics (AE 360) and Aerodynamics & Performance (AE 445) at KU, you should plan to take the majority of your upper division engineering courses at KU.  Your tech electives may be taken abroad.  Meet with your academic advisor to learn more about which courses you can take abroad so that you can effectively plan for a study abroad experience

When To Go

Freshman

  • Schedule a meeting with an engineering advisor during your first semester at KU to discuss your graduation plan and identify specific courses as well as specific timing opportunities for your study abroad experience.
  • After you've met with your academic advisor, continue your program research by visiting the KU Study Abroad Info Center in Lippincott Hall. Study abroad peer advisors can help you to identify suitable study abroad options based upon the information you received from your advisor.
  • Studying abroad usually requires two letters of recommendation, so it's good to start identifying individuals who can speak to your academic qualifications as well as your ability to be successful during an international experience.
  • There are a few summer programs that offer good course options for aerospace engineering students, and the best time to pursue these programs is the summer before your sophomore year.  These programs typically offer courses such as Statics, Thermodynamics, and/or upper level physics or math.  Otherwise, summer is a great time to take some of your KU Core courses abroad.

Sophomore

  • Sophomore year is a good time for Aerospace Engineering students to study abroad, and either the fall or spring semester could potentially work.
  • You can take a combination of mathematics, basic sciences, KU Core, and/or basic engineering sciences abroad. CE 310 and ME 312 are great courses to take abroad to stay on track.
  • AE students should plan to take both Intro to Astronautics (AE 360) and Aerodynamics & Performance (AE 445) at KU.  AE 445 is sometimes offered at KU during the summer term, giving you some flexibility as you plan for your study abroad experience.  Although AE 360 is only offered at KU during the spring semester, it does not serve as a prerequisite for any other AE course and so could be shifted to the spring semester either your junior or senior year.
  • If you are not planning on an internship during the summer, this is another great opportunity to take some of your KU Core requirements abroad.

Junior 

  • It is not recommended that Aerospace Engineering students pursue a semester study abroad program their junior year.  However, short term programs offered during Winter Break, Spring Break, and/or the Summer term would still be a good option during this time.

Senior

  • Spring semester of the senior year is another good option for Aerospace Engineering students. 

Courses and Credit

  • Engineering faculty have already pre-approved a number of engineering courses abroad. To see available pre-approved courses, visit the Course Equivalency Database.
  • If you want to take a class/classes that have not been pre-approved, complete the credit approval process.

Recommended Programs For Aerospace Engineering 

To help you get started on your search, learn more about Aerospace Engineering Programs. We also encourage you to visit the study abroad Info Center for drop-in advising to meet with a Peer Advisor to discuss your interests and learn more about available options. 

Short Term Programs:

Universidad Pontificia Comillas SAPIENS Summer – Spain

Recommended Timing: Summer after Freshmen Year

Sample courses: Research courses, upper-level math

CEA Engineering in Rome- Italy(Student Initiated Programs in Italy and Greece)

Recommended Timing: Summer – after freshman year

Sample courses: Match courses, Engineering Electives

CEA Engineering in Paris- France(Student Initiated Programs in France and Belgium)

Recommended Timing: Summer – after freshman year

Sample courses: Statics, Engineering Electives. 

CEA Engineering in Prague- Czech Republic (Student Initiated Programs in Central Europe)

Recommended Timing: Summer – after freshman year

Sample courses: Statics, Engineering Electives. 

CEA Engineering in Buenos Aires- Argentina(Student Initiated Programs in Spain, Portugal and Latin America)

Recommended Timing: Summer – after freshman year

Sample courses: Dynamics, Circuits, Differential equations and Linear Algebra. 

Summer Global Internships

Recommended Timing: Summer – after freshman or sophomore year

Sample courses: varies by location