You want to pursue a career in engineering, but you are still not sure which path to take? With the multitude of engineering fields to choose from, such as aerospace, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, biomedical engineering and computing, it can be difficult to know where to start. That is where the Bachelor of Engineering in Global Engineering, a collaborative engineering degree offered by the world-renowned engineering faculties of CentraleSupelec and McGill University, Montreal, can provide the ideal solution.
Students spend their first two years at CentraleSupélec in Paris-Saclay before leaving for Canada to spend the next two years McGill, in the heart of Montreal. Designed to combine scientific excellence with an in-depth understanding of 21st-century challenges, the programme welcomed its first cohort in 2023 and continues to offer students an engineering curriculum that goes far beyond the traditional approach of mathematics and physics.
To find out more about this degree from a student's perspective, we chatted with Hanae, a French-Mauritian student coming to the end of her first year at CentraleSupelec. When Expat Student helped Hanae find the training course that suited her, as she didn't know exactly which path to follow. We are therefore delighted to learn that, thanks to our advice, she made the right choice.
How does this engineering degree differ from others?
While it is undeniable that mathematics and physics form the foundation of any engineering course, and that the CentraleSupélec Grande École provides exceptional teaching in both fields, this programme has been designed to cover a much broader scope. We believe that in order to embrace the multifaceted approach required to solve today's societal problems, a curriculum must cover all areas of engineering, life sciences, digital technology and management.
For Hanae, it opened doors to fields of study she had never considered before.‘I really enjoyed bio-engineering, which surprised me. I had stopped doing biology when I had to choose my specialisms at school, so I didn't know if I'd like it, but as we have to do both theory and practice in every field, it's great because you can apply what you've learned to a real-life situation. I now understand the connection and usefulness of biology in engineering..’
The course is not limited to science. Students also study fields such as philosophy, ethics, critical thinking and geopolitics. ‘I am going to study geopolitics next year, which I am very much looking forward to. We started philosophy this year, which is really interesting, as we spend an hour a week discussing theories and ideas, which is very different from the engineering side.
We also have an hour-long class every week dedicated to public speaking and another class where we debate. These classes aim to improve everyone's English, which is great because the programme is very international, meaning that everyone has different backgrounds and ways of thinking. I really enjoy these classes.’
Where do the students come from?
‘The programme has a very international flavour, as it attracts students from 29 different countries. There are also many French students with dual nationality. There are also quite a few American, German and Spanish students. There are people from all over the world, and 45 % of the students on my course are women, which is really brilliant!‘
What does a typical week look like for an international engineering student at CentraleSupélec?
‘There are many different types of courses: lectures where there are 100 of us, seminars with 20 people, and tutorials where we are in groups of 12.. Hanae explains that due to the small size of the cohorts, the teachers know all the students well: ‘We are very close to the teachers, they know each of us and if you have a problem, it is easy to go and see them to ask questions. The teachers' offices are right next to the library, so when we are studying, it is easy to find them‘.
With a reputation for rigor and excellence and a varied curriculum, it is not surprising that the expectations and workload for international engineering students are high. Hanae is aware of this, but she also highlights the benefits this brings for students: ‘As bachelor’s students, we don’t have much free time, as the programme is very demanding. Most days of the week, classes start around 8:30 and finish around 18:00, and attendance is compulsory, which I really appreciate, as it means you have to work very hard and stay focused, because you don’t have a choice! ‘
What about university life in general?
‘Saclay is not a very big town, so you can always find things to do, and the small number of students contributes to that too, I feel like I know everyone. At the weekend, I like visiting my grandparents who live in France, or we often go into central Paris, which is only 45 minutes away. Sometimes, we stay on campus and play sports, as there are lots of different clubs.’
Internship opportunities
The programme also includes three work placements, the first of which is a social and environmental placement at the end of the first year, which must align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Hanae found that this really helped her apply what she had learned in class to real-life contexts. ‘I did mine in Mauritius in the energy sector.’
‘It was really interesting, because I was working for a company responsible for maintaining a 2-megawatt power plant. I was really enthusiastic about how it worked and I learned a lot about how to optimise it. It was incredible to be able to put what I had learned at school into practice and I really understood what I was doing thanks to my knowledge of physics.’
When Hanae embarked on the course in global engineering, she imagined becoming an aerospace engineer, but today she recognises that the course itself, and that placement in particular, allowed her to explore different fields. ‘I always thought I wanted to do aerospace engineering, so this placement was brilliant as it allowed me to discover different fields of engineering.
My tutor at CentraleSupélec helped me a lot in this regard, as he made me understand that my placement didn't necessarily have to match the exact career I thought I wanted to pursue, but rather that it was an opportunity for me to discover and explore. I'm really glad I did it, because I had never really studied electrical engineering in depth at school, but now I know that's what I want to do with my life.‘
Passing McGill
At the end of their second year, students leave the Parisian suburbs to move to downtown Montreal, onto the McGill campus. It is at this point that they put the knowledge acquired during the first two years of study to good use to begin specialising in a particular field of engineering. They have the choice between 9 fields: bioengineering, chemistry, civil engineering, data science, electrical, entrepreneurship, materials, mechanical or generalist, which allows them to acquire the expertise needed to manage technical projects and teams.
For students, preparation for this specialisation begins as early as the second year. Hanae explains the process to us: ‘We must choose the pathway that interests us, then go through a selection phase that takes into account our grades, an interview, a cover letter and work placement reports, as we must prove why we deserve to be admitted to the pathway of our choice, the number of places being limited for each pathway.
Your internship and your cover letter are also very important in helping you get the specialisation you want. Last year, almost everyone got the specialisation they wanted, so I hope to get my first or second choice.‘
To find out more: McGill University | International Engineering
Hanae's advice for future students
‘Make sure that you want to do something general, as the Global Bachelor covers a broad range of subjects, but if you are really certain that you want to study a particular area of engineering, such as mechanical engineering, it might be better to choose that, as you will spend the entire course specialising. Don't be afraid of the French aspect of CentraleSupélec, because in reality, we are an international group and everyone speaks English! I am an ambassador for next year's student cohort and I can tell you that there will be people from 33 different countries, so you certainly won't be on your own.‘
Comment apply ouch Bachelor of Engineering (BEng CentraleSupélec McGill?
Like you can you you English (UK) doubt, the process of application ouch programme Global Engineering east very competitive. It is there what Expat Student can you accompany.
The dates limits and the terms and conditions of application variant according to the degree of end of studies secondary what you will obtain. The process Understood notably the stationery of a evidence of your level English, a letter of motivation thus that a entretien individual ouch run of which you will have to explain yours motivations à join this programme.
Thanks à us years expertise, we can we you accompany à each step in order to of we ensure what your application reflects fully your profile and your ambition of become the engineer of tomorrow.
Download the brochure you Bachelor of Engineering BEng
Feel free not à take meet-you for a consultation in order to what we might discuss of your project and of the best way of you help à achieve yours objectives of studies academics and au-beyond.
We are there for you help à navigate in the process of application and you accompany à each step. Our objective east of you help à start one career path successful towards excellence academic and professional thanks à one programme of bachelor international of prime minister plan.
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FAQ — Admissions and programme
Here can apply to the general engineering degree ?
The candidates holders of a degree of end of studies secondary (or equivalent, with one good level English (UK) mathematics and English (UK) sciences thus that only good master's degree of English, can Apply. The terms and conditions and the dates limits of application variant according to the type of degree Received.
What are the selection criteria for choosing a major at McGill?
The selection is based on several elements:
- academic results
- an interview
- a cover letter
- the placement reports
The experience gained during the work placements and a clear and convincing cover letter
significantly strengthen your application.
How long is the programme and where does it take place?
The programme lasts four years overall:
- the first two years take place in CentraleSupélec (Paris-Saclay)
- the last two years take place in McGill (Montreal) for the specialisation
What majors are offered at McGill?
Students can choose from several fields, including:
- bio-engineering
- chemical engineering
- civil engineering
- data science
- electrical engineering
- tech entrepreneurship
- materials engineering
- mechanical engineering
- generalist career path (technical project management and team leadership)
Are internships part of the programme? Are they compulsory?
Yes. The programme includes three mandatory internships. One of them is a
social and environmental internship which must be linked to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
How can Expat Student help me to apply?
Expat Student supports students in preparing their applications, in particular:
- the proofreading and optimisation of the CV and cover letter
- interview preparation
- help with choosing specialisations
- support in the preparation of the work placement portfolio
Please feel free to contact us to find out more.
