T.I.M.E. Double Degrees

What is a T.I.M.E. Double Degree?

T.I.M.E. Double Degrees are organised under bilateral agreements between two of the Association’s members. In principle, voluntary bilateral agreements may be signed between any two T.I.M.E. members. However, to support our goal of cultural and linguistic diversity, the two signatories may not be from the same country. There are more than 300 bilateral agreements active within the T.I.M.E. network. It is estimated that a total of 5,000 students were mobile in T.I.M.E. Double Degree exchanges, which is an average of 500 newly-mobile students per year.

Who can apply?

If you are a student within engineering or a related field, finishing your bachelor’s degree or already enrolled in a Master of Science programme at a T.I.M.E. member institution, you are eligible to apply to a T.I.M.E. Double Degree through your university.

How does it work?

Once you have been selected for a T.I.M.E. Double Degree study track, in order to qualify for the T.I.M.E. Label Certificate you are required to fulfill the following minimum requirements:

Earn at least 330 ECTS credits (or equivalent in the local system) over your full academic career (Bachelor + Master);
Study at least 3 semesters at the T.I.M.E. host institution where you study under a bilateral agreement with your home institution
In addition, you may be asked to fulfill any other requirement stipulated in the bilateral agreement.

You will have to pay any tuition and fees only at your home institution for the entire duration of your Double Degree. Some of the ECTS credits (or equivalent) earned at your host institution may be recognized at your home institution, according to the rules indicated in the specific bilateral agreement. When you have completed all the required credits in both your home and host institutions and have been awarded two fully-fledged Master of Science Degrees , each one legally valid in the country of the awarding institution and also in those countries where at least one of these two Degrees is recognized as equivalent, you may apply for your T.I.M.E. Label Certificate.

What are the main characteristics?

During your study period abroad as a T.I.M.E. student, you will experience :

High-level education in a different cultural context, educational system and (usually) language.
Projects in research laboratories.
International team-working.
Development of interpersonal and intercultural skills.
Language learning.
In-depth cultural and international exposure.
Opportunities of Internships in companies.

How can you apply?

Check with the International Relations Office of your home institution which Double Degree agreements your institution has with other T.I.M.E. members. Each T.I.M.E. member has a designated T.I.M.E. coordinator that has more information about possible destinations, and the application and selection process.

Testimonials

Gabriel Guedes (GG) – T.I.M.E. Double Degree Alumni Universidade de São Paulo (Brazil) – Politecnico di Milano (Italy)

T.I.M.E. Double Degree abroad ! In this series, we speak to T.I.M.E. Association Double Degree Alumni from around the world to find out about the different paths they have followed and the impact of the T.I.M.E. Double Degree on their lives.

I was very fortunate to speak with Gabriel Guedes (“GG”). He started at Universidade de São Paulo (Brazil) and came for its double degree at Politecnico di Milano (Italy). An experience that he highly recommends to all students looking for an international experience. Gabriel (GG) is now in Sydney, Australia. He co-founded Lyka and currently leads its Operations!

So, are you ready to apply for a T.I.M.E. Double Degree ? Gaining an invaluable global perspective and international industry experience, you will also graduate with formal degrees from both your home institution and your chosen university.

Dario PACCAGNAN, Double Degree Alumni Università degli studi Padova (Italy) – Technical University of Denmark

Dario Paccagnan is now an Assistant Professor (UK Lecturer) and a member of the Computational Optimization Group in the Department of Computing at Imperial College London, UK.

Previously, he was a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Center for Control, Dynamical System, and Computations, University California Santa Barbara hosted by Prof. Francesco Bullo and Prof. Jason Marden. He received a PhD in optimization and control from ETH Zurich under the guidance of Prof. John Lygeros. He was awarded a B.Sc. and two M.Sc. degrees from the University of Padova , and the Technical University of Denmark under the T.I.M.E. double degree program. Dario was recognized with the ETH medal for his doctoral work, the SNSF Early Postdoc Mobility Fellowship, and the SNSF Doc Mobility Fellowship.

He is interested in the modeling, analysis and control of multi-agent systems where self-interested agents take autonomous decisions. He leverages theoretical models and real world case studies to shed light on the societal impact of self-interested decision making. Applications include future mobility and electricity markets.

Athéa Comellini, Double Degree ISAE-SUPAERO(France) – Politecnico di Milano (Italy)

From Double Degree to Phd. Very inspiring portrait from Athéa Comellini (ISAE Supaéro, France and Politecnico di Milano, Italy) working now for ESA Operations, Darmstadt, Germany.

A fantastic example of cooperation from the T.I.M.E. Association Members: a network of sophisticated engineers educated by world class higher education institutions.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0p55qOZ8FY

Prudence Edwards, Double Degree University of Queensland (Australia) – Ecole Centrale de Marseille (France)

“Just meeting so many people from around the world, not just French people but the other international students and getting to know their language, experiencing so many different cultures, has just been a wonderful experience.

Also, my interest is in the biopharmaceutical industry and there are a lot more opportunities in this industry in Europe, in America than in Australia. It was another reason I was very keen to have a degree and the opportunity to network and make connections in France.

There are always upside down, but even just a year into my double degree is the highlights that I am always going to remember and the progress that I made in the last year is just immeasurable and incredible to look back on.

So, just do it and you will definitely not regret it !”

Eric Bröte, Double Degree KTH (Sweden) – CentraleSupélec (France)

“This has given me a lot of confidence to be able to set my goals for myself”-

Eric Bröte, Double Degree KTH (Sweden) – CentraleSupélec (France)

Clara Hamel – Double Degree KTH (Sweden) – CentraleSupélec (France)

“Everyone should do a double degree in order to challenge themselves”-

Clara Hamel, Double Degree KTH (Sweden) – CentraleSupélec (France)

David Garibaldi – Double Degree Politecnico di Torino (Italy) /KTH (Sweden)

“I feel more able to choose and do things that maybe would have been challenging for me before”

David Garibaldi – Double Degree Politecnico di Torino (Italy)- KTH(Sweden)

Olle Erickson – Double Degree KTH (Sweden) – CentraleSupélec (France)

“You might not get a chance like this many times in your life” – Ole Erickson

Olle Erickson – Double Degree KTH (Sweden) – CentraleSupélec (France)

Alba Fernández – Double Degree UPMadrid (Spain) – KTH (Sweden)

Student at Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (Spain) and KTH (Sweden)

” I wanted to have an experience different from Erasmus and I wanted to do something that could help me more to develop my professional career”

Alba Fernández (Double Degree between ETSI UPMadrid and KTH, Sweden)

Luigi Piccoli

Student at Politecnico di Milano (Italy) and CentraleSupélec (France)

Hi Luigi, tell us about yourself.

I’m originally from Brazil but I have moved to Italy 9 years ago, at the beginning of high school. Since then I have studied Computer Engineering in Politecnico di Milano for two years before coming to CentraleSupélec for a double degree.

Why did you choose to do a TIME double degree?

I was very interested by the many opportunities this path could open and also the high prestige of the universities involved in the program. Being a Computer Engineering major, I was also interested learning about other aspects of Engineering and Management in general.

Why did you decide to go to CentraleSupélec?

Because I really liked the prospective of doing more practical works, more laboratories and more projects in general. It was also an opportunity to learn another language, which is always very useful, especially in our globalized society.

How has the experience been?

In the beginning it was a little bit of a shock regarding the French society but slowly, I got used to it. Concerning the university itself the main hardship was the French mathematical approach, which was completely different to that I was used to. It was an opportunity to increase my experience and knowledge in areas I wasn’t comfortable with.

What are your biggest take aways from your TIME double degree experience?

To continue working hard even if difficulties come along.
Having an open mind when talking to students from another culture
It’s an opportunity for solving problems outside of the comfort zone

What are your plans for the future?

I first must finish my program in Italy, including the Master program. Afterwards, I still have no clear path but surely, I would love to work in the IT area. I am particularly inclined to working in video-game development.

What would you say to a student thinking about doing a double degree exchange?

Especially if you have never been outside of your comfort zone, it is a really valuable and rewarding experience. Surely, the cultural experience, the friends, maybe even a different view of the world and the society you earn by studying in a foreign country are things that you will keep all throughout your life.

Home university: Politecnico di Milano
Host university: CentraleSupélec

Andrea Fumagalli

Student at Politecnico di Milano (Italy) and CentraleSupélec (France)

Hi Andrea, tell us about yourself.

My name is Andrea Fumagalli. I come from the North of Italy (Lake of Como). I started my university studies at Politecnico di Milano, the leading technical university in Italy, studying Energy Engineering.

Why did you choose to do a TIME Double Degree?

I decided to take part in the TIME Double Degree as I consider it a fantastic opportunity for my personal and professional development. In particular, I studied two years at CentraleSupélec, a Top-level French Engineering school and right now I am completing an internship in Paris working for an international Oil & Gas company. Another reason was my desire to increase the number of professional opportunities at the end of my studies. After two years abroad, I can say that the TIME double degree offered me so much and was one of the best experience in my life.

How has the experience been?

The experience was fantastic: I met people from all over the world (at CentraleSupélec 25% of students are international), become (almost) trilingual, gained knowledge and skills that are always more important in our connected world.

You don’t have to be afraid about managing the language. When I arrived in Paris at the beginning of my TIME Double Degree, I was not able to have a conversation with a French person. After a few months, speaking French was natural. The academic system is different if compared to the Italian one but I think it’s not interesting to write about it here.

If you feel like you want to do a TIME Double Degree, go for it: you will be able to pass the language barrier at the beginning.

What are your plans for the future?

I am completing an internship in an Oil & Gas company in Paris. Then I am going back to Milano to complete my studies with a master’s degree. In fact my TIME double degree has the following structure: 2 years at your home university, 2 years abroad and then 2 years at your home university. At the and, you receive the Master of Science level degree of the two universities. I am eager to take on an international career in the energy sector: providing advice on complex matters and shaping energy futures.

What would you say to a student thinking about doing a double degree exchange?

If you feel like you want to do it, just go for it and start your international career!

Home university: Politecnico di Milano
Host university: CentraleSupélec

Evangelia Kostadima

Student at Aristoteles university of Thessaloniki (Greece) and CentraleSupélec (France)

Hi Eva, tell us about yourself.

Hello, so I come from Greece, where I completed two years of my studies in Civil Engineering at Aristoteles university of Thessaloniki (AUTh) before coming to CentraleSupélec.

Why did you choose to do a T.I.M.E. Double Degree?

I guess it is common knowledge that Greece doesn’t offer that many job opportunities for the moment. Also, I have always been fascinated to live abroad but always told myself that I have to finish my studies first. The TIME Double Degree was exactly what I needed since it not only introduces me to the international market early on but also challenges me and develops my skills in a very different way.

Why did you decide to go to CentraleSupélec?

I could tell you all about how great CentraleSupélec is, especially now that I’m here there are so many things I appreciate, but truth is, as far as to why I chose CentraleSupélec in particular, it’s because it was my only option. Of course, its famous alumni, the interesting courses and its amazing location just next to Paris were some of its most tempting aspects.

How has the experience been?

I’ll be very honest by saying that it changed my life, in so many ways. The first year was one of the most difficult things I had to go through. I didn’t speak the language, I was missing basic knowledge for most of the classes since my university focuses on totally different subjects and had to manage everything on my own (bank accounts, housing, bills, administrative issues etc.). And don’t let me start about the weather. Coming from Greece, waking up every day to a grey sky was kind of depressing. And yet somehow, I couldn’t wait to come back after summer vacation. And I wasn’t wrong. The second year has been amazing so far.

So what would you say are your biggest take aways from your TIME Double Degree experience?

Primarily I took huge culture lessons. Living among French people but also interacting on a daily basis with more than twenty different nationalities has been an eye-opening experience. Then, looking back to something that seemed impossible to manage and being able to tell yourself that you did it, is a deeply satisfying feeling. I gained a lot of self-confidence and I have learned to adapt and to treat problems methodically. But most importantly to stay focused on my goals and just keep going.

What are your plans for the future?

I’m currently searching for an internship in Civil Engineering in Paris for after I finish my second year in CentraleSupélec and ideally one after it in Switzerland. Then I have two more years in Greece in order to finish my studies, and then, who knows?

What would you say to a student thinking about doing a TIME Double Degree?

I would tell them that it sure looks like a big step and a huge decision and it really is. Nobody should apply for this program expecting it to be easy. But if you’re prepared for the difficulties, this experience is going to be so powerful on so many levels. I wouldn’t change it for anything in the world and you won’t either, once you decide to take the challenge.

Home university: Aristoteles university of Thessaloniki (AUTh)
Host university: CentraleSupélec

Denis Lamolle

AIRBUS Helicopters

“This international experience was amazing: regarding the theoretical lectures, we were given classes with students having a very different background than ours, and we had to step back and adapt ourselves to the new conditions of learning. In addition, we attended very specialized modules focused on flight mechanics and aerodynamics, as well as modules more focused on real industrial life. This T.I.M.E. challenge lead me to obtain the title of mechanician engineer in Brussels, as well as aeronautical engineer in Toulouse. Furthermore, this experience widened my industrial experience and knowledge, to better prepare my professional career.”

Home university: Université Libre de Bruxelle
Host university: SUPAERO

Andreas Graef

Project Manager, Niederösterreichische Landeskliniken-Holding, Austria

“In my daily job, I have to combine technical and social skills: from technical analysis and conceptual design to negotiations, presentations and hours of communication with team members and suppliers. This mixture reflects the two aspects the TIME program taught me: if necessary, show a detailed expert know-how, and always assure a solid, broad overview. I like to remember the period when I was part of the TIME program, and I am still profiting from the acquired knowledge. Thus I can warmly recommend the TIME program as a challenging, but infinitely enriching opportunity to any motivated student.”

Home university: Vienna University of Technology
Host university: Ecole Centrale Paris

Marco Polvani

Consultant, Sia Partners Middle East, Dubai (UAE)

“The T.I.M.E. experience has deeply enriched my vision of the world and has helped me to grow as both personally and professionally. Moreover, spending two years abroad is the best way to deeply understand and appreciate the culture not only of the hosting country, but also of the other students in exchange. Thanks to the T.I.M.E. experience, I have tight friendships with skilled and smart people all over the world (especially in Europe and South America) and I have access to customized and privileged access to high challenging job opportunities.”

Home institution: Politecnico di Milano
Host institution: Ecole Centrale Paris