Program Overview

Introduction to the ATHENS Program

The ATHENS Program is a short-term student exchange program operated under the ATHENS Network, which consists of Europe's leading technical universities. The program aims to strengthen academic and cultural cooperation and provide students with international experience.

What is the ATHENS Program?

The ATHENS Program is conducted by a strong academic network of 15 member universities from Europe's most prestigious technical institutions. The program operates on a reciprocity basis, meaning each university can send as many students as there are available spots in the courses offered.

Participating Universities

The full list of participating universities includes:

• Aristotle University of Thessaloniki – Greece
• Budapest University of Technology and Economics – Hungary
• Czech Technical University in Prague – Czech Republic
• Delft University of Technology – Netherlands
• Instituto Superior Técnico (Universidade de Lisboa) – Portugal
• Istanbul Technical University (ITU) – Turkey
• Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KU Leuven) – Belgium
• National University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest – Romania
• Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) – Norway
• Politecnico di Milano – Italy
• Technische Universität München (TUM) – Germany
• Technische Universität Wien (TU Wien) – Austria
• Universidad Politécnica de Madrid – Spain
• Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain) – Belgium
• Warsaw University of Technology – Poland
  • ParisTech Consortium – France, which includes:
    • AgroParisTech
    • Arts et Métiers
    • Chimie ParisTech – PSL
    • École des Ponts ParisTech
    • ESPCI Paris – PSL
    • Institut d'Optique Graduate School
    • Mines Paris – PSL
    • Télécom Paris

Who Can Participate?

All undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students registered at ITU can apply. Participation is free of charge, but students are responsible for their travel, accommodation, and personal expenses.

Application Process and Evaluation

Applications are taken online 2-3 months prior to each session. The application process consists of two stages:

1. Pre-evaluation – Conducted by ITU ATHENS Coordinators.
2. Final evaluation and placement – Conducted by the General Coordination of the ATHENS Network. Placement results are announced via the online system.

Academic and Social Benefits

The ATHENS Program provides an intense international academic education, with courses typically focused on technical and engineering subjects, including applied projects, laboratory work, and technical excursions. An equally important aspect of the program is the social and cultural interaction, with host universities organizing city tours, museum visits, cultural events, and international student gatherings. Participants receive a certificate of participation at the end of the program.

ITU and Visiting Students

ITU not only accepts its own students but also welcomes exchange students from partner universities in Europe. Visiting students attend courses at ITU, discover Turkish culture, and participate in social events, making ITU's campus a multicultural environment.

Why Participate?

Participating in the ATHENS Program offers numerous benefits, including:

• Opportunity to study at Europe's most prestigious technical universities
• Building international friendships and professional connections
• Personal development through experiencing different cultures
• Gaining a prestigious international experience to boost your CV
• Discovering new perspectives in your field