The Athens Programme

The ATHENS week was established with the support of the European Communities SOCRATES Programme receiving an annual subsidy of 50 000 Euros from 1997-2001. Today, the Programme is mainly founded by contributions from the member institutions.

The ATHENS Programme is aimed at carrying out intensive specialization courses, given at each member institution during one or two defined periods ("Sessions") of the academic year (November and March), enabling students to attend one of the courses offered by the network universities during 7 days. This experience, in many cases, gives students the desire to carry out studies of a longer duration (MSc and PhD levels) at an institution different from their home institution and thus facilitates exchanges between students of the major European technological institutions.

7

Day programme

15

Partner universities

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO KNOW

7 nights in
Portugal
for €260

Please note that the costs listed are estimates. Actual costs will vary greatly depending on the options selected (kind of housing, type and number of meals etc).

*European Dimension Activities (EDA)

Courses

The ATHENS week permits participants from different institutions to take short courses of a high scientific level and to mix with students of different nationalities and backgrounds. About 60 courses are offered at each ATHENS Session and cover a wide range of thematic, from engineering to social sciences. The objective is to give students a brief immersion in another European education system.

Cultural Activities

“European dimension” activities are organised to complement the course a student follows. The purpose is to permit ATHENS students to better know the course organising institution, as well as the European city where the course is held. Of special importance is the possibility to mix with students of different nationalities and backgrounds during these activities.

A detailed programme for each site participating in the Session is provided by the host institution. Cultural activities are an integral part of an ATHENS Session; participation is thus mandatory.

Travel

Travel costs, by bus, second class train or special reduced group flights costs from one institution to another vary tremendously. ATHENS home institutions may assist students in finding the cheapest rate possible.

HOUSING

The participants are themselves responsible to search, book and pay accommodation (please contact your local coordinator to check if your home university provides scholarships). However, every ATHENS institution provides recommandations of hotels and hostels at reasonable prices (simple kind of accommodations). Students are free to choose from these options, or to search on their own.

More about the programme

Last update: March 2023

Download ATHENS FAQs

  • How can I apply to an ATHENS week?

    You have to create a profile on https://register.athensnetwork.eu/sign-in. For more information on the detailed application procedure, you may refer to the ATHENS websites or internal documents of your HOME university or check directly with the local coordinator of your HOME university.

  • I have been selected to a course – Can I still change it?

    It is not possible to change the course you have been assigned to. Please do not contact directly the local coordinators of other ATHENS partners or the professors of a course with such requests: your point of contact is your LOCAL coordinator, from your HOME institution.

  • Is it possible to cancel my participation in the ATHENS week?

    There are very few exceptions for cancellations. Get in touch with the local coordinator of your HOME university if you really have to cancel (force majeure).

  • I did not receive the Vital Message by email. What do I need to do?

    You can see the Vital Message by connecting to the registration website, once the course allocation is finished. If you encounter any difficulties, please contact the local coordinator of your HOME institution.

  • How can I find more information about accommodation at my destination?

    You will receive this information shortly after your course assignment by the local coordinator of the HOST university. Some ATHENS partners propose to book housing for the participants. If this is not the case, you will receive a list of recommended hotels/hostels. Alternatively, you are free to look on your own.

  • Is there any scholarship available?

    The ATHENS network does not provide scholarships. Please get in touch with the local coordinator of your HOME institution to get to know if your institution provides a scholarship.

  • What do I need to do in case of an emergency during the ATHENS week (abroad)?

    Get in touch with the local coordinator of your HOST university. If necessary, the coordinator of the host university will get in touch with the coordinator of your home university.

  • How can I contact students from my university with the same destination?

    The local coordinators are not allowed to share personal data with you. However, many ATHENS institutions organize pre-departure meetings or create groups or workspaces on platforms like WhatsApp or slack for the incoming students, in which you might find other students from your home university.

  • I have questions about arrival and departure dates. Whom should I contact?

    Please check the Vital Message on the registration website by connecting with your profile. All information on when and where you are expected to register upon arrival are indicated in this message.

  • What are European Dimension Activities (EDA)?

    All ATHENS Sessions abroad consists of two elements:

    1. a 5-days course at the host institution
    2. European Dimension Activities (EDA) of 2-3 days, depending on what is offered by the host institution.

    These EDA take place during the weekend preceding the course period, during the 5 weekdays of the course as well as during the weekend following the course.

    Students participating in an ATHENS week commit themselves to following the entire Programme (EDA + ATHENS course) as described above. The participation in the EDA is mandatory.

  • What is the difference between EDA and other social activities?

    Some ATHENS partners organize additional social activities. Participation in these additional activities is not mandatory. However, we strongly encourage you to participate in them, as they allow you to connect with local students, and to discover the culture of your host university.

  • What is the certificate of attendance, and how do I get it?

    The certificate of attendance is a proof of your participation in an ATHENS course (it does not certify that you successfully passed the course). To obtain it, please connect to the registration website where you can download it. Certificates of attendance are available one week after the end of the ATHENS course.

  • What is the certificate of grade, and how do I get it?

    The certificate of grade is a proof of your successful participation in an ATHENS course. To obtain it, please connect to the registration website where you can download it. Certificates of grades are available six weeks after the end of the ATHENS course.

  • I have another question. Whom should I contact?

    Please get in touch with the local coordinator of your HOME university.

List of courses offered for the next Session.

The costs are of four types:

  • Travelling costs
  • Housing costs
  • Meals
  • Social and cultural "European Dimension" activities

No charge is made to students to follow a course. Travel, living, meals and European Dimension activities costs are, however, the responsibility of the participating students and their home institution. Interested ATHENS candidates should consult the international office at their home institution in order to obtain information on possible local bursaries or financial aid offered.

Each Session includes both 30 hours of scientific courses as well as 10-15 hours of "European Dimension" activities.

At the termination of an ATHENS Session, the home institution officially recognises the work carried out, according to the results obtained on an examination organised by the host institution and evaluated according to its proper system of grading. Each complete Session is worth credits. Each institution defines the number of credits given to the ATHENS courses (generally 2 or 3 ECTS credits). Students are asked to evaluate the course they attended by filling an on-line evaluation form at the end of each Session. Student evaluations help the Programme to develop.

ParisTech is the General Coordinator of the ATHENS Programme. All students commit themselves to respect the ATHENS general rules.

Apply for the November Session

Next session: November 18 to 25

Apply here

General Rules

Students must respect both the general rules and their home institution rules. The general rules are:

Applications are submitted online at the ATHENS webpage.

Students should apply to at least 3 courses.

Students must contact their Home Local Coordinator, not the host institution, if they have any questions related to the application process.

The student selection is made by ParisTech. Students from all partner universities of the ATHENS network apply in the same conditions and are selected in equal circumstances. Once you are placed, you have to participate.

Complaints to the ParisTech selection are not accepted. All students should respect the ParisTech rules, which is the main coordinator of the ATHENS programme.

The ATHENS courses are worth credits. Each institution defines the number of credits given to the ATHENS courses.

When students submit their application they must be sure that they really want to participate.

After receiving the confirmation from ParisTech, students are not allowed to make any changes.

When students confirm their application they must be aware that:

a) The choice of the courses is final;

b) All expenses related to the ATHENS courses are paid by the student. Some institutions may have a financial support;

c) Cancellations are only allowed in exceptional and dully justified circumstances; Some institutions may charge the cancellations.

d) The participation in the weekend cultural activities is mandatory.

e) Students must respect the rules for the good image of their home institution, which they are representing.

After submitting the application, students must download the application and the Student Commitment forms (PDF file), print out and submit the forms to the local coordinators for final confirmation. Without this confirmation, Paris will not consider the application.