Tec de Monterrey

Language

Spanish Language Study: Optional

Tec offers Spanish language courses from beginner to advanced levels. You will complete a placement exam as part of the course selection process to determine your language level and your ability to take other courses taught in Spanish. A high intermediate/advanced level of proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking is required by Tec to take classes taught in Spanish.

Tec has many classes in English. In particular, business, engineering, and political science offer quite a few courses in English. You can also study entirely in Spanish or select a mix of classes for a truly bilingual experience.

Even if you plan to only take courses in English, you may find Spanish language study to be helpful as you navigate living in a Spanish-speaking country. Mexico City is an international city and many folks speak some English, but being able to communicate even with a little Spanish can be incredibly useful and could open up more opportunities for getting to know locals.

Courses and credit

Requirements While Abroad 

To successfully complete this program:

• Take a minimum of  21 quarter/14 semester UC units
• Be in at least one class during every week of the term.
• You may select no more than one-third of your total units (33%) for pass/no pass credit.

Current Program Courses

You can select from several different types of courses, including regular Tec degree courses, Spanish language courses, culture courses, and research. Courses are of varying durations and unit values. You can choose from 5-week, 10-week, or 15-week classes. The combination of courses you choose is up to you as long as you meet the minimum unit requirements for the full term of the semester. 

Regular Tec Degree Courses

Taught in both Spanish and English, these are courses that local students enroll in as they pursue their degree at Tec. Choose from courses across a variety of disciplines, including Business, Economics, International Relations, Communication, and Engineering. Take courses in both Spanish and English since most departments offer some coursework in English. Tec encourages a multidisciplinary environment so you can mix courses from different degrees so long as you have the necessary background knowledge.

Culture Courses

These courses are specifically designed for international students to learn about Mexico's history and culture and to gain a better understanding of the place where they will be studying and living abroad.

RESEARCH

Research opportunities are available in many of the schools at Tec de Monterrey. See the link in the Catalogs and Resources section below for further information. Please be aware that these research opportunities are a significant time commitment and would likely constitute your entire workload for a term at Tec.

Other independent study and research opportunities or internships aren't typically available on this program.

COURSE SELECTION AND REGISTRATION

Approximately two months before the start of the program, you'll complete the Tec online portal enrollment where you will create a profile and complete an online language placement exam to determine if you can take coursework in Spanish. You must place in a high intermediate/ advanced level proficiency in the Tec language placement exam to take courses taught in Spanish. Then you'll get access to the preliminary course catalog, schedules, and syllabi to review course options. 

About one month prior to arrival you will submit your course selections in the Tec online portal. Spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Similar to your UC campus, you aren't guaranteed enrollment in Tec courses. You'll need to be flexible and have a back-up course plan if your top choices are full or you don't place in the language level to take courses in Spanish.

Catalogs and resources

• Tec Degree Options: See the kinds of degrees where you can take classes.
• View the different kinds of Tec courses available to international students here.
• Tec Academic Information and Course Selection: Understand the semester structure, Spanish language placement exam, class schedules, etc.
• Tec Course Directory: Click on "el semestre de Primavera" (Spring semester) or "el semestre de Otoño" (Autumn semester) for course offerings. Under Campus, select Campus Ciudad de Mexico. 
• UCEAP Course Catalog: There are currently no listings for this program in the database.
• Campus Credit Abroad: Learn the types of credit (major, minor, general education, elective) students from your campus received at this location. There are currently no listings for this program in the database.

Academic culture

As in many other countries, students in Mexico choose their major before entering the university and primarily take courses solely related to their major. The university curriculum is well established for each major in any given escuela, with limited flexibility or course choice for Mexican students. Given that each course builds on the previous courses, coursework may be much more theoretically advanced than it is at UC. You may need to do extra background reading to bring yourself to the level of your Mexican peers.

Professors generally welcome questions about the coursework or the expectations of the class, so it's best to ask these as they arise in order to keep up with your classmates. You may need to make an office hours appointment to speak with the professor.

Mexican students, particularly in the social sciences and humanities, tend to assume their social responsibilities by being knowledgeable about and vocal in their concern for issues and problems facing society. And although often critical of the US, local students are usually interested in and open to various viewpoints, especially well-argued, thoughtful opinions. Students who thrive in this environment demonstrate a respect for alternative viewpoints.

Grades

You'll earn direct UC credit and grades for all coursework. Grades for this program are typically available in mid-February for the fall semester and mid-August for the spring semester.

If your term abroad is your last term at UC, please be aware that grades may not arrive in time for degree verification deadlines. UCEAP recommends you speak with your UC campus Study Abroad Office about your plans for advice on when you should declare your candidacy for graduation.