CESI, France Exchange Semester for BS & MS Students of FAST-NUCES

Dear FAST NUCES Computing and Engineering students,

We have an exciting Spring semester opportunity for you where you can study an extra semester in the Master degree classes at CESI, France, starting this February 2027.

• CESI charges you no tuition fee.
• This is an extra semester. Your FAST-NUCES courses do not run in parallel.
• After you return, the approved courses may or may not transfer to your FAST-NUCES degree.
• Your courses may not transfer, you will have to do extra semesters at FAST-NUCES to fulfill your academic requirements.
• For the additional information related to academic calendar, required documents, grading system, living expense and health insurance please explore this CESI-Fact Sheet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1T_Lv6UcZlhaBz1iKlwpNnGjqMY5ClXBn/view?usp=drive_link

Programs Offered

• Data Science & Artificial Intelligence
• Embedded Systems & IoT
• Systems, Networks & Cybersecurity

• Industry & Services
• Civil Engineering

Eligibility Requirements

• BS students currently enrolled in their 3rd, 4th, 5th or 6th semester or MS students enrolled in their 2nd or 3rd semester.
• Students at the FYP-1 stage: we will try to arrange for your FYP-1 to be completed online. This happens only if your supervisor and HoD agree.
• Students who will be at Thesis I stage (MS), must have to manage themselves their Thesis I along with their department, HoD and supervisor.
• Minimum CGPA 2.50 or above
• IELTS/TOEFL or English Proficiency Letter from FAST-NUCES
• Bank statement covering financial requirements that includes living cost, accommodation, food expenses, air tickets, health insurance, visa processing fees, travel expenses and other personal expenses etc.

• BS/MS Civil Engineering
• BS/MS Computer Science
• BS/MS Cyber Security
• BS Software Engineering
• BS/MS Artificial Intelligence
• BS/MS Data Science
• BS Computer Engineering
• BS/MS Electrical Engineering
• MS Software Project Management

Credit Transfer & Grading (Read this Carefully)

1. You study the courses in the CESI catalogue.
2. You bring back your passing transcripts, the detailed course contents and the evaluation details.
3. Your department HoD reviews them, either alone or through a committee. They decide which FAST-NUCES courses are equivalent to the ones you studied.
4. Matched courses are exempted. You do not study them again at FAST-NUCES.

• 02 ECTS at CESI = 1 credit hour at FAST-NUCES.
• CESI courses are mapped to FAST-NUCES courses by HoD when you return, irrespective of GPA or ECTS, provided there is ≥70% overlap in content.
• CESI grades A, B or C appear as Pass (P) on your FAST-NUCES transcript.
• Transferred courses do not affect your CGPA.
• Example: you complete 4 CESI courses and all 4 get approved later. They appear as "P" on your transcript, your CGPA stays unchanged, and you do not repeat those courses at FAST-NUCES.
• Final authority: the decisions of the Departmental Board/HoD and the International Education Office on equivalency and transfer are final. They can reject your CESI courses without any reasons or explanation. 

• FAST-NUCES tuition, only for the courses that get transferred, at normal FAST-NUCES credit-hour fees
• Airfare
• Visa fee
• Accommodation
• Meals
• Health insurance
• Local transport
• Personal expenses

• Keep checking your email for your interview invitation.
• If you miss the invitation email, you will not be invited again.
• Be available on your interview day. If you fail to appear, you are rejected.

How To Apply?

1. Complete the Application Form: https://forms.gle/BdQYFim6vsCbSszG6
2. Upload the following in the form: 
   • Student Undertaking (signed): 
   • Copy of your passport
   • Your current transcript
   • Your CV (PDF)
   • English Proficiency Letter from your Department
   • Motivation Letter of 2000–3000 words. It must be your own work, without AI intervention.
3. Keep all original documents ready for verification.

• The French Embassy decides visa approval independently, under its own rules.
• The FAST International Education Office will support your application by sharing the nomination list with the embassy.
• Securing the visa is solely your responsibility. Neither the FAST International Education Office nor CESI has any responsibility or influence over the visa decision.
• You must show proof of funds of approximately 750 Euros or more per month for your stay (5 months).

• Nomination from FAST-NUCES does not guarantee a French visa or final acceptance by CESI.
• You must maintain good academic standing and follow the codes of conduct of both FAST-NUCES and CESI.
• The International Education Office reserves the right to reject any application without giving specific reasons.