New Partnership Program Enables URI Students to Earn Dual Master of Science Degrees Across Borders

Dual Master’s Initiative Enhances International Student Mobility and Academic Recognition

The University of Rhode Island(URI), founded in 1892, is a reputable public research university that resides in Kingston, Rhode Island. The university is known to be the state's flagship land-grant university, providing a broad spectrum of graduate degrees, master's Degrees and doctoral programs across disciplines, including technical engineering, ocean sciences and public health. The university, with sole emphasis on global engagement, has developed several international collaborations, turning it into a major player for increasing global degree opportunities for both local and foreign students.

Expanding its global outreach, the university recently announced that it is going to offer a series of Dual master’s Programs in collaboration with other leading international universities. Moreover, these programmes are designed to provide international students with the opportunity to earn simultaneously Master's Degrees in technical engineering disciplines over two years, thereby expanding access to global degree opportunities and enhancing the strategic value of their graduate degree.

The program is being run in collaboration with the Technical University of Braunschweig and the Technical University of Darmstadt in Germany, the University of Technology of Compiègne (UTC) in France, the University of Cantabria (UNICAN) in Spain, and Parthenope University in Italy. It was pointed out that through this partnership program, students taking any engineering master's track at URI, precisely those who are taking a Master of Science Degree in Germany and France, are required to spend the first academic year in Rhode Island. Then, they would be spending their second year as full-time students at the foreign university specified, where coursework satisfactorily completed would be accredited by both institutions.

With respect to Spain, the program is offered to students majoring in Ocean Engineering, whereas the Italian alliance is designed for those specialising in Mechanical, Industrial and Systems Engineering. This configuration not only allows for the attainment of postgraduate degree programs across borders but also provides students with the opportunity to pursue specialised areas of study that are not yet offered at URI. Thus, the program has been framed as a strategic platform for students to enhance their technical knowledge and deepen their interaction with sector-specific innovations.

It has also been confirmed that, starting Autumn 2025, the German and French collaborations will be open to all MS programmes. The Italian programme will, in the meantime, still be open to students on the MCE and ISE MS tracks, and the Spanish programme will still support those working towards the OCE MS degree. For more information, students have been encouraged to approach the respective programme coordinators. Dr Sigrid Berka is coordinating the German and French collaborations and can be contacted through sigrid_berka@uri.edu or by phone at +1 401.874.4700. In the case of the Italian programme, inquiries can be made through Dr Chengzhi Yuan at cyuan@uri.edu (+1 401.874.9067) or Dr Michelangelo La Luna at laluna@uri.edu (+1 401.874.5968). Those who are interested in the Spanish partnership are invited to make contact with Dr Stephen Licht at slicht@uri.edu or +1 401.874.6028.

Editor’s Note:

This news from the University of Rhode Island is a bold and admirable move towards redefining postgraduate education in terms of transnational cooperation. In integrating Dual Master's Programs within an ethos of academic exchange and sectoral applicability, URI is not simply increasing its international presence; it is proactively transforming what it takes to earn a Master of Science Degree in technical engineering today. What stands out is the programme’s structural integrity: students are not simply sent abroad for exposure, but are strategically positioned to earn fully accredited Master's Degrees from both institutions. This dual recognition, coupled with URI’s deliberate alignment with international universities of high repute, reflects a clear institutional commitment to enhancing the value of the graduate degree experience for both domestic and international students. Furthermore, the addition of discipline-specific routes—like Ocean Engineering in Spain and Mechanical/Industrial Systems Engineering in Italy—speaks to thoughtful curation rather than blanket internationalisation. It implies that URI is not pursuing globalisation as an end in itself, but instead pursuing globally accessible degree opportunities which are academically robust and sectorally relevant. In a world where postgraduate degree programmes are more and more required to provide technical expertise and global dexterity, this venture is an example to be followed. It is not just timely but strategically prudent, particularly for students looking to traverse complicated engineering paradigms across national boundaries.

FAQs

1. What are the benefits of dual master’s programs at the University of Rhode Island? 
The Dual Master’s Programs at the University of Rhode Island offer a distinctive academic advantage by enabling students to earn two fully accredited Master's Degrees from both URI and a partner international university. This arrangement not only enhances the global recognition of the graduate qualification but also allows students to immerse themselves in diverse academic cultures and technical environments. Furthermore, the programme structure encourages interdisciplinary exploration, giving students access to specialised modules and research facilities that may not be available at their home institution. In essence, it positions graduates for broader career mobility and deeper sectoral engagement across international contexts.

2. How can international students enrol in dual master’s programs? 
International students interested in enrolling in URI’s Dual Master’s Programs are typically required to apply through the standard graduate admissions process at the University of Rhode Island. Once admitted to an eligible engineering master’s track, students may express interest in the dual degree pathway and coordinate with designated programme advisors. Specific eligibility criteria, academic standing, and language proficiency requirements may apply depending on the partner institution. Students are also encouraged to consult with URI’s programme coordinators to ensure alignment with the academic calendar and visa arrangements for the second year abroad.

3. Which countries partner with the University of Rhode Island for master’s degrees? 
The University of Rhode Island has established formal dual degree partnerships with several leading international universities across Europe. These include Germany, through the Technical University of Braunschweig and the Technical University of Darmstadt; France, via the University of Technology of Compiègne (UTC); Spain, through the University of Cantabria (UNICAN); and Italy, in collaboration with Parthenope University. Each partnership is tailored to specific engineering disciplines and reflects URI’s commitment to expanding global degree opportunities through strategic academic alliances.

4. How does a dual degree differ from a single master’s program? 
A dual degree programme differs significantly from a single master’s programme in both structure and outcome. While a traditional master’s degree is completed at one institution and results in a single qualification, a dual degree involves coordinated study across two universities, typically in different countries, and culminates in two separate but complementary master's Degrees. This model requires students to meet the academic standards of both institutions and often includes cross-institutional credit recognition, joint supervision, and exposure to varied pedagogical approaches. The dual format is particularly beneficial for students seeking international credentials and sector-specific expertise across borders.

5. What engineering master’s degrees are available in Rhode Island?
At the University of Rhode Island, a wide range of engineering master’s degrees are offered, including but not limited to Mechanical Engineering, Industrial and Systems Engineering, Ocean Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering. These programmes are designed to provide rigorous technical training, research opportunities, and professional development aligned with contemporary industry and academic standards. Several of these tracks are also eligible for participation in the Dual Master’s Programs, thereby offering students an enriched postgraduate experience with international scope.