Students bike around Georgia Tech’s campus in Atlanta, Georgia.

First-Year Summer Programs

First-year students admitted to the summer term will participate in Ignite or First-year Semester Abroad. Students admitted to the fall term also have the opportunity to begin their studies at Tech in the summer term, along with nearly 600 other first-year students. The summer term helps students acclimate to campus, get a head start on classes, and meet fellow incoming students before the fall semester.

Learn about the different summer programs below and compare your options.

  Ignite Summer Launch Program First-Year Semester Abroad (FYSA)
Program Overview Students admitted to summer term are expected to begin in Ignite unless they are admitted to FYSA or Challenge. Ignite is your opportunity to get a head start on classes, learn the campus, and make friends! Students will have many opportunities to engage with fellow Ignite students, faculty & staff through engaging workshops, events and more! Contact us at: ignite@gatech.edu This innovative program leverages Georgia Tech’s global campuses and programs to provide a high-quality, experiential learning opportunity for incoming first-year students who wish to internationalize their college career right from the start. Contact us at: fysa@gatech.edu
Location Georgia Tech’s main Atlanta campus. Students begin their experience on our Atlanta campus, then travel to one of two locations: Metz, France (at GT Europe, with field trips in France) or Oxford, England (with two travel courses in Europe).
Program Dates June 20 – August 1, 2025

  • Metz, France: July 7 – December 2025 (anticipated – subject to change)

  • Oxford, England: July 7 – November 2025 (anticipated – subject to change)

Program Size 400-500 students 100 students (50 per location)
Eligibility Requirement

  • First-year students admitted to summer term must join Ignite unless they are admitted to Challenge or FYSA.

  • First-year students admitted to fall term may choose to enroll in Ignite courses (additional costs apply).

  • Must be 18 years or older by the time of departure for the abroad portion of the program (early August).

  • Students who are pursuing a major in the College of Design must discuss joining this program with their academic advisor.

  • Students in all majors may also need to discuss specific academic questions with their academic advisor.

  • Students must be enrolled as a full-time student for the duration of the program.
Recommended For All incoming first-year students. Students interested in gaining intercultural competency skills and global perspectives.
Program Costs For the most up to date costs, please click here. Coming soon! For more details on FYSA 2024 costs, please click here.
Financial Aid Availability Yes. Click here for instructions on how to apply for financial aid for the summer semester. For specific questions, please contact us directly. Yes. Click here for instructions on how to apply for financial aid for the summer semester.
Eligible to Participate in Learning Community? Yes. No. While First-Year Semester Abroad begins in the summer, we are an academic-year long Learning Community. Students are abroad in the Fall as part of the FYSA program and therefore, are unable to participate in another on-campus learning community.
Credit Hours Earned 6-7 credit hours (includes GT 1000 and two additional courses). 3 credit hours in the summer and 12-15 hours in the fall.
Grades Grades earned during this program are permanent on your transcript. Grades earned during this program are permanent on your transcript.
Program Website https://experiential.learning.gatech.edu/ignite/ https://firstyearabroad.gatech.edu/

Want to Join Us This Summer?

Apply for any of the summer programs listed above in the Summer Programs Portal located in your Admission Portal.

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Want to Join Us This Summer?