The Belfort-Montbéliard University of Technology (UTBM) is pleased to welcome its students for the 2024–2025 academic year. This new academic year promises to be particularly rich in educational innovations, ambitious research projects, and opportunities for future engineers.
True to its mission as a world-class technological university, UTBM will welcome more than 871 new students this year, a significant proportion of whom are international students: 20 percent, representing 56 nationalities. This cultural diversity, which lies at the heart of UTBM’s dynamic environment, enriches the academic experience and prepares students to thrive in a globalized world.
• 287 new students who recently earned their high school diploma
preparatory program for the engineering program
• 569 new students with 2 or 3 years of post-secondary education
• 113 new Master’s students
• 25 automotive design and prototyping students from the Espéra SBARRO school
• 46 continuing education students (Fontanet, recognition of prior learning, etc.)
• 25 new doctoral students
For the 2024–2025 academic year, UTBM is strengthening its commitment to innovative teaching by introducing new, large-scale project-based learning methods: the “fil-rouge” projects. These initiatives aim to equip students with the skills needed to adapt to a constantly evolving industrial environment.
In addition, UTBM is launching new training modules focused on future-oriented topics, such as artificial intelligence, renewable energy, cybersecurity, and quantum computing… These programs, designed in close collaboration with industry partners, address the growing needs of the job market and position UTBM at the forefront of technological innovation.
The UTBM campus continues to modernize to provide an environment conducive to student success. Among the new developments this academic year is the opening of Building A on the Belfort campus, which has been completely renovated after nearly three years of construction.
This renovation represents an investment of more than 12.5 M€, provided by the following funding sources: the French government (€7.25 million), the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté Regional Council (€1.3 million), Grand Belfort (€1.3 million), the Territorial Departmental Council of Belfort (€0.3 million), and UTBM (€1.75 million). This renovation is part of an exemplary initiative in many respects. First and foremost, in terms of energy efficiency. By aiming for high energy standards, the goal is to significantly reduce annual energy costs—by a factor of 10—compared to previous levels. It is also exemplary in terms of the renovation process itself and the use of bio-based materials.
UTBM is stepping up its commitment to sustainability, both in its academic programs (currently, about 15% of course units address sustainability issues) and in the day-to-day management of the campus. This year, the university will launch several initiatives aimed at reducing its carbon footprint and raising awareness of environmental issues among the university community.
15% of the 640 training modules offered by UTBM each year—or about 100 modules—address issues related to sustainable development. The first of these was created in 1998—25 years ago. Within the next three years, demonstrating specific skills in sustainable development will be a mandatory requirement for graduation for UTBM engineering students, who have been studying in this field for several years now.
UTBM Director Ghislain Montavon extended a warm welcome to the students: “We are delighted to welcome our new students, who are joining us from all over France and beyond, and to see those who are continuing their studies at UTBM. Once again this year, we are committed to offering programs of excellence, focused on innovation and responsibility. UTBM is a place where everyone can develop their talents.”
