Erasmus Programme

On this page:

• Erasmus University Charter
  
• Erasmus Multilateral Projects
  
• Erasmus Networks
• Erasmus Accompanying Measures
• Naric
• National Teams of Bologna experts
• ECTS/DS

The ERASMUS programme was launched in June 1987 and in 2007 celebrated its 20th anniversary. It is arguably one of the best-known Community actions and encourages student and teacher mobility through decentralised actions implemented by National Agencies and promotes though centralised actions the transnational cooperation among Higher Education Institutions across Europe managed by the Executive Agency.

The Erasmus centralised actions under the Call 2008 are composed of three sub-actions, which are Multilateral Projects, Networks and Accompanying Measures.

Erasmus University Charter (EUC)

The Erasmus University Charter (EUC) provides the general framework for the European co-operation activities a higher education institution may carry out within the Erasmus programme. It is a prerequisite for sending and receiving students and teaching staff on mobility assignments, as well as for carrying out intensive programmes and coordinating multilateral projects and networks.

See also:

Erasmus University Charter Call

• Erasmus University Charter Call 2009
• Erasmus University Charter Call 2010(deadline 30/06/09)
• Applications received EUC 2010

List of higher education institutions holding a valid Erasmus University Charter by Academic Year

1. List of all higher education institutions holding a valid EUC for the academic year 2007/2008
2. List of all higher education institutions holding a valid EUC for the academic year 2008/2009
3. List of all higher education institutions holding a valid EUC for the academic year 2009/2010 (valid EUC until 2013)

List updated on 9 November 2009

Results

• selected projects 2007
• selected projects 2008
• selected projects 2009

Erasmus Multilateral Projects

Curriculum Development

Curriculum Development projects are designed by consortia of higher education institutions and other relevant bodies to upgrade existing curricula and/or to develop new ones in an academic discipline through the development of Integrated programmes covering a complete cycle of study (at bachelor, at master or at doctorate level), European teaching modules and, curricula and modules for continuing education designed to update knowledge obtained in the past.

Co-operation between Universities and Enterprises

Co-operation between Universities and Enterprises projects aim to bring together these two worlds in order to promote entrepreneurship, creative thinking and innovative approaches as part of the curriculum for students and as a skill for teachers/researchers and to reinforce the link between studies and employment needs.

Modernisation of Higher Education

Modernisation of Higher Education projects have the objective of giving a new impulse to the modernisation of higher education systems in Europe in order that they respond better to the needs of society today. These projects aim to developing strategies for modernising curricula, improving governance and optimising funding of higher education institutions.

Virtual campuses

Virtual campuses projects aim at a better integration of the virtual dimension in higher education, supporting the development of content, services, pedagogies and practices based on ICT tools.

Erasmus Networks

Networks are subdivided into the following two subactions:
Academic Networks are designed to promote innovation in a specific discipline, set of disciplines or multidisciplinary area, e.g.: law, literature, economics, etc. They require participation of at least 31 institutions from all 31 LLP participating countries;

Structural Networks are designed to help improve and modernise a specific aspect of higher education organisation, management, governance or funding. They require participation of at least 5 institutions from 5 different LLP participating countries.

Erasmus Accompanying Measures

These projects aim to support communication activities, and events for the dissemination and exploitation of results of Erasmus projects. These accompanying measures are expected to produce a better impact of these results in the field of higher education and society at large.

The NARIC Network

The NARIC network is an initiative of the European Commission and was created in 1984. The network aims at improving academic recognition of diplomas and periods of study in the participating countries of the Lifelong Learning Programme (LLP).
This network of national centres has the objective of providing assistance in promoting the mobility of students, teachers and researchers by providing authoritative advice and information concerning the academic recognition of diplomas and periods of study undertaken in other states. The main users of this service are higher education institutions, students and their advisers, parents, teachers and prospective employers.
The EACEA is responsible for implementing the Invitation to Submit addressed to the NARIC network for co-funding specific projects that support their activities.
The financial support for the NARIC network within the framework of the Lifelong Learning programme is provided under the Transversal programme – Key Activity 1.

Since 2007 EACEA is in charge of implementing the invitation addressed to the NARIC network for the co-funding of specific projects that support their activities. These one-year projects will substantially enhance the quality and effectiveness of the NARIC network, in view of the tasks laid down in the NARIC network mandate. Projects will in particular implement priorities in the fields recognised in the framework of the Bologna Process ("Towards a European Higher Education Area)" and the Lisbon Strategy for Growth and Jobs (Education and Training 2010).

9 projects were selected for a Community co-funding following the 2007 call.

All NARIC centres and more information on the activities of the network can be found on the ENIC-NARIC website.

National Teams of Bologna experts

European higher education is in need of reform as was underlined by the European Council Resolution of 23 November 2007 on modernising universities for Europe's competitiveness in a global knowledge economy. The Commission collaborates with Member States and the higher education sector to help implementing the modernisation agenda. One of the most visible initiatives is the support for the National Teams of Bologna Experts.

The purpose of the National Teams of Bologna Experts is to provide a pool of expertise in certain areas to promote and enhance progress toward higher education reform in their countries. The National Teams will make sure that the relevant actors involved in Higher Education on a national level will benefit from the pan-European nature of these reforms.

The Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency has been entrusted by the Commission with the management of this initiative. The LLP National Agencies will provide administrative and financial support to the National Teams of Bologna Experts, under the guidance of the national authorities.

Please note that this Call is restricted to National Agencies.

ECTS/DS labels

The Commission (DG Education and Culture) awards labels to Higher Education Institutions that demonstrate excellence in applying the European Credit Transfer System and/or the Diploma Supplement. Applications for the ECTS/DS labels can be submitted by a Higher Education Institution that has been awarded a Standard or an Extended Erasmus University Charter (Standard Charter and Student placements).

Selection 2010
All applications for ECTS/DS labels should be made to the National Agency of the country in which the eligible higher education institution is located. Higher education institutions should contact their National Agency for application forms and guidelines for applicants.

The deadline for submission of applications is 15 January 2010.

National Agencies will screen all applications received by them with the assistance of independent experts. Applications that are successful in the national screening round will be sent to the Executive Agency in spring 2010. An independent European ECTS / DS jury of experts will examine the applications in order to guarantee consistency of results at European level. The Executive Agency in consultation with the Commission will then take the final decision on the award of the labels.

The ECTS and DS labels are honorary distinctions.

For more information on the Diploma Supplement, please go to http://ec.europa.eu/education/lifelong-learning-policy/doc1239_en.htm

For more information on the European Credit Transfer System, please go to http://ec.europa.eu/education/lifelong-learning-policy/doc48_en.htm

Guidelines for applicants

Sample application forms - for illustrative purposes only: (please contact your National Agency for application forms in your country)

ECTS application form

DS application form

FAQ on the ECTS/DS Label application process

Selection 2009

Results of selection 2009