Education Exchange Contract: Outlining Academic Endeavors Abroad
The Learning Agreement is a crucial document for Erasmus exchange students, serving as a formal, signed contract between the student, their home institution, and the host institution. This agreement outlines the study plan during the mobility period, ensuring mutual recognition of the courses and credits to be taken abroad.
Structure and Key Components
- Student Information and Details
- Personal data, education level (such as EQF level 6 for Bachelor's, 7 for Master's), and study field codes (e.g., ISCED codes).
- Before Mobility Section
- Lists the courses/modules the student plans to take at the host university (Table A).
- Specifies the corresponding courses at the home university that will recognize these credits upon return (Table B).
- Course Requirements
- Minimum number of ECTS credits to be taken abroad, typically at least 15 ECTS.
- A requirement that a majority (e.g., 70%) of courses come from the host university's module handbook, with up to 30% allowed from other departments (depending on host rules).
- Both Bachelor’s and Master's level courses may be possible, but students must confirm recognition with their home institution.
- Commitment Section
- Signed by the student, a responsible person from the Sending Institution (home university), and a responsible person from the Receiving Institution (host university).
- Confirms approval of the Learning Agreement and commitment to fulfil the arrangement.
- Includes agreement that credits earned abroad will be recognized by the home university upon successful completion.
- During Mobility Section (if changes occur)
- For any modifications to courses after arrival, updates must be made and signed by the faculty coordinator and institutional Erasmus+ coordinator.
- Additional Documents and Requirements
- Some institutions may ask for supporting documents like CV, motivation letter, language certificates (e.g., B1 English), and transcripts as part of the Learning Agreement application.
Important Notes
- The Learning Agreement must be approved before the exchange starts as part of the Erasmus administrative procedure.
- It is submitted via official portals or systems like the Erasmus Without Paper (EWP) platform (digital signing and exchange).
- Language courses or certain competence workshops at the host institution may be selected without strict adherence to the main course percentage rules.
- The home university commits to recognize all credits completed successfully at the host university under the terms of the agreement.
Summary Table of Key Elements
| Component | Description | Example/Details | |------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------| | Student Information | Education level, ISCED codes, personal data | EQF level 6 for Bachelor | | Before Mobility (Table A & B) | Courses planned abroad and corresponding recognized courses | Min. 15 ECTS, 70% from host modules | | Commitment | Signatures and approval from all parties | Student, sending and receiving institutions | | During Mobility | Changes to the Learning Agreement during stay | Requires re-approval | | Additional Documents | CV, motivation letter, language certificate | B1 English, transcripts | | Submission & Approval | Uploaded on portals like Mobility Online or EWP system | Mandatory pre-mobility approval |
This format and approach ensure that Erasmus students have a clear and binding study plan, which facilitates smooth credit transfer and official recognition between institutions.
- The Learning Agreement is not only a formal contract but also a roadmap for education-and-self-development, as it outlines specific courses and their corresponding recognized counterparts at both the home and host institutions.
- The Learning Agreement ensures efficient learning opportunities, as it encourages students to take courses from the host university's module handbook, thereby promoting a well-rounded education-and-self-development experience.
