APU Erasmus Mobility Programme (KA171)

International Credit Mobility

Students from APU who study with a partner institution will study modules delivered and assessed by the partner institution. Module passed at the partner institution will be mapped against the APU curriculum for Credit Transfer consideration. 

Credit transfer is based on module-to-module mapping. General requirements in considering a credit transfer application:
 

• A student must pass the partner module with a minimum grade C or equivalent.
• The credit value of the module completed must be the same or higher than the credit value of the APU module.
• A minimum of 80% curriculum/syllabus matching between the partner module and the APU module must be demonstrated.
   

For modules approved for Erasmus+ credit transfer from a recognised APU MOU partner:
 

• The credits will be transferred with grades.
• The module grade will be computed in the Grade Point Average (GPA) and Cumulative GPA of the university study programme.
• The credits for the module concerned will be considered for completion requirements for graduation.
   

For modules that do not meet Erasmus+ credit transfer requirements:
 

• Modules will be identified as ‘additional modules/credit’ on the student’s final transcript.
• The credits for unmapped modules will not be considered for completion requirements for graduation.
   

Please see the following page for current Erasmus+ KA171 International Credit Mobility programmes which will provide details of programmes available, timelines for mobility/visa/housing applications and details of the programmes available at the partner institution.
 

KA171 Mobility of higher education students and staff supported by external policy funds.
 

Eligibility for Outbound Mobility Students

APU students wishing to apply for an Erasmus+ mobility for studies at a partner institution should: 
 

• Be registered as a full-time first year APU student;
• Have successfully passed at least two semesters of their undergraduate studies
• Have very good academic credentials
• Have applied for and obtained approval from the relevant APU Head of School for participation in an Erasmus+ mobility programme
• Be highly motivated to participate
• Be familiar with the Erasmus+ Student Charter
• Have a good knowledge of the partner institution
   

Applying for the Mobility

Student should study the opportunities available to them prior to applying.

Places are restricted so APU will shortlist candidates after an initial round of applications.

Initial documents required include:
 

• Application Form duly filled out by the student
• A letter of approval from the student’s parent/guardian to undertake the mobility
• A motivation letter prepared by the student
• Transcript of records issued by APU

An APU Selection Panel will meet consisting of Heads of School and Senior Leadership from APU to review and confirm the list of pre-selected students as well as a list of reserve candidates.

Reserve list candidates may be selected if any of the pre-selected students have a change of circumstances or are unsuccessful in the full application process with the partner institution.

Following the shortlisting process, all pre-selected students and reserve list candidates should prepare the full set of application documents which should be provided to the APU Erasmus Team to end to the partner institution. The partner institution will review the applications and may also require applicants to participate in an online interview.

Application documents required include:
 

• Application Form duly filled out by the student and approved by the relevant HOS
• Motivation Letter prepared by the student
• Transcript of Records issued by the sending institution
• Proof of English language proficiency corresponding to at least B1 level.

Normally within two weeks of the application submissions to partner institution, selection interviews over Teams/Skype will be arranged is required. The purpose of the selection interview is to identify the most suitable applicants who will be awarded an Erasmus+ student mobility grant to the partner institution.

Given the limited funding available, the selection procedure is highly competitive, and APU advises all motivated applicants to prepare carefully for the selection interview.

Normally within two weeks of the online interviews the selection results will be announced by the partner institution to the APU Erasmus Team and to the applicants.

Successfully students are then required to undertake preparations for the mobility as soon as possible.
 

Preparation for the Mobility
 

When preparing for the mobility students will be required to
 

1. Complete a Learning Agreement for Studies
2. Apply for a visa (not included as part of Erasmus+ KA171 financial support)
3. Apply for insurance to cover the study period (not included as part of Erasmus+ KA171 financial support)
4. Apply for accommodation.
    

APU’s Erasmus Team will help to fill out institutional details in the ‘Before the Mobility’ part of the Learning Agreement for Studies based on the information provided by the partner institution.

A draft of the ‘Before the Mobility’ part of the Learning Agreement for Studies which indicates the list of subjects preferred to be studied at the partner institution during the planned mobility period will be sent to the partner for prior approval.

The draft also indicates the corresponding modules at APU that will be considered for credit transfer and those which will be considered as ‘additional modules’.

Once the information in the document has been confirmed by all three parties, e.g. the student, APU and the partner institution, the parties will then proceed to sign.

The ‘Before the Mobility’ part of the Learning Agreement for Studies must be prepared and signed before the start of the mobility period.
 

It is the responsibility of each student to apply for a study visa before their mobility period commences.

The partner institution will be able to provide some information on the visa application procedures for the specific country where the student will study. The partner institution will assist students through the process.

NOTE: It may take up to TWO MONTHS for visa issuance, so early application as soon as a mobility has been approved by the partner institution.
 

Each student should have adequate insurance coverage.

Medical insurance valid for the EU member states for the whole period of the mobility, covering all costs for repatriation and for urgent medical care and emergency hospital treatment for the period of the stay indicated in the visa is mandatory.

The insurance amount cannot be less than 30 000 euro.
 

The partner institution will provide details and advice on accommodation options available to mobility students.

If on campus accommodation is available then the partner institution will be able to provide details of the options available and the costs involved.

Students may need to reserve their accommodation in advance so it is advisable to liaise with the partner institution as soon as a mobility has been approved.
 

Funding

​Within the Erasmus+ International Credit Mobility programme, the total grant for student mobility for studies includes both travel costs support as well as individual financial support to cover costs of stay.

The travel support is calculated based on the travel distances by using the Distance Calculator (supported by the European Commission).

Students must indicate the distance of one-way travel to calculate the amount of the EU grant that will support the round trip.
 

The monthly financial support used to cover daily expenses such as accommodation, food, daily travel to/from the partner institution is 800 EUR to 900 EUR depending on partner country location.
 

During the Mobility

Exceptionally, it may be possible to make changes to the Learning Agreement for Studies at the partner institution within the first two weeks of the mobility should students wish to study alternative modules. 
 

​This is not guaranteed and will need to be discussed with the partner institution and then agreed by APU. 
 

Changes need to be documented in the ‘During the mobility’ part of the Learning Agreement for Studies and signed by both the partner institution and APU.
 

After the Mobility

After the mobility ends, partner institution will issue the following documents: 
 

• Duly filled out ‘After the Mobility’ part in the Learning Agreement for Studies
• An official document confirming the mobility duration duly signed and stamped by the partner institution.
• Certificate for participation in the Erasmus+ programme indicating the mobility period and the number of ECTS obtained through the studies at the partner institution. 

The ‘After the Mobility’ part of the Learning Agreement for Studies identifies the ECTS obtained by the student during the mobility as well as the local grades awarded. The ‘After the Mobility’ part is considered a Transcript of Records and assists APU in the process of ECTS recognition and credit transfer. 

Towards the end of the mobility, all mobile students are requested to fill out and submit online an EU online survey.