Educational Collaboration: Document Outlining Course Plans
For students embarking on an Erasmus programme, the Learning Agreement is a crucial document that outlines the study plan or traineeship activities they will undertake during their mobility period. This formal contract between the student, the sending institution (home university), and the receiving institution (host university) is essential for a successful exchange experience.
The Learning Agreement consists of three separate documents: one for before the mobility, one for during the mobility, and one for after the mobility. Each document is available on the Erasmus platform "Mobusi Online" after nomination.
Structure of a Learning Agreement
The Learning Agreement generally includes an identification section, a table for study programme or traineeship activities, a table for recognition at the sending institution, and a commitment section with signatures from all parties involved.
- Identification Section: This section contains personal details of the student and contacts of responsible persons at sending and receiving institutions.
- Table A – Study Programme or Traineeship Activities: This table lists the chosen courses or traineeship tasks at the receiving institution with corresponding credits. The table has courses listed in the left column for the receiving institution and the right column for the home university.
- Table B – Recognition at Sending Institution: This table shows the courses or credits that will be recognized by the sending institution as equivalent to those taken abroad.
- Commitment Section/Signatures: This section contains confirmation by all three parties (student, sending, and receiving institutions) agreeing to the study plan and recognition arrangements.
Key Considerations When Filling Out a Learning Agreement
When filling out the Learning Agreement, there are several key considerations to keep in mind:
- Course Selection: Ensure that all educational components listed are available at the receiving institution and align with their course catalogue or agreed modifications.
- Credit Recognition: The sending institution must commit to recognizing all credits/units successfully completed abroad towards the student’s degree.
- Approval Before Mobility: The Learning Agreement needs to be approved and signed by all parties before the start of the mobility period. The signed document must be uploaded as required (e.g., through EWP or university-specific platforms).
- Changes and Amendments: If changes to the study plan occur after arrival, amendments should be discussed with Erasmus coordinators and submitted within stipulated deadlines (often within one month after the start of mobility).
- Combination of Activities: For mobility combining studies and traineeships, specific templates need to be adjusted to fit both types of activities.
- Communication: The student and receiving institution are expected to communicate promptly to the sending institution about any problems or changes regarding the study program, responsible persons, or study period.
In summary, the Learning Agreement serves as a blueprint for an Erasmus mobility, ensuring clarity and mutual agreement on studies or traineeships, credit transfer, and responsibilities prior to and during the exchange. Filling it out carefully with all parties' agreement is crucial for smooth recognition of credits and a successful exchange experience.
Unfortunately, the Learning Agreement does not provide information about accommodation options in Austria, cycling routes or swimming locations in Vienna, or the Erasmus+ grant, studying abroad, internships abroad, or semesters abroad. Additionally, no phone numbers or email addresses are provided for contact information. If the ISCED code for your field of studies is unknown, you can research it with a specific tool.
[1] Erasmus+ Programme Guide 2021-2027, European Commission, p. 158-160 [3] Erasmus+ Student Charter, European Commission, p. 11-12
The Learning Agreement, a crucial document for students participating in an Erasmus programme, is not only about outlining the study plan or traineeship activities, but also serves as a blueprint for the exchange, ensuring mutual agreement on studies or traineeships, credit transfer, and responsibilities. This agreement consists of an identification section, tables for study programme or traineeship activities, recognition at the sending institution, and a commitment section. When filling out the Learning Agreement, it's important to carefully consider course selection, credit recognition, approval before mobility, changes and amendments, combination of activities, and communication with all involved parties. Despite its primary purpose, the Learning Agreement does not provide information about accommodation, cycling routes, swimming locations, or the Erasmus+ grant.
