Erasmus (Student Mobility)
Outgoing
Edinburgh Napier University currently sends out approximately 100 students on an Erasmus study exchange each year with this number steadily increasing. For some students this is a compulsory component of their degree programme and for others it is simply something they are keen to do. For everyone their time abroad counts towards their Edinburgh Napier degree classification as results are brought back and converted into Edinburgh Napier credit.
Students who participate in the Erasmus exchange programme will receive an initial Erasmus grant of €250-400/month in 2016/17. The Erasmus grant is paid by the Global Mobility Team in two instalments, 80% at the start of the exchange, and 20% on return. As with Erasmus Staff Mobility, the University is asked to keep detailed records on each outgoing student and it is the responsibility of the Global Mobility team to ensure that all the relevant paperwork is disseminated and completed in time.
A current copy of the 'Outgoing Information Pack' is available here
Sourcing suitable Erasmus partner institutions
Where possible, we are keen to offer the opportunity of participating in the Erasmus exchange programme to every Edinburgh Napier University student but currently not every undergraduate degree programme has this option.
The responsibility for sourcing suitable Erasmus destinations for students sits with the academic School and the Programme Leader. Certain criteria must be considered when selecting a suitable European partner institution and for this reason, we ask Programme Leaders to complete a New Partner Institution checklist, have it signed by the Head of School and returned to the Global Mobility team.
Key factors to be taken into account include:
• The availability of 30 ECTS of relevant modules offered per semester and taught in English
• Location in a city with good transport links to airports or other major cities
• Available student accommodation for incoming students
• Large international student population so Edinburgh Napier students will have the opportunity to meet other visiting
students
• Suitable semester dates which as much as possible, are in line with Edinburgh Napier trimester dates particularly for those students who may be interested in studying during our second trimester
A current list of European partner institutions is available here
NB: In order to maintain a coordinated and well-managed relationship with our partner institutions, the recruitment of new partners should ALWAYS come through the Global Mobility team who will work with schools and academic staff to ensure that the necessary processes and paperwork are completed before new partners are added to our existing list of contacts.
Promoting exchange opportunities
The Global Mobility team run a series of sessions where they promote the opportunities to study in Europe or overseas to interested students. Dates and times of these 'Information Sessions' are published on the Student Portal and will be available here shortly.
The team can also come along to present during Week 1 or at other times throughout the academic year. Contact Global Mobility team to arrange a suitable date.
There are various promotional postcards and leaflets available for distribution to students or for display in School offices. Please get in touch with the team if you would like some of these to be delivered to you.
Advising interested students
If an interested student is taking a Language as part of their degree, please refer them to Benedicte Cebrian (B.Cebrian@napier.ac.uk ) in the first instance. Benedicte will advise them on possible study destinations and counsel them on their choices.
For all other students, please refer them to the Global Mobility Team studyabroad@napier.ac.uk, information on myNapier, and our drop-in sessions.
No student is permitted to participate in the Erasmus exchange programme unless they have the approval of their Programme Leader and it is therefore imperative that the Programme Leader signs the student's initial application form available here
Programme Leaders should be aware that an Erasmus exchange may not be for everyone and in order to assess someone's suitability for participating in the programme, the following should be taken into consideration:
• Academic performance of student
• Academic outcome of the exchange
• Course compatibility
• Personal outcome for student esp. if academic performance is 'rocky'
• Student's reasons for going on exchange
• Has student thought this through?
• Implications if student does not pass all modules?
• Finances- is an Erasmus exchange a financially viable option for the student?
• Has the student discussed their intention with family, friends, previous exchange students
• Student is to be an ambassador for Edinburgh Napier
Prior to Exchange period
It is common knowledge that participation in the Erasmus exchange programme amongst UK students is low and one of the main obstacles to mobility is frequently cited as students being worried that their time away will have a negative effect on their final degree classification. Programme Leaders can help to allay this fear by offering appropriate support to students prior to them leaving on exchange and during their time on exchange.
One of the most crucial documents that a student must complete before going on exchange is the Learning Agreement. This is where students list the modules they plan on taking when studying abroad so it is critical that Programme Leaders input into this to ensure the modules are relevant, have the appropriate learning outcomes and that the student has the necessary pre-requisites. Many students cannot confirm their module selection until they arrive at their host institution but Programme Leaders are asked to ensure they are involved in this process and will need to state their approval by signing the Learning Agreement.
The Global Mobility team will offer all outgoing Erasmus students a 'Pre-departure Session' and as well as distributing the Outgoing Information Pack this is another opportunity for students to ask any questions prior to the end of the semester.
When on exchange, the Global Mobility team are in contact with students to ensure that everything is going well and to check that the relevant paperwork is completed. Programme Leaders are also encouraged to maintain contact with students via email and in some cases, there may be funding available for support visits. Contact Global Mobility for more information on this.
After the exchange period
Once the exchange period is complete, the transcripts of Edinburgh Napier students will be returned directly to the Global Mobility team who will forward these on to the member of staff with responsibility for credit transfer for returning students. Please contact the Global Mobility team for information on who has this responsibility within your School.
Each School should have a designated individual who will have responsibility for credit transfer for returning students. Please contact the Global Mobility team for information on who this is for your School.
NB: Please note that semester dates are often longer in Europe so there is a strong chance that you will not receive the transcript from an outgoing exchange student in time for the first round of Edinburgh Napier Programme Boards. Please be assured that as soon as the transcripts arrive at the University, they are forwarded to relevant academic staff.
With regards to outgoing Erasmus students, please contact the team for:
• Help, advice, relevant contact details and possibly funding assistance in sourcing a new Erasmus partner institution
• Promotional materials or to arrange a 'Study Abroad' presentation
• Advice on potential study destinations for all non-Business School students
• Details of the 'Pre-departure Session' offered to students
• Information on possible funding for student support visits
• Help in chasing the transcripts of a returning student