www.swansea.ac.uk
Mar 27, 2015
www.swansea.ac.uk
www.swansea.ac.uk
British Council, London
27 January 2010
Huw Landeg MorrisAcademic RegistrarSwansea University
& Bologna Expert UK
[email protected] 01792 29 53 44
Submitting an Erasmus Mundus application
www.swansea.ac.uk
Aims of presentation
To offer advice on the preparation of an application for an Erasmus Mundus II programme, with reference to the development such programmes at Swansea UniversityTo reflect upon the benefits and challenges of collaborative degreesTo reflect upon and to consider practical solutions to the obstaclesThrough discussion, to share practice
Overview of presentation
www.swansea.ac.uk
Submitting an Erasmus Mundus application
Erasmus Mundus II - 2009 - 2013
“The programme’s aim is to promote European Higher Education, to help improve and enhance the career prospects of students, and to promote intercultural understanding through co-operation with third countries…in order to contribute to the sustainable development of third countries in the field of higher education.”
www.swansea.ac.uk
Submitting an Erasmus Mundus application
Benefits of engagement :
Enhancing academic provision and student employability
Raising profile of the university within Europe
Raising numbers and standard of applicants
Financial benefits through studentships and fees
Challenges:
Administrative burden (low chance of success) eg quality, approval & monitoring
Legal and financial differences between partners
Joint degrees
Advice – depending on the strength of the programme,
go for it!!
www.swansea.ac.uk
Submitting an Erasmus Mundus application - Stage 1
Institutional ownership
The programme co-ordinator is advised to:
1. Seek the support of Senior Management, to include
financial and legal endorsement
2. Ensure the commitment of the School/Department to the
proposed programme of study – devote the time
3. Secure the long-term backing of the academic and
administrative staff involved in the scheme
Beware of requests from individuals
www.swansea.ac.uk
Submitting an Erasmus Mundus application - Stage 1
Initial Planning 1. Institutional level – within your Internationalisation Strategy?;
legal capacity to award joint/double degrees; minimum level of fees – approval by your Director of Finance; PBIS issues – students or employees; drafting/approval of contracts
2. Regulatory issues – enabling regulations for a 2 year Masters degree?; flexibility of Masters/Doctoral regulations; assessment issues
3. School/Deptl level - nature of proposed European partners; market research; competition from other consortia; strengths of school
…../contd.
www.swansea.ac.uk
Submitting an Erasmus Mundus application - Stage 1
Initial planning - practical advice
Preferably before approaching other HEIs:
i) arrange an open meeting within the Institution to disseminate information, and invite Schools to present expressions of interest – to include details of potential partners/countries – involve the Pro V C & Academic Registrar
ii) carry out a strategic and qualitative appraisal from an institutional perspective (cross-referencing to existing Erasmus Mundus schemes) and prioritorise, assessing developmental work
iii) ensure that the Head of School reviews the academic content of proposed programme and strengths of other partners
Involve Central Administration throughout
www.swansea.ac.uk
Submitting an Erasmus Mundus application - Stage 1
The role of the Central Administrative Departments•Familiarise yourself with the Erasmus Mundus programme guide (EC)
•Address regulatory constraints – flexibility will be needed
•Prepare initial draft of Memorandum of Agreement – seek good practice
•Examine responsibilities of co-ordinating institution (workload and legal) – in case it falls on you!
•Consider admission procedures and requirements
•Determine the validation procedures and timetable, referring to institutional quality assurance procedures and noting the submission deadline
•Set up and attend exploratory/planning meetings with potential partners
Advice – set up a meeting of the admin departments
www.swansea.ac.uk
Submitting an Erasmus Mundus application - Stage 1
Selection of the partner institutions
• The school should identify potential partners, including 3C partners which can
complement and enhance your degree, based preferably on
– Existing collaboration and or excellence and reputation in the field
[If neither, select carefully]
• The partners must be able to meet the criteria as set out in the Guidelines
– Award joint/double degrees, Erasmus University Charter
• Will the programme be taught solely through the medium of English
• Remember – one partner per country
• The attractiveness of the Institution also important
Advice - Keep the partners to a manageable number. It is easier to add than to remove
from membership of a consortium
www.swansea.ac.uk
Submitting an Erasmus Mundus application - Stage 2
Planning Meetings – 2 or 3 meetings
Meetings preferably at partner institutions?
Outline key requirements of an Erasmus Mundus programme ensuring all partners are aware of requirements and commitment
Draw up an agenda, to include and resolve
• the academic content and structure of scheme including mobility
• maximum/minimum nos. of students
• responsibilities within the consortium e.g. co-ordinating institution, web pages etc.
• selection & admissions requirements
• regulatory issues (including assessment), and procedural issues (including
complaints and appeals); redeeming failures; exam boards
• legal and financial constraints
www.swansea.ac.uk
Submitting an Erasmus Mundus application - Stage 2
Collective design of the programme
-To be driven by the Academic School, based on the academic strength of the existing provision and its complementarity to potential European programmes
- Design of the course to be informed by administrative and legal requirements and constraints, and with clear reference to the EC criteria – eg duration of a Master’s programme – 1 or 2 years?; maximum periods of candidature; capping marks; assessment of PhD
- Keep the structure simple and not over complicated by the mobility periods
Advice – try to influence the structure of the degree around your strengths eg teaching component or dissertation
www.swansea.ac.uk
Submitting an Erasmus Mundus application - Stage 2
Legal IssuesConsortium & Agency (on behalf of EC)• Framework partnership agreement – 5yrs The lead institution commits, on behalf of
the consortium “to maintaining the consortium composition as well as the content of the Course in the form approved…”
• Specific Grant Agreement – annual to cover the grant
Consortium members• Memorandum of Agreement – to cover all academic, administrative and financial
issues between the partners. MAKE SURE THEY ARE SIGNED
Consortium partners and Students• Student agreement – to cover all aspects of the course relevant to the student eg
fees, assessment, mobility, obligations of the parties
Students and Individual Institution• Enrolment – general regulations, fees, etc
Advice – Pay for proven successful templates!!
www.swansea.ac.uk
Submitting an Erasmus Mundus application - Stage 2
Financial Issues
The UK charges fees – most other EU partners will not!
• You will need to assess the level of fees – satisfying the expectations of the Director of Finance and the problems of partners – referring to the EC’s constraints
• You must examine the legality of charging fees in the partner countries
• You must determine the mechanism for charging fees
• You will need to make arrangements for the payment of stipends
Advice – Swansea case study
www.swansea.ac.uk
Submitting an Erasmus Mundus application - Stage 2
Other Issues to be resolved
• Patten of mobility – keep it simple but respond to requirements. Base it on strengths of partners. How will 3C partners be involved and when?
• Visa complications – problems with the UK. Take into account the Points-based Immigration system
• Language – most courses are taught in English but be aware of the language expectations of partners
www.swansea.ac.uk
Learning from experience (Round 1 of EM II)
Fees
Assessment of PhD candidates
Selection and Admission
Signing of agreements
Nos. of studentships
Third Country Partners
Agency Seminar in Brussels 22 Jan (video available
-http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/erasmus_mundus/events/infoday_2010_en.php)
Submitting an Erasmus Mundus application - Stage 2
www.swansea.ac.uk
Submitting an Erasmus Mundus application - Stage 3
Application Form
Outline of programme highlighting academic strengths, existing co-operation etc, joint degree? – take into account the criteria
Assessment of students (particularly Doctoral)
Sustainability of programme and enhancement of employability
Appendices – to include draft contracts, regulations, procedures, admissions criteria, management of programme to include details of the constitution & powers of Board of Studies, template for diploma supplement
Confirmation of the validation of the programme by each partner and the national agencies
Advice – keep the National Agency
informed of progress
www.swansea.ac.uk
Submitting an Erasmus Mundus application - Stage 3
Masters’ Programmes Doctoral Programmes
Further details of criteria are available
Criteria weighting Criteria weighting
Academic Quality 25% Academic and research quality 20%
Course integration 25% Partnership experience and composition 20%
Course management,
visibility and sustainability
measures
20% European integration & functioning of the
programme
20%
Students’ facilities and
follow-up
15% Provisions for candidates 20%
Quality assurance and
evaluation
15% Management, sustainability & quality
assurance
20%
www.swansea.ac.uk
Managing an Erasmus Mundus programme – stage 4
• Initial investment of time in meticulous preparation pays off!
– Scenario 1 – student complaint
– Scenario 2 – challenge to the legality of the programme
• The importance of an effective Board of Studies for post-
approval management
www.swansea.ac.uk
Useful References
Bologna Follow Up Group http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/londonbologna/
EUA http://www.eua.be/
Europe Unit, UUK http://www.europeunit.ac.uk/home/
British Council (Bologna Promoters)
http://www.britishcouncil.org/erasmus-bologna-process.htm
Guide to the Bologna Process http://www.europeunit.ac.uk/bologna_process/index.cfm