Outgoing Students - General Information

Introduction to Mobility

Student Mobility Studies

Student Mobility Placements

When do I apply?

Which are the Universities abroad?

How do I get selected for an Erasmus period?

Who makes the necessary preparations?

What is ECTS?

What form of financial assistance is available?

Can foreign students apply for Erasmus exchanges?

Are Scholarships available?

Can I study in a country that is not an EU-member state?

What are the benefits of going abroad on Erasmus?

Further Information

Introduction to Mobility

Erasmus seeks to enhance the quality and reinforce the European dimension of Higher Education, by encouraging transnational cooperation between higher education institutions, promoting mobility for students and higher education teaching staff, and improving transparency and academic recognition of studies and qualifications throughout all member states of the European Union and other countries participating in the Lifelong Learning Programme.

Student Mobility Studies

Students following undergraduate, post-graduate and doctoral degrees registered at the University of Malta are eligible for academic placements at partner universities and higher education Institutions with whom the University of Malta has signed a bilateral agreement for mobility.

Students are being offered the opportunity to follow a period of study in a European University ranging between 3-12 months. During that period of study they follow a number of credits or conduct research in relation to their thesis or dissertation. That period of study is recognised as part of their final degree issued by their home university (the University of Malta in this case). The student chosen for an Erasmus experience does not have to pay academic fees to the hosting university. Moreover, some students are given a grant to partially finance the expenses that are incurred in travelling, accommodation and living abroad.

Student Mobility Placements

Placement means spending a period of time in an enterprise or organisation in another Member State. The objectives of placements are to reinforce the contribution of higher education and advanced vocational education to the process of innovation; to improve the quality of student mobility throughout Europe, and to improve the quality of cooperation between higher education institutions and enterprises. Placements are open for Nursing, Midwifery and Pharmacy students.

The conditions of the individual placements are:

• the student must be enrolled at least in the second year of studies;
• full recognition must be given by the home higher education institution for the period of placement spent abroad;
• the minimum duration of the placement should be 3 months and the maximum duration is 12 months.

When do I apply?

Each year the International & EU Office at the University of Malta issues applications together with the list of placements for students interested in pursuing an Erasmus period abroad. The applications are usually issued at the beginning of the year (February) for Erasmus exchanges taking place in the following academic year (October-June).

Which are the Universities abroad?

Specific contracts are signed between universities enabling students to proceed on Erasmus study or placement. These contracts (called Erasmus Bilateral Agreements) specify the area of study, the number of students and the duration of the placement. Such Erasmus Bilateral Agreements bind the two universities involved in accepting students under Erasmus conditions (non fee paying, equal academic rights to local students, etc..) and to cooperate within the Lifelong Learning Programme.

The Bilateral Agreements must be renewed on a yearly basis to ensure continuation. For this reason, the list of placements available changes from one application round to the next.


How do I get selected for an Erasmus period?

Each application received at the International and EU Office is checked for eligibility (that the student has chosen the right placements according to the subject area, year of study, etc..). A selection board is then held with representatives from the Faculty/Institute and the International and EU Office. During the selection board, the academic record of each applicant is viewed and the Faculty/Institute provides the recommendations on:

• the academic background of the student
• the time period chosen
• the University chosen (in accordance with the student's specialisations)

The linguistic capacity of the applicant is also crucial. Students are therefore encouraged to develop fluency in foreign languages other than English. The aim of the Erasmus programme is to bring students in contact with new cultures that are different to those they have been brought up in. Moreover, involvement in Erasmus activities organised locally indicates a general approach towards this area of cooperation and exchange. Although the main criterion for selection is academic, one's preparation, interest and initiative are proof of qualities that are necessary to sustain a period of study in a foreign university.

The selection results are communicated by postal mail to each applicant. Successful students are called up to start the necessary preparations, whilst unsuccessful applicants are given clear reasons why their application was not accepted.

Who makes the necessary preparations?

Prospective Erasmus students receive help from the International and EU Office and their Faculty/Institute to coordinate all necessary preparations. The University that will be hosting the student abroad provides academic and other logistical information (accommodation, orientation, travel arrangements, etc.). With the help of academic coordinators, the programme of credits that a student will follow abroad is drawn up. The student then compiles the Learning Agreement - a contract containing details about the credits that will be followed abroad with the necessary ECTS equivalency. The student, the Faculty and the International and EU Office of the University of Malta and the Faculty and Erasmus Institutional Coordinator of the hosting University, sign this contract. The acceptance of this document ensures that the period of study that a student will follow abroad will be recognised and the results that the student brings back duly endorsed in the student's transcript of records.

The International and EU Office also assists in the logistical preparations giving each student the necessary information and advice regarding residence permits, travel arrangements, financial management, registration, reporting, etc.

What is ECTS?

The European Credit Transfer Scheme (ECTS) was developed within the framework of the Lifelong Learning Programme guaranteeing the reciprocal recognition of qualifications awarded by its signatory institutions. Universities participating in Erasmus advise prospectus students the weighting of credits in ECTS. This helps the student to work out the necessary conversion, ensuring that students obtain the amount of credits that is necessary for them to complete their studies locally and abroad.

What form of financial assistance is available?

Grants are awarded to some Erasmus students through financing received from the European Commission and are calculated per month according to the country of destination. The student retains his Government maintenance grant during the period of study abroad. The grant does not cover all the expenses incurred abroad. Therefore students should make sure that they have other forms of financing to cover the expenses incurred whilst abroad.

 Can foreign students apply for Erasmus exchanges?

According to regulations stipulated by the European Commission foreigners registered as full-time students at the University of Malta from the EU-Member Countries, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein can participate in the Erasmus Programme. Refugees and students from countries not mentioned above but who are recognised as permanent residents of Malta are eligible for participation. If selected for the Erasmus programme, foreign students obtain equal rights to local students, thus being eligible to receive Erasmus funding. During their stay abroad, they must however, continue paying tuition fees to the University of Malta.

Are Scholarships available?

Erasmus is not a scholarship programme. Funding is not given to individuals interested in following a whole course of study in a European University. The Erasmus Programme can only offer help to students who are following a course at our University and wish to study part of that course in another EU country.

Can I study in a country that is not an EU-member state?

Students registered at the University of Malta are allowed to follow Erasmus placements in EU-Member states and EFTA countries. The Erasmus Programme does not allow international students to follow an Erasmus Period in their own home country (Eg: A full-time German student cannot return to Germany for his Erasmus period but must choose another country from the list of places available).

What are the benefits of going abroad on Erasmus?

Since its launch in 1987, more than a million students have been able to take advantage of mobility arrangements under Erasmus. All over Europe, the Erasmus label is regarding as a prestigious award signalling an individual's openness to cultural diversity and interest in developing a European dimension on a personal and an academic level. A semester abroad provides a student with a wealth of knowledge and experience, also giving him new tools and proficiency that are certainly useful in today's highly competitive job market. Over 1.5 million students have participated so far with a goal of reaching 3 million by 2013. Together with an enriched study experience, Erasmus also provides exposure to different cultures.

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