Education Exchange Plan (Erasmus): Instructional Arrangement
The Learning Agreement is a crucial document for Erasmus students planning to study abroad. This official document outlines the courses a student intends to take at the host institution and requires approval from the home university, making it essential for the academic recognition of the studies abroad and facilitating credit transfer according to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).
The Learning Agreement comprises several key structural components, including personal information, tables A, B, C, and signatures from the student, the home institution, and the host institution.
- Personal Information
Student details and academic level (bachelor's/master's) are typically provided, often using EQF levels or ISCED codes.
- Table A (Before the mobility)
This table lists the courses a student plans to take at the host institution, including course titles, codes, ECTS credits, and learning outcomes.
- Table B (Recognition at home institution)
This table contains the courses/credits from the host institution that will be recognized by the home university towards the student's degree.
- Table C (During and after the mobility, if applicable)
This table amends the original agreement if courses change during the exchange.
- Signatures
Signatures by the student, the home institution, and the host institution validate and approve the agreement.
It is essential to note that:
- Students must usually earn at least 15 ECTS credits during their exchange, which corresponds to approximately half a semester. Full-time study equals about 30 ECTS per semester.
- Some institutions have rules about the percentage of courses to be taken from certain departments or course handbooks. For example, at KIT, 70% must come from one module handbook, and 30% can be from other departments.
- Language and extra-curricular courses may sometimes be excluded from specific limitations on course selection.
- The Learning Agreement must be completed and signed before the mobility period starts, often via an online platform such as the Erasmus Online Learning Agreement (OLA) system or university-specific portals.
- After the period abroad, students must submit proof of completed courses (Transcript of Records) and sometimes a progress report or letter of confirmation to finalize recognition.
- Academic recognition depends on positive assessment of learning outcomes, with grading systems varying by institution but typically including letter grades and pass/fail.
In case the grading system at the receiving institution differs from the home university, the grades need to be transformed. The after-mobility document in the Learning Agreement is for adding grades received for each course. The right column of the Learning Agreement during the mobility contains the corresponding courses at the home university.
The Learning Agreement consists of three separate documents: before, during, and after the mobility. The main part of the Learning Agreement is a table with two columns, one for courses at the receiving institution and the other for courses at your home university. The left column during the mobility contains information about changes in courses or additions.
By adhering to the guidelines and understanding the importance of the Learning Agreement, Erasmus students can ensure a successful study abroad experience, with academic credit recognition and smooth credit transfer.
- The Learning Agreement, an essential document for Erasmus students, outlines the process of education-and-self-development and learning by detailing the courses a student intends to take at the host institution.
- During the mobility period, a student must earn at least 15 ECTS credits through learning, ensuring academic recognition and credit transfer according to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).
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