International Credit Mobility

International Credit Mobility (ICM) is an Erasmus+ sub- program that offers mobility opportunities for students, teachers and non-teaching staff at higher education institutions (HEIs) outside Europe. It also provides the same possibility for students, teachers and staff from institutions in non-European partner countries to undertake a period of mobility at HEIs holding the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education. Each ICM project is developed with a set of countries and specific institutions as partners, according to the annual application submitted to the Portuguese National Agency. The main objective of the UPB Double Degree Platform, together with the ICM sub-program, is to consolidate the ongoing cooperation between UPB and HEIs outside the EU, particularly to promote student mobility for double degrees and personal development on the best European higher education practices, and to improve the management and operation of partner HEIs in international relations. At UPB, the ICM provides for the following flows: Students Mobility IN (incoming) – in addition to the international mobility experience, with recognition of ECTS credits at the partner HEI, priority is given to mobility for double degree (DD) projects; Mobility OUT (outgoing) – priority is given to the international mobility of UPB master’s students, integrating co-supervised research activities, constituting a first approach to the creation of DD programs; Teachers and non-teaching staff Mobility IN – UPB organizes intensive programs integrating teachers and collaborators from partner HEIs; the intensive program introduces the EU and Portuguese higher education systems, the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS), mobility tools and recognition procedures; it also supports ongoing double degree projects, including meetings with students and teachers, seminars and co-supervision activities. Mobility OUT– this type of mobility is used to spread the word about the project at partner HEIs and to help participants implement best practices in using mobility tools and recognizing mobility periods.

Staff mobility

The mobility of teaching and non-teaching staff under the ERASMUS+ Programme has the following types:
    • Staff Teaching Assignment (STA) – carrying out a teaching assignment at a European HEI that has an agreement with UPB;
    • Training mission (STT – Staff Teaching and Training) – carrying out a period of training at an HEI, entity or organization based in an EU country.
Mobility for Teaching Missions UPB teachers can apply for a period of mobility at a European HEI with which UPB has a bilateral agreement. The mobility period requires teaching classes or seminars for a minimum of 8 hours/week. Interested teachers should contact their school’s Erasmus Coordinator. Mobility for Training Missions UPB teachers and non-teaching staff can apply for a training period at a European HEI or company. The mobility period requires the establishment of a work plan of a typical duration of one week. Interested teachers should contact their school’s Erasmus Coordinator. Interested staff should contact the Erasmus Coordinator and the Direction of their School or the Head of the Service or Office to which they belong.

Which countries and HEIs are eligible for mobility?

The mobility period requires the existence of a bilateral agreement with a European HEI and the definition of an individual study or internship contract with that institution (SMS mobility) or with a company (SMP mobility). See the List of partner HEIs for Erasmus mobility and study areas and get further guidance from your school’s Erasmus Coordinator.

How long is the mobility period?

At UPB, the common duration of a study mobility program (SMP) is 4 months (minimum duration 3 months). If there is financial availability at the end of the academic year, for students who have undertaken mobility without a grant and mobility of more than 4 months, an additional grant may be awarded, with priority given to students who have undertaken mobility without a grant, followed by students who have undertaken mobility to less frequent European countries. At UPB, the common duration of an internship mobility (SMS) is 4 months for curricular internships and between 2 and 8 months for extracurricular and end-of-course internships (minimum duration of 2 months). Traineeship mobility can also be used to carry out a professional internship which is the subject of a final report in master’s study cycles (SMP master’s) and to carry out an internship for recent UPB graduates (Bachelors or Masters) as long as it is completed within 12 months of the date on which they obtained their diploma.

How to choose the study program at the host HEI?

Students should contact their school’s Erasmus Coordinator for guidance and to define their individual study programme at the host HEI. Before departure, all students selected for mobility must sign their learning agreement. This contract will be signed by the student and the Academic and Institutional Coordinators of both institutions.

Once selected, what do I need to do to prepare for my mobility?

If the student is selected for a period of mobility, they should immediately go to the GRI to fill in the necessary forms and hand in the following documentation: two copies of the learning agreement duly signed by the Erasmus Coordinator at their school, the application form from the host HEI, two passport-sized photographs, a photocopy of their identity card and NIF or Citizen Card.

You should also find out more about the host HEI by consulting their website and, in particular, find out about their deadlines. 

Upon arrival at the host higher education institution, there was a need to change the curricular units to be taken. How to proceed with the change?

The student should contact their school’s Erasmus Coordinator to assess the necessary changes and amend the learning agreement, which should be signed by the host Higher Education Institution and sent to the GRI.