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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 Instructions on how to apply List of Erasmus Mobility Placements Introduction to Mobility Erasmus seeks to enhance the quality and reinforce the European dimension of the European Higher Education Area, 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 the Hospitality & Tourism Management at the Institute of Tourism Studies are eligible for academic mobilities at partner universities and Higher Education Institutions with whom the Institute and Tourism Studies has signed a bilateral agreement for mobility. Students are 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 according to the respective modules. That period of study is recognised as part of their final diploma issued by their home institute (the Institute of Tourism Studies in this case). The student chosen for an Erasmus experience does not pay academic fees to the hosting institute/university. Moreover, students are given a grant to partially finance the expenses that are incurred in travelling, accommodation and living abroad. Student Mobility Placements A placement is a period of time spent by a student 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 once again for Hospitality and Tourism Management students. The conditions of the individual placements are: •the student should have successfully completed four semesters (2 academic years) of study in the Hospitality & Tourism Management programme at ITS •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 12 months. When do I apply? Each year the International & EU Office at the Institute of Tourism Studies issues applications together with the list of institutes/universities/enterprises for students interested in pursuing an Erasmus period abroad. The applications are usually issued at the beginning of the academic year i.e. February for Erasmus exchanges taking place in the following academic year (October-June for mobility study) and (June-June for placement mobility). Which are the EU Partner Universities? Specific contracts are signed between universities enabling students to proceed on Erasmus study or placement. These contracts (called Erasmus Inter-Institutional Agreements) specify the area of study, the number of students and the duration of the placement. Such Erasmus Inter-Institutional Agreements bind the two institutes/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 Inter-Institutional Agreements are renewed on a yearly basis. Therefore the list of universities available changes from one application round to the next. How do I get selected for an Erasmus period? Each application received at the International & 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 committee is then held with representatives from the Institute and the International and EU Office. During the selection committee, the academic record of each applicant is viewed and the Institute provides the recommendations on: •the academic background of the student •the time period chosen •the Institute/University chosen 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. 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 institute/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 & EU Office to coordinate all necessary preparations. The Institute that will be hosting the student abroad provides academic and other logistical information. IN THE CASE OF MOBILITY STUDY, the programme of credits that a student will follow abroad is drawn up with the help of academic coordinators. 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 and the International & EU Office of the ITS 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. IN THE CASE OF PLACEMENT MOBILITY, a Training Agreement - a contract containing duties that a student will follow abroad is drawn up with the help of academic coordinators. The International & EU Office also assists in the logistical preparations giving each student the necessary information. What is ECTS (In connection with Mobility Studies)? The European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) was developed within the framework of the Lifelong Learning Programme guaranteeing the reciprocal recognition of qualifications awarded by its signatory institutions. Institutes/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 Erasmus students through financing received from the European Commission and are calculated per month according to the country of destination. The student retains his currently 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 Institute of Tourism Studies from the EU-Member Countries, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Turkey can participate in the Erasmus Programme. Refugees and students from countries not mentioned above but who are recognised as permanent residents of Malta are also 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 ITS. 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 Institute/University. The Erasmus Programme can only offer help to students who are following a course at our Institute 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 ITS are only allowed to follow Erasmus studies or placements in EU-Member states and EFTA countries. What are the benefits of going abroad on Erasmus? All over Europe, the Erasmus label is regarded as a prestigious award signalling an individual's openness to cultural diversity and interest in developing a European dimension on a personal and 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. Two 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. Further Information For further information, prospective Erasmus outgoing students contact: Ms Emma Pace Erasmus Office Institute of Tourism Studies St George’s Road St Julians STJ 3300 Malta Tel: +356 2379 3268 Fax: +356 2379 3282 Email: emma.pace@gov.mt PLEASE DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION FORM AND FILL IT IN ON YOUR COMPUTER. THEN SEND BY E-MAIL TO MS PACE. DO NOT PRINT IT AND FILL IT IN BY HAND.
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