Ms Marlene Forsyth

European Development Manager

The Robert Gordon University

Guidance Teachers’ Conference 07 May 2008

Lifelong Learning Programme 2007-13

•The Lisbon Strategy, March 2000– “The Union must become the most competitive

and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world”

•Re-Launch in 2005– “EU to become an advanced knowledge society

with sustainable development, more and better jobs and greater social cohesion”.

Lifelong Learning Programme 2007-2013

• The general objective of the Integrated Programme in the field of lifelong learning is to contribute to the development of the Community as an advanced knowledge society. In particular, it aims to foster interchange, cooperation and mobility between education and training systems within the Community so that they become a world quality reference.

LLP StructureComenius

School education

ErasmusHigher

education & advanced training

Leonardo da Vinci

Vocational education

and training

GrundtvigAdult education

Transversal Programme4 key activities – Policy Cooperation; Languages; ICT; Dissemination

and exploitation of results (valorisation)

Jean Monnet Programme3 key activities – Jean Monnet Action,; European Institutions;

European associations

List of Participant Countries

The programme is open to the participation of:• the 27 Member States (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria,

Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom)

• Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Turkey; • From 2008 -Western Balkan countries and the

Swiss Confederation.

Erasmus – Specific Objectives

• Support the realisation of a European Higher Education Area

• Reinforce the contribution of higher education and advance vocational education to the process of innovation

• 40% of LLP budget

Erasmus Student Study Periods

• Study periods of 3 to 12 months• Maximum of 24 Erasmus mobility months

over 3 cycles, i.e. undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral

• Bilateral Agreement

Erasmus Student Work Placements

• Work placements of 3 to 12 months• Included in the maximum 24 Erasmus mobility months• Host organisations can include

– Enterprises– Training Centres– Research Centres– Other Organisations– European institutions or organisations managing

European Community programmes are NOT eligible as host institutions

EUC and The British Council

• Universities apply for an Erasmus University Charter (EUC) in order to participate

• British Council manages UK ERASMUS Programme

RGU’s current position

Mission Statement“To inspire and enable the transformation of individuals, economies and societies.”

Our Vision“To be internationally recognised for excellence in professional education and applied research.”

The University is developing an Internationalisation Strategy.

Erasmus @ RGU

• RGU has 18 years experience of ERASMUS

• Schools identify suitable partners• “Quality” checks are undertaken by

academics – e.g to check language facilities, academic recognition etc.

• If appropriate, Bilateral Agreements are signed

Erasmus @ RGU

• RGU has links in 18 different countries

• 63 Partner HEIs• http://www.rgu.ac.uk/europeanoffice/

europeanoffice/page.cfm?pge=1929

Erasmus @ RGU

• Opportunities are promoted to students: at early stage in their degree programme, as well as at Open Days, and on the UCAS website, prior to making their choices

• All are currently optional

Erasmus @ RGU

• All students get academic recognition for study awarded through the ECTS credit system

• In RGU, 2 SCOTCAT Credits = 1 ECTS credit

Erasmus @ RGU

• Students apply to RGU

• Suitable partners identified

• Study programme agreed

• Arrangements made for acceptance of student

Erasmus @ RGU

European Office: • Issues study contract• ECTS Learning Agreement• Grant for student• Provides information leaflet

– http://www.rgu.ac.uk/europeanoffice/europeanoffice/page.cfm?pge=1569#2318

Erasmus @ RGU

Study Periods• In 2007/08, a grant of €315 per month was awarded to students

going to Bulgaria and Romania, while €440 per month was awarded to students going to all other countries

Work Placements• In 2007/08, a grant of €390 per month was awarded to students

going to Bulgaria and Romania, while €490 per month was awarded to students going to all other countries

Note: Amounts awarded will vary from year to year

Erasmus @ RGU

• Erasmus Intensive Language Courses (EILCs) are specialised courses in the less widely used and less taught European Union languages and the languages of other countries participating in Erasmus. They are specifically for ERASMUS students to study the language of the host country, for up to 6 weeks, before starting their ERASMUS study period.

Erasmus @ RGU

Questions?

Ms Marlene Forsyth

European Development Manager

Tel: (01224) 262160

E-mail: m.forsyth@rgu.ac.uk