Educational Collaboration: Contract for Course Outline
A Learning Agreement (LA) is a crucial document for Erasmus students, serving as a formal contract that outlines and secures the study plan or internship activities during the mobility period abroad. This agreement ensures academic coherence and transparent expectations among all parties involved - the student, the sending university, and the host institution.
Structure of a Learning Agreement
The Learning Agreement consists of several key sections: personal and course information, study program details, learning objectives and project descriptions, signatures from all parties, and a modifications section. The personal and course information includes the student's name, home and host universities, and the period of mobility. The study program details list courses or internship assignments with corresponding credits, usually in ECTS, and the responsible supervisors.
Importance of the Learning Agreement
The Learning Agreement plays a vital role in several aspects. It ensures credit recognition, clarifies expectations, facilitates administrative processes, and protects student rights. By formalizing the study plan, it supports students in case of disputes or changes.
Tips for Filling Out the Learning Agreement
To ensure a smooth process, it's recommended to start early, before departure, to avoid delays in approvals. Utilizing the official European Online Learning Agreement (OLA) platform when available can make management and digital signatures easier. Ensure the total credits correspond to the host institution’s workload and align with the home university’s requirements. Clearly detail learning objectives and project descriptions, especially for internships, to demonstrate academic relevance.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What if I need to change my study plan after arriving? You must submit an updated Learning Agreement, which requires approval from all parties to ensure continued credit recognition.
- Can I apply for Erasmus funding before my Learning Agreement is finalized? Yes, some universities allow application before the LA is completed, but the signed LA must be in place before the mobility begins.
- How are credits calculated? The total ECTS credits need to reflect the duration and intensity of study/stage (typically 30 ECTS per semester full-time). Part-time periods require proportional credits (e.g., 1.5 ECTS/week).
- Where do I get help filling out my LA? Contact your home university’s Erasmus coordinator or international office; host institution coordinators are also valuable resources.
- Is the Learning Agreement only for studies? No, there are versions for study mobility (LAS) and internships or traineeships, both requiring similar formal agreements of learning objectives and supervision.
In summary, the Learning Agreement is a critical contractual document ensuring your academic activities abroad are structured, agreed upon, and fully recognized. Utilizing digital tools like the Online Learning Agreement platform and proactively coordinating with your institutions will help streamline the process and secure a smooth Erasmus experience. The Learning Agreement is available on the Erasmus platform "Mobility Online" after nomination. Each Learning Agreement is signed by the student, the receiving institution (often the Erasmus coordinator), and the sending institution (Directorate of Studies). If studying at two different universities, two separate Learning Agreements are required. After the mobility, the grades received for each course should be added to the Learning Agreement.
- Ensuring a successful education-and-self-development journey during an Erasmus program, it is essential to fill out the Learning Agreement with precision, as it outlines the study plan or internship activities and guarantees transparent expectations throughout the academicperiod.
- To foster a comprehensive learning experience, the Learning Agreement encompasses personal and course information, study program details, learning objectives and project descriptions, signatures from all parties, and modifications, solidifying the education-and-self-development objectives with formalized agreements.
