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Introduction
Arts and sciences have for some years been part of wide-ranging globalization processes. Specifically, as regards the process of European integration, the Erasmus programme enables students to spend a period of study at European Universities and Academies with which their institute has stipulated bilateral collaboration agreements.
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What is the Erasmus programme?
The Erasmus programme promotes reciprocal awareness among European citizens and the integration of the various scholastic and education systems in the EU. The Erasmus programme is particularly aimed at the university level, including Higher Education in Artistic and Musical training (and, therefore, Fine Arts Academies). The programme involves the 25 member countries of the European Union: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Hungary. The programme also includes the Economic Area Countries (Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway) and other candidate countries (Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey).
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What does the Erasmus programme cover and how does it work?
The stay abroad must be no shorter than 3 months, on pain or repaying the grant, and must not be longer than 12 months. Selected students benefit from a STUDY BURSARY as an EU grant to cover costs. The amount of the bursary is 220 euros a month. In addition, student holders of bursaries: 1) do not pay fees to the host institute (travel, food and lodgings are therefore the responsibility of the student), II) have the option of taking part in language courses, where available at the host institute, free of charge, III) can access all the services used by their colleagues of the host country.
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Who can make use of the Erasmus programme?
All students on I and II level degree course can take part in the programme on condition they have presented an Erasmus mobility application within the periods indicated in the call for applications, have passed the selection process and have been included in the appropriate grading. It is possible to take part in the Erasmus programme only once during the course of an academic career during the studying period (that is, before discussion of the final thesis).
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Conditions for taking part in the Erasmus programme
To access the Erasmus programme, students must forward their applications within the valid periods (see announcement of assignment of study bursaries regarding the year required). To obtain the study bursary assigned to them, students must also:
- Be properly registered.
- Identify the intended institute from among those available at the time of selection.
Accept and sign the undertakings laid down in the contract form. - Send the institute of reference (Accademia di Belle Arti G. B. Cignaroli, Verona) all the documents required to confirm attendance at the host institute for the entire duration of study.
- Agree a study plan (learning agreement) with the coordinating Erasmus lecturer before departure and send it to the intended institute along with the other documents that may be required (application form, registration certificate, portfolio, CV, etc.)
Students who intend to completely or partially relinquish the bursary assigned to them must give prompt written notification to the institute and, if they have already collected the study bursary, return the excess amount (if the period of the stay abroad does not last for a minimum 3 months, the student must return the entire grant). Similarly, those who wish to extend the study period must give prompt notice to the institute (at least one month before the end of the mobility period originally agreed) and sign the Amendment to the financial agreement stipulated before departure.
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How candidates are selected
The assessment of candidates will be carried out by an ERASMUS Board, which draws up a short list. The selection criteria adopted are: the works presented, assessment of the artistic and professional curriculum, the number of examinations taken, the average marks of the exams passed, assessment of knowledge of the English language or the language of the country chosen by each candidate.
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Return and recognition of the courses taken during participation in the Erasmus programme
On return, students must present themselves, within a week, to the Erasmus coordinator of their institute for the final formalities. As regards the career value and recognition of the studies conducted within the Erasmus programme, the student must document the work carried out during the stay on the basis of what was agreed with the Erasmus coordinator before departure. To this end, on return, it is necessary:
- to deliver the certificates with the marks obtained and the corresponding number of ECTS credits, and any other evaluations issued;
- to bring materials documenting the work done (when possible).
For further information about the programme please visit the website: www.ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/about_en