1. Erasmus Workshop

2. What is PRIME? Problems of Recognition In Making Erasmus European-wide research project Conducted by ESN with the support of the European Commission Two editions: 1 st in 2009 Follow-up in 2010

3. Why PRIME? 20 years of Erasmus Programme Over 2 million students in total Annually 180.000 Recognition problems remain: Full recognition only for slightly more than half of the Erasmus students Source: ESN Survey 2006 and 2007 Only 47% of universities have no problems with course recognition Source: European University Association

4. Objectives Draw attention of the stakeholders and parties involved in the process of recognition to ever-lasting problems and obstacles Map and monitor good practices Provide solutions Improve the quality of exchange and increase the numbers

5. Fields of the research Most common practices in Europe regarding: Information provision about Erasmus and other exchanges ECTS Course credit calculation Usage of the ECTS at European universities Learning Agreement (LA) Negotiation and signing Recognition Validity of the LA, involved parties, common problems

6. PRIME 2009

7. Recognition and exams upon return PRIME 2009

8. Recognition: remaining challenges PRIME 2009

9. PRIME 2010

10. Research Both qualitative and quantitative Three-level research: New: In-depth interview with National Agencies Online questionnaire for Higher Education Institutions Online questionnaire for Students From February until the end of April New topics: Grade transfer Erasmus and additional grants, tuition fees

11. PRIME respondents 16 interviews with National Agencies 50 0 responses from Higher Education Institutions (500% more than in 2009) 9000 responses from students (375% more than in 2009 )

12. Information provision 26% of students never receive information on exchange students recognition rights Institutions providing information to students

13. Learning Agreement 87% of institutions use official form of Learning Agreement provided by European Commission 75% of students make changes to the Learning Agreement

14. ECTS 93% of students use ECTS in their Learning Agreement

15. Grade transfer Conversion of grades at home university upon return

16. Erasmus grants Almost 100% of Erasmus students receive the grant 4% of students are required to pay back part or entire grant Reasons

17. Recognition: the concept No common definition-subject of interpretation Full recognition according to ESN: “All the credits earned during the exchange and that were originally present in the final version of the Learning Agreement are recognised by the home university without a need to take any further courses or exams.”

18. Recognition: institutional perspective Definition of full recognition according to HEIs

19. Recognition: procedures PRIME 2010

20. Recognition and exams upon return 73.08% 23.93% 3% PRIME 2010

21. Recognition: influence on exchange experience Would you still have studied abroad, if you would have known you would not receive full recognition?

22. Recognition: remaining challenges Incompatibility of study programmes Problems with credit calculation Problems with grade transfer Bureaucratic issues Attitude of certain professors Insufficient information provision

23. Recommendations Binding bilateral agreements Flexible study programmes and creation of “mobility windows” ECTS as the only credits system, ECTS label as a tool to promote correct usage of ECTS Usage of ECTS grading scale or development of other grade conversion method Common guidelines on course recognition and specific roles for all parties Better and more timely information provision Information and training provided to professors

24. PRIME Team ESN Greece

25. National Coordinator: Nikolas Spanoudakis (ESN Ioannina) Local Coordinators: Maria Kalaentzi(ESN Athens AUEB) Michalis Naris (ESN UOM Thessaloniki) Katerina Pantelidou (ESN Ioannina) Vassiliki Sioziou (ESN KAPA Athens) Irene Kotsona (ESN KAPA Athens) Alexios-Tryfonas Charalampous(ESN NTUA Athens) Konstantina Papanikolaou(ESN Auth) Apostolos Smyrnakis (ESN TEI Piraeus) PRIMErs of Change

26. More information Justyna Pisera, PRIME Project Coordinator, prime-coordinator@esn.org www.prime.esn.org Final report

27. Apostolos Smyrnakis – ESN TEI of Piraeus apostolos.pcs@gmail.com http://esn.teipir.gr

28. THANK YOU YOU FOR ATTENTION