Fundamentos Constitucionales de la Investigación de

The systematic mobility of students is one of the key objectives of the joint programme. In the survey the following elements were investigated: nature of the mobility period, role of the non-European partners and which educational activities they provide.

A mandatory mobility period for students is introduced in almost all master programmes of the survey. Mobility is always physical and not limited to virtual or distance learning.

One particular master programme (a double degree programme between France and Morocco) did not include student mobility, but only staff exchanges in order to prevent brain drain.

The duration of the mobility period varies greatly. According to the survey, the minimum mobility period is one semester (=30 ECTS credits), the maximum mobility period is four semesters (= 120 ECTS credits) in a particular double degree programme; hence, an additional semester is required to obtain the home degree. All other programmes have a mobility period between these two poles (see table below). In joint programmes running under the Erasmus Mundus programme the mobility period towards the non-European partners is exclusive and not compulsory. It is created as an extra opportunity for a small group of European students who obtain the Erasmus Mundus scholarship and for (European) students who can afford to travel by their own financial means. The compulsory mobility part is exclusively towards the European partners. In one case the choice of destination, either a European or a non-European, is treated on equal basis: students can freely chose their destination among all partners.

Joint programmes organised by consortia but running without EU funding offer a mobility period with the non-European partner on an equal basis as well. The only concern is a strict balance of the mobility flows between the European partners and the non-European partners, in casu the US partner.

Inherent to the specific nature of all other joint programmes in the sample, i.e. bilateral cooperation, EU/US Atlantis programme and cross-border cooperation the mobility period is always compulsory towards the non-European partner.

In some joint programmes the mobility period aims at attending lectures. In other cases students do their research, internship or master thesis at the partner institution. The type of the educational activity delivered by the host university depends on the level of involvement of the non-European partner (see section ‘role of non-European partners in the mobility component’ below).

Joint Programme Compulsory Mobility Period European Partner Non-European Partner Activity Of Mobility Period At Non- European Partner Number Of Credits Number Of Credits Number Of Credits Number Of Credits

EMMC1 60 30 30 30 Equal Choice Practical

Training(10) - Research (20) EMMC2 120 40-70 40-70 10 10 Is Optional At Non-EU Case Study - Later On Also Master Research (30)

EMMC3 120 30 + 5 = 35 35 30 Extra 30 Is Optional At Non-EU = Internship And Research EMMC4 120 60 60 30 Including 30 Optional At Non-EU EMMC5 120 Min.30 Usually 60 Min.30 Usually 60 6 Optional Course/Intensive Workshop ATLANTI S 120 80-90 20-30 60 Requirements Of The Programme Regular Programme Double Degrees 120 80 80 Course Work, Summer School, Internship... 120 60 60 120 30/60 120 120 120 120 30-60 30-60 MA Research Can Be Done Anywhere 120 60 60 120 30 30 30 Equal Choice 120 30-60 30-60

Role of non-European partners in the mobility component

Regarding the role of the non-European partners in the mobility component a different level of participation is distinguished according to their involvement in the consortium. The level of involvement depends on the type of joint programme. Different patterns are found in the Erasmus Mundus Master courses, joint programmes under the EU/US Atlantis programme, bilateral cooperation programmes, and joint programmes under cross-border cooperation.

A. Erasmus Mundus Master Courses

In the Erasmus Mundus Master courses the non-European partners count as

mobility partners: in most cases they only provide a case study (10 ECTS credits),

practical training (10 ECTS credits), or serve as a possible location for the research of the master thesis to the European students (20 – 30 ECTS credits). In one Erasmus Mundus course students can attend lectures at the non-European partner. In another Erasmus Mundus course there is no mobility towards the non-European partners planned yet. Their role in the consortium is streamlining the processes of the incoming student mobility.

Box 4

A master programme on a very specific international issue indicated that the involvement of the non-European partners has been strategically evaluated; in its context these partners are integrated as mobility partners. Part of the European students’ cohort can do a research project and/or an internship there, which fits the global topic and approach of the joint programme.

138 B. Bilateral cooperation programmes

In all bilateral cooperation programmes none of the non-European partners are just mobility partners; they contribute in a considerable part. The students do a

significant part of their study at the non-European country by completing a study

programme with the same learning outcomes. Non-European partners allow European students to attend courses and/or to do an internship and/or produce their master thesis.

Box 5

One master programme is designed in such a way that the students have to spend the first year of the programme in Sweden and the second year in China. The students are recommended to write their master thesis in China, but there is the option to write it in Sweden as well. During the first year students have a wide choice of optional courses. The choice of courses in China is limited since not all courses are available in English.

C. Joint programmes with the US (within and outside the EU/US Atlantis programme)

In these joint programmes the American partners allow European students to attend courses and/or to do an internship and/or produce a master thesis as well.

Box 6

In one Atlantis master programme European students spend the first semester at the home institution and during the second semester they go to another European institution. During the final year they study at a US university. The US students spend their master year in Europe, each semester at a different European institution of the consortium. This model is according to the EU/US Atlantis guidelines.

D. Cross-border cooperation

In the cross-border cooperation there is a high level of integration and participation of the non-European partners: they are fully integrated in the development of the joint programme and offer courses, internships and summer schools at their universities. Box 7

In one master programme the students of the European partner have to obtain 40 credits in the home institution and 80 credits in the joint programme and the same rule applies to the non-European students. But if the latter obtain 40 extra credits at the European institution, they receive a double degree, one from the home and one from the European university.