ERASMUS+
The curricula for the educational and qualification degrees (EQD) of “Bachelor,” “Master,” and the educational and scientific degree (ESD) of “Doctor,” as well as the teaching methodology, comply with national requirements and the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS). They are comparable to the programs of foreign higher education institutions offering related specialties, ensuring conditions for international comparability, participation in student and faculty mobility under the Erasmus and Erasmus+ programs of the European Commission, credit transfer, and recognition of study periods and qualifications.
During mobility under the Erasmus+ program, the rights and obligations of ULSIT students are preserved in accordance with the adopted Rules for Organizing Student Mobility for Recognition of Educational Credits and Study Periods at ULSIT and the Regulation for the Organization and Activities of International Cooperation at ULSIT.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Erasmus?
Erasmus is an EU program for cooperation in higher education within the framework of the Socrates program. The main activities of the Erasmus program include:
- Reciprocal student exchanges for partial studies at a foreign university,
- Faculty mobility,
- Development of joint academic programs and European modules,
- Intensive programs,
- Implementation of the credit transfer system,
- Thematic networks.
Key features of student exchange under Erasmus include:
- Full academic recognition of the study period at the partner foreign university.
- Waiver of tuition fees at the partner university.
- Availability of a scholarship determined by the cost of living in the host country. The grant amount varies between €180 and €264 per month for the last academic year. Generally, the scholarship is sufficient to cover dormitory accommodation and some additional costs. Extra funds for transportation, textbooks, and meals typically do not exceed €200, offering an affordable opportunity for students to gain international experience.
What is ECTS?
ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) is a system enabling partner universities to facilitate student exchanges through a unified grading system and the introduction of the "credit" concept to ensure comparability of academic programs.
What is an ECTS Credit?
ECTS credits represent a numerical expression of the workload associated with academic courses. They quantify both in-class and extracurricular work required for successful completion of the respective course.
What Does Full Academic Recognition Mean?
Full academic recognition ensures that the study period abroad, including exams or other assessments, completely substitutes for the equivalent academic activities at the home university, even if the approved curricula differ to a reasonable extent.
To have a semester recognized academically, you must earn 30 ECTS credits; for a full academic year, you need 60 ECTS credits. Credits are awarded only if you pass the exam with a grade of at least "D" under the ECTS grading scale. The number of credits awarded is independent of the achieved grade.
How is Grade Transfer Done?
Upon completing your studies at the foreign partner university, you receive a Transcript of Records, detailing all the courses you registered for and passed. This document includes:
- Grades obtained under the local grading system,
- Assigned ECTS credits,
- ECTS grades (A, B, C, D, or E; with "E" meaning "Fail").
In the Bulgarian six-point grading system, ECTS grades are interpreted as follows:
- A = 6
- B = 5
- C = 4
- D = 3.
Who Can Participate?
Eligible participants include students from all disciplines in their 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year of study with an average grade of at least 4.50. In exceptional cases, 1st-year students may also be allowed to participate if there are insufficient candidates for available spots.
What Are the Selection Criteria?
If fewer candidates apply than there are available spots for a particular language or country, no language test is conducted, and selection is based on academic performance.
If more candidates apply than there are spots, a written and oral language test is conducted. The selection score is based on the average academic performance to date and the combined scores from both language tests, with a maximum possible score of 12.
What is the Application Procedure?
Around mid-March, the International Cooperation Department announces available agreements and spots, along with deadlines for application submission, typically by early to mid-April. Language tests are conducted within a week of the deadline, and results are announced promptly.
Preliminary rankings are usually posted shortly after the exams. If candidates take tests in multiple languages (e.g., English and German), rankings may be delayed until all tests are completed
After preliminary rankings, selected candidates typically have two days to confirm their participation. Confirmation implies that the candidate has considered the financial aspects, researched the respective university, and understood the benefits and challenges of their decision.
Can We Apply with More Than One Working Language?
Yes, it is common for candidates to take tests in two working languages.
How Many Times Can We Participate in Erasmus?
Only once. This is a mandatory condition of the program. Therefore, students are encouraged to opt for a full academic year rather than a single semester.
What Are the Program's Working Languages?
English, German, and French are the primary working languages, although some universities do not offer English-taught programs (e.g., Coimbra University in Portugal or Deusto University in Spain). A Spanish language test may be introduced in future due to increased demand among Spanish-speaking candidates.
Which Universities Can We Apply To?
You can find details about partner universities in the Partners section, where reviews from previous participants are also available.
Can Master's Students Participate in the Program?
Participation for Master's students in Erasmus is limited due to variations in educational systems across participating countries. However, the International Cooperation Department is continuously expanding the network of partner universities.
The EC has introduced a new tool for Master's-level students—Erasmus Mundus. Bulgarian universities became eligible starting in the 2006/2007 academic year, with the first proposals accepted in 2005. During the transitional period, Bulgarian students were treated as "third-country" students, allowing participation in established programs in Western Europe. Scholarships for this program currently average €2,000.