Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programmes

Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programmes are teaching/learning elements jointly delivered by several universities, combining virtual components with short-term physical mobility.

Below you can find information on the following topics:

BIP participants can find more information on the pages for BIP outgoings or BIP incomings.

Requirements

  • participation of at least three universities from three Erasmus+ Programme Countries
  • physical stay of min. five to max. 30 days with min. 15 mobile students
  • virtual component/virtual collaboration of all participants (e.g. within a COIL course). The Erasmus+ programme does not state specific formal requirements for the virtual component, but the virtual and physical part of the BIP should be balanced.
  • credit for both components of min. 3 ECTS
  • an Erasmus+ inter-institutional agreement has to be set up

Process overview

How is a BIP organised?

Using the example of three participating universities, the roles can be distributed as follows:

  • one organising (= receiving) institution
  • two sending institutions

Role of the organising (= receiving) university ("incoming BIP")

The organising university is responsible for the organisation and implementation of the whole BIP (physical and virtual part). The process is similar to a semester mobility (i.e. setup of an Erasmus+ agreement, enrolment, digital learning agreement, issuing a transcript of records). However, the following aspects are different:

  • The BIP has to be established as a course in the University of Vienna's course directory. This must be pre-consented by the directorate of studies (SPL). The incoming students have to receive a grade for the course within the regular semester deadlines, so that a Transcript of Records can be issued for them.
  • A maximum of four partner universities can participate as sending institutions.
  • Students from the receiving institution can participate in a BIP, but they do not count towards the minimum number of 15 mobile participating students.
  • The incoming students have to be enrolled at the University of Vienna, which means that they need to be nominated at the International Office by 01 February for BIPs taking place in the following summer semester, and 01 August for BIPs in the following winter semester.

The organising university receives so-called Erasmus+ OS funds for the implementation of the BIP (see also "What is funded?").

Role of the sending university ("outgoing BIP")

The sending university supports the physical stay of students from their Erasmus+ funds (see also "What is funded?"). The International Office informs the students after their nomination about necessary steps and deadlines. The whole process is similar to a semester mobility (i.e. setup of an Erasmus+ agreement, digital learning agreement, recognition). However, the following aspects are different:

  • At least five students have to be nominated by the University of Vienna.
  • At least 3 ECTS have to be recognised in the nominated field of study. This must be pre-consented by the directorate of studies (SPL).
  • Participating lecturers of the University of Vienna can be funded via the Erasmus+ Teaching Staff Mobility. Application is possible by e-mail (staffmobility@univie.ac.at); more information can be found here.

What is funded?

The organising university (= incoming BIP) receives so-called Erasmus+ OS funds (Organisational Support) as support for the additional work involved in the preparation, administration, and implementation of the BIP, both for the physical and the virtual part. Erasmus+ OS funds are provided to the organising department for the implementation of the BIP.

The sending university (= outgoing BIP) supports the physical stay of students and teachers from their Erasmus+ funds:

Erasmus+ grants are administered and paid by the International Office.

Application

Both the organising higher education institution and the sending higher education institutions apply for the funding of a BIP annually in the course of the annual Erasmus+ mobility application of the International Office in mid-February.

To apply, please send an e-mail to erasmus.bip@univie.ac.at with an attached BIP application form by 15 December at the latest, if you plan to organise or participate in a BIP in the following academic year.

After successully submitting a formally correct application, the International Office organises information sessions in which further steps, deadlines, responsibilities and helpful tips are discussed.