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Erasmus Placement

Portal Académico > EN > Students > Mobility Programs > Erasmus Placement

Erasmus Placement

What are the application deadlines?

The pre-application stage is usually in the months of December and January. The specific application time limits shall be released by SRI through multiple communication supports in each academic year. For mobility in the academic year 2015/2016 applications can be made before the 30th of January 2015. You may apply after the set term, but priority will always be given to students who apply during that period. Applications made after the term will have to be submitted on paper, based on the pre-application form, and with the consistent signature of the Academic Coordinator. So do not forget!

I would like to participate in a mobility programme in the first year of my masters or PhD. Should I apply before I am accepted?

First you should note that if you wish to undertake a period of mobility in the first year, this will have to take place in the second semester. Application deadlines are the same for all students, so you will have to apply before being admitted to the respective course. In this case your application will be considered provisional and the mobility will be conditioned on admission to the master's or doctorate.

How can I find a placement?

You can choose from the following options:
- To make contacts directly with companies of your interest;
- To consult websites that have internship offers and send your application to those that may be of your interest:
     - EURES: http://ec.europa.eu/
     - Leo-Net: http://www.leo-net.org > Job Offer exchange
     - Praxis: http://www.praxisnetwork.eu
     - Europlacement: http://www.europlacement.com
     - Expertise in Labour Mobility (ELM): http://www.labourmobility.com
     - iAgora: http://www.iagora.com
     - Interntown: http://www.interntown.com
     - Placements UK: http://www.placement-uk.com
     - ERASMUSINTERN: http://erasmusintern.org
     - Placement Slovakia: http://www.placementslovakia.com
- To contact some lecturers/ course directors in order to obtain guidance on this and information on any international internship which they have;
- Search for the hashtag #EstagiosErasmusUMinho on Facebook to access the offers published on the official page of SRI in the social network. Alternatively, you can directly contact our Services to consult the available information about internship offers.

How long can the placement last for?

Your placement period may last from two to twelve months. If you have had a mobility period before, you should be aware that the sum of the durations of those mobilities can never exceed 12 months per study cycle.

How will my placement be academically recognised abroad?

How are non-academically recognised placements certified?

To take part in this programme, do I have to be enrolled at the University of Minho?

Yes, you must be enrolled at The University of Minho. In the case of recent graduate placements, you must register in the Academic Services under Regulation for Professional Training for the purpose of school insurance coverage and a mandatory link with the University of Minho. Please note that the pre-application to these types of placements should be done while you are still formally a student at The University of Minho.

Where and when can I apply?

Before you formalize your application, you should express your interest to participate by filling out the pre-application form available at http://goo.gl/forms/KvZZsOHU9W (Português) or http://goo.gl/forms/9IbFniXwAF (English). The complete application must be presented in the International Relations Services, a minimum of two months in advance of the traineeship start date. We emphasize, however, that the scholarship award depends on the availability of funding at the time of its confirmation, so the sooner you formalize the application, the greater the likelihood of funding.

Which are the application documents?

Before submitting your complete application, you should indicate your interest by filling out the online form: http://goo.gl/forms/KvZZsOHU9W (Português) or http://goo.gl/forms/9IbFniXwAF (English) After filling out the form, you must submit the following documents at least two months before the start of the placement: - Copy of the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) - Curriculum Vitae (CV) detailed, in English or in the national language of the chosen country (Europass is the recommended format) - Letter of acceptance from the host institution, respecting the following requirements: * Printed on letterhead paper; * Indicate the duration of the placement; * Identify the name and advisor contacts; * Contain a brief description of the work plan to be developed; * Indicate the amount of compensation/support to be awarded (if applicable). - Learning Agreement for Traineeships duly filled out, validated and signed by the host institution. - In the case of placements for recent graduates, Proof of Degree Completion must also be handed over as soon as possible. You can download all relevant documents on http://www.sri.uminho.pt/OUT > Formulários

How is the work programme to be performed in the defined host organisation?

All fields of studies have an Academic Coordinator at the University of Minho who will assist in the definition of your work plan (in conjunction, if applicable, with your traineeship supervisor/thesis), along with the head of the target institution. Before you go, your work plan which establishes a Training Agreement (Learning Agreement for Traineeships), should be agreed on and signed by you, your Academic Coordinator and by your supervisor at the host organisation. As an integral part of the Learning Agreement, is also drawn up (if applicable) an Academic Recognition Plan, which is an internal document that clarifies the equivalence between the work plan in the host institution and The University of Minho. To consult the list of Academic Coordinators of The University of Minho, by fields of studies, please refer to the related website.

Should I study a foreign language before going abroad?

At the outset previous language preparation is essential to maximize the success of the Erasmus period. Thus, all students are encouraged to invest in their previous language preparation, and start it as soon as possible, according to UMinho’s range of language courses, within and outside the University.

Will I have any language support during the mobility programme?

Erasmus+ Programme has a new linguistic support tool for students/trainees in mobility, the Online Linguistic Support (OLS). This tool is available in six diferent languages: German, Spanish, French, English, Italian and Dutch. Depending on the number of licenses allocated to the University of Minho, you'll have access to this tool if your main working language in the host institution is one of six languages and does not match your first language. All students/trainees covered by OLS have to undertake a language skills assessment test before and after their period of mobility. Based on the results of the first test and the licenses allocated to UMinho, some students will be given the opportunity to attend an online language course. All OLS features operate exclusively online and all of them are free. For further information about this linguistic support tool please refer to http://erasmusplusols.eu/..

Where am I assessed?

Your mobility period is mandatorily assessed at the host institution. This assessement will be taken into account, in whole or in part by your Academic Coordinator and/or traineeship supervisor in function of the course units(s) provided in your Academic Recognition Plan, if applicable.

Where will I live and who takes care of accommodation?

The search/reservation for accommodation and other conditions of stay are your responsibility. As there is no link/institutional protocol with the host institutions, SRI does not have the conditions to ensure accommodation for students who participate in this programme.

Who will take care of my trip?

You will be in charge of trip arrangements in good time, in order to arrive at the host institution on the date set for the start of the internship.

Are there any compulsory procedures before going abroad?

Yes, before you go to your host institution you should schedule the signing of your Erasmus Agreement with the International Relations Services (SRI), if available, and/or fill in the Power-of attorney form , appointing another person (family member, friend, colleague) who in your absence could sign this Agreement. We emphasize that your proxy must be a person who we can contact easily and must be available to come to UMinho when needed.

What should I do if I am ill abroad?

What about scholarships?

Undertaking an Erasmus placement does not necessarily imply receiving an Erasmus Mobility Scholarship. All students selected for these placements become automatically eligible for the Erasmus Mobility Placements Scholarship (Erasmus internships). However, the scholarships awarded to the University of Minho may not be sufficient for all candidates.

How much are the “Erasmus Placements Mobility Scholarships”?

The values of the scholarships vary depending on the host country, and the actual duration (number of days) of the internship. It should be noted that Erasmus scholarships are not maintenance scholarships, but mobility scholarships, which aim solely to offset the difference between the living standards of the country of origin and the host country. Therefore, Erasmus scholarships do not intended to cover all normal student living expenses, but the additional costs resulting from the completion of an internship in another country. The value of the scholarships is determined annually but you may refer to the reference values for 2014/2015 in the following table

Can I receive an “Erasmus Placement Mobility Scholarship” if I am already the beneficiary of another scholarship?

What if I am not eligible for an “Erasmus Placemement Mobility Scholarship”? Do I have to give up?

No, you can go without a scholarship. As a matter of fact, given the scarcity of Community funding for Erasmus mobility scholarships, you should look at this experience as an investment in your academic, personal and career path, although from the outset there is the possibility that you will not receive a scholarship. We point out that there is the chance to benefit from financial/logistical support by the institution that welcomes you. However, the host institution has no obligation to do so.

As a social services scholarship beneficiary, am I entitled to additional financial support?

Yes, all student and beneficiaries of Social Action Services are automatically entitled to receive a Supplementary Erasmus Scholarship, which can vary between € 100.00 and € 150.00 per month, depending on the value of the annual base scholarship awarded to the student. The amount to be allocated is included in the payment of the Social Action Scholarship during the period of mobility.

Is there any additional financial support for students with financial difficulties and for disabled students?

If I do not like it there, can I return? What are the consequences?

I was already an Erasmus Exchange Student Can I apply again?

Is this activity recognised in the Diploma Supplement?