About the European Union
The European Union (EU) comprises 27 democratic European countries, committed to working together for peace and prosperity. For more than 50 years the EU has helped bring stability, democracy, and development to Europe whilst maintaining cultural diversity, tolerance, and individual freedoms. Delegations of the European Union throughout the world are part of the European External Action Service, under the authority of the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. The European Union is represented in Australia and New Zealand by Delegations in Canberra and Wellington. The Canberra Delegation was established in 1981 and was accredited to New Zealand in 1984. The Delegation in Wellington opened in 2005. The Delegations have full diplomatic privileges and immunities with the Head of Delegation (based in Canberra ) accorded full ambassadorial status in both Australia and New Zealand . The Delegation serves the EU's interest as a whole.
Higher Education in Europe
Education in the European Union is the responsibility of the individual EU member states. However, the EU has a complementary role to play: to add a European dimension to education, to help develop quality education, and to encourage life-long learning. All across Europe, countries and universities are engaged in a process of reform named the Bologna process. The Bologna process will create a European Higher Education Area where common principles apply, making it easier and more transparent for outside partners to cooperate with European universities. The intention is to allow the diversity of national systems and universities to be maintained while improving transparency between higher education systems, as well as facilitating recognition of degrees and academic qualifications, mobility, and exchange between institutions. The European countries are working towards a comparable three-cycle degree system:
• Bachelor Degree (180-240 ECTS), 3 to 4 years
• Master Programme (90-120 ECTS), 1 to 2 years
• PhD Programme: 3 or more years
Erasmus Mundus Scholarships
Erasmus Mundus is the European Union's flagship scholarship programme. It is built around three pillars – Erasmus Mundus Joint programmes and scholarships; Erasmus Mundus Partnerships between European and non-EU and associated Country higher education institutions including scholarships and fellowships for mobility at all academic levels; and the promotion of European higher education through projects to enhance the attractiveness of Europe as an educational destination and a centre of excellence at world level.
Erasmus Mundus offers funds to help set up Erasmus Mundus Courses by consortia of universities. Each consortium comprises institutions from at least three or more different EU or associated countries. International partners are also welcome as full or associate partners.
Erasmus Mundus offers scholarships to students and academics to follow Erasmus Mundus Masters or Joint Doctorates. Students must study in at least two of the institutions and will receive either a joint/ double or multiple degree. Currently there are 116 Erasmus Mundus Masters Courses and 13 Joint Doctorates to choose from. Erasmus Mundus also promotes and enables international institutional cooperation through partnerships between European and selected third country institutions. Consortia must include a minimum of 5 higher education institutions from at least 3 European countries and a number of higher education institutions from targeted non European regions. The object is to organise and implement structured individual mobility arrangements between the European and Third Country partners. Scholarships are available for the mobility which can be anywhere between 3 months and 3 years depending on the consortia requirements.
For more information see http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/erasmus_mundus/programme/about_erasmus_mundus_en.php
EMApac for Erasmus Mundus Students
Based in Australia the regional initiative “EMAPAC” for the Pacific region aims to lay the foundation for a regional home for the Erasmus Mundus Student and Alumni Association. Visit the website www.EMApac.eu
EU and Australia – Mobility Projects
The EU and Australia have been working together to build their bilateral relationship in education and have co-funded a series of mobility projects for institutions, students and academics. The European Commission and the Australian Government through the Department of Education Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) provide funding for international curriculum development projects that involve short term mobility between the EU and Australia. Consortia applying for such a project are formed by at least three institutions from the EU and two institutions from Australia. The selected consortia then set up a framework for student mobility whereby Australian will spend one semester in Europe and vice versa with full recognition of the study period abroad by the home institution.
http://www.deewr.gov.au/International/Programs/Pages/EuropeanUnion.aspx
OCEANS – Organisation for Cooperation, Exchange And Networking among Students is an online network of those who have completed and those who are participating in bilateral exchange programmes with the EU and their partners worldwide. Students and alumni of joint programmes involving industrialized countries run their own association where they keep in touch, organise events, issue a magazine and promote the advantages of the joint programmes. Visit the website:
http://www.oceans-network.eu
Where can I find more information?
The Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) is responsible for the management of Erasmus Mundus and the Bilateral Projects as well as other EU Programmes in the fields of education, culture and audiovisual. http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/index_en.php
European Commission's Directorate for Education and Culture
http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/education_culture/index_en.htm
If you cannot find the information you require on this website, please visit
www.study-in-europe.org
