Taking part in the Erasmus programme is part of your course. You should receive formal academic recognition for your study period abroad from your 'home' institution. Students are sometimes awarded a second qualification in recognition of their Erasmus study and in all cases, the study should be formally acknowledged on your degree transcript.

European Credit transfer System

The European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System is a student-centred system based on the student workload required to achieve the objectives of a programme, objectives preferably specified in terms of the learning outcomes and competences to be acquired. ECTS was introduced in 1989, within the framework of Erasmus and is the only credit system which has been successfully tested and used across Europe. ECTS was set up initially for credit transfer. The system facilitated the recognition of periods of study abroad and thus enhanced the quality and volume of student mobility in Europe.

ECTS is developing into an accumulation system to be implemented at institutional, regional, national and European level. This is one of the key objectives of the Bologna Declaration of June 1999.

Europass

Europass is a European initiative designed to help people to make their skills and qualifications clearly and easily understood when moving around the UK and Europe. Europass is free and enables people to present their competencies, skills and qualifications in a clear way. It helps provide information where it is needed - from articulating skills gained during time spent within Europe, to giving a more detailed breakdown of an academic award

Five documents are available to help achieve this purpose. One of the key documents for Erasmus students is Europass Mobility - a document that allows you to record a period that you have spent learning or training abroad. The Europass Mobility document can also help with the recognition of your learning. Another of the key documents is the Europass Diploma Supplement. This is an appendix to higher education diplomas for use in an international context. The university registry is responsible for issuing the Diploma Supplement but Europass provides the template and guidelines. There is also additional help available from local Bologna experts. They are on hand to answer questions relating to implementation of the Diploma Supplement and other Bologna related queries.

Your Erasmus Student Charter will list your rights and obligations as an Erasmus student.