How to create a Circle U. offer

Circle U. label Criteria

All educational formats shall involve at least two Circle U. institutions representing different alliance countries, with involvement being defined as partnership in development and delivery and/or other forms of collaboration.
All educational formats shall be open to applications from students from at least two Circle U. institutions who meet the course requirements, including linguistic requirements.
All Circle U. offerings shall be subject to accreditation and quality assurance at the institution primarily responsible for the offering and approved for the Open Campus by the Dean of the Open Campus.
All educational formats with registered participation shall lead to documentation, with or without ECTS credits.
All educational formats shall incorporate elements of international exposure and/or mobility that foster interculturality and contribute to internationalising the course content.
All educational formats shall emphasise innovative, research-driven teaching methods that actively involve students and, when relevant, foster interdisciplinary perspectives.

Models for organizing joint educational courses within Circle U.

This table provides an overview of various ways to organize joint courses with our Circle U partner universities. Please note that these categories serve as illustrative examples; other methods of organization and collaboration may also be explored.

Type of course: COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning) with mobility
Frequency: Digital session in combination with physcial gatherings
Examples: Two Circle U. institutions (A and B) offer independent but interconnected courses. While the curricula run separately, students engage through one or more collaborative online sessions. These courses can align for the full semester or overlap for specific modules. Students can also meet for one or more physical mobility components, requiring students to travel to either Institution A or B.
Example: Comparative perspectives on local democracy and climate change adaptation
Grading/Credits: Students are awarded credits by the host institutions (A and B)
Available funding: COIL: 5,000 euros for innovative European online teaching

Type of course: Mirrored Module
Frequency: Digital session(s) and a physical gathering
Examples: Two courses are offered as separate courses at two institutions within Circle U with an identical core curriculum. Each group of students studies independently at their home institution, without joint teaching. However, lecturers may teach parts of each other's courses.
Grading/Credits: Students are awarded credits by the host institution (univeristy A and B)
Available funding: Erasmus + teaching mobility

Type of course: Synchronous Online Module
Frequency: Regular digital (live) session
Examples: Professors from several Circle U universities collaborate on a single 6-week digital module that combines live lectures and interactive group work conducted online.
Example: Climate Justice
Grading/Credits: Students are awarded credits by the host institution (univeristy A)

Type of course: Asynchronous Online Module
Frequency: Primarily asynchronous (Moodle or Canvas) with one short live session
Examples: The course is delivered by University A (Host) , while the online content is developed in collaboration with several Circle U. universities. The course consists of prerecorded lectures and learning materials hosted on Moodle or Canvas, supplemented by one or more brief live online session for interaction.
Example: Bridging Humanities and Medicine for Sustainable Societal Impact
Grading/Credits: Students are awarded credits by the host institution (university A)
Available funding:

Type of course: Blended Intensive Program / Summer School / Winter School
Frequency: Digital session(s) and a physical gathering
Examples: The course is offered by University A (Host) in collaboration with at least two Circle U partners as a Blended Format: A compulsory virtual component (online collaboration, teamwork) followed by a short, physical mobility phase of minimum 5 days.
Example: The Anthropocene: Ecology and Democracy Across the Disciplines
Grading/Credits: Students are awarded credits by the host institution (university A)
Available funding: Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programmes

Type of course: Hybrid Courses
Frequency: Local and hybrid lectures
Examples: The course is offered by University A (host) in collaboration with Circle U. partners. Teaching takes place in person for university A students, while students from partner universities follow lectures digitally and participate in online discussions.
Example: Natural Hazards, Vulnerability and Disasters: Interdisciplinary Perspectives
Grading/Credits: Students are awarded credits by the host institution (university A)
Available funding:

Type of course: Exchange tracks
Frequency: Once per semester (Autumn or Spring)
Examples: Student from University A spends Semester 5 at University B, taking 30 ECTS of core major modules.
Grading/Credits: Students are awared credits by university B

Circle U. Open Campus Educational Formats

There are several ways to organise joint educational courses with Circle U. partner universities. Courses may be delivered fully online, in a hybrid format, or include short-term mobility components such as Blended Intensive Programmes (BIPs). The examples below illustrate some of the most common models for collaboration.

These interactive events focus on a range of current and relevant topics, welcoming participation from students inside or outside Circle U, without the allocation of credits.
Cumulative participation can lead to a certificate.

Discover our Open conversations

Open Conversations are hybrid events that target all Circle U. staff, students, and external partners, as well as the public. By following these guidelines, we can ensure that this educational format is not only a rich source of knowledge, but also a beacon of collaborative innovation and shared educational values.

Check out the Circle U. guidelines

These courses and seminars are scalable, allowing for large groups of students to progress at their own pace and providing the option of a certificate to verify successful completion, with or without ECTS credits.

These modules are offered at all levels, with an emphasis on the bachelor level. They may consist of short-term intensive courses, semester-long digital courses, or a blend of both formats. They address topics related to the SDGs and/or to environmental, social and/or economic sustainability.
They shall award ECTS credits, though the specific amount may vary.
Joint modules may be eligible for funding if organised as short-term blended activities meeting Erasmus+ and/or local criteria.

Developing an interdisciplinary BA module on sustainability within Circle U. is an exciting opportunity to innovate in education, though it requires coordination. By clearly defining the module, leveraging collaborations, understanding the benefits, and utilizing the support and resources at your disposal, you can create a rewarding learning experience for students and a professionally enriching project for yourself.

Check out Circle U. guidelines

These are offered to students at various levels, integrating physical mobility with virtual components, involving at least two institutions, and offer the minimum required number of ECTS credits. Summer and winter schools may be eligible for funding if organised as short-term blended activities meeting Erasmus+ and/or local criteria.

Discover our existing summer schools!

Joint programmes are to be collaboratively developed and delivered in partnership among at least two Circle U. institutions and/or associated partners.
While these programmes have the potential to culminate in a joint degree, double or multiple degrees are also possible and the scope of collaboration may additionally include less-formal arrangements, such as cooperative teaching efforts.
Joint degrees may be eligible for Erasmus Mundus funding. Cooperative teaching efforts may be eligible for Erasmus+ teaching and training grants for staff mobility

Discover some of our existing Circle U. joint degrees!

Start planning your activity

Academics interested fill in the Circle U. Open campus form below to reach out to their local Circle U. coordinator
A team with representatives from different parts of the Circle U. administration follows up the inquiry at your university.
When the activity has been locally anchored, the coordinator for teaching and learning fills in and submits a form called the Educational Activity Form to the Circle U. approval team.
If the submission is approved, it is published and disseminated across the alliance.
If the activity needs amendment according to the central Circle U. approval team, it will be followed up with the organisers.