How to create a Circle U. offer

Circle U. Open Campus Educational Formats  

Joint programmes

• 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.

Joint courses on sustainability

• 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.

Summer and winter schools

• 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.

Challenges and hackathons

• These are dynamic, short-term educational formats designed to engage participants in intensive, practice-oriented cases and real-world challenges, focusing on innovation and solutions, optionally offering 1-5 credits.
• Challenges and hackathons can be offered to students at any academic level.
• Challenges and hackathons may be funded through Erasmus+ if organised as a short-term blended activity in accordance with Erasmus+ and/or local criteria.

Open online courses & seminars

• 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.

Conversations & talks

• 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.  

Criteria applying to all formats

• 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.

Start planning your activity

Contact our support team to plan the development of your Circle U. activity.

Please fill in this form to establish contact    

What happens next?

1. The form is received by the local Circle U. coordinator for teaching and learning opportunities at the university where you are employed.
2. A team with representatives from different parts of the Circle U. administration follows up the inquiry at your university.
3. 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.
4. If the submission is approved, it is published and disseminated across the alliance.
5. If the activity needs amendment according to the central Circle U. approval team, it will be followed up with the organisers.