AREAS allows you to live an invaluable experience by undertaking a study or research period in Europe or in South east Asia. It is open to undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and post-doctoral students and scholars and to staff. The project and the scholarships are financed by the European Commission through the Erasmus Mundus Action 2 – Strand 1 program.
Scholarships
AREAS+ provides scholarships for students, researchers and staff for mobilities between the South Eastern Asian Countries targeted by the project (Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, The Philippines, Vietnam) and Europe. Mobilities can take place at any of the Partner Universities, both in Asia and Europe. Mobilities cannot take place among European countries nor among the Asian Countries.
The following scholarships for the different nationalities and academic levels are available through AREAS+:
|
Type of Mobility |
Asian nationals |
|
Undergraduates |
34 |
|
Masters |
46 |
|
Doctorates |
16 |
|
Post-doctorates |
12 |
|
Academic or Administrative Staff |
30 |
|
Total |
138 |
Scholarships will be awarded in two cohorts of applicants selected respectively in the year 2014 and 2015 for mobilities starting in the same years. All mobilities must end before July 14, 2017.
The scholarship includes a monthly allowance for the duration of the mobility period:
|
Undergraduate |
1.000 euro |
|
Master |
1.000 euro |
|
Doctorate |
1.500 euro |
|
Post-doctorate |
1.800 euro |
|
Academic or Administrative Staff |
2.500 euro |
The scholarship also includes:
– one paid trip from the home to the host country and back;
– full health, travel and accident insurance for the duration of the mobility period;
– waiver of all university fees at the hosting university.
Scholarship durations vary depending on the level and type of mobility:
|
Academic level |
Type of mobility |
Scholarship duration (months) |
|
Undergraduate |
Exchange |
6 or 10 |
|
Full degree |
34 |
|
|
Master |
Exchange |
6 or 10 |
|
Full degree |
22 |
|
|
Doctorate |
Exchange |
12 |
|
Full degree |
34 |
|
|
Post-doctorate |
6 |
|
|
Academic/Administrative Staff |
1 |
Partnership
The AREAS and AREAS+ projects are managed by a Partnership of Asian and European Partner Universities with the support of some associate members.
The Partners are actively involved in the mobilities as Host and Home Universities.
AREAS Associates contribute to the transfer of knowledge and results as well as the innovation process and assist in the promotion, implementation, evaluation and sustainable development of the project.
Most Partners and Associates participate in both AREAS and AREAS+, with the exception of a few who are involved in only one of the two projects.
European Partner universities
|
Partner University |
Country |
Contact Person |
|
|
Politecnico di Torino COORDINATOR |
Italy |
Bianca Buttiglione |
|
|
City University London |
England |
Ryan Donno (European and Projects Support Office) |
Ryan.donno.1@city.ac.uk |
|
Georg-August-Universität Göttingen |
Germany |
Mr. Vitali Altholz, Ms. Janja Kaucic |
vitali.altholz@zvw.uni-goettingen.de ; janja.kaucic@zvw.uni-goettingen.de |
|
Institut Polytechnique de Grenoble |
France |
Christelle Grandvallet |
christelle.grandvallet@grenoble-inp.fr |
|
University of Leuven (KU Leuven) |
Belgium |
Sandrine Debecker |
Sandrine.Debecker@kuleuven.be |
|
Masaryk University |
Czech Republic |
Amal Al Khatib ; Violeta Osouchova |
amal@czs.muni.cz; osouchova@czs.muni.cz |
|
Royal Institute of Technology PARTNER IN AREAS ONLY |
Sweden |
Margareta Svedlund |
msvedl@kth.se |
|
Tallinn University of Technology PARTNER IN AREAS+ ONLY |
Estonia |
Ms.Johanna Tukk |
johanna.tukk@ttu.ee |
|
University of Trento |
Italy |
Claudia Tarzariol |
|
|
Universidade do Minho |
Portugal |
Adriana Lago de Carvalho |
|
|
Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya |
Spain |
Mrs. Anna Cutillas |
oficina.mobilitat.internacional@upc.edu |
Who can apply
In accordance with the Erasmus Mundus scheme, different scholarships are available for different Target Groups and Mobility Types and with specific eligibility conditions. If you intend to apply for a scholarship, please download the Call for Applications and read it carefully. In particular you must check the following:
- you must meet the general eligibility conditions;
- understand to which Target Group you belong;
- understand which Academic Level and which Mobility Type (exchange/full degree) you can apply for;
- you must meet the specific eligibility conditions related to your Target Group and Mobility Level and Type.
A selection guide is provided to assist you in checking your Target Group and Mobility Level:
MOBILITY TYPE GUIDE
Eligibility conditions must be met at the time of application, or at the latest before the start of mobility. All conditions are binding as described in the Call for Applications.
General eligibility conditions
|
Nationality |
You must be a national of Europe or of one of the South Eastern Asian Countries targeted by the project: Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, The Philippines, Vietnam. |
|
12-month rule |
Third Country nationals must not have resided nor have carried out their main activity (studies, work, etc) for more than a total of 12 months over the last five years in any of the eligible European countries at the time of submitting the application to the partnership. This rule does not apply to Staff and to TG3 candidates. |
|
Other scholarships |
You must not have already benefited from a scholarship for the same type of mobility under an Erasmus Mundus Action 2 project. |
You cannot benefit from more than one mobility activity within the same project.
Mobility flow
Asian nationals may carry out mobilities inEurope. European nationals may carry out mobilities inAsia. Mobilities cannot take place among European countries nor among Asian Countries.
Target Groups
|
Target Group |
Target Beneficiaries |
Types of mobility |
|
TARGET GROUP 1 (TG1) |
Students registered in one of the Partner Universities with a minimum of 1 year previous university studies and staff currently enrolled in or employed by one of the Partner Universities. Applicants must be nationals of Europe or of one of the Asian Countries targeted by the project (Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, The Philippines and Vietnam). |
undergraduate, |
|
TARGET GROUP 2 (TG2) |
Nationals of the Asian Countries targeted by the project who are registered in a higher education institution of these countries not included in the Partnership, or who have obtained a university degree or equivalent by an institution of these countries. |
master, |
|
TARGET GROUP 3 (TG3) |
Nationals of the Third Countries targeted by the project who are in particularly vulnerable situations for social or political reasons: – Candidates having a refugee status or asylum beneficiaries (international or according to the national legislation of one of the European recipient countries); – Candidates belonging to an indigenous population targeted by a specific national policy or IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons). |
Other example of vulnerable groups are:
– people belonging to national minorities
– people who live in particularly remote/rural areas with difficult access to the public services especially education.
– Victims of Natural Disasters – Earthquake / Landslides
– Orphans
Disadvantaged conditions such as economic status or physical disabilities are not conditions for belonging to a vulnerable group. They are taken into consideration as cross-cutting issues under all target groups.
undergraduate,
master
Academic Levels
| Academic level |
Mobility program |
Eligibility conditions |
|
Undergraduate |
Attend a first cycle higher education program, as an exchange student (TG1) or for a full degree (TG3). | TG1 candidates must be registered in an undergraduate university course at a partner university for the complete duration of the mobility. |
TG1 candidates can apply if they have successfully completed at least one year of university studies before the mobility.
TG3 candidates must have obtained a secondary school diploma valid according to the regulations of the Host university.
Master
Attend a second cycle higher education program that follows a first degree, as an exchange student (TG1) or for a full degree (TG2, TG3).TG1 candidates must be currently registered in a Masters course at a partner university.
TG2 or TG3 candidates must have obtained an Undergraduate University degree or must have completed 3 years of university studies.
Doctorate
Attend a study and research program of higher education that follows a higher education degree, as an exchange student (TG1) or for a full degree (TG2).TG1 candidates must be currently registered in a Doctorate course at a partner university.
TG2 candidates must have obtained a Master or other Graduate University degree or equivalent.
Post-Doctorate
Carry out a higher education study or research that follows a doctoral degree. Activity can include research, training and/or following highly specialized courses (TG1, TG2)Must have obtained a doctorate degree.
Staff
Perform a specific work program agreed with the Home and Host universities (TG1). Activity can include teaching, research, training or following highly specialized courses.Must be working as academic or administrative staff at a partner university.
Mobility Types
|
Mobility Type |
Description |
Eligible candidates |
|
Exchange |
Students registered for a degree course at a university in their home country and doing a mobility abroad at a host university for a part of that same degree. The exchange period can be one or more semesters. |
Studies done at the host university will be recognized by the home university through the use of ECTS tools (learning agreement, transcripts of records).
Exchange students will not normally obtain a diploma from the host university, but this may be possible if double degree agreements exist between the Home and Host Universities.
Exchange students need the approval to participate in the mobility program by both their Home and Host university.Undergraduate, Master and Doctorate students belonging to Target Group 1
Full degree
Students registered for a degree course at the Host University abroad and not registered for a degree course at a university in their home country.
Students completing the program will obtain a degree from the host university.Undergraduate, Master and Doctorate students belonging to Target Groups 2 or 3
Important:
– if you belong to TG1 you can only apply for exchange programs and you must keep the TG1 status for the whole duration of the mobility;
– if you belong to TG2 or TG3 you can only apply for full degree programs.
Applications
Candidates interested in a mobility and the related scholarship must apply to the project calls for applications during the application period as described below. Applications must be submitted through the online application system provided on this website. Eligible applications are then evaluated and selected candidates are awarded the scholarships.
Calls for Applications are published periodically and are open for a limited period of time of minimum 45 days. The Call for Applications is the official document that must be followed to submit a correct application. All application conditions are binding as described in the Call for Applications.
|
Call |
Application period |
Selection outcomes |
Status |
|
AREAS+ First Cohort |
22 Nov 2013- 15 Feb 2014 |
Within 3 months of the call closing |
Before applying it is very important to clearly understand the types and durations of the available scholarships, the eligibility conditions and the available academic programs at every host university. Before applying you are recommended to:
- Read the section Who Can Apply of this website
- Read carefully the Call for Applications
- Check the available mobility programs at the host universities
With your application you will be required to upload some documents, as fully described in the Call for Applications. The templates of some of these can be downloaded here:
All communications with applicants take place through e-mail. You are required to make sure you have an active and working e-mail address before proceeding.
Academic Programs
The project offers mobility opportunities in the following study areas as defined by the European Commission:
- Agriculture science
- Architecture, urban and regional planning
- Business Studies, Management Sciences
- Education, Teacher Training
- Engineering, Technology
- Geography, Geology
- Law
- Medical Sciences
- Natural Sciences
- Social Sciences
- Other Areas of Study
Click here to find more information on the specific areas or fields of study available at all levels at each partner University as well as additional information regarding language or academic requirements etc for each program. Only programs and courses listed there are available for applications.
SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS
Applications must be submitted online through the application system provided on the project web site during the application period. Every applicant is allowed to submit one application with a maximum of 2 (two) choices to different Universities, the first of which is the main choice and the second is accessory. Each of the two choices within each application is managed independently in the application database and in the selection process.
The Partnership is committed to evaluate only the main choice of the application (first choice). Accessory choices (second choice) are evaluated at the discretion of the host university on the basis of its own decision.
Before applying online, applicants need to:
– Check the eligibility criteria listed in chapter 3. Eligibility will be verified on the basis of the documents uploaded with the application. Non eligible applications will not be evaluated.
– Identify their target group and mobility level, with the support of the Target Group and Mobility Level.
Selection Guide that can be downloaded from the project web site
– Check the available scholarships and their duration.
– Choose the host university and the academic program among those offered at the host university and listed on the project web site.
– Check the language of the chosen program at the host university. The applicant must have sufficient knowledge of the language of the chosen program.
– Check the academic requirements and the admission conditions at the chosen host university and for the chosen program.
– Prepare their academic background information, as it will be required to provide it in the application. It is compulsory to provide data on the most recent academic history, e.g.: Home Institution name and location, name of the last program/degree attended, average mark, start and end dates of the program.
– Prepare the compulsory documents that must be uploaded with the application. All documents must be in English and in the pdf or jpg format. All certificates and degrees must be stamped by the issuing institution.
When choosing the academic program, applicants should take care of the following:
– Students: the option of exchange mobility or full degree may not be available at all universities. Applicants must consider carefully their study program and be sure to select in the application the preferred duration of mobility. Applicants are also invited to clarify their choice in the motivation letter.
– Applicants must provide the minimum set of academic certifications described below. Some programs may require additional certifications, as specified in the program listing on the project web site and in the application procedure.
– The chosen program may last longer than the available scholarships; in no case applicants will receive a scholarship longer than what is available.
The following compulsory documents must be uploaded with the application, depending on the target group (TG) and mobility level:
|
All applications |
–Passport (or other official identity document with specification of nationality) |
–CV in the Europass format
–Language certification as required for the chosen program
–Motivation Letter (maximum one page), including reasons for applying, particular skills and abilities, academic interests, work experience, preferred start date and duration of the mobility, choice of exchange or full degree program, commitment to return to the home country, benefits of the mobility for the grant holder and his/her environment. If applying to more than one university, a separate motivation letter must be uploaded for each program/university.
–Proof of disadvantaged conditions (if applicable): any official document proving disability or disadvantage conditions (economic, social or other).
–Any additional certification not listed below but required for the chosen program in the program listing on the project web site.
TG 1
Undergraduate
(Exchange)
–Academic certification: Secondary school Diploma; Transcript of records of all years of university study including average mark; any additional Academic Certification required for the specific course at the University you are applying for.
–Proof of registration: a certificate signed and stamped by the Home University proving that you are currently enrolled in an Undergraduate course program.
TG 3
Undergraduate
(Full Degree)
–Academic certification: Secondary school Diploma; any additional Academic Certification required for the specific course at the University you are applying for.
TG 1
Master
(Exchange)
–Academic Certification: Undergraduate Degree Certificate; Transcripts of records of all university studies (minimum 3 years of University studies including average mark)
–Proof of registration: a certificate signed and stamped by the Home University stating that you are currently enrolled in a Master course program.
TG 2 and TG 3
Master
(Full degree)
–Academic Certification: Undergraduate Degree Certificate; Transcript of Records of all years of university study including average mark; any additional Academic Certification required for the specific course at the University you are applying for.
TG 1
Doctorate
(Exchange)
–Academic certification: all University Degree certificates; transcripts of records of all years of University studies including undergraduate and graduate studies.
–Work Plan Proposal outlining the activities that you will carry out at the Host University, approved and signed by both Home and Host Universities (template to be downloaded from the project web site).
– Proof of registration: a certificate signed and stamped by the Home University stating that you are currently enrolled in a Doctorate course program.
TG 2
Doctorate
(Full degree)
–Academic Certification: all University Degree certificates; transcripts of records of all years of University studies including undergraduate and graduate studies; any additional Academic Certification required for the specific course at the university you are applying for.
–Work Plan Proposal outlining the activities that you will carry out at the Host University, approved and signed by the Host University (template to be downloaded from the project web site).
TG 1
Post-Doctorate
–Academic Certification: Doctorate Degree Certificate and any additional Academic Certification required for the specific program at the university you are applying for.
–Work Plan Proposal outlining the activities that you will carry out at the Host University, approved and signed by both Home and Host Universities (template to be downloaded from the project web site).
–Employment certificate signed and stamped by the Home University, stating that you are working at your Home University.
TG 2
Post-Doctorate
–Academic Certification: Doctorate Degree Certificate and any additional Academic Certification required for the specific program at the university you are applying for.
–Work Plan Proposal outlining the activities that you will carry out at the Host University, approved and signed by the Host University (template to be downloaded from the project web site).
TG 1
Academic or
Administrative
Staff
–Work Plan Proposal outlining the activities that you will carry out at the Host University, approved and signed by the Host University (template to be downloaded from the project web site).
–Employment certificate signed and stamped by the Home University, stating that you are working at your Home University.
TG 2
All levels
–Letter of recommendation, where possible by a Partner University
TG 3
All levels
–Proof of TG 3: Official document proving that you belong to a Target Group 3 category.
Note on academic
certifications
(All applications)
In some cases, candidates may apply even if they do not possess some required documents at the time of application, but will obtain them before the start of mobility. This applies only to the following cases:
-candidates to Master programs not yet holding an Undergraduate degree but who are going to obtain it before the start of mobility;
-candidates not yet holding the required language certificate but who are going to obtain it before the start of mobility.
In these cases candidates must upload with their application the Statement of Commitment to be downloaded from the project web site, declaring the current situation and the commitment to obtain the required certification before the start of mobility and within the deadline set by the host university.
Important: not all host universities will be able to evaluate an application on the basis of the Statement of Commitment. Applicants are recommended to check with the host university before applying.
After collecting all the above information, candidates can proceed to apply with the online form on the project website.
When applying, applicants should be careful of the following issues:
–The form must be completed in the English language. Applications fully or partly in other languages will be discarded.
–Personal data must be provided as correct and complete as possible. The data provided in the application (family name, given name, email, etc.) cannot be changed later and will be used in all instances related to the project exactly as provided. The applicant’s name must match the one on the uploaded passport.
–Applicants must provide a valid email address because all communication in the course of the project will be realized by email.
–All required documents must be uploaded and must be valid and legible. All documents must be in English, or an English translation stamped by the issuing university must be uploaded with them. Applications with incomplete, illegible or invalid documents will be discarded.
–Applicants must declare in the application that they comply with the “12-month rule” and to the “Other scholarships” rule.
The application form will remain open and accessible for the applicant to add information and documents as long as the applicant decides to close it. The information provided will be saved from one access to the next. After completing the form and uploading all required documents, the candidate must close the application.
Only applications closed during the call for applications period will be considered. The application must only be submitted online and no hard copies of the application or of the required documents should be sent or delivered.
After the selection process, the host university may ask the selected candidates to provide a hard copy of the application including all the attachments. Selected candidates may also be asked to provide original documents for verification at the host university.
Selection procedure
The Partnership will evaluate the applications received and will select the project beneficiaries with transparent and fair criteria, in compliance with the Erasmus Mundus “Minimum Requirements for the Selection Procedure”. The selection will be done on the basis of merit and taking into account the Erasmus Mundus cross-cutting issues (gender balance and disadvantaged conditions) as well as an even distribution of mobilities among the Partners, in order to activate and foster cooperation channels among all Partners.
Eligible applications will be evaluated and graded on the basis of the following evaluation criteria:
Main evaluation criteria:
-Academic quality and relevance, verified through transcripts of records, university degrees, Work Plan
-Proposal, letters of recommendation and CV
-Language skills in relation to the requirements of the chosen course/program
-Motivation
Cross-cutting evaluation criteria:
-Gender balance
-Disadvantaged conditions such as disabilities and economical disadvantage
Notification and award of scholarships
All applicants will be notified by email of the selection outcomes within three months of the Call for Application closing, whether they have been selected, they are on the reserve list or they are not selected. Only written notifications sent by the Partnership Coordinator are official. Any other communication by other parties, including project Partners, will not be considered valid.
At the same time, the Partnership will publish the lists of selected, reserve and not-selected candidates on the project web site and will submit them to the Education Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) of the European Commission. Selected applicants will be required to reply for acceptance or rejection of the scholarship within 7 calendar days. Applicants accepting the scholarship must sign the Scholarship Contract (sample available for download from the project web site). Selected applicants having accepted the scholarship by signing the Scholarship Contract will be awarded the scholarship and will become grant holders.
Applicants in the reserve list may later be selected in case of withdrawal of previously selected applicants. In this case the applicant will be notified and will be required to accept the scholarship as above. Selection of reserves is an ongoing activity and lasts during the current cohort’s starting year until the latest date for mobility start.
Appeals
In accordance with the Erasmus Mundus “Minimum Requirements for the Selection Procedure”, the Partnership is responsible for managing appeals that candidates may put forward in relation to the results of their application. Non selected candidates may appeal through their personal page in the online application database within 7 (seven) days from the notification. Appeals must be clearly documented with well justified reasons. Appeals submitted by third parties will not be considered. The Partnership Coordinator will reply to the appeals within 40 (forty) days of the appeal.
Start of the mobility After accepting the scholarship, grant holders will receive detailed information on the procedures to follow to start the mobility and at the same time the Partner institutions will initiate the corresponding procedures. Grant holders will be admitted to the host university following the registration procedure as defined by the host university. Partner Universities may not request selected candidates to undergo any further selection. Grant holders are required to comply with the local admission requirements at the host University and to follow the standard individual registration procedure at the host institution. Before starting the mobility, grant holders for exchange mobilities at the Undergraduate and Master levels will have to draft an ECTS Learning Agreement (template to be downloaded from the project web site), to be signed by both the host and home institutions before the start of mobility.
The scholarships will contribute to cover the expenses of the individual mobility, including travel costs, subsistence, insurance and participation costs. Scholarships will be awarded to applicants selected by the Partnership. Candidates interested in a mobility and the related scholarship must apply through the project’s online application system during the application period following the regulations described in this document.
This Call for Applications concerns a First Cohort of mobilities that will be starting on the following dates:
– 34 months mobilities must start no later than September 1st, 2014;
– Staff mobilities can start at any time during the years 2014-2017 and must end before July 14, 2017;
– All other mobilities must start no later than December 31, 2014.
Additional mobilities will be selected in further Calls for Applications.
The following documents mentioned in this Call are available for download on the project web site:
– Target Group and Mobility Level Selection Guide
– Statement of Commitment
– Work Plan Proposal
– Scholarship Contract
– ECTS Learning Agreement
- National University of Mongolia
- Mendbayar.Sh (National Coordinator)
- E-mail: mshuurai@yahoo.com, int_rel@num.edu.mn
- Tel: 317050
- Study, research or visiting staff related questions
Please contact the university you are interested in applying to. You can find contact information on the websites of the partner universities.
- Application procedure, selection and scholarship related questions
- For questions concerning the application procedure, selection, scholarships and issues related to the coordination of the project, please contact:
- Bianca Buttiglione (Ms)
- E-mail: areas@polito.it
