Are you a student at a CIVIS member university? Would you like to add some variety to your study programme? Do you want to visit another country to learn alongside students from across Europe? Then the CIVIS BIPs might be for you!
We are not talking about alarm clocks or car horns here. Blended Intensive Programmes (BIPs) is a new format of Erasmus+ mobility.
Every BIP combines online teaching with a short period of physical mobility, where you can spend one week days at another university with students from across the CIVIS Alliance. By combining online sessions with a short trip for face-to-face teaching, this innovative format opens up opportunities for international study to new groups of students.
Each BIP is developed, organised and taught by academics at three or more CIVIS member universities. Academics across the Alliance meet through the CIVIS Hubs to work together and develop these exciting new educational programmes for students.
We believe in education with impact, so the CIVIS Hubs and all CIVIS programmes, among which the BIPs, are developed to respond to one of the 5 CIVIS Challenges. These are some of the biggest issues facing our societies and our world:
To tackle these issues, we believe in interdisciplinary teaching and learning. Anchored in academic excellence, our courses often cross the borders of traditions subjects, university cycles or faculties. You could find yourself learning alongside an artist and an engineer, and you could leave with a totally new view on your own studies!
CIVIS BIPs are open to students & staff at any of the CIVIS member universities, although special criteria and processes apply to students from a member university outside the European Union.
Most of our BIPs are open to at least two different cycles of studies (Bachelor/Master, Master/PhD), so there is no reason to not find something that doesn’t fit your need!
For some BIPs you need a background in particular subjects, while others are open to everyone interested in the topic. Detailed eligibility criteria are provided for each course, so make sure to read the catalogue carefully before applying.
CIVIS BIPs are rigorous academic teaching modules, recognised by the European Commission and all CIVIS member universities.
A CIVIS BIP corresponds to at least 3 and up to 9 ECTS credits and you will receive a certificate showing this. Recognition of these ECTS credits as part of your study programme depends on the policies and procedures of each CIVIS member university. Find out more about your home university's policy on credit recognition of CIVIS courses by contacting your study counsellor, academic advisor or international coordinator at your home department. In addition, All CIVIS member universities have central contact points for students with questions about CIVIS mobility programmes and courses, and some have published webpages explaining local rules and processes.
Each participation in a CIVIS BIP will be added to the student's CIVIS Passport. The CIVIS Passport is an innovative tool that records all CIVIS activities (credited and non-credited), which students receive upon graduation. The CIVIS Passport is one of the very first tools for recording and recognising learning experiences at a European level.
All BIP applications take place through the CIVIS mobility portal, which you can access directly from the listings in the CIVIS Course Catalogue:
There will be various waves of BIPs openings, each one with a specific application period. The application period for the 2024-2025 academic year is 16 September – 31 October 2024.
Applications will not be accepted outside these periods. Each application period will offer a different selection of BIPs, so do not wait to apply if you see a course you like!
Before submitting an application to a CIVIS BIP, students need to make sure that the BIP will fit in their programme of study. As soon as you spot a BIP that interests you, get in touch with your study counsellor, academic advisor or international coordinator at your home department. Your eligibility to participate and receive Erasmus+ funding will also depend on both local and European rules. For example, you cannot receive more than one type of Erasmus+ funding at the same time. All CIVIS member universities have central contact points for students with questions about CIVIS mobility programmes and courses, and some have published webpages explaining local rules and processes.
The duration of the online learning sessions depends on each CIVIS course. Physical mobility is a maximum of 5 days.
Participating students will receive a mobility grant of 79 EUR per day of physical mobility (5 days).
Regulations for Erasmus + funding are still in flux and change from year to year. Additionally, national regulations differ from each other, so it is difficult to present a common overview of funding opportunities for all CIVIS BIP students. The only common rule for all CIVIS students is a daily allowance of 79 Euro. If students receive travel costs on top - and if yes, how much - is very much dependent on yearly budget regulations and national rules.
Thinking about applying for a Blended Intensive Programme? Click here to check out our Q&A!
