Micro-programme: Global Awareness

The micro-programme Global Awareness is a flexible way to complement your studies. It comprises 15 ECTS which should be earned in courses offered by, at least, two universities participating in the programme, in a period of two years after acceptance (or until you graduate, if it happens before the two years are complete). The courses also have a very flexible schedule. They follow the calendar of the university which offers them. It means that there are new courses beginning almost every month!

The micro-programme Global Awareness gives you flexibility when it comes to planning your time, choosing your learning strategies, and meeting your needs. The courses are offered mostly online, with some courses in presence. Their formats vary from block seminars, intensive courses as summer schools, to courses that cover the entire lecture period, following the academic calendars of the three participating universities. For this reason, the courses may have different schedules than you are used to at your home university.

The courses are offered mostly in English and are attended by students from different universities, which gives you the possibility to internationalize your studies. They are certified according to workload (for example, 3 ECTS = 75-90 h workload) and their assignments are marked with pass/not pass.

The graduation requirement of the micro-programme is the achievement of 15 ECTS under these conditions:

• attended courses were offered by the micro-programme Global Awareness,
• courses were attended in, at least, two of the three participating universities, with at least two course in two different universities,
• credit points were earned within a period of two years after acceptance in the micro-programme (or less, if you graduate before the period of two years is complete).

You are expected to complete, at least, two courses in the first year after you were accepted in the micro-programme.

There is not any additional final examination form.

The micro-programme is open to students from all subjects and degrees currently enrolled in a CIVIS University, and is completely free of charge.

This micro-programme is structured in four areas:

1. Introductory Courses: offer basic knowledge on globalisation and cross-border processes, many of them making use of serious/educational games or with elements of gamification, as in the course “What is globalisation?”.
2. Thematic Courses: focus on theoretical debates and analysis of globalisation and cross-border processes, mostly in seminars based in readings and discussions. Examples of courses in this area are “Chemistry solutions for global challenges”, “Physicists as civic scientists”, and “Human rights: contemporary issues”.
3. Student Research Projects: provide students with the necessary tools to conceive, develop and implement a research project, following mostly didactic concepts of inquiry and problem-based learning, as in the course “Riparian zones: waste areas or assets for biodiversity and human well-being?” and “Global markets”.
4. Joint Projects: courses offered in partnership with other universities, mainly in formats of summer schools, excursions, etc. Examples of courses in this area are “Summer School on Latin America” and “Global challenges to development”.

These areas cluster the courses offered to guide you in your choices. This flexible format allows you to pursue your own interests, building academic profiles that complement your studies. You may choose to gain an overview of the main issues of the globalization debate, attending the introductory and thematic courses. If you want to be more deeply involved in developing your own research agendas related to globalization, you may participate in the student research projects. The joint projects will give you international experience and new perspectives on the globalization debate.

In all areas, you will find courses discussing globalization and cross-border processes from the perspective of humanities, social sciences and natural sciences. There is not any prerequisite to attend them. All you need is curiosity and interest to expand your horizons!

Attending this program, you will expand your knowledge, acquire research skills and problem-solving abilities, and learn to cooperate across national and disciplinary borders. By finishing the program, you will be better equipped to deal with the challenges posed by globalisation, being flexible to find solutions based on cooperation of different areas and nationalities and acting as global actors. In terms of qualification, this micro-programme provides:

• Complementary formation in bachelors;
• Transdisciplinary competencies, encouraging you to follow/choose lectures outside your main field of study;
• Qualification to master studies (e.g. supporting your interest in globalization issues in the motivational letters when applying to a Master Degree);
• Qualification for international careers (e.g. supporting your interest in globalization issues in the motivational letters when applying to jobs in international organisations);
• A good opportunity to integrate teaching and research by promoting student research projects.

This micro-programme is open to BA students and MA students at all CIVIS universities. For students at the three co-organising universities, the ECTS credit points will be recognised as part of your study programme at the home university according to local rules:

• At the University of Bucharest, ECTS credit points will be recognised in the special module for CIVIS activities.
• At the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, there are two possibilities:
  • (a) 6 ECTS will be recognised as curricular credits and 9 ECTS as extracurricular credits
  • (b) 15 ECTS will be recognised as an extracurricular micromodule

Click here to see the detailed information about the credict recognition at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid.

• At the University of Tübingen, credit points will be recognized in the module key qualification, as the other courses in the Transdisciplinary Course Programme.

For students enrolled in other CIVIS Universities, we advise you to contact your university to learn more about the local rules of recognition.

Application for the micro-programme Global Awareness is open yearly in 3 different periods:

• 1 - 30 September
• 1 December – 14 January
• 1 - 31 March

Acceptance letters will be sent 15 days after the application period. If accepted, you will gain access to the dedicated space in the CIVIS platform where you will find more information about individual courses.

If you have any problem during the application process, please, do not hesitate to contact us. 

globalawareness@lists.civis.eu

General

1) Is there any course fee in the micro-programme Global Awareness? How much does it cost?

The micro-programme Global Awareness is completely free of charge. Students do not need to pay any fee to participate in the program.

2) Which universities offer courses in the micro-programme Global Awareness?

Currently, courses are offered by the three partner universities that coordinate the micro-programme Global Awareness: Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, University of Bucharest, and University of Tübingen.

3) What is the language of instruction in the micro-programme Global Awareness?

Generally, the medium of instruction is English. There are some courses that are given in other languages, such as Spanish, French, or German. Please, check the language of instruction of courses before applying for any course you would like to enrol.

4) Are the courses in the micro-programme Global Awareness offered online or face-to-face?

Most courses of the micro-programme Global Awareness are offered online. Only some courses are face-to-face.

5) Who can apply for the micro-programme Global Awareness?

The micro-programme Global Awareness is open to all bachelor and master students from all disciplines currently enrolled in a CIVIS university.

6) How long does it take to complete the micro-programme Global Awareness?

You will have two years to complete the micro-programme Global Awareness, counting from the date of your acceptance in the micro-programme, as long as you are still enrolled in a CIVIS university. If you will graduate before this deadline, you should consider the date of your graduation as the deadline to complete the micro-programme Global Awareness.

Application

1) When can I apply for the micro-programme Global Awareness?

Application for the micro-programme Global Awareness is open yearly during the following periods:

• 1 - 30 September
• 1 December - 14 January
• 1 - 30 March

Acceptance letters will be sent 15 days after the application period.

2) Can I apply for the micro-programme Global Awareness if I am in my first semester?

Yes, you can apply for the micro-programme Global Awareness at any semester.

3) Can I still apply for the micro-programme Global Awareness if I am in my final semester?

Yes, you can apply for the micro-programme Global Awareness when you are in your final semester. The only condition is that you should be able to complete all the courses in the micro-programme before you graduate in your university. To achieve it, you can take all necessary courses at a goal.

4) As a PhD student, can I apply for the micro-programme Global Awareness?

The programme targets only bachelor’s and master’s students. A PhD student may be considered in a very exceptional circumstance.

5) Which documents do I need when applying for the micro-programme Global Awareness?

You must prove your student status at a CIVIS university when applying. You will be required to upload a document that clearly shows that you are currently enrolled in one of the CIVIS universities. Please, upload a valid student document like enrollment certificate for the current academic year. Do not submit a picture of your student card, your identity card or acceptance letters. If possible, submit a document issued in English.

Courses

1) What happens after being accepted into the micro-programme Global Awareness?

After being accepted, you will gain access to the dedicated space in the CIVIS platform where you will find more information about individual courses in which you can enrol.

2) When is the registration period for the courses in the micro-programme Global Awareness?

The registration period for the courses varies according to the schedule of the university which offers them. For example, courses offered by the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid begin in September and February, while the courses at the University of Tübingen begin in October and April. As we also offer block seminars or intensive courses, they would have different registration periods. This flexibility allows you to find the courses that most suit your schedule. Check the registration period of the courses in the dedicated space in the CIVIS platform, accessible after being accepted in the micro-programme Global Awareness.

3) How many courses should I attend to complete the micro-programme Global Awareness?

You should earn a total of 15 ECTS in courses offered by, at least, two different universities, completing at least two courses in two different universities. Most courses will give you 3 ECTS, but there are a few that will give you 6 ECTS. You may attend, for example, two courses at university 1, two courses at university 2, and the third course in any of the partner universities (1, 2 or 3) to complete the requirements for the micro-programme Global Awareness. If you attend courses offered by only one university, even if you earned 15 ECTS, you would still need to attend a course at another university to complete the micro-programme Global Awareness.”

4) What happens if I am not able to get all the 15 ECTS which qualifies me to for the certificate of the micro-programme Global Awareness?

For each course you attend and pass, you will receive a certificate of attendance with the equivalent credit points. In case you are unbale to earn all 15 ECTS necessary for the certificate, you can still prove that you attended some courses.

5) I would like to finish all my courses within a specific time frame, but the courses are overlapping. What should I do?

If more than 50% of the classes are overlapping, you may not be able to complete them. We advise you to choose other courses with schedules that do not overlap. In cases that only few sessions are overlapping, please, discuss this with your lecturers. Each course has different requirements to pass and give the credit points, and they may find a solution that is most suitable for you.

6) How many sessions does a course in the micro-programme Global Awareness have?

The number of sessions changes from one course to the other. Some courses are block or intensive courses, which means that all sessions take place in only few days. Other courses are spread throughout the semester, according to the schedule of the university where it is offered. There are also summer schools that are linked to the micro-programme Global Awareness, which you may want to consider. Information about the courses is available in the dedicated space in the CIVIS platform, accessible after being accepted in the micro-programme Global Awareness.

7) Are we to write an exam at the end of each course in the micro-programme Global Awareness?

Each course has different requirements to pass. Assignments and assessment forms will vary. Please, check this information in the course description in the dedicated space in the CIVIS platform, accessible after being accepted in the micro-programme Global Awareness.

8) I have done some courses at my university which are CIVIS courses. Can I have them recognised for the micro-programme Global Awareness?

It depends. If this course is also offered by the micro-programme Global Awareness – it means, it is listed in the space dedicated to the micro-programme Global Awareness in the CIVIS platform – the credit points earned in this course can be recognized. We only recognise credit points of courses that are offered by the micro-programme Global Awareness.

9) To complete the micro-programme Global Awareness, I just need 2 ECTS. Is there any course I can take that will give me 1 or 2 ECTS?

Most courses in the micro-programme Global Awareness have a minimum of 3 ECTS. You must take the course in full in order to receive the certificate of attendance.

Certificate

1) How do I receive my certificate of the micro-programme Global Awareness?

We will be able to see in the dedicated space in the CIVIS platform that you already earned the 15 ECTS in courses attended in, at least, two different universities, considering that you completed at least two courses in two different universities. We will contact you to inform that you finished the micro-programme Global Awareness. Your certificate will be available at the CIVIS platform.

2) Can I recognise the certificate of the micro-programme Global Awareness in my home university?

As this depends on national legislations, please, consult your university to know if these credit points can be fully or partially recognised.