What are Target Groups?

Target group 1: EU/Chinese students and staff registered in one of the member universities of the consortium. (undergraduates, masters, doctorates, post-doctorates, staff)
Target group 2: Nationals of P.R. China registered in a non-member university or already having obtained a university degree or equivalent from another Chinese university. This includes the possibility of providing mobility opportunities to students, graduates and researchers from all over P.R. China.  (masters, doctorates, post-doctorates)
Target group 3: Nationals of P.R. China who are in particularly vulnerable situations, for political or economic reasons or because of physical disabilities. It may cover mobility for students having a refugee status or asylum beneficiaries (international or acoording to the national legislation of one of the European recipient countries) or where it can be proven that they have been the object of unjustified explusion from university on racial, ethnic, religious, political, gender or sexual inclination grounds or nationals belonging to an indigenous population targeted by a specific national policy or IDP's (internally displaced population). (undergraduates, masters, doctorates, post-doctorates)

What is the difference between exchange and degree seeking?

An exchange student is a student (officially registered in a university or other institution for higher education) who temporarily lives in a foreign country and attends courses or is involved in other academic activities. The exchange period lasts for a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 22 months (depending on the mobility type). The exchange student does NOT get a diploma from the host university. However, all academic results will be sent to his/her home university.

A degree student registers at the university abroad and is nog longer a student from the university at home. He or she will obtain a diploma from the university abroad. Students applying to a foreign university will need to comply with the local admission requirements.

How will I receive my grant?

A grant consists about 4 parts:

• Subsistence allowance - Transferred into your account by your host institution
  • 1000 € per month for undergraduate and master students
  • 1500 € per month for doctoral students
  • 1800 € per month for post-doctoral students
  • 2500 € per month for academic staff
    
• Health insurance - Directly paid to insurance company by the University of Antwerp  
  
• Tuition fees/registration fees (if applicable) - Directly paid to the host institution by the University of Antwerp 
  
• Travel costs - Directly paid by the University of Antwerp to the travel agency (for Chinese mobilities) or the host university (for European mobilities)

Do I get a diploma from the host university?

If you are a degree student you will get a diploma and a transcript of records from the host university after graduation.

If you are an exchange student you will follow courses at the host institution that replace courses at the home university. The identification of the courses must be documented and approved by the home and host institution and the student prior to departure to the host university (learning agreement).
Recognition upon return: the home institution replaces the home courses by the host courses, totalling the same number of credits.
Every exchange student will get a transcript of records, stating the results, grades and credits obtained.

How can I obtain a VISA?

Every participating university (host institution) will provide the student with an admission letter, so the student will be able to go to the consulate of the country of the host institution to apply for a VISA. The University of Antwerp will provide a scholarship attestation as proof of solvancy.
For further specific VISA procedures, please check the information at the section "university information".

What if I'm not able to obtain my VISA before the 1st of September?

Each mobility must start at the latest by the 1st of September 2010, so be sure you apply for your VISA in time.
If you have any problems obtaining your VISA, the host institution will be glad to help you.

Can P.R. China nationals, living in Europe, also apply for a grant?

Chinese nationals living in Europe and having obtained at least one university degree in P.R.China can apply for a mobility grant (at one of the European partner institutions) as Target Group 2 applicants.

Can I apply for a grant if I'm European and live in Europe, but don't study at one of the partner universities?   

No, European students can only participate in this programme if they have a proof of enrolment of  one of the European partner universities.

How will the accommodation at the host university be arranged?

This depends on which university you are going to. Please check the division "university information" for more information about housing and accomodation.

Can my mobility start after the 1st of September 2010?

No, each mobility must start at the latest by the 1st of September 2010.

Can a Chinese student also go to another Chinese university?

No, Chinese students can only go to European universities and European students can only go to Chinese universities.

What is a TOEFL or IELTS certificate?

IELTS: International English Language Testing System
www.ielts.org

TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language
http://www.ets.org/portal/site/ets/menuitem.fab2360b1645a1de9b3a0779f1751509/?vgnextoid=69c0197a484f4010VgnVCM10000022f95190RCRD

Why do I need a TOEFL or IELTS certificate?

When studying abroad, it is very important to have a thorough knowledge of English. Not only for attending courses, but also for adapting to the international environment and for socialising with other international students.

What TOEFL or IELTS score do I need to have?

The minimum required score depends on the programme the student is applying for. Typically the minimum TOEFL score is 78 (IBT) and 6.0 overall band score for IELTS, but this can vary from programme to programme and from university to university. It is therefore the student's responsibility to check the specific requirements of the programme he or she is interested in.

How can I obtain a TOEFL or IELTS certificate?

Please check the TOEFL or IELTS website for more information.

What is a HSK certificate?

The Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK) is a national standardized test to access the Chinese language proficiency of non-native speakers.
For more information: http://www.hsk.org.cn/english/Default.aspx

I don't have a passport, what do I have to do?

For online application you can also use any other official identification proof (such as an ID card), but you will need a passport to study abroad, so please apply for a passport in time.

I only have official certificates and diplomas in my native language and not in English, what do I have to do?

Please ask your home university to provide official certificates and diplomas in English, or ask the university to translate it officially into English.

I want to apply as staff, will my government ask me to pay income tax for my grant?

This depends on the national legislation of your home country. Please check this in advance.

Can I study part of my mobility period at one university and the other part at another university?

This will be reviewed case per case. Travel costs from one university to the other will probably not be covered.

Is it obligatory attend the summer school in Antwerp?

As all mobilities must start by the latest the 1st of September 2010 and courses at the host university often only start mid-September or later, it is required to attend the summer school at the University of Antwerp. If the host institution already starts courses in the beginning of September, you should not attend the summerschool, but attend courses at the host institution.

Do I have to arrange my flight tickets myself?

You do not have to arrange any flight tickets by yourself.

For Chinese mobilities: the coordinator will arrange this directly with a Chinese travel agency
For European mobilities: the sending European university will arrange this for you

How can I be sure the home institution will recognise my studies abroad?

A learning agreement will be approved by the home and host institution and the student prior to departure to the host university. 
Recognition upon return: the home institution replaces the home courses by the host courses, totalling the same number of credits.

What is ECTS?

ECTS is the European Credit Transfer System. It's aim is to facilitate the recognition of study periods undertaken abroad by mobile students through the transfer of credits. As a transfer system ECTS has expanded to over 30 countries and has been introduced in more than one thousand higher education institutions. A large number of countries have adopted ECTS by law as an accumulation system for their own higher education system and others are in the process of doing so. In some countries ECTS has become a requirement for accreditation.
ECTS makes study programmes easy to read and compare. It can be used for all types of programmes, whatever their mode of delivery, and for lifelong learning purposes. It serves both mobile and non-mobile students: it can be used for accumulation withing an institution and for transfer between institutions.

ECTS is based on the principle that 60 credits measure the workload of a full-time student during one academic year. The student workload of a full-time study programme in Europe amounts in most cases to around 1500-1800 hours per year and in those cases one credit stands for around 25 to 30 working hours.
Student workload in ECTS consist of the time required to complete all planned learning activities such as attending lectures, seminars, independent and private study, preparation of projects, examination, and so forth.

1 academic year = 60 credits =  1500 - 1800 hours
1 credit = 25 - 30 hours of work

What are 'study records' / 'academic transcripts' ?

A study record or an official transcript is an official document provided by the university that lists courses, subjects, local grades, credits obtained and the final result (pass/fail). It reflects both the quantity of work and the quality of achievement.