For VDK students, Erasmus+ study mobility is an opportunity not only to go abroad, but also to become part of an international design community, gain valuable academic experience and prepare for a successful career in the creative industries.

Erasmus+ mobility is built on cooperation between partner institutions and academic compatibility — meaning that study results earned abroad are fully recognised and incorporated into your study programme at Vilnius College of Design. Students study according to an agreed learning plan, and their achievements are assessed and credited without any additional academic loss.

Students wishing to take advantage of the Erasmus+ programme are encouraged to review the Erasmus+ regulations, which set out the selection assessment criteria, the procedure for completing documents for studying at a foreign institution, the rules for awarding grants, the recognition of studies, and so on.

27 EU member states: Ireland, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Greece, Spain, Italy, Cyprus, Croatia, Latvia, Poland, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, France, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Finland, Sweden, Hungary, Germany.

Partner countries: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Serbia, Turkey, the Republic of North Macedonia, the United Kingdom and Switzerland.

Study mobility is open to:

• full-time students in years II–III;
• part-time students in years II–IV.

Selections take place twice a year:

• September – for departure in the spring semester;
• March – for departure in the autumn semester.

During selection, students submit a completed application form, a motivation letter and a portfolio.

Language requirement: a minimum B2 level in the foreign language of study (English or another language of instruction) is required.

Once selected, VDK officially nominates the student to the chosen institution. The final admission decision is confirmed by the receiving institution.

All students can register on the OLS (Online Language Support) platform for language learning and to take language-level assessment tests.

The student must:

• obtain confirmation from the receiving institution (an “Acceptance Letter”);
• prepare and sign the learning agreement (“Online Learning Agreement”);
• sign the grant agreement roughly one month before departure.

Important: the student is responsible for arranging accommodation, flight tickets and insurance independently.

After starting studies at the foreign institution, the student must:

• submit an arrival certificate (“Arrival Certificate”);
• if the learning agreement changes, have all changes agreed and signed by the student and the sending and receiving institutions.

After returning from Erasmus+ studies abroad, the following documents must be submitted to the VDK International Office within 30 days:

• the Learning Agreement (OLA) and any amendments to it (if made);
• a document confirming the duration of stay at the foreign institution (Stay Confirmation);
• the academic transcript (Transcript of Records — issued by the foreign institution).

After the Erasmus studies end, the European Commission will email an EU Survey questionnaire, which must be completed within 30 days of the end of the mobility.

Failure to report on the mobility correctly and on time may trigger the obligations set out in the financial agreement, including partial or full repayment of the grant.

Short-term mobility

Short-term mobility refers to student participation in study or practical activities abroad lasting from 5 to 30 days. It is an excellent way to gain international experience in a short time, deepen professional knowledge and get to know the academic and cultural environment of other countries.

VDK students can take part in short-term mobility activities and receive Erasmus+ funding, which covers a grant for the mobility period and reimbursement of travel costs based on distance.

BIP (Blended Intensive Programmes)

One of the main forms of short-term mobility is the Blended Intensive Programme (BIP). These programmes combine physical mobility abroad with an online learning component. BIPs usually last from a few days to a few weeks and focus on practical learning and collaboration.

BIP mobility:

• lasts from 5 days to a few weeks;
• combines physical mobility with online (virtual) activities;
• focuses on practical learning, project work and collaboration.

Good to know

BIP projects are organised irregularly, so this is not a permanent mobility option like a semester of studies or a traineeship. Students taking part in BIP projects are awarded additional ECTS credits (usually around 3 ECTS).

• BIPs are open to students as well as lecturers and administrative staff.
• Students and lecturers taking part in a BIP project receive grants and travel allowances.

Information about short-term mobility opportunities is published via the VDK International Office and study units, and participants are selected according to the internal selection procedure.

Reporting on the mobility

BIP mobility participants must report on the mobility period within 15 calendar days of the end of the project. Within this period you must:

• submit a Certificate of Participation confirming the participation period and credits;
• complete the Erasmus+ participant report (EU Survey), which is sent automatically by the European Commission to the participant’s email address after the mobility.

Failure to report on the mobility correctly and on time may trigger the obligations set out in the financial agreement, including partial or full repayment of the grant.

Students of Vilnius College of Design (VDK) can take part in Erasmus+ traineeship mobility, which lets them gain international work experience, develop professional skills and broaden their career opportunities abroad.

The ERASMUS+ selection for a professional traineeship at a foreign company is announced in December. Second-year students may take part and complete their work placement abroad. An Erasmus+ professional traineeship abroad counts as the work placement (it is included in the diploma supplement and credits are awarded).

Selection

To take part in the Erasmus+ traineeship competition, students complete the application form published in the VDK International Office news. As the competition takes place in December, it is important to follow the published information in time and submit documents by the set deadlines.

During selection, the student’s readiness to undertake a traineeship abroad is assessed, taking into account study results, the relevance of the traineeship field, foreign-language skills and motivation.

The traineeship placement is found independently — students may approach companies or organisations directly, use specialised platforms such as “ErasmusIntern.org”, professional networks (“LinkedIn”) or other job-search channels, as well as VDK partner contacts.

A finally confirmed placement is not required to take part in the selection, but a clearly planned traineeship direction or a connection with a potential host organisation is considered an advantage.

After passing the selection

Selected students, together with the host organisation, prepare and agree a Traineeship Agreement detailing the traineeship objectives, planned activities and intended results. The agreement is submitted to the VDK International Office. Based on this document and the approved funding conditions, a Grant Agreement is prepared for the student, setting the amount and payment of the Erasmus+ grant.

The Erasmus+ traineeship grant is awarded according to the financial agreement and is intended to contribute towards the costs related to the traineeship abroad. Funded traineeship period: 2–3 months.

Reporting on the traineeship mobility

After completing the Erasmus+ traineeship, students must submit documents and complete reporting actions to the VDK International Office within 30 calendar days. After the traineeship you must:

• complete the Erasmus+ participant report (EU Survey), sent automatically by the European Commission to the participant’s email after the traineeship period;
• submit the host organisation’s confirmation of the completed traineeship (Traineeship Agreement / Section to be completed AFTER THE MOBILITY), assessing the activities carried out and results achieved.

Failure to report on the mobility correctly and on time may trigger the obligations set out in the financial agreement, including partial or full repayment of the grant.

The ERASMUS+ selection for a graduate traineeship at a foreign company is announced in April. It is open to third-year full-time and fourth-year part-time students planning to go abroad for a traineeship after graduation. An Erasmus+ graduate traineeship offers a chance to gain professional experience in an international environment after studies, apply the knowledge gained during studies and strengthen professional skills. The traineeship takes place within 12 months of graduation and may last 2–4 months.

Selection

To take part in the selection, you must submit:

• a completed Erasmus+ traineeship application;
• a creative-work portfolio;
• a motivation video (up to 5 minutes) presenting the candidate’s motivation and readiness for the traineeship.

Finding a placement is based on the student’s initiative. While a confirmed placement is not required to take part in the selection, it is recommended to have started the search or to have a clear plan for the traineeship direction — this is considered an additional advantage in the selection process.

During selection, candidates’ academic readiness, foreign-language skills, the fit of the planned traineeship with the field of study and motivation to take part in the Erasmus+ programme are assessed. Selection results are announced in June.

After selection, students agree a Traineeship Agreement with the host organisation, which is submitted to the VDK International Office. Based on this document, a Grant Agreement is prepared, under which the Erasmus+ grant is awarded.

Reporting on the traineeship mobility

After completing the Erasmus+ traineeship, graduates must submit documents and complete reporting actions to the VDK International Office within 30 calendar days. After the traineeship you must:

• complete the Erasmus+ participant report (EU Survey), sent automatically by the European Commission to the participant’s email after the traineeship period;
• submit the host organisation’s confirmation of the completed traineeship (Traineeship Agreement / Section to be completed AFTER THE MOBILITY), assessing the activities carried out and results achieved.

Failure to report on the mobility correctly and on time may trigger the obligations set out in the financial agreement, including partial or full repayment of the grant.

Grants (studies and traineeships)

*Green travel is travel that uses lower-emission means of transport — such as buses, trains or car-sharing (more than one person per car) — for the main part of the journey. Those choosing to travel green both ways receive the green travel allowance. Up to 4 paid travel days may also be granted. In this case the student completes a declaration of honour and may be asked to provide travel tickets or other proof.

Students with fewer opportunities who meet the criteria below may be awarded an additional grant:

• €250 per month for long-term mobility (2–12 months, one trimester or semester);
• €100 if the mobility lasts 5–14 days;
• €150 if it lasts 15–30 days.

Additional funding may be claimed by:

• students from socially supported groups (i.e. persons living alone or with others who are entitled to or receive social benefits under the Lithuanian Law on Cash Social Assistance for Low-Income Residents);
• orphans (persons no older than 25 who were placed under guardianship (custody) before reaching adulthood, or whose only surviving parent has died);
• single parents raising children under 7 (persons effectively raising a child or children alone — e.g. a widow/widower, a single mother, or where the other parent is serving a custodial sentence, has restricted parental rights, the marriage is dissolved, or the parents live apart and the court has established the child’s residence with this person);
• persons with disabilities (physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments);
• persons with health problems (serious or chronic illnesses or other medical conditions);
• persons facing economic (social) obstacles (e.g. recipients of social benefits).

Additional support for Erasmus+ participants who, due to a physical, mental or other disability, need extra support to take part in mobility projects. An additional individual grant may be available based on actual costs incurred. In this case an application is submitted to the Education Exchanges Support Foundation for participants who need support to take part in mobility activities due to a disability, based on actual costs. The need is confirmed by a document issued by medical professionals clearly stating the means or services required during the mobility.

Students who are awarded a zero grant can also take part in mobility. This means the student meets all Erasmus+ programme requirements and enjoys all the rights and opportunities the programme offers, but receives no financial support for the mobility. All Erasmus+ rules and obligations apply to such students just as they do to grant recipients.

Financial obligations. Both grant and non-grant Erasmus+ students are exempt at the receiving institution from the main study-related fees, such as tuition, registration or examination fees, and do not pay for the use of laboratories or libraries. Students do, however, continue to pay their usual fees at their sending institution. The receiving institution may charge small additional fees related to insurance, student-organisation activities, or materials used during studies.

Failure to report on the mobility correctly and on time may trigger the obligations set out in the financial agreement, including partial or full repayment of the grant.

For lecturers and administrative staff of Vilnius College of Design, the ERASMUS+ mobility programme offers the opportunity to go to a partner higher-education institution in Europe or beyond to give lectures according to a pre-agreed programme, or to take part in a placement, training at a foreign company or higher-education institution.

ERASMUS+ staff mobility for training

This activity enables staff of research and study institutions to deepen their professional knowledge and skills at a foreign higher-education institution or business. Mobility of academic and administrative staff covers the following directions:

• mobility of academic staff from one research and study institution to another, or to a company, for learning purposes;
• mobility of administrative or other non-academic staff from one research and study institution to a partner institution or company for learning purposes.

Eligible participants are staff of research and study institutions (academic and non-academic).

ERASMUS+ staff mobility for teaching

This activity gives VDK lecturers the opportunity to teach at partner foreign higher-education institutions, or for lecturers from abroad to teach at VDK. The objectives of the ERASMUS+ lecturer mobility programme are to:

• enable students not taking part in ERASMUS+ mobility to gain the latest international knowledge and skills from lecturers of research and study institutions in other countries;
• exchange experience in applying the latest teaching methods and promote and deepen cooperation between higher-education institutions;
• update and improve the content and choice of subjects taught at higher-education institutions.

Countries where activities can take place

Programme countries: all EU member states, as well as Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Serbia, Turkey and North Macedonia.

Partner countries: activities can also be carried out in cooperation with partner countries.

Institutions where activities can take place

Teaching visits may only take place at higher-education institutions with which VDK has signed inter-institutional agreements. Learning visits and placements may also be carried out at other organisations: higher-education institutions, companies, institutions or organisations. The full list of partner institutions is published on the VDK website.

You must inform your department head and the International Office of your intention to go on an international “Erasmus” trip. The notice must be submitted by email to erasmus@vcd.lt no later than 2 months before the planned start of the mobility.

Duration of mobility

For academic staff, the teaching must last at least 8 academic hours, and the visit no longer than 6 weeks. For administrative staff, the duration must be at least 2 days and no longer than 6 weeks.

Staff wishing to take advantage of the Erasmus mobility programme are warmly invited to review the staff mobility procedure, which sets out the selection criteria, the mobility organisation process, the grant award procedure, and so on.

Mobilities are funded according to fixed rates. The grant consists of:

• an allowance for living costs;
• reimbursement of travel costs.

Living-cost funding (per day)

Note: the full rate applies up to day 14; from day 15 to day 60 — 70% of the set daily rate.

Travel-cost funding

Note: the distance is calculated from the place of departure to the destination (both ways) using the European Commission calculator.

No later than one month before departure you must submit:

• a request for the business trip (signed by your manager);
• the Erasmus+ Mobility Agreement;
• travel information (transport, dates);
• a signed grant agreement (the agreement will be sent once the completed Erasmus+ Mobility Agreement is received).

Documents are submitted by email to erasmus@vcd.lt or in person.

Reporting after the mobility

After returning, you must submit:

• the visit confirmation issued by the receiving institution (Certificate of Attendance);
• a completed European Commission participant report (online form).