Study mobility
A semester or two at a partner institution abroad. Credits earned there are fully recognised and count towards your degree without extra work.
September
Selection for the spring semester
March
Selection for the autumn semester
Study mobility
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.
Partner institutions
Study mobility only takes place at higher education institutions with which Vilnius College of Design holds a valid Erasmus+ inter-institutional agreement.
Who can take part?
Erasmus+ study mobility is open to:
- full-time students in years II–III;
- part-time students in years II–IV.
Please note: students in their final semester cannot go on an Erasmus+ study mobility. A student must also have no outstanding academic debts when the mobility starts.
Selection
Selection runs in two stages:
- Application stage — the student submits a completed application form, a motivation letter (or video), a portfolio and any other documents named in the call.
- Interview stage — shortlisted candidates are invited to an interview in English, which assesses their motivation, their readiness for the mobility and their command of the language. Language requirement: a minimum B2 level in the foreign language of study (English or another language of instruction).
After the interviews, the Erasmus+ selection committee assesses the candidates against the published criteria and decides the results. Students are told the outcome by email no later than two working days after the committee meets.
Once selected, VDK officially nominates the student to the chosen institution. The final admission decision is taken by the receiving institution.
Language tests and language support
All students can register on the OLS (Online Language Support) platform for language learning and to take language-level assessment tests.
Before the mobility
After passing the VDK selection and receiving the nomination, the student has to go through the receiving institution’s own application and admission process. The student is responsible for meeting that institution’s deadlines and for submitting every document it asks for. If certificates or other papers are needed, the student should contact the Study Department or the International Relations and Project Management Office (IRPMO).
Before the mobility, the student must:
- Complete the receiving institution’s selection and admission procedures.
- Obtain the receiving institution’s official Acceptance Letter.
- Prepare and sign the learning agreement (Online Learning Agreement), which sets out the subjects to be studied during the Erasmus+ mobility. How to fill in the OLA is explained here.
- Sign the Erasmus+ grant agreement with VDK.
Important: the student arranges accommodation, travel, insurance and, where it applies, a visa or residence permit, and is responsible for meeting every deadline set by the receiving institution.
The Erasmus grant
At least one month before the Erasmus studies officially begin, the admitted student submits their personal and bank details to the IRPMO and signs the grant agreement, having read all the obligations it carries.
The Erasmus grant covers the additional costs of the mobility — travel and living costs such as dormitory fees — but it does not cover everything studying abroad costs. VDK grants and loan payments continue while the student is abroad.
Students selected to study abroad under Erasmus may also apply for a state-supported loan for studies abroad. More on those loans is on the Valstybinis studijų fondas website.
Current grant rates, travel allowances and the support available to students with fewer opportunities are on the Grants page.
During the study mobility
On arriving at the receiving institution, the student must:
- Submit the Certificate of Arrival.
- If the study plan or the list of chosen subjects changes, update the Online Learning Agreement. Changes to the OLA are explained here.
Outgoing students are encouraged to use the Erasmus mobility guide, which carries the essentials: www.mobilumogidas.lt
Reporting after the study mobility
On returning from an Erasmus+ study mobility, the student must submit:
- The final version of the Online Learning Agreement (OLA), with every change agreed during the mobility (where applicable).
- A certificate signed by the receiving institution confirming the period of the study mobility and its end (Certificate of Departure).
- The academic transcript (Transcript of Records) listing the subjects studied and the results achieved during the mobility.
Once the mobility ends, the student must also complete the European Commission’s online Erasmus+ participant survey (EU Survey), which arrives by email.
These documents are used to confirm the mobility period, to recognise the study results academically and to close the administration of the Erasmus+ mobility.
Important: a student has reported properly on the mobility once they have submitted the academic transcript and the receiving institution’s signed confirmation of the mobility period, and completed the EU Survey report. The remaining part of the Erasmus+ grant is paid only after that. If the required documents are not submitted, or other obligations in the grant agreement are not met, the Erasmus+ grant may be recalculated or reclaimed.