ERASMUS +
ERASMUS + AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LAW IN WROCŁAW
We are pleased to announce that by the decision of the European Commission of Decemebr 21, 2020, the University of Law received the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education for years 2021-2027.
The Erasmus + program develops the potential of Europeans, enabling them to participate, inter alia, in foreign studies, training and apprenticeships. What is surprising for many is the fact that the initiative is not only aimed at students, but also university employees, volunteers and athletes can participate in it. This proves the universality of Erasmus +.
The University of Law in Wrocław decided to join the program because of its teachers and students. Erasmus + gives them amazing opportunities for career development and gaining interesting experiences outside their home university, which is WSP for them. Erasmus + includes 5 main actions. The School of Law participates in two: “Educational mobility of people” and “Innovations and good practices”.
ERASMUS POLICY STATEMENT
Higher education is a power for good and is a driving force for significant economic, intellectual and cultural contribution to our region and the world and is enhanced by the mobility of students and teachers. Mobility widens the views and experiences of all parties involved and benefits in anticipated, as well as unanticipated ways. We are committed to international excellence through collective research and high quality, inspirational teaching within an inclusive academic culture.
Our main objective is to strengthen mutual relationships and to broaden understanding of other cultures. Students and faculty will gain international experience and will attend a wide variety of classes, gaining different experiences from an assortment of teachers and international peers academically but also to gain insight into different cultures which ultimately enhances knowledge and language skills.
We seek to arrange partnerships with organizations focused on law and on the similar point of interest for the purpose of exchanges, organizing of conferences, publications and international research which will increase opportunities, the quality of research and propagate understanding for all parties involved. WSP intends to implement the mobility of academic staff and administration for the purpose of teaching and work placement training, as well as the mobility of students to complete part of their studies or student internship at one of the universities or partner organizations.
We strive to provide high quality educational services in accordance with the European teaching requirements while increasing the mobility of students, teachers and administrative we will be increasing both the quality and quantity of bilateral and multilateral cooperation. As WSP broadens its international exposure we will increase qualifications obtained in other universities and readily adapt new and innovative elements to curricula. Cooperation with foreign enterprises will provide students with practice placements to enhance skills acquired while studying and the internationalization in the educational sector due to the exchange of experiences in the spirit of lifelong education will facilitate students and staff adaptation to the European environment and multicultural society. Mobility of academic and administrative staff is a priority for effective partnership management, support of co-operation projects, professional training, teaching delivery and programme development. In this context we will explore opportunities for joint delivery of various programmes with partners from both participating and non-participating countries.
Throughout many supplementary forms of education academic teachers and administrative staff are raising their qualifications, for example: language courses, post diploma studies, doctoral studies etc. The University emphasizes the important role of the English language as a vital tool for communication in the globalized world. ECTS is implemented in all fields of study which facilitates mobility and the curriculum is readily available and up to date. International cooperation is a very important part of the university’s strategy. Quality and a high level of mobility is also a very significant goal. Students and staff are fully supported by the administrative staff at all levels of mobility and financial support from the institution’s own funds will further assist in organizing mobility.
WSP acts in accordance with the best academic tradition and contemporary understanding of democracy and human rights, any exclusion based on sex, age, race, nationality, disability, religion or economic factors will strictly be opposed and treated as a violation of human rights. To achieve social and economic cohesion of the EU, WSP will take all possible measures to develop cooperation with industry, business, labour market, community and local and regional authorities. Full mobility recognition is provided for satisfactory completed Erasmus exchange. No fees for tuition will be charged from incoming Erasmus students. The most important target groups are students (study and practice placements) and staff (teaching and training mobility).
These core values expressed in our institutional strategy permeate our approach to international engagement. Central to the achievement of our vision of an international university are the benefits derived from working collaboratively. Our international partnerships in both participating and non-participating countries facilitate and support both staff and student mobility, student recruitment, developments in teaching and learning, collaborative research and capacity-building.
Wyższa Szkoła Prawa treats participation within the framework of Erasmus as an opportunity to improve our teaching methods and overall institution. The international Coordinator is the main party responsible for all activities – keeping records, maintaining contact with foreign partners, internal communication for particular activities, etc. The coordinator will regularly inform the academic community about the programme and other international projects which offer opportunities to students, faculty and administrative staff for mobility, joint research and taking initiative to further broaden joint programs. While opportunities for cooperation may be raised naturally through the interaction and initiative by administrative staff and faculty, the International Coordinator will assist with creating and administering such activities thereafter.
For legal and financial matters the coordinator is supported by the Rector and the financial department. The coordinator is further supported by a team of teachers who will provide advisory roles regarding strategic issues. Supervision of the international coordinator will be exercised by the Dean and Rector of the university.
In order to increase efficiency come duties are assumed at different levels, depending on the competence of the people working in the team, however, the coordinator has a very important role before, during and after mobility and is the main administrative body for the implementation of the Erasmus programme. Vital importance is placed on the fact that students are able to contact the coordinator 24/7 should the need arise. If in the event the coordinator is unable to fulfill such responsibilities they shall designate and advise a delegate, outlining the scope of responsibility and period for which the delegate shall assume such duties. The coordinator is responsible for taking necessary actions relating to the implementation of the mobility of teaching and mobility staff as well as outgoing and incoming students.
The International Coordinator, as an academic teacher is therefore well versed in matters of the study program. The coordinator provides comprehensive support for incoming and outgoing students and to sign all pertinent documents and is obliged to assist at all levels of mobility for outgoing and incoming faculty and students regarding information and assistance with all aspects of mobility including tailoring mobility studies and assuring the necessary ECTS and courses are selected to meet any transfer and degree requirements, assistance with visas, locating accommodation for the duration of study, and the acclimatization of students into a new environment. The coordinator keeps in touch with students or teachers via phone and e-mail.
Departing staff are strongly supported by the university administration and regarded as an important element in the development of various kinds of professional skills useful to WSP. Experience gained during teaching and training visits are discussed in a wider forum during regular meetings of the academic staff, as well as during the training workshops, involving all employees of the university.
During mobility, the coordinator remains available and will regularly check-in with participants to ensure documents are in order and if any further assistance may be required while ensuring all preparations have been made to facilitate participants’ return.
In addition to providing support, the coordinator shall organize integration activities which will help visitors get to better know the local people, language and culture. As Wroclaw was the European Capital of culture in 2016 the city provides many opportunities for visitors. Those visiting WSP should take advantage of what Wroclaw has to offer and they may use the opportunity to get to know the city and how its development.
When returning, mobility participants will be assisted with the issuance of necessary documents and transfer of courses and necessary ECTS earned at the partner institution. As a further method of promoting Erasmus, mobility and the enhancement of the college the coordinator will ensure that students and faculty are informed through participation in academic and administrative meetings, as well as electronically via e-mail or via the universities website and experiences will be shared through regular meetings.
A high degree of organization is provided to staff and student mobility and equal treatment is provided for all participants. Significant importance is places on the integration of participants and WSP takes measures to remove barriers and welcome participants to the school and local culture. WSP will actively promote international mobility when recruiting new students and promote mobility to current students through coordinators and presentations.
In an increasingly globalized world the importance of experience abroad cannot be stressed enough, and providing this opportunity to our students and staff will enhance performance and bring new aspects and different points of view which may be integrated into WSP. WSP takes all opportunities to enhance the experience of our students and staff and mobility will not only benefit participating but the institutions involved and will have a resounding effect on the communities where intermingled ideas are proliferated and may facilitate the integration into the European community.
In order to increase the number of applicants admitted to the same number of graduates, the college introduces a number of changes aimed at encouraging the enrollment of more candidates. To this end extensive promotional activities are carried out among the school youth with new degrees and study proposals being prepared. There are also numerous workshops and courses for students and graduates. Each year the college increases the number of subjects taught in English and organizes international conferences. WSP is committed to building curriculum in line with the requirements of developing a knowledge-based society. Our college perceives the opportunity to participate within the program as an opportunity to ensure the development of WSP as an international institution in the city, region, country and world. Participants will have the opportunity to share what they have
gained during mobility and staff will provide feedback to administrative staff through their own initiative or at regular meetings to advise how mobility has enhanced and assisted them personally and professionally and how this may further be applied to the universities’ vision and methodology and the intermingling of ideas will allow for the continuous evolution of all parties as further partnerships and cooperative measures are formed.
WSP ensures high standards of teaching and research are adhered by maintaining and developing a network of contacts with partner institutions both nationally as well as foreign in academic and practical fields. New research programs will be developed in close cooperation with the business sector and other academic institutions. Action will be taken to increase the number of grants and external funding for research. These activities will include promotional actions, participation in consortia and research teams.
WSP is aware that the challenges facing training and mobility which require more flexibility within systems and funding in order to equate to greater autonomy for educational institutions. WSP is even more demanding than some universities for prospective students, which provides many additional development opportunities through the various additional free initiatives and communities organized by the college. WSP plays a crucial role in and is free to defining its strategies and structures, and takes steps to differentiate itself from its competitors under applicable law.
WSP emphasizes the need to protect an environment conducive to economic growth and scientific and research affiliation while setting annual spending priorities (with particular emphasis on education, research and promotion). The WSP has full freedom in recruiting administrative and didactic staff, which is especially important for raising the shape and selection of the appropriate staff. WSP attracts the best teaching and scientific staff and is trying to support strategically minded employees by rewarding their results.
WSP seeks revenue from other sources, such as research grants and the college provides internal grants which are result based. In the case of grants, it is very important to precisely define the costs and WSP actively participates in the search for, and promotion of alternative sources of financing.
The college draws great attention to investing in infrastructure development. The previous academic year saw the renovation of an additional floor at the college. As a result of this renovation students have at their disposal 6 additional rooms which are modernly equipped to fit the needs of contemporary courses.
At the end of the academic year WSP evaluates expenditures and their effects. This has a decided impact on financial decisions for the next year. It is very important for the college to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness and impact of new solutions. Such a broad analysis allows us to focus on the strengths of the college and to develop incentives for differentiated strategic decisions.
LANGUAGE POLICY
- WSP offers classes of foreign language in order to promote active exchange with foreign partners.WSP tries to support students interested in exchange that need additional language learning, by offering them additional language courses allowing attain the necessary level of linguistic proficiency to study abroad. Before the participation of Erasmus exchange, students’ language skills are verified by Erasmus Coordinator of WSP.
- For incoming students for Erasmus exchange (and all foreign students) WSP offers classes of English and Polish. Erasmus students (and all foreign students) are not only taught Polish language but they also gain assistance of translator during administrative procedures for the whole stay at WSP.
- For all of our students and staff provide: Linguistic consultations and support; Opportunity to participate in language courses; Access to the literature given in Polish, English WSP library; Availability of classes according to the agreed language path for the incoming students; Provision of integration of lectures of incoming academic staff in the institution’s program.
- We provide the Incoming International Students with the assistance of Polish students, which usually covers: meeting the student at the station, help with finding the Dormitory and check in, common meetings and integration.
METHODOLOGY
ACADEMIC CREDIT SYSTEM (PL)
- European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) was introduced by the European Commission in the 1980s in order to standardize academic systems in the European Union. Each subject and its forms (lecture, tutorials, seminars etc.) have certain number of points ECTS which shows the amount of work and time student has spent on learning. Usually 1 ECTS point is assigned to 25-30 hours of student’s work. According to ECTS assumptions, student should get at least 30 ECTS points during one semester. Such unification allows students to complete semester at another university (domestic or foreign), provided they obtain official confirmation of earning required amount of ECTS points.
- In practice, this means that the period of studies undertaken abroad (all classes and exams) can replace comparable time of studies undertaken at the home university, even if contents of both study programs are different. ECTS does not interfere in the substantive content of classes (issues related to the quality of studies are set separately by each university) and it is not a counterpart of grades for particular subjects.
- Universities which take part in ERASMUS PLUS program are obliged to acknowledge the period of studies undertaken at another foreign university using ECTS.
Table of calculating grades and points in the University of Law:
Stopień w WSP/SCHOOL GRADE | Ocena/DESCRIPTION | ECTS | ||
5 | BARDZO DOBRY | EXCELLENT | A | EXCELLENT |
4,5 | PLUS DOBRY | VERY GOOD | B | VERY GOOD |
4 | DOBRY | GOOD | C | GOOD |
3,5 | PLUS DOSTATECZNY | SATISFACTORY | D | SATISFACTORY |
3 | DOSTATECZNY | SUFFICIENT | E | SUFFICIENT |
2 | NIEDOSTATECZNY | FAIL | F | FAIL |
More information related to ECTS is available on : Bologna Experts Group: http://ekspercibolonscy.org.pl
Ministry of Science and Higher Education in Poland: www.nauka.gov.pl/proces-bolonski/proces-bolonski.html
European Commission: http://ec.europa.eu/education/tools/ects_en.htm
ACADEMIC CREDIT SYSTEM
- The ECTS grading scale has been developed to help the home institution interpret student’s grade awarded at a foreign institution. It provides additional information on achievements of student but does not replace the grades awarded at the institution. Higher education’s institutions make their own decisions on how to apply the ECTS grading scale to their own system. WSP follows the European Commission requirements and has the European Credits Transfer System implemented. The School grants incoming students with ECTS points and accepts ECTS points granted at other Universities.
- Full academic year study program at WSP provides with 60 ECTS (30 ECTS per semester). Each course and its element (lecture, practice, self-learning) has its ECTS points accredited; 1ECTS being the equivalent of c.a. 25-30 hours of work load for students. The exact number of ECTS points collected during student’s mobility is settled in the Learning/Training Agreement and documented in the Transcript of Records.To gain ECTS credits, the student must pass the examination at hosting institution and gain the assessment grade. The successful grades for students at WSP are: 5.0-A, 4.5 – B, 4.0-C, 3.5-D, 3.0 – E
- Erasmus Coordinators will help outgoing students while choosing the courses and the accreditation of these courses. Incoming students will be given a document indicating the courses they take in WSP, credits and academic standing. The average number of credits per semester is 30. Student may be obliged to take additional courses after his or her return only if he or she did not obtain the required number of credits per semester while studying abroad.
RECOGNITION PROCEDURE FOR ERASMUS STUDY
- Full academic recognition is the basic condition for the student mobility in the framework of the Erasmus programme. Full academic recognition means that the study period abroad (including examinations or other forms of assessment) replaces a comparable period of study at the home institution (including examinations or other forms of assessment).
- To enable full recognition of completed studies, a trilateral learning agreement among the student, home institution and the host institution will be made. Student has to follow this agreement during the whole exchange period. Recognition can only be denied if the student does not achieve the level required or fulfill the preconditions. The Learning Agreement (LA) covers the programme of study to be taken and the ECTS credits to be awarded for their satisfactory completion, committing home and host institution, as well as the student.
- The Transcript of Records (ToR) shows students’ learning achievements in a way which is comprehensive, commonly understood and easily transferable from one institution to another. The Proof of Recognition shows students that the study abroad period has been recognized in the home institution. At WSP, the recognition procedure starts before an outgoing student departs. Before the student departs, the ‘recognition sheet’ is prepared by using the course study plan in the learning agreement of the student and full academic recognition is confirmed by the Executive Committee of the relevant Faculty.
- The ECTS credits to be gained at host institution are guaranteed. After completion of the studies abroad ‘Proof of Recognition’ is prepared by the Executive Committee of the relevant Faculty, by taking into account the information on ‘Transcript of Records’ provided by the host institution. Courses shown on the ToR should not be different from the courses previously confirmed with the LA form (unless the LA form had been revised by following the relevant regulations accurately).
ERASMUS + IN NUMBERS
HOW ERASMUS+ WORKS ?
For students of the University of Law in Wroclaw Erasmus creates two opportunities: studying abroad and completing internship at the partner university.
Period of studying can be up to 24 months! Information related to advantages of the program, stages of recruitment, covering letters and other conditions of the program are available on the Erasmus for Students website. Erasmus+ dla Studentów.
Student who leaves to take part in the program does not lose any student rights in Poland (f.ex. national scholarships are still paid). During the time of performing mobility agreement (hereinafter referred to as: Learning Agreement) student is exempted from tuition payments for the University of Law.
Lecturers of the University of Law can teach at foreign universities for the period of 2 days up to 8 weeks. Information related to the offer is available on Erasmus for Lecturers website. Erasmus+ dla Wykładowców.
More information about the program is available on the European Commission website Komisji Europejskiej.