WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN STUDY OR TRAINEESHIP MOBILITY?
√ All active Bulgarian and international students, PhD students and medical residents, enrolled in all forms of study.
√ PhD students whose doctoral programme will remain active until after the completion of the mobility and whose doctoral study plan has been approved by the Faculty Council.
√ Students with a cumulative average grade of at least Very Good (4.50) at the time of application.
√ Students applying for mobility for studies must have successfully passed all examinations due at the time of submitting their application.
√ PhD students and medical residents must have a minimum average grade of Very Good (4.50) in their higher education diploma.
√ Applicants must have sufficient knowledge of the language in which the studies/traineeship will be carried out, at a level that allows effective communication in an academic environment.
√ Students who have completed all their semesters may participate in mobility for traineeship for up to one year after completing their studies.
Important!
The application for mobility and the approval for participation must take place while the student still has active student status, i.e. before taking the final state examination.
Following successful application and approval, the student may carry out the traineeship after obtaining graduate status, provided that the mobility takes place within the permitted period – up to one year after completing the study programme.
Mobility duration
For each educational level – Professional Bachelor, Bachelor, Master and PhD – students may complete a total of 2 to 12 months of mobility.
Exception: For students of the Faculty of Medicine, the maximum total duration of mobility is 24 months per educational level.
WHEN DOES MOBILITY TAKE PLACE?
Erasmus+ student mobility is carried out within the respective academic year.
When applying, students indicate their preferred mobility period. The exact start and end dates are determined in accordance with the academic calendars of MU-Pleven and the receiving institution/organisation, as well as the requirements of the Erasmus+ programme.
The mobility must be planned so that it falls within the academic year for which the student is applying.
WHERE CAN YOU CARRY OUT YOUR MOBILITY?
Mobility for studies
Study mobility is carried out at partner universities of MU-Pleven.
The list of universities with which MU-Pleven has inter-institutional agreements is available here:
https://www.mu-pleven.bg/index.php/en/international-activity/erasmus/2729-bilateral-agreements
Mobility for traineeships
Traineeship mobility may be carried out at an institution/organisation of the student's choice in an EU Member State, as well as in North Macedonia, Türkiye or Serbia.
Important: An Erasmus+ traineeship does not require a prior Inter-Institutional Agreement between MU-Pleven and the institution/organisation where the traineeship will take place.
Therefore, when choosing a traineeship destination, students do not need to limit their choice to the universities or institutions included in MU-Pleven's list of partner agreements.
Students may independently identify and contact a suitable receiving institution/organisation in an eligible country, provided that all Erasmus+ requirements are met.
REQUIRED APPLICATION DOCUMENTS
Applicants must submit the following documents:
- Student Mobility Application Form – according to the approved template;
- Personal Data Protection Declaration – according to the approved template;
- Certificate/Academic Transcript issued by the Student Office of the relevant Faculty, confirming the student's cumulative average grade and student status.
PhD students and medical residents must submit:
-
- a copy of the order confirming their enrolment;
- a copy of their higher education diploma;
- Motivation letter;
- Certificate of language proficiency or a copy of a diploma/certificate for specialised language training.
Important!
All documents must be completed and submitted electronically to:
Handwritten documents will not be accepted.
The application templates are available here:
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO BEFORE YOUR STUDY MOBILITY?
Once you have been selected for Erasmus+ mobility, you should take the following steps:
1. Check the website of the receiving university
Check the following information:
- the academic calendar;
- available courses and subjects;
- application deadlines and procedures;
- required application forms.
2. Choose your mobility period
Select a mobility period that falls within the academic year and corresponds to the academic calendar of the receiving university.
3. Create your Online Learning Agreement (OLA)
The Learning Agreement for Studies must be created and completed entirely online through the Online Learning Agreement platform:
https://www.learning-agreement.eu/
The OLA specifies the courses you will take at the receiving university and the corresponding number of ECTS credits.
4. Obtain approval from MU-Pleven
The Learning Agreement is reviewed, approved and signed by the relevant Faculty Coordinator at MU-Pleven.
5. Obtain approval from the receiving university
After approval by MU-Pleven, the Learning Agreement must be approved and signed by the responsible coordinator at the receiving university.
6. Check the additional requirements of the receiving university
Check the receiving university's website for:
- additional application forms required for Erasmus+ students;
- deadlines and instructions for submitting the documents;
- accommodation options, if the university offers accommodation for Erasmus+ students;
- required documents and procedures concerning residence;
- any other specific requirements.
Important information about the Learning Agreement
- The Learning Agreement for Studies is created online through OLA (Online Learning Agreement).
- When selecting courses, students should consult the relevant Faculty Coordinator at MU-Pleven as well as the receiving university.
- Regardless of whether the receiving university requires the Learning Agreement at the application stage, every student/PhD student must have an approved and signed Learning Agreement before departure.
The three parties are:
- the student;
- MU-Pleven, represented by the relevant Faculty Coordinator;
- the receiving university.
HOW MANY ECTS CREDITS SHOULD YOU OBTAIN?
For Bachelor's and Master's students:
- 1 semester – recommended 30 ECTS credits;
- 1 academic year – recommended 60 ECTS credits.
The above number of credits is recommended. However, at the end of the mobility, the student must have obtained:
- at least 20 ECTS credits for one semester;
- at least 40 ECTS credits for a full academic year.
For PhD students
Please consult your PhD supervisor regarding the required number of ECTS credit
LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY DOCUMENT
The receiving university may require students to provide a document proving their level of foreign language proficiency.
Students must comply with the specific requirements of their receiving university regarding the type and level of language certificate required.
ACADEMIC TRANSCRIPT
If required, the Academic Transcript is issued by the Student Office of the relevant Faculty in Bulgarian.
The student is responsible for arranging a translation of the Academic Transcript, in accordance with the requirements of the receiving university.
ACADEMIC FEES
During study mobility, Erasmus+ students do not pay tuition fees at the receiving university.
Exemption from academic fees is one of the rights of Erasmus+ participants and is regulated by the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education (ECHE), which participating higher education institutions undertake to comply with.
This exemption covers tuition, registration and examination fees and access to library and laboratory facilities, where applicable.
Important: This does not mean that the student is exempt from all possible costs. Additional fees may apply for services such as accommodation, meals, transportation, insurance or other services that are not considered academic fees.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO BEFORE YOUR TRAINEESHIP MOBILITY?
Once you have been approved for Erasmus+ mobility for traineeship, you should take the following steps:
1. Choose a receiving institution/organization
Select an institution or organization where you would like to carry out your traineeship and contact it in advance.
When contacting the institution/organization, specify:
- the preferred traineeship period;
- the departments/units in which you would like to carry out the traineeship;
- that you are applying for Erasmus+ mobility for traineeship.
2. Obtain confirmation from the receiving institution
You must receive confirmation that the institution/organization agrees to host you for the specified period and in the selected departments/units.
3. Prepare the Learning Agreement for Traineeships
Following a positive response from the receiving institution, prepare the Learning Agreement for Traineeships.
The template and instructions are available here:
4. Complete the document electronically
The Learning Agreement for Traineeships must be completed electronically and must include the mobility period, receiving institution/organization and the specific activities/departments included in the traineeship.
5. Obtain approval from MU-Pleven
The completed document must first be sent to MU-Pleven for approval and signature at:
6. Obtain approval from the receiving institution
Once the Learning Agreement for Traineeships has been approved and signed by MU-Pleven, the student sends it to the receiving institution/organization for approval, signature and stamp.
7. Check the receiving institution's requirements
Check the website of the receiving institution/organization for:
- additional application forms required for Erasmus+ students;
- deadlines and instructions for submitting documents;
- accommodation options, if available;
- required documents and residence procedures;
- any other specific requirements.
Important information about the Learning Agreement for Traineeships
The Learning Agreement for Traineeships must be approved and signed by all three parties before the mobility begins:
- the student;
- MU-Pleven;
- the receiving institution/organization.
The application process at the receiving institution will be considered successfully completed once you receive a Letter of Acceptance / Letter of Confirmation confirming your acceptance for Erasmus+ mobility and specifying the exact mobility period.
HEALTH INSURANCE
Students/PhD students must have a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) covering the entire mobility period.
Before departure, students should check the scope of medical services covered by the EHIC and the countries in which the card is valid.
More information is available here:
European Health Insurance Card – ezok.bg
As the coverage provided by the EHIC may vary between countries and does not cover all possible medical expenses, students are strongly advised to take out additional medical insurance at their own expense for the entire mobility period.
Important! If the receiving university, institution or organization has specific insurance requirements, including requirements regarding the type or minimum coverage of the insurance, the participant must comply with those requirements and obtain the required insurance at their own expense before the mobility begins.
Students are advised to check the insurance requirements of the receiving institution/organization before departure.
HOW DOES THE STUDENT RECEIVE THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT?
The financial support is paid by bank transfer in two instalments to a personal bank account specified by the student in the financial agreement concluded with MU-Pleven.
Important: The bank account must be personal and held in the participant's name. The account may be opened with a bank of the student's choice.
The financial support is paid as follows:
- First instalment – 80% of the total amount of the financial support. It is paid before or at the beginning of the mobility, in accordance with the terms specified in the financial agreement.
- Second instalment – 20% of the total amount of the financial support. It is paid after completion of the mobility, following submission of all required reporting documents and fulfilment of the conditions for payment of the remaining amount.
Important: In order to receive the second instalment, the participant must fulfil all reporting requirements and submit the required documents within the specified deadline.
ONLINE LANGUAGE SUPPORT (OLS)
Online Language Support (OLS) is an online platform for language learning and preparation available to Erasmus+ participants.
Through OLS, students can:
- assess their level in the language they will use during their mobility;
- improve their language skills through online courses and exercises;
- prepare for communication in an academic and professional environment abroad.
https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/resources-and-tools/online-language-support
LEARNING AGREEMENT (LA) – CHANGES DURING THE MOBILITY
If changes to the courses originally selected in the Learning Agreement become necessary during the mobility, the changes must be entered electronically in the “During Mobility” section of the Learning Agreement.
The changes must be approved and signed by the student and the coordinators of both the receiving and sending universities, in the same way as the “Before Mobility” section.
EXTENSION OF THE MOBILITY PERIOD
If you wish to extend your mobility period, you must submit a request to MU-Pleven, Sector “Erasmus+”, no later than one month before the end of the mobility period specified in the financial agreement.
Each request for an extension will be considered individually and is subject to approval.
Important: Students carrying out mobility during the summer semester cannot apply to extend their mobility by an additional semester.
AFTER THE MOBILITY
Students/PhD students must submit all required reporting documents to Sector “Erasmus+” within 10 days of the end of the mobility.
This deadline is mandatory for all students/PhD students.
REQUIRED REPORTING DOCUMENTS
After completion of the mobility, the student/PhD student must submit the required reporting documents within 10 days of the end date of the mobility.
1. Confirmation of the mobility period
An official document issued by the receiving institution confirming the start and end dates of the mobility, signed and stamped.
2. Documents proving travel
Students must provide documents proving their travel to and from the receiving country:
- air travel – boarding passes for the outbound and return journeys;
- bus or train travel – tickets for the outbound and return journeys;
- border crossing – passport stamps, where applicable;
- travel by private car – documents proving the journey in both directions.
When travelling by private car, students should keep all available documents related to the journey, such as road tolls, vignettes, fuel receipts/invoices, parking receipts and other documents that may help establish the dates and route of travel.
Important: The documents should provide evidence of both the journey to the receiving country and the return journey to Bulgaria.
3. Learning Agreement
The final Learning Agreement, including all amendments, if applicable, must be submitted as one final document containing the required signatures of the student and the coordinators of both universities.
4. Transcript of Records
The Transcript of Records is an official academic document listing the grades and ECTS credits obtained during the mobility and signed by the receiving institution.
The student is responsible for arranging a translation into Bulgarian, where required.
5. Online report – EU Survey
After completion of the mobility, the student/PhD student will receive an email from the European Commission's system inviting them to complete the EU Survey.
The online report must be completed within the deadline specified in the system.
Important: Failure to submit all required reporting documents and/or failure to complete the online report may result in a requirement to partially or fully reimburse the financial support received.
RECOGNITION OF THE MOBILITY
Every student/PhD student should contact the relevant Faculty at MU-Pleven in advance to obtain information about the procedure and documents required for recognition of the mobility period.
When is the Erasmus+ mobility period not recognized?
In order for the mobility period to be recognized, it must meet the minimum eligible duration:
- study mobility – minimum 3 months;
- traineeship mobility – minimum 2 months.
If a student terminates the mobility before reaching the minimum eligible duration, the mobility will not be recognized and the student may be required to reimburse the entire financial support received.
If a student returns earlier than the agreed end date but has completed the minimum eligible duration – 3 months for study mobility or 2 months for traineeship mobility – the mobility may be recognized.
In this case, the student is required to reimburse only the amount corresponding to the period during which they were no longer at the receiving institution. The amount to be reimbursed is calculated on a daily basis.
EARLY TERMINATION DUE TO FORCE MAJEURE OR OTHER JUSTIFIED REASONS
If the mobility needs to be terminated early due to force majeure or other justified reasons, the participant must:
- Immediately inform MU-Pleven / Sector “Erasmus+” about the circumstances.
- Submit a reasoned written request for recognition of the mobility period.
- Provide all relevant documents proving the reason for early termination and the expenses incurred. In the case of illness, a medical document confirming the condition must also be provided.
- Documents issued in a language other than Bulgarian or English must be accompanied by a Bulgarian translation provided by the participant.
The request and supporting documents are reviewed by a Consultative Expert Council, which determines whether the mobility period may be recognized in full or in part and whether partial or full reimbursement of the financial support is required.
The decision is recorded in minutes and submitted to the Rector of MU-Pleven. Based on this decision, the Rector issues an order establishing the final decision regarding recognition of the mobility and any reimbursement of funds.
Important!
A mobility period that has reached the minimum eligible duration is generally not considered force majeure simply because it ended before the originally agreed end date.
Such a mobility may be considered under force majeure where there are documented expenses related to the unrealized part of the mobility, for example rent paid in advance for the entire mobility period which was not reimbursed by the landlord. Such expenses must be justified and supported by appropriate documents.
What is considered force majeure?
Force majeure refers to unforeseeable circumstances beyond the participant's control that could not reasonably have been prevented.
Examples include:
- natural disasters;
- accidents and fires;
- terrorist or military actions;
- serious illness of the participant;
- other exceptional and unforeseeable circumstances that make it impossible or unreasonable to continue the mobility.