Degree in Early Childhood Education

Mobility

Updated 08/02/2013

The official accreditation of a language is very important when applying for stays abroad. To find out more, click on the link with information about the language requirements to participate in the 2012/2013 Erasmus programme:

You can get accredited at Ucoidiomas Enlace externo or any other authorised centre.

Specific information on mobility programmes. Publication of agreements (of the school and host institutions)

The International Relations Office (ORI) of the University of Cordoba, in coordination with the International Relations Committee (CRRII), which represents all the faculties, schools and sectors of the UCO, is in charge of mobility programmes. The CRRII regulates all matters related to the mobility of students, teachers and administrative staff, as well as international cooperation projects. Each school and faculty has its own mobility coordinator for their degree programmes, in addition to a dean or associate dean of international relations.

The ORI Website Web, which is available in Spanish and English and updated on a regular basis, provides a list of all the universities and institutions with which we have established exchange agreements. The website also has detailed information about mobility grants and scholarships (for both regulated programmes and the UCO’s own programmes), as well as the application process, including funding, forms, deadlines, terms and conditions, and much more. Mobility grants are transferred quickly, permitting students to receive most of their aid at the beginning of their stay. Many mobility actions are co-funded by the University of Cordoba.

The programmes to fund mobility listed on the ORI website include the Erasmus Mundus Programme, the Bancaza-UCO Foundation, the MAEC-AECI calls, the SICUE-Seneca grant programme, international cooperation programmes of the UCO and the MINT-UCO international mobility programme. The amount of financial assistance has increased considerably in recent years, and currently covers most of the costs of mobility.

The bilateral agreements of each faculty and school are adapted to the curricular content of their degree programmes, and are established with counterpart institutions which offer similar academic training, thus ensuring the success of the exchange.

The CRRII is in charge of establishing the mobility programme schedules. All applicants are required to take an exam to test their knowledge of the language of the host country. Each faculty and school then selects the top candidates for each programme taking into account their score on the language exam and their academic record. The mobility coordinators of each faculty and school, in conjunction with the ORI, hold pre-departure orientation sessions to answer any questions and provide guidance. Students are also given information about their rights and duties as exchange students. All the students participating in an exchange programme are provided international insurance coverage, which is funded by the ORI. Support is available throughout the stay via email and/or telephone.

The academic recognition of studies undertaken in the framework of an exchange programme is established in the Student Agreement in accordance with specific regulations to ensure that all credits completed are properly transferred and recorded on the student’s academic transcript. The academic assessment and transfer of credits are the responsibility of the institutions involved.

At the beginning of the academic year, the ORI organises a welcome reception for all incoming international students at the UCO. The ORI also provides scholarships for student mentors at each of the faculties and schools of the University. These student mentors have participated previously in mobility programmes and are responsible for assisting incoming international students and facilitating their integration, particularly in finding accommodation. To ensure the linguistic and cultural immersion of international students, the UCOIDIOMAS language service offers courses in Spanish language and culture, which are fully funded by the ORI. In addition, the UCO provides guides in Spanish and English with information about its degree programmes.

Mobility is an important aspect of the Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. Future teachers can only become true “European citizens” as a result of their mobility experiences linked to their initial academic training.

Current Procedure for Ensuring the Quality of External Training and Mobility Programmes

The ORI and the faculties and schools represented in the CRRII (International Relations Committee) are responsible for organising and overseeing training placements abroad. Enterprises and institutions are selected following the same procedures for participants in the Leonardo da Vinci Programme. To do so, agreements are established with host organisations in another participating country. Other institutions collaborate in the process by contacting the enterprises and institutions, signing agreements and providing career guidance. The schools and faculties are responsible for selecting the candidates, assessment, and academic recognition, while the ORI is in charge of monitoring and ensuring the quality of training placements. Students selected to participate are assigned a tutor at both the sending institution and the host enterprise. The host countries organise activities such as informative sessions and intensive language courses. To keep track of and earn recognition for the placement, students must complete a Work Placement Log Book, which includes reports by the students and the employer about the placement. The quality and usefulness of the process are assessed based on the information provided by students in their log book and the academic tutor, employment surveys of graduates who have participated in the programme, and surveys of employers and participating enterprises. The placement is recognised in accordance with the provisions set out under the programme of studies and is reflected in the Diploma Supplement.