PRIME: Problems in Recognition In Making Erasmus

PRIME is one the main projects of ESN and was conducted over 2009, with various Higher Education Institutions from across Europe contributing. The results were disseminated over a number of conferences held around Europe with the final conference being held in Brussels in January 2010. 

Outline

Students in Europe enjoy great opportunities of mobility through exchange programs such as the Erasmus Programme. However, they still have to face various barriers and obstacles, a continuous problem of course recognition among them.

The Erasmus Student Charter states Erasmus students’ right of an obligatory learning agreement prior to departure and full recognition of their study courses abroad by their home Higher Education Institution upon return. In 2006 and 2007 editions of the annual survey of the ESN it was revealed that slightly more than half of all Erasmus students receive full recognition of their courses taken abroad. This is supported by the Trend V report of the European University Association (EUA) stating that 47% of Higher Education Institutions in Europe admit that some their students have problems with the recognition of their credits gained abroad.

Clearly this situation requires more attention and more effective solutions. For this reason ESN with the financial support of the European Commission conducted in-depth qualitative research to point out the true causes of the above mentioned obstacles and to provide suggestions for improvements.

For more information and the conclusions of the 2009 Project please visit www.esn.org