Learning Mobility (for students)

Students

Recognition of mobility achievements for study and placement

Prior to the mobility, outgoing students, in cooperation with RIRO and their academic tutor, will complete and sign the Learning Agreement for studies or the Learning Agreement for Traineeships. The agreements shall confirm that the suggested program of studies is compatible to the program of the sending department and that the successfully examined courses and their corresponding ECTS will be recognized. Outgoing students, after having completed their Erasmus study, must submit to RIRO the full Transcript of Records and the Supervisor’s Report. RIRO and the academic tutor examine and approve all official received documents. Academic activities indicated in the Learning Agreement and successfully completed by the outgoing students are validated as an integral part of the degree and the students are exempted from all equivalent modules already completed abroad. All modules successfully completed are recorded in the student’s grade protocol via a Recognition Certificate issued by RIRO. THEO in order to encourage student participation in Erasmus, consider the results for the hosting university on a passed or fail basis, so their overall results will not be affected by possible lower grades achieved in the Receiving university. This mobility is recorded in the Transcript of Records and the Diploma Supplement. Training in enterprises is also recorded in the aforementioned documents as an extra qualification. Incoming students at the end of their Erasmus+ period receive an official Transcript of Records issued by the Secretariat of the Faculty (after deliberation of the Assessment Board which takes place 10 days after the end of the examination period). Within 10 days upon decision of the Assessment Board, a Confirmation of Studied Modules is issued in English by RIRO, endorsed by the Academic Coordinator and is sent both to the student and to the corresponding Office at the partner institution. It serves the purpose of an official Transcript of Records stating the grades and ECTS obtained during the exchange period.

 

Implementation of ECTS

The Theology School of the Church of Cyprus (THEO), is offering one undergraduate program: Theology (4 years BA), with an intake of 25 students per year. BA, Diploma, Master and PhD programs will also be implemented, concerning the service of social, educational and scientific mission of the Church of Cyprus, within the ideals of modernization and internationalization.

The BA in Theology (as well as all the upcoming programs) is designed based on the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS). One ECTS unit in our program corresponds to a 25-hour workload. Our full-time status requires a course load of 30 ECTS per semester and 60 ECTS per academic year. Eight (8) semesters, in obligatory full-time attendance, accumulating to 240 ECTS, are normally required for graduating with a BA in Theology.

RIRO director, who was trained by Cyprus Bologna experts, through the National Agency, worked, in collaboration with academic teaching staff, to allocate the equivalent ECTS to each lesson based on: teaching hours, seminar hours, field work hours, study hours, assignments, examination and completion of learning outcomes. Comparisons were made with similar Theology BA courses, which have already been accredited by the ECTS Label.

Outgoing students, will be assisted by their academic tutor before commencing their mobility, to choose the equivalent lessons from the Receiving institution (that accumulate 30 ECTS per semester) and prepare their Learning Agreements. All ECTS that students earn during their mobility are fully recognized as an integral part of the students’ degree program. Upon completion of their degree each student will be awarded a Diploma Supplement. Erasmus Students will have their Erasmus earned ECTS fully recognized and awarded.

Incoming students, upon completion of their mobility, will be awarded by THEO with an original transcript of their ECTS earned.

Student mobility for studies

Student mobility for studies is aimed at higher education students wishing to study at another European University, which has inter-institutional agreement with THEO. Student mobility can last between 3 and 12 months and is funded by the Erasmus + program of Higher Education Institutions which hold a valid Erasmus Charter for Higher Education (ECHE).

What does the funding cover?

  • Management costs
  • Subsistence costs
  • Travel costs
  • Special needs support
  • Exceptional cost

This funding is proportional to the cost of living in each country so students can arrange their financial obligations including accommodation, meals and living expenses. Travel costs vary according to the length of the Sending   University to the Receiving University.

The Table below shows the segregation of countries according to the cost of living and the funding given.

TEAM COUNTRIES COST OF LIVING FUNDING
1 Denmark, Ireland, France, Italy, Austria, Finland, Sweden,, United Kingdom, Liechtenstein, Norway HIGH UP TO €770
2 Belgium, Czech republic, Germany, Greece, Spain, Croatia, Cyprus, Luxemburg, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Iceland, Turkey NORMAL UP TO €720
3 Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, FYROM LOW UP TO €670

 

The mobility in Universities of Europe through the Erasmus+ program is certified with the official Learning Agreement for studies signed by the legal representatives of the two University Institutions before the mobility.

The benefits of the ERASMUS + program for students are:

  • They will travel to another European country and experience their cultures
  • They will learn a new educational system and participate in it
  • They will study at another university without disturbing their course of study
  • They will enrich their language skills, having the opportunity to practice during their daily life
  • They will have exceptional experiences
  • They will enrich their resume and have more opportunities for future employment
  • They will broaden their social circle from people in different countries of the world

Students participate in mobility (for study and/or traineeship) activities of up to 12 months for each circle of studies (e.g. 12 months during their Bachelor degree, 12 months during their Postgraduate studies etc). Each 12-month period may consist of a combination of eligible studies or placements abroad for training. Additionally, last year students can be selected by THEO for placement in a work experience organization, which can take place within 12 months of graduation.