BLENDED INTENSIVE PROGRAMME (BIP)
A Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) is an intensive educational programme organised within the framework of the Erasmus+ Programme through the cooperation of higher education institutions from different countries. It combines a short-term physical mobility component with a virtual learning component.
BIPs provide students with an international and intercultural learning experience by bringing together participants from different countries and higher education institutions around a specific academic subject or theme.
Participants take part in the virtual component of the programme and then participate in short-term physical mobility at the host institution. Depending on the programme, activities may include lectures, seminars, workshops, group work, project-based activities, academic visits, and cultural events.
A BIP consists of two main components:
The virtual component is organised before, during, or at different stages of the physical mobility. It enables participants to prepare for the programme and interact with participants from different countries.
The virtual component may include:
Lectures and seminars,
Academic presentations,
Group work,
Projects and assignments,
Online meetings,
Preparatory and evaluation activities.
The physical component takes place in the country where the organising higher education institution is located.
Participants attend face-to-face academic activities at the host university for a specified period. In addition to academic sessions, the physical programme may include workshops, group activities, academic visits, and cultural events.
The physical component of a BIP lasts for a minimum of 5 days and is organised in accordance with the academic objectives of the programme.
The main objectives of BIPs include:
Providing students with an international and intercultural learning experience,
Promoting cooperation among students and academic staff from different countries,
Supporting innovative and student-centred learning methods,
Encouraging participants from different disciplines to work together,
Developing participants' academic, social, and intercultural competences,
Providing opportunities for short-term physical mobility and enabling more students to gain international experience.
Depending on the nature of the programme and the requirements established by the host institution, BIPs may be open to:
Bachelor's degree students,
Master's degree students,
Doctoral students,
Academic and administrative staff.
The eligibility requirements, quotas, application deadlines, and selection criteria are determined separately for each BIP. Therefore, students and staff members should carefully review the relevant call for applications before applying.
The BIP participation process generally consists of the following stages:
Publication of the BIP call → Application → Evaluation and selection → Nomination → Acceptance → Preparation of required documents → Virtual component → Physical mobility → Completion of the programme → Academic recognition
Students wishing to participate in a BIP should follow the announcements published by their university's Erasmus+ Coordination Office/Erasmus Office.
Students participating in the physical component of a BIP may be eligible to receive a short-term Erasmus+ student mobility grant, subject to Erasmus+ rules and the budget available under the relevant institutional project.
The grant amount and payment conditions are determined according to the duration of the mobility and the Erasmus+ grant rules applicable to the relevant project period.
Eligibility for a grant is a separate matter from acceptance to the BIP. The funding and grant conditions applicable to each BIP are specified separately in the relevant announcement.
The educational activities completed by students within a BIP may be associated with ECTS credits, depending on the structure of the programme and the academic regulations of the student's home higher education institution.
Before participating in a BIP, students are advised to consult their Departmental Erasmus+ Coordinator regarding the academic content of the programme, ECTS credits, and the conditions for academic recognition at their home institution.
Unlike traditional Erasmus+ Student Mobility for Studies, a BIP combines a short-term physical mobility component with a virtual learning component.
In traditional Erasmus+ study mobility, students undertake a longer-term study period at a host university. In a BIP, students participate in a shorter physical mobility period as part of an international academic programme, complemented by virtual learning activities.
Therefore, BIPs can also provide an international learning and intercultural exchange opportunity for students who may not be able to participate in long-term Erasmus+ mobility.
Students selected for a BIP are required to:
Participate in all virtual and physical components of the programme,
Complete the academic tasks and activities specified by the programme,
Prepare and submit the required Erasmus+ documents on time,
Follow the current requirements regarding passports, visas, travel, and accommodation,
Complete the required insurance procedures before the physical mobility,
Follow the instructions and requirements of the host institution and BIP coordinators.
The application requirements, quotas, duration, academic content, ECTS credits, grant opportunities, and required documents may vary depending on the BIP.
Therefore, students and staff members should always refer to the current call for applications and the requirements specified for the relevant BIP.