• Charter awarded to Ventspils University of Applied Sciences 2021-2027
• Erasmus Student Charter
• Student Study and Traineeship Mobilities REGULATIONS
• Regulations for the Recognition of the Study Courses Obtained within Erasmus+ Higher Education Sector Study Mobility in Ventspils University of Applied Sciences
• Erasmus Policy Statement (Overall Strategy) 2014-2020
• VUAS Erasmus Policy Statement (EPS) 2021-2027
• Outgoing Erasmus student`s checklist
• Outgoing Erasmus trainee`s checklist
• Online Learning Agreement (OLA) GUIDE for VUAS outgoing students

Students can also go for a traineeship abroad as a recent graduate. In this case, the traineeship must occur within one year of students’ graduation, and students must apply and be granted a place in the programme while still being enrolled in VUAS. Recent graduate traineeship should also be related with the programme student obtained degree. 

The Erasmus Intern Traineeship Portal  developed by the Erasmus Student Network, can help you find an Erasmus+ traineeship. 

VUAS students can apply for an Erasmus grant twice a year: 

• February 1 until February 28 (for studies in the next autumn or spring semester or for summer traineeships ending not later than 30 September of the respective year or traineeships taking place between August 1 and September 30 of the following year); 
• September 1 until November 1 (application only for the places unallocated both for studies and internships. Application for studies are accepted for the spring semester only). 

VUAS can organise an additional application round if unallocated places are available.

• VUAS students whose previous participation in the Erasmus mobility programme do not exceed 12 months, 
• VUAS students who have finished at least one study semester (the restriction does not apply to master’s and doctoral students), 
• VUAS students who do not have academic debts, 
• VUAS students who do not have financial debts towards VUAS and (if applicable) to the student hotel (dormitory). 

Your studies abroad can last from a minimum of 3 months to a maximum of 12 months. 

Your study abroad period must be relevant for your degree-related learning and personal development needs and be part of your study programme. 

Applying for Erasmus studies:

The student must fill out an online application form in which the following documents must be attached (samples are available on the Moodle platform):

1. Application online form;

2. Motivation letter (in English or Latvian)

3. A preliminary study plan at the Partner university for the relevant semester (printed and signed and approved by the programme director);

4. Recommendation letter (optional) 

More information about Erasmus exchange HERE

Your traineeship abroad can last from a minimum of 2 months to a maximum of 12 months.

Your traineeship must be relevant for your degree-related learning and personal development needs and, wherever possible, be integrated into your study programme.

You may carry out a traineeship at any organisation in an Erasmus+ Programme Country (except for EU institutions, bodies and agencies).

Applying for Erasmus traineeships: 

The Student should submit to the International Office (room C210) the following documents (samples are available in the Moodle platform under Erasmus exchange): 

1. Application form (Printed and signed and approved by the programme director); 

2. Motivation letter (in English or Latvian. Printed and signed); 

3. Confirmation letter from the company that specifies the traineeship period (preferably, but if the confirmation letter is yet unavailable, students should submit it within 30 days from the moment of confirmation. They must specify the traineeship period. Sample form available on Moodle; 

4. First part of the Learning Agreement for Traineeships. Students should submit it within 30 days before the start of the traineeship period (all necessary information is filled in by the student and company, signed by the student, the heads of the company and programme or the supervisor); 

5. Recommendation letter (optional). 

More information here  or in the Moodle platform under Erasmus exchange. 

ECTS - European Credit Transfer System

Signing the Learning Agreement for studies: 

The student, VUAS programme director, and receiving higher education institutions must sign a Learning Agreement for  Studies to ensure a transparent and efficient preparation of the exchange abroad and agree on how VUAS will recognise completed activities. This document sets out the rights and responsibilities of the various parties. 

VUAS is using (where applicable) an Online Learning Agreement . 

Here you will find Online Learning Agreement (OLA) GUIDE for VUAS outgoing students

Signing the Learning Agreement for traineeships: 

The student, VUAS programme director and the receiving organisation must sign a Learning Agreement for Traineeships to ensure a transparent and efficient preparation of the exchange abroad. This document sets out the various parties’ rights and responsibilities, a detailed programme of the traineeship, insurance information, and how your traineeship will be recognised upon successful completion.

To avoid problems with recognising acquired subjects/traineeship programme, make sure you have harmonised the study/traineeship agreement with the programme director and the Erasmus Coordinator.

Finalising the acquired credits upon student’s return from the exchange period:   

For studies: 

Step 1: the student writes an application addressed to the programme director to recognise the courses they have taken.

Step 2: the student hands the application to the respective Faculty secretary and the transcript of records. 

Step 3: the Programme Director carries out the alignment of the acquired courses.

Step 4: Vice-Rector for studies issues an order. 

Step 5: Faculty secretary records mobility period in students’ Diploma Supplement

For traineeships: 

Step 1: the student submits to the Erasmus Coordinator Learning Agreement After Mobility part.

Step 2: if the traineeship is mandatory, the student defends the traineeship in January  or during another time set by the respective Faculty. 

Step 3: Faculty secretary records mobility period in students’ Diploma Supplement, except if they are a recent graduate. In this case, it is recommended to register the traineeship in the trainee's Europass Mobility Document or issue a signed certificate signed by the Program Director, Vice-Rector for Studies and Erasmus Coordinator. 

VUAS fully recognises the completed period if the Student and the Programme Director previously harmonised the study/traineeship plan. 

Basics information about the European Student Card (ESC):

An initiative to help students and higher education institutions on Erasmus+ exchanges by simplifying administrative processes and enhancing digitalisation.The ESC is your gateway to on- and off- campus services by affirming your student status recognition at other universities around the EU. 

Order your digital card here:

https://erasmusapp.eu/

Basic information about the Erasmus Student Network card (ESN card)

• Are you an Erasmus student? 
• Do you want to participate in events? 
• Are you interested in having discounts and special deals?

Let’s take a look at that page, it could be interesting for you !

For whom this card would be useful?

• Erasmus+ students
• Erasmus+ trainees
• International incoming students or trainees on a mobility programme, other than Erasmus+
• International undergraduate or postgraduate full degree students
• European Solidarity Corps (ESC) participants
• ESN buddies, volunteers and alumni

How do you get your ESN card?

You just have to follow some steps and you will be able to envoy after !

1. Start contacting the closest local ESN section to your receiving institution by going there: https://esncard.org/getcard
2. Then choose one and contact them

What documents are necessary for ESN card application?

• A printed color passport photo
• ID/passport
• A document proving your mobility status (such as a Learning Agreement, Training Agreement, Acceptance Letter, etc.)
• And prepare 10 € with you !

What type of discounts can I have with this card?

You can have dozens of discounts and deals in different sections,such as

• airline companies ( Ryanair, Ita Airways…)
• Travel and transports ( Europcar, Sixt, Flixbus, JoinMyTour…)
• Services ( Eurosender UK, Rent a car)
• Accommodation ( Road campers)

Order your physical card here:

https://esncard.org/

What is Erasmus+ App and how can I use it?

If you want to have digitized information, share experiences and advice on your mobility.

1. Download the app on your mobile phone ( both available on Android and IOS)
2. Connect via MyAcademicID
3. Apply for the ESC card from the Erasmus+ App

• Get easy access to the information and services you need throughout your mobility journey, with a step-by-step guide from when you apply to when you head back home. 
• You can find opportunities, use integrated application tools, and search for verified events and student deals across the EU.
• As a learner, you’re also warmly invited to share tips and stories on how to make the most of an Erasmus+ experience! These will be complemented by insights from higher education institutions to help potential exchange students.

The ESNcard is the Erasmus Generation membership card of ESN which means that you can access all the services offered by the ESN and our partners.

With the ESNcard, you will enjoy thousands of discounts (housing, sport, food, bars, etc.) all over Europe. Moreover, you will have the opportunity to participate in thousands of events (trips, cultural events, sports activities and parties) all year long.

The aim of the ESNcard is to support and give opportunities to international students during and after their exchange.

Discounts offered by ESN Latvia to users of the ESNcard can be divided into three groups:

• Events & Trips - Having an ESNcard provides discounts for attending trips and events that are further enhanced by special offers from our partners during these events that are only available to card holders.
• Local Discounts - Each section has their own selection of partners that help students enjoy their exchange to the fullest.
• International Discounts  -  ESNcards issued in Latvia can also be used to receive discounts from ESN international partners and the partner's of other ESN sections.

Who uses the ESNcard?

The ESNcard is used by over 200.000 people per year in 45 countries, and the numbers are growing every year.

You can get the ESNcard, if you belong to one of the following groups:

• Erasmus+ programme:

1. Study exchange
2. Traineeship/internship/apprenticeship/VET
3. Erasmus Mundus Joint masters

• European Solidarity Corps (ESC)
• International undergraduate and
• Postgraduate full degree students
• Mobility programme - other:

1. Study exchange
2. Traineeship/internship/apprenticeship

• ESN Volunteer/Alumni
• Buddy/Mentor/Mobility ambassador

How can you get the ESNcard?

The ESNcard is sold in almost all the countries where ESN is present by the ESN sections which are non-profit student organisations. In Latvia you can buy an ESNcard in two ways:

1. by contacting your local section in Latvia.
2. in case you do not have an ESN section in your city of stay and/or reaching local section in Latvia is not feasible, please fill out the following form to obtain your ESNcard from ESN Latvia: https://forms.gle/7Pt3W2JBN5RNEscw6  

Contacts:

In case of questions regarding the ESNcard in Latvia reach out to treasurer@esn.lv

In case of general question on ESNcard feel free to reach out info@ESNcard.org