As the oldest, largest and most prestigious university of Hungary, Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE) not only has its traditions but also has a leading role on the way to the future with its diverse research activities that makes it possible to possess a stable position in international university rankings with the highest rates from the country; and a decisive role in the Central and Eastern European Region. Owing to its special geographical location, it has joined various regional networks and cooperates with several universities all around the world.

Looking at its international profile and ambitions, internationalization constitutes an inherent part of the Institutional Development Strategy (2016-2020), as ELTE constantly endeavours to build bridges towards international partners through the internationalization of already existing programs, by increasing the number of courses offered in English and inviting the best guest professors from all areas.

ELTE is determined to focus on establishing high-quality, sustainable, mutually beneficial strategic partnerships. This alliance of partner universities is better suited to develop and implement double, multiple and joint degree programs as well as to conduct joint research and set up knowledge communities.

In line with these ambitions, it is also a significant priority

• to facilitate the international involvement and networking of teaching and research staff,
• to stimulate ELTE students efficiently to participate in mobility programs,
• to increase the number of international students (exchange, degree seeker),
• and to invite foreign business experts (through Individual Mobility Programme for Professional Experts from the Field "Representatives of Enterprises") therefore enabling its students to become familiar with the latest international trends and developments, working methods and best practices, and to build their own professional network while not leaving their home institution. These relationships go far beyond educational cooperation.
• Continuous training of our administrative staff with the help of Erasmus+ staff training is aimed to contribute to the carrier development of ELTE staff as well as to create an interculturally sensitive working environment at ELTE.

Representatives of strategic partner organizations providing education, research and funding opportunities for ELTE are involved in the development of courses and training programs as well as in student and staff mobility

The internationalization efforts certainly provide students with a wider perspective, improve their employability and they also provide a supporting and stimulating professional academic environment to the academic staff at ELTE.

Great importance is attached to it in economic and sustainability sections too. Active participation and involvement in European projects is greatly encouraged at all levels.

Erasmus+

Our modernization and internationalization strategy is based on the high quality implementation of Erasmus+ cooperation and the establishment of sustainable strategic partnerships. Within the framework of Erasmus cooperation, several joint curriculums and syllabus developing projects, summer schools, coordinators’ meetings, joint training projects have been organised in the past 7 years.

We are dedicated to widely disseminate and implement good practices which show that the involvement of several EU funds can ensure a better utilization of resources, and projects can be prepared more securely. Realised best practices are disseminated and communicated to the Faculties at information days and in publications. When being aware of new possibilities of international cooperation, we will be able to inform all staff members of new opportunities and facilitate their utilization.

Geographical scope

Within the help of our Erasmus+ cooperation

• On national level: To sustain the leading role in top research and education by maintaining high-quality partnerships with best international partners as well as cooperate with Hungarian universities in mutually beneficial investments.
• On regional level: To maintain the leading role by active participation in first class networks and organisations in the region and initiate further relations with Hungarian HEIs in the neighbourhood countries.
• On European level: To possess leading role by representing the needs and values of Central and Eastern European HEIs as well as to participate in first class networks, joint programmes, Centre of Excellences and different projects of the Erasmus+ programme
• On global level:
  • 1; to further develop and support our already existing partnerships with universities and research centres with non-EU Institutes with the help of the Erasmus+ International Credit Mobility programme (ICM),
  • 2; based on good cooperation with Erasmus+ ICM or any previous existing cooperation joint applications for Erasmus Mundus Joint Master project, Knowledge Alliances, Strategic Partnerships, Capacity building or Policy reform project.
  • 3; Improve our position in different international rankings.

Development of double/multiple/joint degrees

A key area of our international cooperation is to launch dual, multiple and joint degree programs. Currently ELTE has a total of 8 joint programs, which are implemented in various ways. It is involved in an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s and an Erasmus Mundus Joint Doctoral Program, and is the coordinator of one of the consortia. ELTE has also joined large consortia, i.a., the EIT ICT Labs. We intend to make use of the experience gained when establishing European Centers of Excellence in other joint programs.

Furthermore, the University wants to encourage its teaching staff to develop new joint European programs. We are planning to set up a Joint Program Office, which would support the development of programs from the birth of an idea through the preparation of the program and it would also ensure a uniform and high-quality service and administrative background.

Mobility support policy

ELTE is dedicated to involve the widest possible range of students and staff into its international activities. We lay great stress on supporting student and staff mobility, which is why the University regularly organises “mobility shows”, where students are introduced to mobility opportunities and their advantages. Students find update and detailed information about their possibilities on the homepage of ELTE under Erasmus+ menu, while staff finds information on a separate website of ELTE for staff members.

As a result, the proportion of students with international experience is now slightly below 10%, which we aim to raise to 20% by the end of the next 7 year period.

Further activities and services in order to facilitate mobility:

• Student traineeship abroad is supported by a regular collection and publication of available traineeship positions in EU countries on a separate website of ELTE under Erasmus+ menu.
• Outgoing students enjoy full recognition of their studies abroad. Students are informed about the method at information days as well as in publications on the website. Students receive a Diploma Supplement, where the completion of studies abroad is indicated in a clear and uniform way.
• The University places great emphasis and energy to promote the internationalisation among administrative staff. Besides informing colleagues about staff weeks at partner universities, thematic international weeks are organized so as to progress with Internationalisation at Home.
• Implemented projects and their results are disseminated by websites, different publications and events
• During the planning period of the promotion of Erasmus+ we involve our experts from the field of intercultural psychology, cognitive psychology, sociology and cultural anthropology as well as members of the Students' Union and ESN.

The University offers high-quality services for international students and staff to help their integration. We also offer particular support and individual counselling to groups that are under-represented in mobility programs so that they earn international experience.

Equal opportunities

The selection of mobile participants and the award of grants are conducted in a fair, transparent, coherent and documented way by relying on previously set evaluation criteria.

Students and teachers with special needs are helped with special services including personal counselling to find an appropriate host university; whereas students with lower socio-economy background can apply for additional grants. Foreign students doing a degree course at ELTE are also entitled to apply both for study grants and work placement internships.

Monitoring strategy

With regularly monitoring and evaluating our bilateral agreements, we provide opportunities for the development of new programs and further development of the existing ones as well as ensure the sustainability of cooperation.

When considering possible partner institutions, it is the quality criteria, set in our international strategy, that play a crucial role.

A tool for achieving the latter purpose is to conclude cooperation agreements with higher education institutions abroad with an objective of launching joint programmes.

Erasmus Charter for Higher Education

The ECHE of Eötvös Loránd University can be downloaded here (number: 45677-EPP-1-2014-1-HU-EPPKA3-ECHE)