Erasmus Policy Statement

Priority 1: To increase the number of exchanges

For students

Saint-Louis University views as very important the good command of several languages in the current multi-lingual European and International job market. For many years, the university has been highlighting the added value of mastering several languages. It has lead the way in multilingual education as it has been offering for the past twenty years bilingual and trilingual degrees (French, Dutch, English) as well as German, English, Spanish, Italian and Dutch courses.

Saint-Louis University also encourages its students to spend a semester in another university for discovering other cultures and other learning methods.

The University actively promotes inter-university exchanges via a coordinated information campaign which is implemented locally by Faculty coordinators and the Erasmus Office. We plan to improve promotion of Erasmus exchanges by further developing our website and organising more information sessions both for current and prospective students.

As our university is mainly specialised in the first cycle, the majority of the exchanges are taking place during one term of the third year of Bachelor degree. Some exchanges are also organised for the second cycle students enrolled in one of our Masters in European Studies.

All students selected to take part in exchange programmes are chosen on the basis of merit. The University selects students without regard to religion belief, sex, ethnic origin or social background. Applications from students with disabilities are viewed on exactly the same academic grounds as those of other candidates. Moreover, the University is determined to continue to support the needy students by giving them an internal complementary support.

For staff

Saint-Louis University considers academic and administrative staff exchanges as an opportunity for both the personal and professional development of its staff. Professor exchanges are valued and encouraged. Indeed, they facilitate institutional cooperation, allow the dissemination of best practices between universities and encourage the development of joint research projects. The University also welcomes visiting academic staff and appreciates their contribution to its various academic programmes.

Priority 2: To develop valuable partnerships and reinforce existing links

With over 70 bilateral agreements, Saint-Louis University offers a wide range of destinations within and outside the European Union to its students and staff. Over the next few years, Saint-Louis University will continue to expand and strengthen this network by forging new links with other European and non-European universities as well as by reinforcing existing links with its partners.

Our partners are very carefully selected and on the basis of four key parameters: geographic representation (e.g.: an extension of agreements to the countries of Southern and Eastern Europe has recently been undertaken), languages, disciplinary specialisation and privileged contacts.

These criteria have been defined to provide our outgoing students with an adequate and complementary training to their curriculum. Moreover, Saint-Louis University advocates quality before quantity: we strive to ensure the highest quality in mobility activities. In this regard, staff and students exchanges are evaluated and these evaluations are taken into account when renewing bilateral agreements.

Finally, our partners, like us, are bound to the Charter, which requires certain practices that promote quality. Participation in the program allows to enter a virtuous circle of quality and thus helps improve internal governance.

Priority 3: To enhance the international image and attractiveness of the University

On the one hand, Saint-Louis University welcomes more students than it sends abroad. At Saint-Louis, we pay close attention to make incoming students feel home. Thanks to its small size (2,800 students), the university offers a warm and convivial atmosphere in which they can enjoy a personalised relationship. To keep attracting students and to enhance its international attractiveness, Saint-Louis University is committed to meet the students’ needs, to provide them with the best support and to facilitate their integration.

Located at the heart of the multicultural city of Brussels, Saint-Louis University benefits from the presence of International and European institutions, which is certainly one of its major assets. Therefore, Saint-Louis University has the project to develop a seminar for incoming students dedicated to the discovery of these international organisations.

Moreover, we offer English courses to international students who are studying at Saint-Louis as exchange students. These courses are worth approximately 30 ECTS credits each term. In order to reinforce its international image, Saint-Louis University also sets as a priority to increase the number of courses taught in English and to expand the French language courses for foreign students.

On the other hand, the International Relations service does its utmost to make their programs attractive to foreign students and will further the university's development in a global world by concluding new bilateral agreements, within and outside the European Union.

Priority 4: Comply with the new EU rules and make mobility "green"

The first step towards taking greater account of the environment and the fight against global warming is of course to comply, like all the institutions participating in the new ERasmus+ project, with the new rules of Erasmus Without Paper. We are therefore in the process of setting up a digitalisation procedure in accordance with what is expected from the institutions for the new Erasmus+ programme (interinstitutional agreements concluded digitally, fully computerised management of mobility, ...).

In addition, various options to encourage respect for the environment in the context of mobility have already been considered.

First of all, we would like to encourage the use of trains rather than planes where it is possible to travel by train. This is all the more so as the train allows you to discover  Europe, to get to know people and totake your time. Given the lower impact on the environment, we wish to encourage this mode of transports as much as possible. In addition, we will raise awareness among students by asking them not to make round trips during their exchange in order not only to live the experience 100% but also to reduce the environmental impact of their stay.

Finally, following the conclusions of the study to reduce the environmental impact of the university (study currently underway), other projects will also be implemented to reduce the environmental impact of mobility projects.