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The right to education, training and research
All E.U. citizens are entitled to education, training and research either by moving or relocating to a Member State other than their own. The same is true for the unemployed who, in addition to their country of origin, can join training programmes or take up placement for practical training in their country of origin or a Member State.
In the context of mobility for education, training and research purposes, there is a set of principles upheld by all Member States. These principles relate to equal access to education, training and research in all E.U. citizens.
Equal treatment
E.U. citizens who wish to study in any Member State, equal treatment means that the host education institution applies the same terms and conditions for assessing their qualifications as those applying the nationals of the host country (i.e. tuition/fees, grants, etc.).
The terms and conditions for accessing education institutions of a host country may vary, reflecting the legislation applying to home students.
Prospective students to education institutions of any Member State are normally required to provide evidence of competence in the official language of the host country, or they may be required to sit for a language examination, the latter being at the discretion of the education institution prior to admitting the student.
Academic and professional recognition
- Academic recognition
This relates to the academic titles held by a student. The education institution of a host country may fully recognize that the title obtained by applicants from another Member State is equivalent to the ones awarded in the host country. Recognition may be partial as well. In the former case the applicant may pursue further education without additional academic requirements, whereas in the latter case additional academic requirements are imposed on the applicant. The same is true as regards recognition of periods of study. The ERASMUS
programme provides the platform for this process of recognition of titles among the E.U. Member States. In particular, the education institution of origin ought to acknowledge that the period of study abroad comprises an integral part of its own programme of studies and a substitute for a comparable period of study, notwithstanding differences in the content of the programme. Recognition involves examinations or other forms of assessment.
In the context of the ERASMUS programme, a number of Universities utilize the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) to facilitate the process of mutual recognition of titles through the transparency of curricula and workload considerations.
A tangible result of the effort to promote understanding of the academic recognition of qualifications, under the Erasmus programme, is the Network of National Information Centres for the Recognition of Dimplomas (NARIC). These centers are established in all E.U. Member States with the aim to cooperate and exchange information about their education systems for the benefit of the students pursuing education in Member States and outside their country of origin. The centers can provide you with information on national academic recognition procedures.
- Professional recognition
This refers to the recognition of a diploma awarded to an individual by one Member State and used by the same individual to pursue the relevant profession in another Member State. This is with respect to regulated professions.
A general principle in force in the E.U. says that every citizen who is qualified to practice a profession in his/her country of origin may also practice the same profession in any host country, Member State of the E.U.
Professional recognition is with respect to all diplomas which give holders access to professions regulated in a host country. Access to regulated profession is not allowed without a diploma, certificate, degree or equivalent qualifications.
On a Community level there is a general system of professional recognition for most regulated professions.
You may file an application for recognition of your professional qualifications to the competent authorities of any Member State where you intend to move for professional reasons. Your application and supporting documentation will be assessed on the basis of current provisions governing the regulated profession in the host country. If the authorities rule in favour of your application, they will authorize you to pursue the profession in their territory. If, however, the authorities rule that your professional qualifications are short, e.g. in terms of duration or content of studies, you may be required to provide evidence of professional experience, in addition to training, take up apprenticeship for a period of time or sit for examinations.
If the profession you wish to pursue is not regulated in the host country, you are not subject to recognition of titles and can seek employment in that country. In this case there are no legal constraints with regard to your training or professional rights.
Every Member State operates an information service about professional recognition. In some Member States this service may be running in parallel with the National Information Centre for the Recognition of Diplomas (NARIC).
Social Insurance
Community regulations for social insurance are designed to provide coverage to students staying in or moving to a Member State of the E.U., particularly with respect to health matters.
- Students - permanent residents in any Member State
If you are studying in a Member State, outside your country of origin, you are entitled to the same health insurance benefits as those provided for to home students by the national legislation of the host country. To receive these benefits you will need to apply to the Social Insurance Agency you or your parents are insured and obtain some special documents (e.g. Form E109).
- Students - temporary residents in any Member State
If you are staying in any Member State on a temporary basis to pursue education, you are also entitled to medical care in the event of an emergency. To this end you will need to apply to the Social Insurance Agency you or your parents are insured to obtain some special documents (e.g. Form E111 or Form E112).
Strengthening of Research
Strengthening of research and mobility of researchers constitute a priority for the European Union. Researchers are supported financially (grants, subsidies, scholarships) by national resources and Community funds.
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