Definitions and glossary

Associated member. Any organisation that can contribute to the promotion, implementation, monitoring, evaluation activities and/or sustainable development of the Consortium, can be considered as an associated member. This applies more specifically to socio-economic partners (i.e. commercial enterprises, public authorities or organisations, non-profit or charitable organisations, etc.) or in certain cases to third-country higher education institutions.

Bachelor student / undergraduate (student in first cycle). A person enrolled in a first cycle higher education programme and who will obtain after the completion of the programme a first higher education degree.

Diploma Supplement. The Diploma Supplement model was developed by the European Commission, Council of Europe and UNESCO/CEPES. The purpose of the supplement is to provide sufficient independent data to improve the international ‘transparency’ and fair academic and professional recognition of qualifications (diplomas, degrees, certificates etc.). It is designed to provide a description of the nature, level, context, content and status of the studies that were pursued and successfully completed by the individual named on the original qualification to which this supplement is appended. It should be free from any value judgements, equivalence statements or suggestions about recognition.

Dissemination. A planned process of providing information on the quality, relevance and effectiveness of the results of programmes and initiatives to key actors. It occurs as and when the results of programmes and initiatives become available.

Double or Multiple Degree. Two or more national diplomas issued by two or more higher education institutions and recognised officially in the countries where the degree-awarding institutions are located.

Edition of a Joint Master Course. The "edition" corresponds to the complete duration of the joint course/programme from the enrolment of the students candidates up to the award of their masters degree.

European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). A student-centred system based on the student workload required to achieve the objectives of a programme, objectives preferably specified in terms of the learning outcomes and competences to be acquired; more information is available at: http://ec.europa.eu./education/programmes/socrates/ects/index_en.html.

Erasmus Mundus Masters Course (EMMC) Agreement / Memorandum of Understanding. An agreement signed by all consortium partners and associated partners clearly laying down for the joint masters course the academic, administrative and financial rules and procedures in adherence with the rules and requirements as set out in the Erasmus Mundus programme.

Erasmus Mundus National Structures. Erasmus Mundus National Structures are contact and information points designated by the participating European countries; they inform the public about the programme, offer assistance and advice to potential applicants and actual participants and provide feedback on programme implementation to the Commission and the Agency; they can provide useful information about the particularities of national education systems, visa requirements, credit transfers, and other tools; they are consulted on the recognition of degrees, the eligibility of institutions and other quality elements related to the programme.
 
Enterprise. All undertakings engaged in economic activity in the public and private sector, whatever their size, legal status or the economic sector in which they operate, including the social economy.

European Qualification Framework (EQF). Acts as a translation device to make national qualifications more readable across Europe, promoting workers' and learners' mobility between countries and facilitating their lifelong learning; more information is available at: http://ec.europa.eu/education/lifelong-learning-policy/doc44_en.htm.

European country. A country which is a Member State of the European Union or which participates in the programme according to Article 9 of the Programme Decision (i.e.EFTA countries, the candidate countries with a pre-accession strategy).

European individual. A person who is a national or a resident of any of the Member States or the countries participating in the programme according to Article 9 of the Programme Decision.

European institution. An institution which is located in any of the Member States or the countries participating in the programme according to Article 9 of the Programme Decision.

Exploitation of results consists of “mainstreaming” and “multiplication”. Mainstreaming is the planned process of transferring the successful results of programmes and initiatives to appropriate decision- makers in regulated local, regional, national and European systems. Multiplication is the planned process of convincing individual end-users to adopt and/or apply the results of programmes and initiatives.

Higher education. All types of courses of study, or sets of courses of study, training or training for research at the post-secondary level which are recognized by the relevant national authorities of a participating countryas belonging to its higher education system.

Higher Education Institution (HEI). An establishment providing higher education and recognized by the competent national authority of a participating country as belonging to its system of higher education.

Higher education staff. Persons who, through their duties, are involved directly in the educational and/or administrative process related to higher education.

Joint degree. A single diploma issued by at least two higher education institutions offering an integrated programme and recognised officially in the countries where the degree-awarding institutions are located.

Marie Curie Initial Training Network. A European Commission-funded programme aimed to improve early-stage researchers' career prospects in both the public and private sectors, thereby making research careers more attractive to young people; more information can be obtained from http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/people/initial-training_en.html.

Master programme (second cycle). A second cycle higher education programme that follows a first degree or equivalent level of learning and leads to a master level qualification.

Master student (student in second cycle). A person enrolled in a second cycle higher education programme and who has already obtained a first higher education degree or has a recognised equivalent level of learning according to national legislation and practices.

Mobility. Moving physically to another country, in order to undertake study, work experience, research, other learning or teaching or research activity or related administrative activity, supported as appropriate by preparation in the host language.

Partner. Any organisation fulfilling the specific eligibility criteria, which acts as full member of a consortium, partnership or project network.
 
Promotion and awareness raising. It is used primarily in the context of publicising the existence of programmes and initiatives, their aims, objectives and activities and the availability of funding for given purposes.

Scholar / academic. A person with outstanding academic and/or professional experience who lectures or conducts research in a higher education institution or a research organisation established in accordance with national legislation and practice.

Student Agreement. An agreement signed by the consortium and student enrolled in the joint masters course explicitly indicating any academic, financial and administrative modalities related to the student's participation in the joint course and, if applicable, the award and usage of the scholarship.

Third country. A country which is not a Member State of the European Union and which does not participate in the programme.

Third-country individual. A person who is neither a national nor a resident of any of the Member States or the countries participating in the programme.

Third-country institution. An institution that is not located in any of the Member States or the countries participating in the programme.