Erasmus

Erasmus+ is the EU’s programme that supports education, training, youth and sport in Europe. Erasmus+ mobility has positive effects on educational, social, personal and professional development, in that it enhances knowledge, skills and attitudes, improves employability at national, European and international labor market, helps confidence-building and independence, stimulates curiosity and innovation, fosters the understanding of other people and playing an active role in the society, and builds a sense of European belonging.

The 2021-2027 programme budget is estimated to €26.2 billion – nearly double the funding compared to its predecessor programme (2014-2020).

It supports priorities and activities set out in the European Education Area, Digital Education Action Plan and the European Skills Agenda.

Among the other opportunities, Erasmus+ offers mobility and cooperation opportunities in higher education. 30% of the budget will be invested in cross‑border cooperation projects and policy development activities where organisations gain experience in international cooperation, strengthen their capacities, produce innovative approaches, exchange good practices and network.

The 2021-2027 programme places a strong focus on social inclusion, the green and digital transitions, and promoting young people’s participation in democratic life.

The Programme will provide enhanced chances to people with fewer opportunities, including people with diverse cultural, social and economic backgrounds, and people living in rural and remote areas. It will also be more international, easing the cooperation with third countries.

Erasmus+ will support the development of digital skills. New formats, such as blended intensive programmes, will allow short-term physical mobility abroad to be complemented with online learning and teamwork. The implementation of the programme will be further digitalised and simplified with the full roll-out of the European Student Card.

In line with the European Green Deal, the programme will offer financial incentives to participants using sustainable modes of transport. It will also invest in projects promoting awareness of environmental issues and facilitate exchanges related to mitigating the climate crisis.

The mobility of staff of education institutions in the Erasmus+ Programme frame will allow undertaking a learning and / or professional experience in another country.

We are proud to hold an Erasmus Charter for Higher Education for the period 2021-2027. We do our best to: follow the principles of Erasmus chart; offer some components, courses, programs and practical training in foreign language; improve the quality of education of foreign students; ensure bettered mentorship and support. We welcome exchange students from our Erasmus+ partner universities. We are interested in enhancing the internationalization of our university and we are happy to meet incoming staff from our partners for teaching / training.

We believe, that the opportunity to share experience and knowledge between students and university staff of different countries, nationalities and backgrounds is a determining factor for mutual understanding and development of participants and for the institutions modernization

Contacts: Erasmus + coordinator for the University of Mining and Geology “St. Ivan Rilski”: Prof. Dr. Marinela Panayotova, Faculty of Mining Technology, room 327, Phone: + 359 2 8060305, + 359 2 8060314, e-mail: m_panayotova@mgu.bg, erasmus@mgu.bg

To become an Erasmus+ exchange student at the University of Mining and Geology (UMG) “St. Ivan Rilski”, Sofia, Bulgaria you have to:

• Be a student at a university that has signed a bilateral agreement with the University of Mining and Geology;
• Provide a nomination letter from your university; the letter should contain your full name and surname, gender, valid e-mail address, the requested period of your stay (autumn/spring semester, whole academic year); The nomination letter has to be signed by the Erasmus+ coordinator from your university and stamped (where relevant).
• Provide a document for the level of knowledge of Bulgarian or the foreign language for the program / courses chosen from the catalogue below;
• Fill in and provide the student application form;
• Fill in and provide a Learning agreement for studies. Please, be advised that since there are still some technical problems with use of the Erasmus+ App, sending the filled in form by email is needed. More information at:
  https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/resources-and-tools/mobility-and-learning-agreements/learning-agreements/studies-agreement-guidelines-ka131

In case you want to participate in the traineeship exchange please fill in and send Students Traineeship Agreement Form.

More information at:

https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/resources-and-tools/mobility-and-learning-agreements/learning-agreements/traineeships-agreement-guidelines-ka131

Required number of ECTS credits depend on your university rules but generally it is 25-30 per semester. In order to learn about the content of particular syllabi you should contact the head of the corresponding department (for the courses in Bulgarian) or the program / course leader (for courses in foreign language), or the UMG Erasmus+ Coordinator.

• Fill in and provide the student accommodation form – if you want accommodation at the dormitories of our university.

The mentioned above documents have to be signed (stamped where necessary) and sent to m_panayotova@mgu.bg with a copy to erasmus@mgu.bg

Deadlines:

31^st May  – for autumn semester and whole academic year
30^rd November – for spring semester

The University of Mining and Geology (UMG) “St. Ivan Rilski” offers instruction in Bulgarian for all programs, courses and components taught at the university and in foreign language for study programs and courses pointed in the Catalogue

Academic Calendar 2024-2025

Additional information
Accommodation and meals
Accommodation is possible in the student campus dorms. Internet is available for all habitants. In the neighborhood of dormitories there is a park. Playgrounds, sports halls, tennis courts, supermarkets offering cooked warm food are available around.

Dormitory deposit – 200 EUR (to be paid in Euro only) – it is one-time payment (made to the university account), which has to be done within 7 days after arrival.

The deposit will be returned to you at check-out. Type of payment: bank transfer only – detailed information are included in the proforma-invoice you will be provided with. In case of the damage done in the dormitory room or damage of the dormitory property made by resident, missing payment for room in domitory, deposit (200 EUR) will be reduced respectively to costs.

For check-in you will need:
– 2 passport size photos,
– valid passport or ID card.

These documents are needed to prepare a Resident Card, which allows you to enter your dormitory.
Before you check-out:
– inform the Erasmus+ coordinator at the UMG as well as head of dormitory about your departure at least 5 working days ahead,
– make sure that all payments are made,
– in order to get back dormitory deposit deliver confirmation from the head of dormitory to the Accountant office,
– leave your room clean,
– give back room keys to the reception.

Healthcare: Number 112 – English speaking operators are available.
Center for Emergency Medical Care: bul. “Vasil Levski” 129, 1202 Sofia Center, Sofia, Open 24 hours, Phone: +359 2 935 7221

Emergency hospitals in Sofia
-Pirogov Emergency Institute //. Phone: +359 2 9154 411; 02 9154 213, bul. “General Eduard I. Totleben” 21, 1606 Pette Kyosheta, Sofia, Bulgaria
The hospital treats life-threatening conditions and emergencies like severe allergies, poisoning, fractures, burn traumas, etc.

–The Military Medical Academy – operates the so called polytrauma emergency ward and it is equipped to deal with all kinds of medical emergencies. ul. “Sveti Georgi Sofiyski” 3, 1606 Sofia, Phone: +359 2 922 6000

Other hospitals in Sofia with 24 hour emergency services:

• University Hospital Tsaritsa Yoanna – ISUL /Болница ИСУЛ/ http://www.isul.eu/english/Kliniki/ot_speshno/za_klinikata.htm
• University Hospital ‘St Anna’ commonly known as Okruzna bolnitsa /Окръжна болница/ Phone: +359 2 975 9141; +359 2 975 9262
• Acibadem City Clinic Tokuda Hospital – a private hospital with an emergency ward. Phone: +359 2 403 4000; https://acibademcityclinic.bg/tokuda/kontakti

Formalities

Just after arrival contact the Erasmus+ coordinator at the University of Mining and Geology. You have to bring following documents:
– valid ID card / passport,
– medical insurance.

In case you want to confirm your arrival with a document different from the end of the Student application form, please bring the document which is required by your home university.

First week of your stay at the University of Mining and Geology is considered as orientation one. You are met with the teaching staff, mentors and a representative of the Students Council. This is also the time for making changes (if necessary) of the learning agreement.
At the end of your stay you have to bring to the Erasmus+ coordinator the following documents:

• If you have used the dormitory of the University of Mining and Geology – a confirmation from the head of dormitory (that you made all payments and no equipment is missing or damaged)
• If you have taken books or other materials from the library – a confirmation from the head of library that you have returned them.

We are happy to welcome our colleagues for teaching and training and administrative staff visitors for training according to the rules of the Erasmus+ framework. If you are interested in visiting the University of Mining and Geology “St. Ivan Rilski”, please initially check whether your university has an agreement signed with our university. Please contact your Erasmus Institutional Coordinator and see what the requirements are for you to apply for an Erasmus+ staff teaching / training grant at your institution.

In order to enjoy a fruitful cooperation, it is advisable before your mobility for teaching to contact the head of the department at UMG that is responsible for the specialty of students you would like to teach. This will facilitate you in preparing your staff mobility agreement for teaching.

If you are interested in staff mobility for training, please contact the Erasmus+ Coordinator at the University of Mining and Geology.

For invitation letters, please contact the Erasmus+ Coordinator at the University of Mining and Geology.

For a good organization of your stay at the  UMG “St. Ivan Rilski”, we kindly ask you to fill in and send by e-mail to the Erasmus + Coordinator the corresponding Mobility Agreement (Teaching / Training).