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To develop a Blended Intensive programme (BIP)

A BIP is a course based on more flexible forms of mobility, combining a physical and a virtual component. Together with at least two other universities, a joint course is developed for either students, teachers, or administrative staff.

About Blended Intensive Programmes

Contact

For inquiries, please get in touch with the contact person for BIP courses at KTH.

Anna Hellberg Gustafsson
Anna Hellberg Gustafsson Erasmus coordinator

A BIP is a course that consists of two parts, a virtual part where students collaborate online and a physical part where students carry out activities at the coordinating institution: 

  • Physical Mobility: students and teachers travel to the coordinating institution for joint teaching, workshops, project work or other activities.  

  • Virtual part: Participants also collaborate online, e.g. through joint projects, discussions, and digital learning. The virtual component may precede or follow the physical mobility.

Planning and collaboration

Start planning well in advance, at least one year before the course is due to be delivered, and make sure that all relevant people are involved in the process.

  • A new BIP-course must be approved in the same way as any other course, both internally within the department and by the school’s faculty board. At KTH, new courses for programme students can only be established once a year. The cut-off date is 15/10 for courses given the following academic year.

  • If you plan to revise a current course and adapt it to a BIP it is scheduled twice a year. The cut-off date for course revision is 15/4 for the autumn semester and 15/10 for the spring semester.  

  • If you are planning to set up a BIP, please contact the contact person for BIP courses before 31 December, so that your BIP can be included in next year's application.

Register your interest here

General conditions for BIPs

The co-operation must involve at least three universities from three different countries within the EU and KTH must have an exchange agreement with these universities. Please contact the contact person for BIP courses if you are unsure whether KTH has agreements with the universities with which you want to develop the BIP course.

The coordinating university is the receiving university and is responsible for the physical mobility part and the virtual part.

Partner institutions actively participate in the course and, together with the other partner institutions, must fulfil the requirement of at least 10 students (excluding teachers and students from the host institution).

A BIP should include:  

  • Joint physical mobility of 5-30 days. 

  • Joint virtual part. 

  • The course should have at least 10 students (excluding teachers and students from the receiving institution). 

  • The course should provide at least 3 ECTS credits for students. 

Funding

The coordinating university is allocated BIP funds based on the number of participants. A BIP with at least 10 participants generates 4000 EUR.

The €4,000 will not be sufficient to cover the running costs of the course; these must be covered by HST/HPR or own funds.

Teachers teaching abroad in a BIP can apply for Erasmus+ Teacher Mobility funding if they fulfil all the conditions of the mobility. The conditions are a minimum stay of 2 days and at least 8 hours of teaching.

The funds received for implementing a BIP can be used for several purposes. Here are some ways to use these funds: 

Planning and implementation

  • The funds can be used for costs to plan and organize the BIP course.  

  • Use the funds to create or purchase course materials, books, online platforms, and other resources needed for teaching.

Travel and accommodation

  • If travelling to a partner university for a planning meeting, Erasmus funding may be granted to reduce costs. Note that incoming mobility is funded by the home university through Erasmus grants. 

Teaching and activities

  • Use the funds to invite guest lecturers or experts in the subject area.  

  • Organize workshops, seminars, and other pedagogical activities to enrich the course content.

  • The funds can be used for e.g. a city tour or similar. 

Administrative costs

  • The funds can be used for different administrative costs. 

Innovative methods and development

  • Invest in digital tools and platforms to improve the virtual component of the BIP course. 

  • Use the funds to develop innovative teaching methods and materials. 

Inclusion and accessibility

  • Funds can be used to promote accessibility for people with disabilities, including adaptations of materials and facilities. Participants with disabilities can apply for an inclusion grants at the home university.

Marketing and dissemination

  • Use the funds to promote the BIP course and share results and experiences. 

Administration at a BIP course

The Education Office (EDO) will help you with applying for BIP funds, reporting to the EU after completing the BIP course, setting up students in Ladok and providing students with KTH accounts.  

However, there is some additional administration for those who wishes to organize a BIP course: 

  • Establish co-operation with at least two other universities. 

  • Establish a new course at KTH. 

  • Handling of applications. 

  • Checking that the student has the right prior knowledge for the course. 

  • Accommodation, meals etc. when students are on site. 

  • Note that if a non-EU national is to follow BIP courses, the student must apply for a visa in good time before the start of the course.