Short study periods abroad

Dreaming of studying abroad but short on time? A short exchange lets you experience international education and build global connections flexibly!

In addition to long-term exchange studies (lasting one or two semesters), students also have the opportunity to participate in shorter study periods abroad. These usually involve taking just one course, such as an intensive course, an intensive week, or a Blended Intensive Programme (BIP), or attending a summer school.

Short-term exchanges typically last between 5 and 14 days, and students can apply for a grant to support their participation. The university’s International Mobility Services provides guidance for students interested in these short-term opportunities. You can find more information on this page.

Contents:

Blended Intensive Programmes (BIPs)
- How to participate in a BIP course
  - Grants and travel support
  - Partner universities eligible for grants
  - Selection criteria
  - Applying for a BIP course
  - Student checklist
- Available BIP courses
Other short-term study opportunities abroad
Short-term mobility for doctoral students
Contact information

Blended Intensive Programmes

Blended Intensive Programmes (BIPs) are short-term courses that are partly completed abroad. They are part of the EU’s Erasmus+ exchange programme. Each BIP course is organised by at least three higher education institutions from different European countries.

A BIP course consists of two parts:

a virtual component, completed online either before or after the physical part, and
a physical component, which takes place abroad at one of LUT’s partner universities and lasts 5 to 14 days.

Students earn at least 3 ECTS credits for completing the course.

Participation in a BIP course is free of charge for students (excluding any optional leisure activities). Students can apply for an Erasmus+ grant to support the physical part of the course abroad. The amount of the grant depends on the duration of the course and the host country.

Why should you take part in a BIP course?

International experience made easy: Study in an international environment – without committing to a full exchange! BIP courses are short but offer fresh perspectives, valuable experiences, and great networking opportunities.
Diverse ways of learning: BIPs combine online learning with an in-person period abroad. The courses focus on interaction, collaboration, and active participation.
Opportunity to receive financial support: If the physical part of the course takes place abroad, you may be eligible for financial support. Additional funding may also be available – for example, students with families may qualify for extra support.
A great addition to your CV: International experience stands out in job applications!

How can I take part in a BIP course?

Grants and travel support

LUT students can receive an Erasmus+ grant to participate in a BIP course, provided certain conditions are met. The general requirements, how the grant amount is determined, and which partner universities are eligible are explained below. You can also find the full grant conditions in the notice for financial support for studies abroad. Grants are awarded to students as long as funding is available for the academic year in question.

Grant notices

Grant notice for academic year 2025-2026 (PDF) ➞

Grant notice for academic year 2024-2025 (PDF) ➞

Grant conditions

Duration of the BIP course: The physical part of the course abroad must last 5 to 14 days. You may also include 0–6 travel days before and after the course, making the total duration up to 20 days.
Course workload: The BIP course must be worth at least 3 ECTS credits.
Course structure: In addition to the physical component, the course must include a mandatory virtual component.
Eligible host universities: Grants are only awarded for courses held at designated partner universities that are part of LUT’s priority network, double degree partnerships, or the EULiST alliance.
Credit transfer: The BIP course must be included in your degree at LUT. Your degree programme must approve the course as part of your studies. To do this, you’ll need to submit a credit transfer request. You can find more information here: Credit transfers.
No overlapping grants: You cannot receive multiple Erasmus+ grants for the same period. If you are already receiving an Erasmus+ grant for your studies, you are not eligible for an additional grant for a BIP course.

Daily grant amount

Students receive a daily Erasmus+ grant for the physical part of the BIP course. The grant is €79 per day.

Travel support, travel days and sustainable travel

In addition to the daily grant, the Erasmus+ grant includes travel support and a daily allowance for travel days.

Travel support is based on the distance of the journey (straight-line distance) and the mode of travel. The distance is calculated using the Erasmus+ distance calculator. The distance is measured as a one-way trip from the Lappeenranta campus (regardless of your home campus) to the the main campus of the host university (regardless of which campus the course is held at). If your home address is outside Finland, the starting point is your actual home address.

If you travel using an environmentally friendly method as defined by the Erasmus+ programme, you are entitled to Green Travel support. This support is higher than the standard travel support, and you may also receive additional travel days. Read more about green travel here: Sustainability and green travel during exchange studies and internship abroad.

A daily allowance is granted for 0–2 travel days. If you travel green, the allowance can be granted for 0–6 travel days. The grant is €79 per travel day.

One-way distance	Standard travel support	Green travel support
10–99 km	€28	€56
100–499 km	€211	€285
500–1,999 km	€309	€417
2,000–2,999 km	€395	€535
3,000–3,999 km	€580	€785
4,000–7,999 km	€1,188	€1,188
8,000 km or more	€1,735	€1,735

Additional grants

The Erasmus+ programme also supports the mobility of students who have fewer opportunities to go abroad. These students can receive fixed top-up amounts in addition to the standard individual grant. In addition, all students can apply for inclusion support based on actual costs. Additional grants must be applied for at the same time as the basic grant and cannot be applied for retroactively.

Fixed top-up for individual support

Students belonging to the following groups are eligible for a fixed top-up:

Social obstacles
- Students with children under 18.
- Students who are official caregivers (with a municipal care agreement).
Disabilities
- Students with an EU Disability Card or eligibility for one.
- Students with disabilities or functional limitations (at least moderate).
Health obstacles
- Students with serious or chronic health conditions (at least moderate).
Migrant background
- Students with international protection status (refugees, asylum seekers, or those with subsidiary or temporary protection; the student has or has had a relevant residence permit or refugee travel document).

Students in these groups can receive a fixed additional grant of €100. To receive the additional grant, you must sign a Declaration on Honour and, if requested, provide supporting documents proving your eligibility. LUT will store the declaration with your application but will not keep any additional documents.

Inclusion support

Inclusion support (also called accessibility support) can be granted if studying abroad causes extra costs that cannot be covered from other sources. These costs may result from, for example, a physical or mental health condition, disability, or learning difficulties. The support is always based on an assessment of actual additional costs.

You must inform LUT of your need for inclusion support well in advance, either when applying for mobility in the application form or by email before applying. The Finnish National Agency for Education (EDUFI) makes decisions on inclusion support on a case-by-case basis.

Payment of the grant to the student

The Erasmus+ grant is paid to students as a single instalment. The total amount includes the daily grant, travel support, and any additional grants, if awarded.

Grants are paid twice a month, on the 15th and the last day of each calendar month. The aim is to ensure that the grant is paid before the start of the mobility period. As a general rule, the grant is paid on the next available payment date within the same calendar month after the student has submitted their grant application.

In exceptional cases, such as delayed applications, the grant may be paid after the mobility period has started. Therefore, students should be prepared to cover travel and accommodation costs themselves if the grant payment is delayed.

Students will be informed of the exact payment date once their grant application has been approved.

Note: Grant payments are not processed during staff holiday periods (July–August and Christmas).

Grant payment for degree students employed by LUT (Bachelor’s and Master’s students)

If you are a degree student and employed by LUT, you must apply for leave from work for the duration of your exchange. This is based on the university’s guidelines for employee-oriented remote work abroad. Leave must be requested via the Mepco HR system. Once your leave has been approved, the grant will be paid to your account as a single instalment.

Please discuss your exchange plans and leave application with your supervisor before applying for the exchange. You must indicate your employment status on the exchange application form.

Grant payment for doctoral students employed by LUT

If you are a doctoral student and employed by LUT during your exchange, the grant and travel support will be paid after the mobility period, based on a travel and expense claim. The claim must be approved by your supervisor. You must indicate your employment status on the exchange application form.

Partner universities eligible for grants

Depending on your degree programme, you may be eligible to receive a grant for participating in a BIP course at specific partner universities. Please refer to the list below for eligible institutions.

EULiST Alliance

All LUT students may be granted a scholarship to the following institutions:

Jönköping University, Sweden
Leibniz University Hannover, Germany
Vienna University of Technology, Austria
National Technical University of Athens, Greece
Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Slovak Republic
Brno University of Technology, Czech Republic
Rey Juan Carlos University, Spain
University of L’Aquila, Italy
Institut Mines-Télécom (IMT), France

LUT Business School, LBS

Students in the field of Business and Administration may be granted a scholarship to the following institutions:

University of Twente, Netherlands
University of Trento, Italy
Prague University of Economics and Business (VŠE), Czech Republic
SKEMA Business School, France
University of Pavia, Italy

School of Engineering Science, LENS

Students in the fields of Computational Engineering, Industrial Engineering and Management, Physics, Separation Science, Social Sciences, and Software Engineering may be granted a scholarship to the following institutions:

Politecnico di Milano, Italy
Brno University of Technology, Czech Republic
Eindhoven University of Technology, Netherlands

School of Energy Systems, LES

Students in the fields of Energy Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Sustainability Science may be granted a scholarship to the following institutions:

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany
Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway
Aalborg University, Denmark
Politecnico di Milano, Italy
Leibniz University Hannover, Germany
Centrale Lille Institut, France
IMT Atlantique, France

Example: Student grant calculation

The student is participating in a 5-day BIP course at Brno University of Technology in Brno, Czech Republic.

Daily grant: 5 × €79 = €395

Travel grant: The distance between Lappeenranta and Brno is 1505 km. The standard travel grant is €309, and the green travel grant is €417.

Travel days: If the student travels by plane, they are granted a daily grant for 2 travel days, i.e. 2 × €79 = €158. If the student travels in an environmentally friendly way, they may be granted a daily grant for up to 6 travel days, i.e. 6 × €79 = €474.

Additional grants: The student has a child under the age of 18 and is entitled to a fixed individual top-up. The amount of the additional grant is €100.

If the student travels green and has a child, the total grant amount is €1386. If the same student travels by plane and/or car, the total grant amount is €962.

Selection criteria

To be accepted onto a BIP course, students must meet certain criteria:

Course-specific requirements: Each course has its own selection criteria, which may relate to your field of study, stage of studies, or language skills. Always check the course description for specific requirements.
Relevance to your degree: The course must be suitable for inclusion in your LUT degree. Make sure to get approval from your study counsellor before applying.
First-time participants: If more students apply than there are places available, priority is given to first-time participants – those who have not previously taken part in any exchange period.
No overlapping grants or mobility periods: You cannot receive overlapping Erasmus+ grants. You also cannot participate in a BIP course if you are already on a long-term exchange or doing an international internship at the same time.
Student responsibilities: If you have previously taken part in a mobility period and failed to meet your responsibilities during the process, you may not be eligible for another exchange.

Applying for a BIP course

This guidance applies to BIP courses held abroad.

How to apply

There are generally two ways to apply for a BIP course: directly through the host university’s application system, or via LUT’s internal application process. The correct application method and instructions are always specified in the course description. Please follow the instructions carefully.

If the application is submitted through the host university’s system, the host university is responsible for selecting the participants and will inform you whether you have been accepted or not.

If the application is handled through LUT’s internal process, the selection is made by LUT (either the course teacher or International Mobility Services), and LUT will nominate the selected students to the host university. In this case, you only need to apply via LUT’s own system.

Registering in LUT Mobility-Online

Once you’ve been accepted to a BIP course, you must register your mobility period in LUT’s Mobility-Online system. This is also where you will submit your grant application and Learning Agreement.

All student mobilities are recorded in the mobility system – this includes all studies and traineeships completed abroad by LUT students. Student mobility means a period when a student goes abroad to study or complete a traineeship, and the mobility period refers to the time you spend abroad on exchange or traineeship. The mobility system is managed by LUT's International Mobility Services.

You will receive detailed instructions by email from International Mobility Services – so make sure to check your inbox regularly! It is essential to follow all given deadlines.

Learning Agreement

The Learning Agreement (LA) is a formal document that must be completed before your exchange begins. It outlines the studies you will complete abroad and how they will be recognised as part of your LUT degree. The LA must be signed by you (the student), LUT, and the host university. You can sign the LA electronically in Mobility-Online after completing your registration.

Grant application

The Erasmus+ grant application is also submitted in Mobility-Online, and you can fill it in at the same time with your LA. Through this application, you can apply for: the standard Erasmus+ grant, additional grants (e.g. for students with children), and/or green travel support, if applicable. Make sure to submit your grant application well in advance, and no later than the deadline provided by International Mobility Services.

Student checklist

Here’s a summary of everything you need to remember when taking part in a BIP course. ~~You can also download a printable version of this checklist here (PDF file)~~.

☐	After finding an interesting BIP course, inform LUT International Mobility Services of your interest by email. This is not needed if the course description states that applications are only submitted through LUT Mobility-Online.
☐	Apply for the BIP course according to the instructions in the course description.
☐	Complete your application (registration) for the BIP course in LUT Mobility-Online.
☐	If you need additional grants, indicate this when filling in your application.
☐	Add a draft of the BIP course to your personal study plan (PSP) in Sisu. Read more about study drafts in eLUT.
☐	Attend the pre-departure orientation, if one is organised. You’ll receive details by email.
☐	Consider whether you could travel at least part of the journey to your destination in a sustainable way. Read more about green travel in eLUT.
☐	Complete your Learning Agreement in LUT Mobility-Online.
☐	Submit your grant application in LUT Mobility-Online.
☐	If applying for additional grants, submit any required supporting documents.
☐	Before your exchange begins, make sure you have everything in order: passport, insurance, vaccinations, and a European Health Insurance Card. Read more about health and safety abroad in eLUT.
☐	Book your travel. Choose sustainable travel options whenever possible.
☐	Take part in the BIP course and complete all course assignments.
☐	After the course, request a transcript of records from the host university and upload it to LUT Mobility-Online. In some cases, the host university will send the transcript directly to LUT’s International Mobility Services, who will upload it for you.
☐	Complete the Erasmus+ Participant Report. You’ll receive a link by email near the end of your mobility period.
☐	Finalise your PSP and submit a credit transfer request to include the BIP course in your LUT degree. Read more about credit transfers in eLUT.

Upcoming Intensive Programmes for Autumn 2025

Applications closed: Second Life, First Choice: Rethinking Second-Hand Bicycles Across Europe

Course title: Second Life, First Choice: Rethinking Second-Hand Bicycles Across Europe

Organising university: University of Trento, Italy

Credits: 3 ECTS

Eligible study levels: Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral students

Field of study: Business

Schedule:

On-site week in Italy: 10–14 November 2025
Virtual sessions (online): 5 November, 24 November, 1 December, 5 December, and 9 December 2025

Course content: See the detailed course brochure on the university’s website.

Application deadline: Applications closed. Submit your application by 17 September 2025 via the university’s own application system. Register using guest credentials (“foreigner, guest type account”).

Application webinar: The host university will organise an information webinar for interested students on 27 August 2025. You can register for the webinar via this link.

Applications closed: Futureproof Tourism: Co-Designing Sustainable Journeys in Vallagarina

Course title: Futureproof Tourism: Co-Designing Sustainable Journeys in Vallagarina

Organising university: University of Trento, Italy

Credits: 3 ECTS

Eligible study levels: Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral students

Field of study: Business

Schedule:

On-site component in Italy: 10–14 November 2025
Virtual sessions (online): 27 October, 29 October, 3 November, and 5 November 2025

Course content: See the detailed course brochure on the university’s website.

Application webinar: The host university will organise an information webinar for interested students on 27 August 2025. You can register for the webinar via this link.

Applications closed: Transversal and Critical Digital Skills in the Era of Generative Technologies for Inclusion, Upskilling and Reskilling

Course: Transversal and Critical Digital Skills in the Era of Generative Technologies for Inclusion, Upskilling and Reskilling

Organising University: University of L’Aquila, Italy

Credits: 4 ECTS

Eligible Degree Levels: Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral students

Relevant Fields: Business, Social Sciences

Language Requirement: English level B2 (CEFR)

Schedule:

On-site week in Italy: 9–13 September 2025
Virtual session (online): 4 November 2025

Content: See the full course brochure here.

Application Period: Application Period Closed. Students who expressed their interest have been sent more detailed instructions by email on 1 July 2025.
June 2025. To apply, send an email expressing your interest to shortmobility@lut.fi. You will then receive further instructions on how to complete your application.

Upcoming Intensive Programmes for Spring 2026

University of Trento Winter School

Organising university: University of Trento, Italy

Credits: 6 ECTS

Level of study: Bachelor’s and Master’s students

Language of instruction: English

Course offering:

Schedule:

On-site weeks in Italy 12–23 January 2026
Virtual session (online): 2-hour follow-up online workshops

Content: Read more on the programmes' websites (linked above).

Application period: Applications are due by 15 October 2025, 12:00pm (UTC+2). Fill in the online application in Trento's own system (link in the course website).

KEDGE International Winter School 2026

Please note! KEDGE Business School is currently not among the universities eligible for Erasmus grant funding. Unfortunately, this means you cannot receive a grant for an exchange period at this institution.
However, the KEDGE International Winter School programme is free of charge for LUT students.

Programme name: KEDGE International Winter School 2026

Organising university: KEDGE Business School, France, Paris campus

Credits: 8 ECTS

Level of study: Bachelor’s and Master’s students

Relevant fields: Business studies

Language of instruction: English

Course offering:

Week 1: Business Intelligence & Analytics (4 ECTS)
Week 2: Creating Customer Value with Innovative Technologies (4 ECTS)

Schedule: 12–23 January 2026

Content: Read more in the programme brochure or on the programme website.

Application period: 1 October – 30 November 2025. If you are interested in applying to the Winter School, please contact International Mobility Services at LUT first: shortmobility@lut.fi.

Other short-term study opportunities abroad

In addition to BIP courses, you can also take part in self-funded short-term study programmes abroad. These may include, for example, summer schools organised by various universities. The duration of these courses can vary, but they typically last from one week to around one month.

You are free to apply for short-term courses or intensive programmes at any international university – you are not limited to LUT’s partner institutions. However, in some cases, LUT’s partner universities may offer discounts on participation fees for LUT students. It’s worth contacting the university directly to ask about such opportunities.

Each university has its own application process and schedule. All necessary information can be found on the university’s website. Please note that LUT is not involved in the application process and is not responsible for the course content or arrangements.

Short-term mobility for doctoral students

As a doctoral student, you can also take part in BIP courses and other short-term mobility periods abroad. The same rules and guidelines generally apply as for degree students, with one exception: the short-term mobility period does not need to include a virtual component.

If you are employed by LUT during your mobility period, the grant and travel support will be paid after the exchange, based on a travel and expense claim. You must indicate your employment status in the exchange application form.

Doctoral students who are employed by LUT may also be eligible to participate in staff mobility. You can read more about this on LUT’s intranet: Short-term staff and teaching mobility.

Contact Information

You can contact the International Mobility Services team with any questions related to grants, the Learning Agreement, using Mobility-Online, instructions received by email, or the content of this page. You can reach the mobility services team by email at: shortmobility@lut.fi. Please always use your LUT email address when getting in touch.

If you have questions about the content of a BIP course or another short-term study programme, please contact the organising university directly. For BIP courses, the responsible teacher at LUT may also be able to answer your questions.

Before applying for a BIP course or any other short-term exchange programme, please always consult your study counsellor. Make sure that the course can be included in your degree at LUT.

International Mobility Services, short study periods abroad

shortmobility@lut.fi

Keywords: short-term exchange, short mobility, BIP course, intensive course, intensive week, internationalisation