The Department of Mathematics is committed to providing students with a rich and diverse range of international opportunities through a variety of mobility programmes. Whether you are a student looking to enhance your academic experience, a faculty member seeking international teaching opportunities, or a recent graduate eager to know the world, explore the resources on this page to learn more about various mobility options for education and professional development.
Mobility Programmes
Erasmus+
Erasmus+ is the European Union programme for Education, Training, Youth, and Sport for 2021-2027. It offers Bachelor’s, Master’s and Ph.D. students, as well as recent graduates and faculty and administrative staff members, the opportunity to undertake a mobility period abroad for a maximum of 12 months for each academic cycle.
Student mobility can be for study (minimum 2 and maximum 12 months) or traineeship (long-term mobility: minimum 2 and maximum 12 months; short-term mobility: minimum 5 days and maximum 30 days combined with a period of virtual mobility).
All relevant information about the Erasmus programme, including application details, deadlines, and partner universities, can be found on the University of Pisa’s Erasmus Mobility portal.
Study
The Erasmus+ Study programme allows students to study abroad at partner institutions (please visit the following page for a full list of the agreements) for a duration of 2 to 12 months at various academic levels, including Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D.’s.
Students must indicate three preferred foreign destinations when applying, with consideration given to the alignment between the chosen destination and the student’s study plan. After application, the Coordinator for Internationalization will evaluate and publish the list of selected candidates. The complete information, including specific deadlines and procedures, can be found in the annual Erasmus call published by the University of Pisa. The application process typically occurs in spring, with a second round of applications opening in September for any remaining spots.
Students can find details on application procedures, eligibility criteria, and selection criteria on the University’s Erasmus Mobility Portal and on the Erasmus+ website.
Traineeship
The Erasmus+ Traineeship programme allows students to undertake training activities in participating Programme Countries and Partner Countries in various organizations, including businesses, public institutions, educational institutions, and more.
The duration of the traineeship can range from a minimum of 2 months to a maximum of 12 months. Students must find a host organization and obtain a Traineeship Proposal Form (TPF) signed by the host institution and the Department’s Coordinator for Internationalization (CAI). The traineeship can also be pursued by recent graduates within 12 months of obtaining their degree.
Application details, required documents, and further information are available on the University’s Erasmus Mobility Portal and on the Erasmus+ website.
Staff
The Erasmus+ Staff programme provides opportunities for University of Pisa faculty, including professors, researchers, and adjunct lecturers, to conduct teaching assignments in Programme Countries (KA103) and Partner Countries (KA107).
The mobility duration can range from a minimum of 2 consecutive working days to a maximum of 2 months, excluding travel days, with at least 8 hours of teaching per week for shorter stays. The selection process is based on bilateral agreements with institutions in participating countries (please visit the following page for a full list of the agreements), and applicants should apply through the Department’s Coordinator for Internationalization (CAI). Funding is available for eligible expenses.
Additionally, there are opportunities for administrative staff to undertake training periods abroad and for faculty to teach at partner institutions with established agreements.
Further details and application information can be found on the University’s website and on the Erasmus+ website.
SEMP
Following the suspension of negotiations regarding Switzerland’s participation in the Erasmus+ programme, the Swiss Federal Council has introduced a temporary solution known as the Swiss-European Mobility Programme (SEMP).
SEMP allows students, faculty, and administrative staff from higher education institutions to undertake mobility periods for studying, traineeships, teaching, or continuous training. These mobility opportunities are available at Swiss universities affiliated and in agreement with the University of Pisa (please visit the following page for a list of Swiss universities partnered with Department of Mathematics).
The Swiss National Agency funds the costs for participants in mobility projects. To apply for a mobility period at a Swiss university, interested students should consult the official SEMP Programme website and the website of the Swiss university they intend to apply to. It is important to note that selection for mobility to a Swiss institution grants the status of an Erasmus+ student but does not guarantee funding, as funding decisions are made by the Swiss university.
Applicants must adhere to deadlines and documentation requirements set by the host university, including any language proficiency certifications. Positive results achieved and agreed upon in the Learning Agreement are fully recognized upon completion of the mobility period.
For further information, students can visit the related page on the University’s website or contact the Coordinator for Internationalization at the Department of Mathematics.
Credits Abroad
The University of Pisa provides mobility grants to Bachelor’s and Master’s degree students to earn credits abroad. Students can select their destination countries, subject to approval through a Learning Agreement.
Eligibility criteria and application procedures are outlined in the selection notice on the University’s website.
Thesis Abroad
The University of Pisa offers mobility grants to graduating students who wish to conduct part of their thesis research for at least two consecutive months at foreign institutions, organizations, companies, or international entities located abroad. Students can choose their destination countries, subject to approval through a Learning Agreement.
Details for applying, including eligibility criteria, duration, and funding information, can be found in the selection notice on the University’s website.
Double Degree
Double Degree programmes are collaborative educational initiatives with partner foreign universities. They involve curriculum integration and structured student mobility, with mutual recognition of educational activities.
Upon completing such programmes, students are awarded not only the degree from their home university but also academic degrees from the participating foreign universities where they have earned academic credits. Alternatively, in the case of joint programs, students receive a single degree recognized and validated by all institutions that have jointly promoted the study programme.
For more information please visit the following page.
Summer School
For students looking to enhance their academic experience over the summer, it is possible to gain credit recognition for courses taken at a partner university’s Summer School. To do this, you should first reach out to the International Office of the Department and make the necessary arrangements.
You can find a list of partner universities offering opportunities for summer schools at this link, while the full list of universities partnered with the Department of Mathematics can be accessed at this page.
SEND Mobility Consortium
The University of Pisa, in collaboration with the SEND Mobility Consortium, offers Erasmus+ scholarships for student internships and staff training as part of the “Universities for EU Projects” initiative.
The programme is open to undergraduates, master’s, doctoral, and postgraduate students, and supports internships lasting 60 to 90 days. Faculty and administrative staff can partake in mobility lasting 2 to 30. The aim is to develop skills related to Social, Technological, and Economic Innovation, contributing to green and digital transitions. Students can choose from host organizations in Erasmus+ member countries, such as the UK, Switzerland, and Turkey.
For more information about the Consorzio SEND, please visit their website.
Details for applying, including eligibility criteria, duration, and funding information, can be found in the selection notice on the University’s website.
ISSNAF
The University of Pisa, in collaboration with the Italian Scientists and Scholars in North America Foundation (ISSNAF), offers scholarships for study and research periods in North America. These scholarships are available to students enrolled in a Master’s or Ph.D. programmme at the University of Pisa.
Successful candidates will have the opportunity to join research groups at prestigious North American institutions, subject to an assessment of the compatibility between the selected scholar’s profile, their research project, and the research activities of the host group.
For more information about the ISSNAF Foundation, please visit their website.
Details for applying, including eligibility criteria, duration, and funding information, can be found in the selection notice on the University’s website.
Limoges
Please note this convention is currently on hold until officially renewed
The University of Pisa has signed a convention with the University of Limoges for their Master’s programme in Mathematics and Applications, specifically the ACSYON programme (Algorithmique Calcul Symbolique et Optimisation Numérique). The purpose of the partnership is to promote academic and scientific exchange between the two universities. The convention specifies the conditions for students from the Department of Mathematics to access the first year of the ACSYON programme.
Please find below a summary of the main points of the convention:
- Access to First Year: students can apply for the first year of the ACSYON programme, which includes online courses in English;
- Selection: students will be selected jointly by the Coordinator for Internationalization at the Department of Mathematics of the University of Pisa and a professor from the University of Limoges responsible for ACSYON;
- Exemption from Tuition Fees: students accepted into the program will be exempt from tuition fees at the University of Limoges for the corresponding academic year;
- Language of Instruction: the courses will be delivered in English through online methods, with the University of Limoges responsible for course content, and the University of Pisa providing the necessary technical support;
- Control of Knowledge: students will take online assessments, exams, and assignments like other students from the University of Limoges, with the University of Pisa responsible for ensuring fair online exam procedures;
- Certificate of Completion: to earn a certificate of completion for the first year at the University of Limoges, students must complete 60 ECTS credits (including ACSYON courses);
- Second Year Option: students meeting the requirements are eligible to continue to the second year in Limoges, including an English-language semester and an internship.
Resources
Guides
Language Requirements
Students who plan to undertake a study mobility are advised to check the language of instruction for courses at the host university and the minimum level of language proficiency and/or language certification required for access to the courses. A student who needs to take foreign language courses can:
- Before departure, refer to the University Language Center (CLI) to take language courses;
- Upon arrival at the host university, attend any language courses provided for international students;
- (Only for the Erasmus+ program) make use of the Online Language Support platform before and during the mobility.