Definition
What is a BIP?
A BIP is a Blended Intensive Programme — a short, mixed-format course funded under the European Union's flagship higher- education mobility scheme, Erasmus+ Key Action 131 (KA131). It is organised by a group of European universities, with one host and several partner institutions, and is open to students enrolled at any of them.
The “intensive” part is literal: the in-person component runs for just 5 to 10 days. Students travel to the host university for an immersive week of seminars, labs, group work, or field trips on a defined topic — sustainable cities, AI ethics, European business law, you name it.
The “blended” part is what distinguishes BIPs from a conventional short exchange. Every BIP includes a mandatory virtual learning component delivered before, during, or after the physical week. Together, the two halves earn participants 3 to 6 ECTS credits that count toward their home degree.
BIPs were introduced in the 2021–2027 Erasmus+ programme cycle as a way to broaden access to international study for students who cannot commit to a full semester abroad — working students, parents, students on tight degree timelines, or anyone hesitant about a long-form exchange.
Format
Virtual + physical components
A BIP is two halves stitched into one programme. Both are mandatory; together they make it “blended.”
Online learning
Several weeks · asynchronous
Pre-reading, recorded lectures, group projects, and moderated discussion threads delivered on the host's learning platform. Without this layer the programme wouldn't qualify as blended under Erasmus+ rules.
Physical Mobility
5–10 days · in person
Travel to the host university for immersive seminars, labs, group work, field trips, and cultural activities alongside peers from across Europe. Funded by your home institution via the standard Erasmus+ grant.
How they overlap — a typical schedule
Eligibility
ECTS, eligibility, language
Three things to confirm before you apply — the credit value, who qualifies, and what language the programme is taught in.
Credits
3–6 ECTS
Transferred to your home degree via the standard Erasmus+ learning agreement, signed by your Erasmus office before you travel. Confirm the exact value on the listing — it varies by programme.
Who can apply
Bachelor · Master · PhD
Enrolled higher-education students at any Erasmus+ participating institution. Many BIPs further restrict to students from a specified group of partner universities — check each listing.
Language
Mostly English · CEFR B2
The majority of BIPs are taught in English at a B2 minimum. You will also find programmes in German, French, Spanish, or Italian. Language and level are on every listing.
Discovery
How to find one on BipHub
Open Browse all BIPs and use the filters in the sidebar to narrow the catalogue by country, field of study, language, mobility dates, ECTS credits, application status, and study level. Any combination of filters is shareable — the URL updates as you refine, so you can bookmark or send a link that reproduces the same view. From there, click into any listing for the full description, host and partner universities, deadlines, and how to apply through your home Erasmus office.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Eight questions students ask before applying. Click any to expand.
Ready when you are
Find a BIP that fits your degree.
Browse the full catalogue — filter by country, field, language, dates, and ECTS to land on programmes that match your home university and study plan.