Blended Intensive Programmes

Blended Intensive Programmes (BIPs) are short, intensive programs that use innovative ways of learning and teaching. Such courses combine physical mobility with a virtual learning component.  

BIPs are jointly developed and delivered by at least two European partner universities. They can be organized for student mobility, but also staff mobility. 

UniBE lecturers can choose to co-organize a BIP with any European Higher Education Institution (HEI) as long as there is a valid SEMP agreement with the respective institution. Collaborations with lecturers from ENLIGHT universities are particularly encouraged.  

As BIPs at Swiss universities are part of the Swiss European Mobility Programme SEMP, there are specific SEMP BIP criteria to be fulfilled to receive funding from Movetia. If the BIP course is organized within ENLIGHT, additional criteria and deadlines apply. For more information, please check the Criteria section below. 

• Application Form: Please send the filled-in form to courses-enlight@unibe.ch  
• Application deadline: June 30, 2025, for courses taking place in spring semester 2026 
• Selection deadline: July 31, 2025 
• To be considered, applications must meet the minimum 'SEMP BIP' criteria. Priority will be given to Blended Intensive Programmes (BIPs) developed in collaboration with ENLIGHT partner universities , as well as sustainable BIPs designed to be reiterated multiple times in the future. 

• For BIPs co-organized with ENLIGHT partner universities: courses-enlight@unibe.ch 
• For BIPs co-organized with other UniBE partner universities: martina.carolus@unibe.ch  

UniBE International transfers the funds to the UniBE department responsible for organizing the BIP. These funds may be used to cover expenses related to the program’s development, implementation, follow-up, and overall management and coordination. Eligible costs include, for example, the preparation of documents or educational materials, room or equipment rental, communication activities, preparatory visits, and administrative tasks. 

Lecturers coming to UniBE to teach a BIP or UniBE lecturers traveling to another university to teach a BIP can apply for a teaching and training grant. UniBE International transfers the grants directly to the mobile lecturer.  

UniBE International transfers the grants directly to the mobile student/ staff member. 

Mobile students (Incoming and Outgoing) participating in a BIP course are also eligible for a mobility grant. To see the details and conditions, click here. 

Both types of BIPs offer the same grant amounts. However, ENLIGHT BIPs involve multiple partners, therefore additional criteria and shared deadlines have to be met across all institutions. Additionally, ENLIGHT BIPs receive greater administrative support, particularly in connecting suitable study programs and lecturers. 

If you already have connections with lecturers from ENLIGHT partner institutions, feel free to reach out to them directly. Otherwise, you can contact us at courses-enlight@unibe.ch, specifying the study fields in which you're looking for a collaborator. We will then share your inquiry with our partners. 

To reach the minimum of 10 mobile participants, we recommend planning for at least 15 incoming students to account for potential dropouts. 

• Timing:  
  • For the Spring semester, the courses can take place anywhere between the 1st of February and the 31st of May 
  • For the Autumn semester, the courses can take place anywhere between the 10th of June and the 31st of December 
  • We recommend scheduling the on-campus (physical) part during the semester holidays at the University of Bern. This makes it easier to book suitable lecture rooms and for students to find accommodation. Additionally, it ensures the course doesn’t clash with students' regular lecture schedules. 
• Recommended duration: 
  • Physical part – up to one week if held during the semester; up to two weeks if held during the semester break (summer) 
  • Virtual part – flexible. 

It is encouraged to offer the BIP course multiple times. The main organizer can be the same institution for each iteration (with the on-site part always held at that institution), or it can rotate between different institutions (course co-organizers). 

Yes. You can combine the BIP grant with other UniBE grants.

• UniBE International: 
  • Is responsible for paying out grants to the organizing departments, mobile lecturers, and students 
  • Is responsible for sending out campus accounts (allowing incoming students to connect to the CTS) 
  • In the case of an ENLIGHT BIP, takes care of administrative tasks such as student registration and nominations 
  • In the case of an ENLIGHT BIP together with partners is responsible for disseminating the course info on the ENLIGHT webpage 
• The course organizer: 
  • Uploads the course information on the CTS 
  • Takes care of the course program, schedule (rooms), and material. Also, communication with students and visiting professors.  
  • Signs students’ Learning Agreements and issues participants with Certificates of Attendance (find the form below) 
  • Submits these documents: BIP application, final report, and in the case of an ENLIGHT BIP – a dissemination sheet. Find the forms below.