Erasmus charter
Protestant theology is international by definition. For that reason internationalisation is anchored at all levels of the institution’s policy and dimensions. The main elements of its internationalisation policy are 'internationalisation at home' - mainly through its international English-taught Master of Theology, with a strong intercultural focus and identity, and more than 50% of registered students coming from foreign partner institutions – European and non-European student mobility, teaching staff mobility, the recruitment of foreign master and PhD students, and the development of joint doctorate programmes.
The institution has long and well-established relations with universities of Central- and Eastern Europe (Germany, Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania) and, more recently, with Scandinavia. As a Protestant Theological University this geographical focus is quite natural, as the institutions of the mentioned countries share, to some extent, a similar theological background and tradition. Outside of Europe, the university has a longstanding history of cooperation with institutions from South Africa and Indonesia. This is related to the historic relation of the Netherlands with these countries. As a result of these relations, institutions of these countries also share certain elements of theological background and tradition. Recently a new focus is on China and specifically Hong Kong, where Christianity is growing and theological institutions are consolidating. The same is true for South Korea, although this relation dates back to earlier times. In a general sense, partner institutions are selected based on their academic level and theological profile. However, cooperation with Africa and Asia is also based on capacity-building. The international English-taught master's program of Theology, with a strong intercultural focus and identity and more than 50% of foreign students, contributes to the institution's strategy of capacity-building of staff members of partner institutions in the South.
The institution focuses on the outbound student mobility at the bachelor’s and master’s level (target group) for studies. It’s objective is to have at least 2% of its student population (full-time) participating in Erasmus mobility. In certain specific circumstances, also work placements will be encouraged for PThU master students. Inbound mobility will be encouraged at the master’s level (target group). On a yearly basis, 2% of the student population should exist of foreign exchange students. Finally, teaching staff mobility will be strongly encouraged, being foreign guest lecturers a priority of the institutions strategy of 'internationalization at home'.
Download Erasmus charter for higher education 2014-2020 (pdf) awarded to PThU by the European Commission.
