27 January 2026

Study abroad from home with Unite’s Virtual Exchange Credit Programme (VECP) Courses

Studying abroad without leaving home may sound contradictory, but it’s possible through Unite!’s Virtual Exchange Credit Programme (VECP).

The VECP allows you to take online courses offered by Unite! partner universities, allowing you to earn academic credits and gain international experience, wherever you are. The programme makes your studies more flexible and accessible, and it’s a great way to explore international learning if you’re considering an on-site exchange or a semester-long mobility in the future. Think of the VECP as a ‘taster’ if you’re considering an on‑site programme or a semester‑long mobility later on.  

Unite! currently offers VECP courses in a range of fields, including project management and microelectronics. 

Current VECP offers are:

Project Management in Software Engineering (Separate lecture and course)  

Microcontroller Design Laboratory

As always, all offers from Unite! are published on the Unite! Catalogue for Students.

Goals and Benefits of taking a VECP Course  

• International classroom: Learn with peers from across Europe and collaborate across cultures. 

• Different teachers, fresh perspectives: Study with academics from other institutions and disciplines. 

• Access courses not offered at your home university: Explore niche modules and cutting‑edge subjects to deepen your expertise. 

• Flexible learning: Build a study plan that fits your academic goals and timetable. 

• Career‑boosting skills: Strengthen your profile in fields such as energy technologies, project management, and microelectronics. 

• A stepping stone to mobility: Take an international course, then decide if an on‑site exchange is the right next step. 

Not just a substitute! 

While the VECP is a valuable addition to physical student mobility, it is not intended to replace traditional exchanges. Instead, it offers an alternative that can complement physical mobility, providing more flexible and inclusive options for students to internationalise their education from home. 

How it works 

• You remain enrolled and study as usual at your home university. 

• You select one or two virtual courses from a Unite! partner university and attend them online alongside your regular timetable. 

• You complete assessments set by the partner university. 

• With prior approval from your home university, these credits can be recognised towards your degree. 

Recognition policies vary by institution and programme. Before you register: 

• Check with your home university (programme office, academic adviser, or international office) whether the course can be recognised towards your degree. 

• Clarify how credits, grades, and elective/compulsory status will be recorded.