Online course ‘Introduction to Animal Behaviour’. © Luuk Zegers
Studying anthropology at the University of Queensland, Australia, or following a Neuronal Dynamics course at the École Polytechnique in Lausanne, Switzerland. Since last April, virtual exchange the opportunity to follow courses at other universities in their free choice portion. Eighteen courses at various universities are currently offered, but that number should increase to fifty within a short time, says exchange coordinator Thessa Mobach. ‘We are currently modifying the website. The updated offer will be online later this month.’
The virtual exchange is not meant to replace real exchange programmes such as Erasmus, explains Ulrike Wild, programme director online & open learning. ‘It is really meant as a supplement. If you want to broaden your horizons as a student, it is great when you can do so at other universities as well.’ Virtual exchange does not come at any additional costs.
Online courses, offline exams
Just like with normal courses, students must be assessed for their virtual exchange course. Sometimes this is by way an essay, but usually in the form of an exam. Mobach: ‘Those can simply be taken here in Wageningen, at the same time as your fellow students at the university where you follow the course. Or at least on the same date. We arrange for invigilators and a location.’
Since the launch, 26 WUR students have applied for a virtual exchange. One of them finished a course in Leiden, and another is still following a course there. This month, four students will start courses at Australian universities – two at the University of Queensland and two at the Australian National University. The other twenty registrants will start their virtual exchange later this year or in early 2019.
WUR’s online course offer
A large part of WUR’s online offer were originally MOOCs (massive open online courses) for which students can now earn credits. More than fifty students from other universities have registered for these since April; ten of them have already taken the exams. ‘The Nutrition & Health courses are the most popular’, Mobach says. ‘The advantage of the WUR courses is that you can start them whenever you want. Courses at other universities are restricted to specific periods.’
View the list of online courses for virtual exchange.