Microcredentials – Study Abroad Digitally

Internationalisation and digitalisation are strategic goals of HSBI. They create synergies in the concept of virtual mobility: studying abroad via digital communication channels. Virtual mobility is not meant to replace physical student mobility programs, but to complement them by providing the opportunity to get a taste of studying abroad at a low threshold and to gain international experience even when travelling is not possible.

Microcredentials are defined by the HRK as "compact and thematically focused educational offers with a concluding certified examination record". In addition to certificate programs in the field of continuing education, HSBI offers international microcredentials in the form of virtual mobility to students from partner universities abroad.

With international microcredentials, students can acquire compact knowledge about a subject area, earn credit points for their studies, gain international experience and take advantage of digital higher education programs. In the European Skills Agenda (July 2020), microcredentials are therefore described as a future-oriented way of acquiring so-called future skills and sharpening the individual skills profile.

HSBI and partner universities select suitable online courses and compile a course catalogue. Students enrol for courses at partner universities and – if they wish an accreditation – go through the usual steps for the recognition of foreign academic achievements at their home university. Detailed participation information for HSBI students as well as the current course catalogs of the partner universities can be found here.