Apply now to spend ten days at the Université de Tunis
UCD PhD students are invited to apply for an opportunity to spend 10 days (fully funded) at the Université de Tunis in Tunisia, North Africa.
Funding is available to send up to four UCD PhD students to Tunis for this short term exchange opportunity. You must be available to complete the exchange before 31 July 2025.
If you are interested in this opportunity but would prefer a different duration, please contact us to discuss as a shorter or slightly longer exchange period may be possible. The deadline to apply is 10 December 2024.
What would I do during the exchange?
You would work independently on your PhD research while at the Université de Tunis.
In addition, you will have the opportunity to meet with staff and students at the Université de Tunis. A customised learning plan (which you will help to develop) will be put in place before you leave designed to help you get the most out of the experience whether that is presenting on your doctoral work, meeting with relevant staff and students or undertaking site visits relevant to your research.
The exchange will also provide you with the opportunity to practise your French or Arabic language skills – both languages are spoken at the Université de Tunis.
Am I eligible to apply?
- You must be a doctoral student at UCD (essential)
- Ideally, you should have French or Arabic language skills at B2 level (recommended)
- Ideally, your doctoral studies should be within the College of Arts and Humanities or Social Sciences and Law (recommended)
If demand exceeds supply, priority will be given to students who meet the recommended criteria and who set out most effectively why the two-week opportunity would benefit their doctoral studies or future career development.
How to apply
If you are interested in applying, please send a short cover letter or email to (opens in a new window)erasmusicm@ucd.ie before 5pm on 10 December. The cover letter should address:
- Why spending two weeks at the Universite de Tunis would be of benefit to your doctoral studies or your future career prospects. For example, would being immersed in another culture provide a fresh perspective or bring a new dimension to any aspect of your research? Would the opportunity to discuss or present your research outside Ireland provide valuable career development experience?
- Your experience of French or Arabic. Official languages of the Universite de Tunis are French and Arabic. If you do not have French or Arabic language skills at B2 level and are still interested in the opportunity, please contact us to discuss.
What funding would I receive?
The selected students will each receive:
- A travel grant of €360 to cover the cost of return flights from Dublin to Tunis
- A daily grant of €70 per day to cover the cost of your food, accommodation and other expenses while in Tunis
About Tunis
Tunis is the capital and largest city of Tunisia. It is a coastal city which sits on the Mediterranean sea and has a population of around 600,000.
Tunisia is famous for its rich history with its architecture displaying a mix of Berber, Phoenician, Roman, Byzantine, Arab, and French influences. The Medina of Tunis (pictured) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For those with archaeological interests, the city of Carthage is within easy reach of the city of Tunis.
Tunisia is also known for the diversity of its landscapes from its beautiful beaches along the Mediterranean coastline to the Sahara desert in the south of the country.
About the funding
This opportunity is funded through the Erasmus+ Key Action 171. Erasmus+ Key Action KA171 (formerly known as International Credit Mobility) is a strand of the Erasmus+ programme that supports academic mobility of staff and students between Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Erasmus+ programme countries and the east of Europe as well as the rest of the world.
FURTHER INFORMATION
- Erasmus+ Key Action 171 (formerly known as International Credit Mobility) is a strand of the Erasmus+ programme that enables staff and students to undertake mobility periods in non-Erasmus programme countries (largely countries outside of Europe and in the East of Europe)
- The opportunities above relates to an Erasmus+ KA171 funding award of €19,720 made by the Higher Education Authority (Ireland’s Erasmus+ National Agency) in 2022 for a proposal designed by Professor Mary Gallagher, (School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics), academic lead for the project.
- Between 2015 and 2023, UCD obtained almost €1.5 million in KA171 funding to support the academic mobility of 340 students and staff between Ireland and 32 partner countries worldwide.
- Read about the experience of UCD staff and students who have undertaken Erasmus+ KA171 mobilities in Kenya, Mozambique and New Zealand.
Image credits: The city of Tunis, Tunisia. Copyright: Université de Tunis.