Offering high-quality student mobility requires continuous efforts from University staff, both strategically and operationally. This effort is especially tested during transition periods, when new budget rules and evolving mobility requirements come into play.
So, what lessons can we draw from past transitions to prepare more effectively for the future? How can staff consistently enhance their mobility services? And how can Universities leverage their influence to shape upcoming mobility programmes?
The Student Mobility Summit 2026 offers a unique opportunity to address these questions. Through expert-led trainings, peer exchange and collaborative workshops, you will have the chance to explore strategies for improving mobility practices and navigating times of change. Joining the Student Mobility Summit 2026 will help you meet like-minded colleagues from all over Europe, share experiences and co-develop practical solutions to pressing mobility challenges. The insights gathered will support the strengthening of your International Office’s preparedness for transition periods and enhance the overall quality of mobility services.
Registration deadline:
12.12.2025
KEYNOTES AND PANELS
Learn about what is coming ahead in the new Erasmus+ programme, what we can learn from the last transitions and how to better prepare for change.
Workshops
Dive into different angles of quality mobility and the intersection with policy developments, exploring various topics of your interest.
Mobility Talks
In a dynamic setting, exchange your views on mobility-related topics and get inspiration from colleagues working on the same challenges.
Hackathons
Collaborate with peers to address pressing mobility challenges and develop a potential solution together.
Programme
Policy context for the future of mobility and Erasmus+
| 9:00 | Arrival and registration – in front of the Aula Magna |
| 9:20 | Welcome |
| 9:40 | Keynote speech: The next Erasmus+ programme – visions and priorities as we approach 2028 |
| 9:55 | Panel Discussion: Learning from the last Erasmus programme transitions – lessons learned and the road ahead This panel will reflect on the recent transitions between Erasmus+ programme periods, highlighting the practical experiences from the higher education community across Europe. Speakers will share what worked well, what obstacles they faced, and discuss how the higher education sector practitioners and policymakers alike can better prepare for the next transition |
| 11:00 | Coffee break |
| 11:30 | Parallel workshops on the intersection between policy and quality mobility Participants will be assigned to their preferred topic, to the extent possible. In the afternoon, a summary of each session’s discussions and conclusions will be shared in plenary.
As part of this session, participants will explore how mobility targets across Europe have impacted higher education, as well as whether the resources available are sufficient to achieve them.
New programme, new rules? This session will take a deep-dive in how to strategically prepare for changes that might await us in the next programme period, and not be surprised by the unexpected.
In this session, participants will discuss how the student mobility trends have been developing in the European University Alliances. And how to envision a better student mobility experience for the future.
In this session, discover what role practitioners can play to influence higher education policies on national and European level, and why it is important to engage with policy makers to ensure political initiatives correspond to the needs of the community.
Inclusion, Digital and Green transition, Democratic participation. With practical examples, this session will highlight how the Erasmus+ programme priorities can be addressed in student mobility and what steps still need to be taken. |
| 13:00 | Lunch break |
| 14:00 | Mobility talks and networking 75 min open discussion. Participants walk around the venue and choose topics based on their interests. They can also use this time to schedule 1:1 meetings. Mobility talks’ topics will range from engaging students in internationalisation to good practices in BIPs or IIA renewals and the new programme. |
| 15:00 | Coffee break |
| 15:30 | Plenary: Conclusions of the parallel sessions |
| 16:00 | Panel discussions: Geopolitical realities and the future of mobility This panel will explore how the shifting geopolitical landscape in Europe and globally is affecting student mobility, academic collaboration, and cross-border education across the continent. The speakers will take a deep dive into the role mobility in higher education is playing in ensuring resilience, how we can safeguard the freedom of research, and how to best navigate the ongoing challenges. |
| 17:00 | Cultural visit |
Ensuring high quality mobility before, during and after transition periods
| 9:30 | Crisis preparedness in internationalisation – keynote speech & group discussions |
| 11:00 | Coffee break |
| 11:30 | Parallel workshops on quality mobility aspects Participants will be assigned to their preferred topic, to the extent possible.
Discover the impact of intercultural training on the quality of students’ mobility experience and delve into resources that can help you offer this to your outgoing students.
Explore the role initiatives brought forward by the mobility practitioners community can play in improving and enhancing the quality of mobility, and how you can contribute to it.
What is quality mobility? How can we measure the evolution of our mobility services? And what actions are most effective in improving them? Participants will leave better equipped to assess and act on their mobility offer, learning from other participants and putting quality at the centre of the discussion.
This session will focus on mobility with partner countries, exploring the most common challenges and opportunities that come with its implementation. Participants will delve into how to develop their global strategy and establish strong partnerships with Universities from third countries not associated with the Erasmus+ programme.
Delve into the role of staff mobility as a catalyst for student mobility. Get to know good practices of staff mobility implementation, and understand how high-quality staff training can trickle down into improving mobility practices.
Assess the state of play of course catalogue digitalisation and learn from research results on the impact it has on students’ mobility prospects. Learn about recent solutions for online course catalogues and understand how they can be used by your Institution. |
| 13:00 | Lunch break |
| 14:00 | Mobility talks – topic focused 75 min open discussion. Participants walk around the venue and choose topics based on their interests. They can also use this time to schedule 1:1 meetings. Mobility talks’ topics will range from engaging students in internationalisation to good practices in BIPs or IIA renewals and the new programme. |
| 15:00 | Coffee break |
| 15:30 | Quality mobility hackathons (part 1) Carefully designed, mobility-related challenges and their context will be presented to participants to prepare for the work ahead. They will then brainstorm solutions to the challenges that can support a smoother, higher-quality mobility experience. Along the way, regular check-ins will ensure these solutions are fit for purpose and give insights into how to improve them further. |
| Evening | EUF reception |
Trickling down mobility advancements into Institutional realities
| 09:30 | Quality mobility hackathons (part 2) This second session will focus on deepening the mobility-related solutions. Groups will continue their work and prepare the final idea presentation in plenary. Regular check-ins will ensure participants consider different perspectives and receive support in addressing potential weaknesses. |
| 11:00 | Coffee break |
| 11:30 | Quality mobility hackathons (part 3) |
| 13:00 | Lunch break |
| 14:00 | Digitalisation updates for mobility managers |
| 14:45 | Wrap-up panel Presentation of the key conclusions from the hackathons, workshops and discussions, and reflection from invited panellists on the takeaways and homework from SMS 2026. |
| 16:00 | Closing and farewell |
The agenda is subject to changes.
Early Bird*
390 €
VAT included
All access
Conference
Workshops
Mobility Talks
Hackathons
*First 30 tickets
Discount available for EUF members
Full Pass
490 €
VAT included
All access
Conference
Workshops
Mobility Talks
Hackathons
Registration deadline: 12.12.2025
Discount available for EUF members
Registration
FAQ
Is it a physical or a hybrid event?
At which University of Barcelona building is the summit held?
Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 585
Edifici Històric
08007 Barcelona
What does registration include?
Registration includes:
- Access to all keynotes, panels, and your selected workshops
- Participating in all hackathons, or mobility talks
- Access to all lunches and coffee breaks
- Access to social events
Can I pay by bank transfer?
Yes. You can choose your payment method at the end of the registration process.
However, we recommend paying by card. If you choose bank transfer, you will first receive a proforma invoice, and the final invoice will be generated upon receiving the payment.
Will I receive a confirmation email?
Upon completion of registration, you will receive a confirmation and invoice by email. The confirmation is sent to the email address provided during registration. Should you fail to receive the confirmation email, we suggest checking the spam folder.
Would this event be eligible for the Erasmus+ staff training grants?
Name: University of Barcelona
Erasmus code (if applicable): E BARCELO01
Faculty/Department (if applicable): Office of Mobility and International Programmes
Address: Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 585, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
Country code: ES
Contact person: Núria Massons
Contact person e-mail / phone: agreements.summit@uni-foundation.eu
Please, send your agreements to a dedicated email agreements.summit@uni-foundation.eu.
When will I receive the invoice for my registration?
When will I receive my Certificate of Attendance?
Can I cancel my participation?
You can cancel your registration in writing (summit@uni-foundation.eu) up to and including January 1, 2026 (please note that cancellations are subject to an administration fee). After this date, we no longer refund registrations.
If you are unable to attend, you may transfer your registration to another attendee.
Where do I pick up my badge?
You can pick up your badge at the Student Mobility Summit information desk located in front of the main entrance to Aula Magna.
How do I apply the discount for EUF members?
To apply the reduced rate, kindly input your discount code before choosing a payment method. Please, find the manual with the list of EUF members on this link.
Organising partners
This event is organised under the aegis of the UB-EUF University Internationalisation Hub
Supporting partners
