About COILs

HMU International Relations Office

Collaborative Online International Learning

COIL brings students from HMU and partner universities abroad together on shared online projects - real international experience, without leaving Crete.

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COIL at a glance

Fully online
Collaboration happens online - no travel or extra fees required.

2+ universities
A class at HMU works with a class at one or more partner universities abroad.

5-8 weeks
Runs as a module inside an existing course, usually over five to eight weeks.

Global skills
Builds intercultural, teamwork and digital collaboration skills.

What is a COIL?

Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) connects a class at HMU with a class at a partner university abroad. Guided by their instructors, students form international virtual teams and work together online on a shared project, embedded in their regular course.

  • Developed jointly by academics at two or more partner universities.
  • Runs online over several weeks, within an existing course.
  • Open to all study cycles, with no travel and no extra tuition fees.
  • Recognised as part of your studies where your programme allows.

How a COIL works

1

Two instructors from partner universities agree on a shared theme and design the collaboration.

2

Students are grouped into international virtual teams.

3

Teams meet and work online across several weeks, exchanging ideas and building a joint output.

4

The work is presented and assessed within the course, and students reflect on the intercultural experience.

COIL and BIPs

A COIL is fully online. When a COIL is combined with a few days of physical mobility abroad, it becomes a Blended Intensive Programme (BIP). Learn more on our About BIPs page, or see the current programmes on Find your BIP.

Interested in a COIL?

Talk to your department coordinator or the International Relations Office to find or propose a collaboration.

Browse COIL activities