Erasmus
The Erasmus Programme is a European Union (EU) student exchange programme established in 1987. Erasmus+, or Erasmus Plus, is the new programme combining all the EU's current schemes for education, training, youth and sport, which was started in January 2014.
Students who join the Erasmus Programme study at least 3 months or do an internship for a period of at least 2 months to an academic year in another European country. The Erasmus Programme guarantees that the period spent abroad is recognised by their university when they come back, as long as they abide by terms previously agreed.
A main part of the programme is that students do not pay extra tuition fees to the university that they visit. Students can also apply for an Erasmus grant to help cover the additional expense of living abroad. Students with disabilities can apply for an additional grant to cover extraordinary expenses.
Erasmus+ Programme
Have you ever wanted to live abroad and experience a foreign culture, meet new people and learn a foreign language?
· Have you ever thought about enriching the period of your studies and having better chances while looking for a job in the future?
· Have you ever been excited to share your ideas and to create good things with other students from all around the world?
· Have you ever dreamed to do an internship abroad, to learn co-operative work?
· Have you ever heard that life won’t be the same after Erasmus?
Please fasten your seat belt and be ready to fly with the new EU programme ERASMUS+++
Erasmus+ or not Erasmus+? That is the question!
Besides the Erasmus+ programme for Higher Education students, there are plenty of mobility opportunities in Europe and beyond: volunteering, jobs, studies, traineeships, or just travelling for fun; just a short stay or a life-changing year, find out about many of the lesser known opportunities on our Mov’in Europe website!
What is Erasmus?
The Erasmus+ Programme is a European funding programme established in 1987 offering university students a possibility of studying or doing an internship abroad in another country for a period of at least 2 months and maximum 12 months per cycle of studies. Erasmus+ now offers the possibility to go way beyond the European borders as well.
Can you benefit?
Higher education students from after completing a 1st year of studies can benefit of the Erasmus+ studies and Erasmus+ placement programmes. There is no age limitation.
You can find the program here.
Money?
Each student receives a grant which covers partly the costs of the stay abroad. Grants differ from sending and host countries. Your university is required to make the amount of the grant publicly known to students, so you can just ask your International relation office. The grant can often be complemented by regional or national grants.
Students going on exchange under the ERASMUS+ programme pay the tuition fees at their home university.
You should be aware that in most cases, the Erasmus+ grant alone will not cover all your life expenses.
Courses?
One of the basic rights each exchange student has is the full recognition of courses passed successfully abroad by the home university. Before leaving the home university, the participating student signs the Learning Agreement - a document that describes the programme of studies followed in the host university. At the end of the stay the host university should prepare for the student a document called Transcript of Records which confirms the completed studies' programme and the results. These documents are legally binding for all parties involved (your home and host university). Should you face problems in recognition, you can seek the help of student organisations to make your courses validated.
Language?
Universities very often offer language course for international students. From 2015, all Erasmus+ students will be able to register on the Erasmus+ Online Linguistic Support website and to take online language courses.
Preparation?
You can seek tips and advices to your local ESN sections where our volunteers, former Erasmus+ students, will be happy to support you through the whole process.
In any case you should start planning your Erasmus+ stay at least 6 months in advance!
Where to find more information?
More detailed information on ERASMUS+ is available at the European Commission's website and in our Student Guidebook. For information how to apply, deadlines, etc, please contact the International Relations Office of your university.
You also can find more details and learn more about projects that you can benefit from your National Agency's website.
Finally, you can contact your local Erasmus Student Network section, most of our volunteers have experienced the Erasmus+ programme and will be able to guide you through its secrets.
Erasmus Sets a New Record for Study Abroad Funding
Statistics released this week by the European Commission show that Erasmus, the flagship educational exchange program funded by the European Union, awarded grants for studying and training abroad to a record-breaking number of students (nearly 27,000) between 2012 and 2013.
Erasmus is one of the largest and most successful programs for study abroad funding in the world. Led by the European Union, the Erasmus scheme provides grants to an ever increasing number of students, academics and staff each year – so far having supported a total of three million people since its establishment in 1987.
Currently 10% of all EU students study abroad with the support of public and private funds, with as many as half of this number receiving an Erasmus grant. The average monthly grant is now €272 (US$370) – a 9% rise on the previous year (€250).
While the study abroad funding offered by Erasmus is well known, many people don’t realize that the scheme also offers many grants to non-students. Between 2012 and 2013, over 52,600 academic and administrative staff received Erasmus funding for teaching or training abroad, along with 500 staff members from businesses (more than 20% up on the previous year).
(Source: European Commission)
€15 billion to be awarded in the next seven years
In the next period (2014-20), plans are set for the initiative to grow exponentially as part of the European Commission’s reform strategy, aimed at modernizing higher education and increasing student mobility by at least 20%. The study abroad funding that Erasmus offers is a key part of this strategy, and the scheme has been given a 40% budget increase for the next seven year period, bringing its total budget to €15 billion (US$20.4 billion).
With this extra funding, Erasmus+, launched in January of this year in place of the Lifelong Learning Programme, plans to award grants to four million people over the next seven years. Among this number are two million higher education students and 300,000 staff members. As many as 135,000 student and staff exchanges are planned to take place throughout Europe and in partner countries worldwide.
Along with European Commission’s aims for dramatically increased student mobility, Erasmus+ will now begin offering dedicated funding for apprentices and volunteers, as well as offering more flexible rules for all its grants. Erasmus+ also aims to further its support system over the coming years with added emphasis on linguistic support, as well as additional support for those with special needs or from disadvantaged backgrounds and remote areas.
