The Erasmus programme offers the possibility of studying abroad for between 3 months and 1 year, with scholarships, grants, and transferable tuition.

Who is Eligible?

Eligible students must be enrolled at a Higher Education or a Higher Education/Further Education (HE/FE) Institution that holds an ERASMUS University Charter in the EU Member States, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, and EU candidate countries. The student must be enrolled at least in the second year of higher education studies. Students may also enroll if they are enrolled in a short term higher vocational education course or if they are a part-time student that will study full-time during their period abroad. Postgraduate students can also take part in Erasmus, provided they have not already exceeded their grant quota. Erasmus also offers education and training opportunities for teaching and non-teaching Staff.

What programmes are available?

Erasmus Study Mobility

Students can take part in the Erasmus study mobility at any time during their degree, except during the first year. When you go will depend on the structure of your degree and the arrangements your university has with its partners. Credit is given by the home institution.

Work Placement

Work Placements need to be approved by the home institution, with an agreement between the student, institution and employer. Students in their first year of study are eligible for work placements. Some employers offer a basic income in addition to grants. Work placement offers credit and recognition by the home institution.

Which countries participate?

Participation countries include countries in the EU, EEA, or candidate country. Students from all subject areas can participate, from art to zoology, biology to psychology. However, not all institutions offer Erasmus for all subjects. Do your research and make sure the institution you want to go to provides your programme.

How long is the programme?

Students may study abroad for between three months and an academic year. For students on short term higher vocational education courses, the minimum period on a work placement is two months. You can combine a study period with a work placement (providing there are no gaps between the two activities) so it is considered a single Erasmus period with funding for up to 24 months.

How can I apply?

It is advised to start preparing for your stay at least 1 year before departure. The earlier you plan, the better chance you find the right programme for you and are able to submit your applications before all pertinent deadlines.

The home institution of the students applies for ERASMUS mobility grants to its national agency while the students apply to their home institution. Students apply through their university with an Erasmus Coordinator in their subject area. Applicants must submit:

• Level of qualifications
• Level of language
• Current degree
• Desired courses

What funding is available?

Students benefit from the tuition fee-waiver scheme. For example, a foreign student spending a full academic year on Erasmus does not pay any tuition fees in their host country for that year. They only pay the tuition of their home country. However, if you study abroad for less than a year, you will have to pay the tuition fees. Students may only receive two ERASMUS grants: one for a study period and one for a placement period. The payment of any national grant or loan to outgoing students should be maintained during the ERASMUS study period abroad.

Students may also receive an Erasmus grant for study or work placement. These are supplementary, non-repayable grants intended to offset any additional expenses incurred while abroad. The Erasmus grant is not means-tested. To be eligible, students must be registered at a Higher Education institution which holds an Erasmus University Charter (EUC) and spend an approved study or work period of between 3 to 12 months each at an institution which holds an EUC in another EU, EEA or candidate country. Grant values vary depending on the country you visit.

• Band 1 (Bulgaria, Romania) - €270/month
• Band 2 (Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Turkey) - €310/month
• Band 3 (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK) - €370/month

What is ECTS?

The European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) provides uniform credit across different educational institutions. Student workload consists of the time required to complete all planned learning activities such as attending lectures, seminars, independent and private study, preparation of projects, examinations, etc. One credit stands for around 25 to 30 working hours with 60 Credits representing the workload of a year of study (usually 30 Credits per semester and 20 credits per trimester). Those credits allocated to modules and courses can only be obtained after successful completion of the work required and appropriate assessment of the learning outcomes achieved.

Refer to our articles on the Erasmus Programme (section: Education) in our guides for expatriates for more information.