The ERASMUS (European Region Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students) Exchange Program was established in 1987. It has developed into one of the most successful projects of the European Union and nowadays offers a range of different opportunities under the new program called Erasmus+. It offers university students a possibility of studying or doing an internship abroad in one of the 33 Programme Countries for a period of at least 2 months and a maximum of 12 months per cycle of studies. Erasmus+ now offers the possibility to go way beyond the European borders as well.
Course level:
You can take advantage of the different mobility opportunities for up to 12 months for each of the following cycles of your higher education studies:
- During the first study cycle (Bachelor or equivalent) including short-cycles
- During the second study cycle (Master or equivalent)
- During the third cycle as Doctoral Candidate
FIelds of study: Any program being offered in the host university, but the chosen program must be aligned with your current studies at your home university
Scholarship period: The exchange program can range from 2 months to 12 months.
Institution and country: Participating higher education institutions (HEIs) in the Programme and Partner Countries in the Erasmus scheme
Sponsor: European Union Commission
Scholarship inclusions:
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 relations office. The grant can often be complemented by regional or national grants.
Students going on exchange under the ERASMUS+ program 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 living expenses.
Eligibility criteria for the Erasmus+ Exchange Programme:
- You need to be studying in an Erasmus+ Programme Country
- Your Higher Education institution needs to have signed the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education Institutions (ECHE)
- There is no age limitation.
Application deadline and instructions:
1. Check the deadline for applications of your sending institution and the eligibility criteria.
Each Higher Education Institution has its own deadline for applications. You should start your preparations by checking all of the deadlines. This is really important because there are usually only one or two time frames when you can submit your application for going on Erasmus+ Mobility for studies each year.
2. Choose the institution where you want to go on exchange.
Check the list of institutions you can go to. You can do your Erasmus+ Mobility for studies in any institution that has an agreement with your own institution. This information should be available on the website of the institution or your faculty. If you cannot find it, consult the International Relations Office or ask the Erasmus Coordinator of your university. Check the program for the semester at your sending institution – see what the mandatory subjects are and how many free electives you have. Check the study program in the potential receiving institutions and see if they have comparable learning outcomes
3. Apply at your sending institution.
Each HEI has its own application procedure. Sometimes you will have to submit your CV and motivation letter, in other cases, you will have to present yourself in front of a special commission to be chosen. Most countries also require a language test or proof of your language capabilities in the form of a certificate. In all cases, make sure you are well-prepared.
4. Prepare the necessary documents.
The Erasmus+ program will allow you to transfer your learning outcomes from the receiving institution to your sending institution, but to complete this process successfully you will need to prepare and submit several documents before, during and after your exchange.
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