ERASMUS

Erasmus, the European Community Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students, is the Higher Education part of Socrates, the EU’s education programme. With Erasmus, students could study for 3-12 months in another European country and may receive a grant towards the costs.

Both students and teaching staff can benefit from Erasmus activities.

Students

Erasmus gives students the opportunity to study for a period of 3-12 months at a university or higher education establishment in another participating country. As a matter of principle, the time spent in the host country must be fully recognised by the home institution. The European credit transfer system (ECTS) is the major instrument to facilitate academic recognition of periods of study in partner establishments. It should be clear that there must be prior agreement between the universities concerned before a person can benefit from the Erasmus scheme.

To support their mobility – a period of study in the host country – students may be entitled to an Erasmus grant in addition to the grants which they normally receive from other sources such as their region, state, or university. This European grant is intended to help to cover the cost of traveling and the difference in cost of living.

It should also be noted that the European Commission may fund part of students’ language tuition prior to their departure to a foreign establishment.

Reports and surveys agree that a period of study in another country is very rewarding in personal, academic and social terms. Contact with another country enables the student to become more adaptable, provides intercultural communication skills, and knowledge of things European. It is also a considerable plus point on the employment market.

Information on Erasmus grants can be obtained from universities’ international relations offices.

Teachers

Several Erasmus strands concern teachers directly.

▫ Teacher Exchanges. The European Commission provides support for teachers giving courses, generally short courses, as part of the official curriculum of a partner university in another Eupopean country. This type of experience has a positive impact on both teachers and students.

▫ Joint preparation of courses. At least three establishments (from different countries) pool their resources to develop a programme of study, a module, a curriculum or a master’s programme. Erasmus support for joint course preparation is not only for European subjects, but applies in all subject areas.

▫ Intensive programmes. At least three establishments (from different countries) may come together to organise intensive courses (e.g. as part of summer university programmes) which provide students and teachers with the opportunity of in-depth study. Such courses must have a European dimension, and offer not only specialist knowledge, but also a multicultural approach to the subject area.

▫ Thematic networks. University departments or faculties research centres or professional associations can form a European network around a subject area or a specific topic as a platform for analysis and discussion. The European Commission provides support for these thematic networks on condition that all the participating countries are represented.