The Erasmus+ Programme-Opportunities for Individuals
By Marina Veljkovic, 4 minutes
Have you thought of studying or interning abroad? It is almost inevitable for university students to hear the word “Erasmus” a number of times through their education. But how well are we acquainted with the project behind the word? This article can provide you with some relevant information!
What is the Erasmus+ programme?
Established in 1987 as Erasmus and renewed in 2014 as Erasmus+, this European Union’s programme supports education, training, youth and sport in Europe. The programme has an approved budget of 26.2 billion Euros for the period from 2021 to 2027.
Erasmus+ programme offers various mobility and cooperation opportunities for young Europeans, organisations and others. It is open to individuals and organisations based in Erasmus+ countries and Partner countries. The latter do not take part in all Erasmus+ actions and are subjects to specific conditions.
Take a look at this website to find out whether you are eligible for the programme, which countries you can go to and which Erasmus+ actions and activities you can take part in!
Erasmus+ for students
The reason why this programme is so interesting to university students is because Erasmus+ offers an array of opportunities. Check them out here!
- Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree,
- Teaching abroad and
- Traineeships. (check this article to find your perfect traineeship)
The most interesting opportunities for university students are Erasmus+ studying abroad and traineeships, as they equip individuals with experience and soft skills highly valued by future employees in addition to improving their communication, language and intercultural skills.
Studying abroad & Traineeships: What is it and who can take part in it?
Erasmus+ helps organise student exchanges and traineeships within Erasmus+ and Partner countries. Studying abroad and traineeships are available to Bachelor, Master and Doctoral students. Erasmus+ offers financial assistance to students by providing them with European Commission grants, which partially compensate for the costs students endure during their exchange or traineeship abroad. Grant amounts depend on the number of applicants and the available budget.
Grant amounts 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 for students going abroad from the Netherlands
**Erasmus + and the UK
In addition to leaving the EU, UK has decided to opt-out of the new Erasmus+ programme 2021-27. This means that the UK will not be a Programme Country but a non-associated third country with a limited number of opportunities and cooperation projects. Check out this page to find out which projects and activities the UK will still be involved in!
Conditions
It is important to note that there are conditions for participating in these programmes.
To be eligible for Erasmus+ exchange or traineeship programmes, you must be enrolled in a higher education institution or be a recent graduate. Moreover, exchanges must have a duration of a minimum of 3 months while traineeships must take a minimum 2 months. The Erasmus+ grant can be used for a maximum of 12 months.
The programme must also take place in one of the Erasmus+ countries or a Partner country.
Bachelor students can take part in these exchanges if they are at least admitted in their second year of study.
The following websites further specify the general eligibility criteria for studying abroad and traineeship programmes:
- Opportunities for studying abroad
- Opportunities for traineeships)
It is also highly recommended to contact your faculty’s International Relations Office. They can provide you with relevant information about partner institutions, help you determine your eligibility for the scholarship and advise you on your application process. More information about these programmes can also be found on Maastricht University’s webpage.
Opportunities for Master Students
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Scholarship
If you are a soon-to-be master student, eager to enrich your university experience by travelling and studying in a non-EU country, then Erasmus Mundus Joint Programme might be an interesting opportunity for you.
These high-level integrated study programmes at the master level are designed and delivered by an international partnership of higher education institutions from different countries worldwide. To find out which universities offer the Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters programme, make sure to visit this link. Erasmus+ funds scholarships for master students who take part in Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Programmes. Erasmus+ scholarships cover the costs of participation, subsistence and insurance.
The programmes have a duration of a minimum of 12 to a maximum of 24 months (they provide for 60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits). To be eligible, your study must take at least 2 periods in 2 countries, different from your country of residence.
Once a student successfully completes the programme, either a joint degree or multiple degrees are awarded.