European Commission

ERASMUS Student Mobility for Studies

What are the objectives of student mobility for studies?

To enable students to benefit educationally, linguistically and culturally from the experience of learning in other European countries;
To promote co-operation between institutions and to enrich the educational environment of host institutions;
To contribute to the development of a pool of well-qualified, open-minded and internationally experienced young people as future professionals.

Who can benefit?

Students registered at a higher education institution holding an ERASMUS University Charter.

For how long can students go abroad?

Students can study between 3 to 12 months abroad or at least a full academic trimester/term.

What are the preconditions?

ERASMUS student mobility for studies is carried out in the framework of prior "inter-institutional agreements" between home and host institutions, both of which must be holders of an ERASMUS University Charter.
ERASMUS students are selected by their home higher education institution in a fair and transparent way.

What arrangements are made for the ERASMUS students?

Prior to their departure, ERASMUS students are provided with:

A study agreement (grant agreement) covering the mobility period and signed between the student and his or her home higher education institution.
A "Learning Agreement" setting out the programme of studies to be followed, as approved by the student, the home and the host institution;
Example of a Learning Agreement from the University of Valladolid
The "ERASMUS Student Charter" setting out their rights and obligations with respect to his/her period of study abroad.

At the end of the period abroad:

The host institution must provide the ERASMUS student and his/her home institution with a transcript of records confirming that the agreed programme has been completed and confirming the results.
The home institution must give full academic recognition for satisfactorily completed activities during the ERASMUS mobility period as agreed in the Learning Agreement, preferably by using ECTS credits. The ERASMUS mobility period should also be recorded in the Diploma Supplement. In addition, the use of Europass mobility documents.

Will financial support be provided or fees charged?

Students may be awarded an ERASMUS grant to help cover the travel and subsistence costs (including insurance and visa costs) incurred in connection with their study period abroad.
ERASMUS students - whether or not they receive an ERASMUS grant - are exempted from paying fees for tuition, registration, examinations and access to laboratory and library facilities at the host institution.
The payment of any national grant or loan to outgoing students should be maintained during the ERASMUS study period abroad.
Students may only receive two ERASMUS grants: one for a study period and one for a placement period.
Students enrolled in an Erasmus Mundus Course, who do not get an Erasmus Mundus grant, may qualify for an ERASMUS grant under the general ERASMUS conditions.

Are language courses provided?

An ERASMUS student may follow, if offered, an ERASMUS Intensive Language Course in the host language before the study period, for which a grant may also be awarded.

Who can apply?

The home institution of the students applies for ERASMUS mobility grants to its national agency while the students apply to their home institution.

For higher education institutions:

ERASMUS student mobility for studies is based on "bilateral inter-institutional agreements" between the participating higher education institutions each of which must hold an ERASMUS university charter.
At least the sending or the receiving country must be an EU Member State.

For students:

The student must either be a national of a country participating in the Lifelong Learning Programme or a national of other countries enrolled in regular courses in institutions of higher education in a participating country, under the conditions fixed by each of the participating countries, taking into account the nature of the programme (please refer to the relevant National Agency website).
The student must be registered in a higher education institution which holds an ERASMUS University Charter and be enrolled in higher education studies leading to a recognised degree or other recognised tertiary level qualification up to and including the level of doctorate.
The student must be enrolled at least in the second year of higher education studies.
At least the sending or the receiving country must be an EU Member State.

How to apply?

The interested student has to turn to the international office and/or ERASMUS office of his or her home higher education institution. The office will inform him or her of the possibilities of studying abroad as well as the modalities to apply and to receive an ERASMUS grant.

What are the arrangements for students with special needs?

Students with special needs may apply for a specific grant after they have been selected for a mobility period.

See information on special needs arrangements.

Where can one find data on mobility flows, demographics and grant levels?

See ERASMUS statistics and charts.

ERASMUS success stories in the field of student mobility

Lifelong Learning ERASMUS Award in Bronze 2009 - Student Mobility
Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey - Erasmus mobility and the Youth in Action Programme

- Akdeniz University is a campus university established in 1982 in Antalya, which incorporates earlier institutions in and around the city. It became involved in Erasmus in 2003-2004, as one of the 15 Turkish universities selected for a pilot programme. A special feature of the university’s approach is its link with the European Volunteer Service within the Youth in Action programme. By drawing on the experience and ideas from students who have participated as volunteers, the university has reinforced its European perspective, not only internally, but in many aspects of everyday life outside the university. Coordination between the European Volunteer Service and Erasmus has improved the visibility of both programmes.

Lifelong Learning ERASMUS Award in Gold 2007 – Student Mobility
University of Granada, Spain

- The University of Granada is number one among higher education institutions in Europe for the number of incoming ERASMUS students. It holds the fourth place in terms of incoming ERASMUS lecturers.

Lifelong Learning ERASMUS Award in Silver 2007 – Student Mobility
Humboldt University of Berlin, Germany

- The Humboldt University of Berlin is number one among higher education institutions in Europe for incoming ERASMUS students and lecturers as a share of its total student body and faculty body.