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ERASMUS Intensive Language Courses (EILC)

The ERASMUS Intensive Language Courses (EILC) are specialised courses in the less widely used and less taught languages organised in the countries where these languages are used as teaching languages at higher education institutions. The languages English, German, French and Spanish (Castilian) are not eligible for EILC.

The EILCs give ERASMUS students visiting these countries for studies and placements the opportunity to study the language concerned for two to six weeks (with a minimum of 60 teaching hours in total, and at least 15 teaching hours a week) with the aim of being prepared for the ERASMUS mobility period abroad.

Small groups of participants are strongly recommended (around 15). The minimum number of participants shall be 10. The cost effectiveness of the EILC has to be ensured.


* Will financial support be provided or fees charged?

Apart from the ERASMUS grant, a supplementary mobility grant for participating in EILC may be awarded and paid by the respective sending Higher education institution.

ERASMUS students may not be charged a study fee for participation in an EILC course. However, fees may be charged for excursions and similar optional events and for other charges that ERASMUS students normally may be asked to pay.


* Where are EILC organised?

The EILCs take place in the following countries for the eligible languages in brackets: Belgium (Dutch), Bulgaria (Bulgarian), Croatia (Croatian), Cyprus (Greek), Czech Republic (Czech), Denmark (Danish), Estonia (Estonian), Finland (Finnish and Swedish), Greece (Greek), Hungary (Hungarian), Iceland (Icelandic), Italy (Italian), Latvia (Latvian), Lithuania (Lithuanian), Malta (Maltese), the Netherlands (Dutch), Norway (Norwegian), Poland (Polish), Portugal (Portuguese), Romania (Romanian), Slovakia (Slovak), Slovenia (Slovenian), Spain (Catalan , Valencian, Basque and Galician), Sweden (Swedish), Switzerland (Italian) and Turkey (Turkish).

Organising institutions and course descriptions can be found in the website of the National Agencies of the countries where ERASMUS Intensive Language Courses take place. Please follow the direct links to the websites of the National Agencies.

In case the link does not work, please contact the indicated contact person at the National Agency.

In case you need additional information about the courses, please contact the EILC organising institution.


* Who can benefit?

Students registered in a Higher education institution holding an ERASMUS University Charter, who have been selected for an ERASMUS study or placement period in one of the European countries listed above.

Students whose main subject of study is the language of the country organising the EILC are normally not eligible participants.

Comenius and Grundtvig Assistants may also participate, provided that there is a surplus of places on a course.


* Who can apply?

The selection of the EILC organising institution is carried out by the National Agency in the country, where the course is to be organised, on the basis of a call for proposals published by the National Agency.

Students apply for participation in an EILC through their home institution.

The selection of EILC students is the joint responsibility of the EILC organising institutions and the National Agency in the host country.


* How to apply?

Applications shall be submitted electronically to the students' home institution, which will be responsible for forwarding the application to the EILC organising institution directly or to the National Agency of the EILC organising institution.


Comenius and Grundtvig Assistants apply directly to the EILC organising institution. Applications shall be sent electronically.



Specific eligibility rules

Applications must be submitted by bodies, which are legal entities.



* Important dates for students and institutions



* Statistics and charts on EILC

In depth