What is the Erasmus+ programme?
Wednesday, 17 Aug 2016
There are a number of ways that you can spend a third year abroad but one of the most popular is the Erasmus+ programme, which allows you to work or study abroad.
What is Erasmus+?
Erasmus+ gives students across Europe the chance to spend part of their degree studying on a degree course at a European university in another country. This is the most common type of activity that Erasmus students engage in, but you can also work abroad by taking up an Erasmus+ traineeship. The latter is a common choice for students on further education or vocational courses.
Who is Eligible for Erasmus+?
In order to take part in Erasmus+, you must be enrolled in a university that has an Erasmus Charter for Higher Education, and must be taking a course at this university that will lead to a recognised degree. Or, you must be on a vocational training course. You can decide to take part in the Erasmus+ scheme for between three and twelve months and can apply through your home institution. Each participating institution has an Erasmus Coordinator who you should contact in the first instance.
Where Can I do Erasmus+?
You can take up a period of study at any institution that is partnered with your own. These might be in any of the 33 countries that take part in the Erasmus+ scheme. The majority (27) of these are EU countries. They include France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Portugal and Belgium.
What Are the Benefits of Erasmus+?
There are endless benefits to taking part in the Erasmus+ programme. You can use the opportunity to study something different to the course you are taking back at home and receive formal recognition of the course you take abroad. You can find out about university life in another country and about life there in general. You can learn a language in more depth by fully immersing yourself in it, and make lots of new friends at the same time. Studying at a university or completing a traineeship also means that your time abroad feels purposeful. You days will be structured, thus making sure you leave your room and socialize with others. At the end of your time away, you will return to your UK degree course refreshed and revitalized.
What Funding is Available with Erasmus+?
As an Erasmus+ student you will receive a grant from the European Commission which can be used towards living expenses. You will receive this grant through your institution, which is normally around 250 – 400 Euro a month. If you study abroad for the entire academic year, a large contribution is also made to your tuition fees back at home. It is likely that you will also be able to receive your UK student loan during your year abroad, although this will normally be lower than if you were spending the year in the UK.
Remember that Send My Bag can take the stress out of moving to a new country by shipping your possessions for you. You will be able to bring so many more items with you than if were to try to check everything onto your flight. Find out more about student shipping and learn how to claim 10% student discount by visiting our student removals page. Make sure you check our study abroad packing list to make sure you have packed everything you need for your time abroad.
We would love to hear about your experiences of Erasmus. Share your stories and advice for those considering Erasmus+ on our Facebook page. An alternative to the Erasmus+ scheme is the British Council Language Assistantship, which involves teaching your native language in a UK school, or teaching English in a school in continental Europe.
Instead of taking part in Erasmus+ you might like to study in Europe for your entire degree course. Send My Bag has explored the many opportunities available for study in Europe, including English-language university courses.
Our Most Popular Articles
Spend Your Third Year Abroad Working
You don’t have to be part of a scheme like Erasmus+ or the Language Assistantship to enjoy a third year abroad. Instead, you can plan your own activities, like taking on full or part time work, or jobbing as you travel around different locations. While taking an Erasmus+ course or being a language assistant gives you invaluable transferable skills, you will get more immediate experience of a working environment if you choose to work ‘in the real world’, which will have direct impact on your employability.
British Council Language Assistant
Instead of studying at a European university as part of the Erasmus+ scheme, you could spend your third year abroad as a British Council language assistant. Assistantships operate in numerous European countries, run by different organisations in different countries. If you are studying at a UK university, you will apply through the British Council for an assistantship position in another European country. The British Council Language Assistantship scheme allows you to spend an academic year abroad helping to teach English to schoolchildren, in either a secondary or primary school.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Studying Abroad
The advantages and disadvantages of studying abroad have to be weighed up when making a decision about whether or not to study abroad. The advantages of studying abroad include learning a new language, boosting your résumé and experiencing new things, while the disadvantages include crippling homesickness, high costs and cultural barriers. Send My Bag will explore each of these advantages and disadvantages of studying abroad in more detail.
Best Places to Study Abroad
Settling on the best place to study abroad can be a fun but scarily important decision to make. You have to choose a college or university that will provide you with the quality education you need as well as the social and extra-curricular life that will enable you to thrive. It also helps if the institution is located within an exciting town or city that offers plenty for you to see and do. To help you make a decision on which college abroad is best for you, here is Send My Bag’s list of top cities for international students in each (habitable!) continent.
The Ten Best Apps to Use When Studying Abroad
The ever-growing number of smart phone apps means that you can go to study abroad with all the information you need at your fingertips. Instead of wandering aimlessly through unfamiliar streets or missing out on hidden gems just around the corner in your host city, you can go abroad fully equipped to make the most of your experience. Send My Bag has scouted out some amazing phone apps available right now that will make your time studying abroad a lot easier and a whole lot more memorable. To top it off, all of these fab apps can be downloaded entirely for free!
Packing List and Travel Essentials for Study Abroad
If you are planning a period of study abroad, you will no doubt be struggling to fit your life into a suitcase. Packing lists will be growing by the minute as everything in your room assumes the status of essential item. This is not your average holiday packing list, however. You will want to make the most of your time studying abroad, and a carefully planned travel essentials list can help you do that. If you are struggling to identify the most important items to pack, Send My Bag’s study abroad packing list is here to help.