The general objective of the Erasmus+ mobility programme is to support (through lifelong learning) the educational, professional and personal development of people in education, training, youth and sport in Europe (and beyond). These objectives are expected to help contribute to sustainable growth, quality jobs and social cohesion as well as to drive innovation.
Erasmus+ is a European programme that can help you travel to experience work, study or training in another country. Your time abroad on Erasmus+ can be from 2 days to 30 days or from 2 weeks to a year depending on the type of project you are on. Erasmus+ is open to many people including pupils in school.
What makes the Erasmus+ programme even more special is that it offers opportunities to everyone, regardless of their age. This means that not only young people but also their parents can benefit from the programme.
While there are countless networks of universities offering international experience opportunities, there is no programme as broad or comprehensive as the European Union’s Erasmus+ programme. Established in 1987, Erasmus is the EU’s educational mobility programme designed to “support education, training, youth and sport in Europe”. In other words, to provide opportunities to study abroad for over 4 million Europeans.
Erasmus+ brings such opportunities to all - students, staff, trainees, teachers, volunteers and more. It's not just about Europe or Europeans either - with Erasmus+, people from all over the world can access remarkable opportunities.
To be eligible for the Erasmus+ programme, you must be in a higher education institution and be in your second year of study. Students based in EU countries are eligible for all aspects of the programme, and some non-EU European countries are also eligible, such as Norway and Iceland.
Erasmus+ offers non-EU students opportunities to take part in its study exchanges for students at Bachelor, Master or Doctoral level, provided their country is eligible to participate in the required exchange.
In addition, scholarships are provided to students from the whole world to take part in an Erasmus+ Mundus Master programme, which is designed and delivered by an international partnership of higher education institutions.
The Turing Scheme replaced the Erasmus+ programme in UK as of 2021. It opens a wealth of opportunities allowing students to take up work and placements in over 150 countries around the world, including Canada, Japan, and the United States.
Master and doctoral students who are nationals and resident in an African country and are interested in study exchanges should consult the EU-funded Intra-Africa Academic Mobility scheme, which organises and supports exchanges for African students in another African country.
Spain is the country that allows most people to participate to Erasmus with more than 47,000 per year, slightly ahead of France, Germany (which has 32,800) and Italy.