FAQs
1. Which countries take part?
The following countries are eligible to participate in the Socrates-Erasmus scheme from 2004/05:
Member States of the EU:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Poland
- Portugal
- Slovak Republic
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- United Kingdom
EEA Countries: Iceland Liechtenstein Norway
Candidate Countries: Bulgaria Romania Turkey
What are the advantages og being an Erasmus Student?
Flexibility - Experience which encourages and develops a flexible approach to learning and working is an excellent preparation for employment.
Adaptability - The Erasmus experience allows you to become immersed in another culture; make new friends; obtain a working knowledge of another language; and to develop skills which will contribute to your employability.
Maturity - You will have acquired life skills which cannot be taught and which may take others significantly longer to acquire.
Employability - The overall educational advantages of studying your subject in another country will contribute considerably to the enhancement of your employability.
How can I take part?
How can I take part? If you are enrolled at a Higher Education Institution in the UK and wish to study between three months and an academic year in an EU or EEA or 'partner' country you may be able to participate in the Socrates-Erasmus Programme. But your home Higher Education Institution must have a formal agreement with a partner in one of the eligible countries and it must have been approved by the European Commission and awarded a Socrates-Erasmus Institutional Contract.
When can I take part?
You can take part in Erasmus at any time during your degree, except during the first year. When you go will depend on the structure of your degree and the arrangements your university has with its parters. Most UK students go during their second or third year.
Will the Erasmus study period count towards my final degree?
If you study under the Socrates-Erasmus Programme, you should receive formal academic recognition for your study period abroad from your 'home' institution. Students are often awarded a second qualification in recognition of the Erasmus study and in all cases, the study should be formally acknowledged on your degree transcript. Your Erasmus Student Charter will list your rights and obligations as an Erasmus student.
Must I be fluent in another language?
For some courses, you will need to have a good level of a foreign language, while others may only require GCSE level. Some universities offer courses for beginners. If you are starting from scratch, do not be put off. Learning a new language will show that you are the kind of person who can take on a challenge. You may be eligible for a grant to brush up on your language skills, or start a less common language from scratch.
If you do not want to follow a course in a foreign language, there are many universities, particularly in Scandinavia, Greece, Turkey, the Netherlands and Central and Eastern Europe, which offers Erasmus courses in English. And do not despair - everyone can learn languages. You will find that it is easier and more fun when you are living and studying in the country than when you are in the classroom at home! So, do not let lack of a language deter you. Many students have started with no knowledge and, at the end of their degree, acquired a good working knowledge of another language.
Speaking, reading and writing English is a major asset but it can also be a serious disadvantage. Your peer group in other European countries can increasingly speak English fluently as well as their mother tongue and frequently at least one other European language. The ability to work in another language will not only enhance your enjoyment of living and working in another country but also enhance your employability.
Do I need Health Insurance?
It is advised that you obtain the EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) before you travel abroad with the Erasmus Programme. The EHIC entitles you to free or reduced cost medical treatment in the countries of the European Economic Area (EEA - the 25 EU Member States plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway) and Switzerland.
You can apply for an EHIC online via the following website: http://www.ehic.org.uk. Make sure that you have your National Insurance number to hand.
What does it cost? (Tuition fees)
You do not pay any tuition fees to the university you are visiting.
If you spend a full academic year on an Erasmus placement, you do not pay any UK tuition fees for that year. However, if you study abroad for less than a year, you will have to pay the UK tuition fees.
What does it cost? (Other costs)
The cost of living varies considerably across Europe.
During your period of study in the partner institution you will need to pay for accomodation, general living costs and entertainment. In many countries, living costs are lower than in the UK, while in some countries this may be more expensive than at home. Many countries have a variety of student reductions, in order to make life cheaper. During your study period you will be eligible to continue to receive any student grant or loan to which you are normally entitled, from national or other sources, and you will also receive an Erasmus student grant.
How can I find accommodation for my Erasmus study period?
Your home and host institutions may be able to help you with finding accommodation for your Erasmus study period; please contact your Erasmus coordinator.
The Erasmus student grant
UK Erasmus students normally receive an Erasmus grant provided by the European Commission which contributes towards the extra costs arising from studying abroad. Erasmus grants in the UK are paid via your home institution which receives an allocation from the UK Socrates-Erasmus Council for distribution to students.
Socrates-Erasmus grants are paid in addition to the standard grants or loans to which you are entitled.
Loans - During your Erasmus study, you continue to receive any student grant or loan to which you are entitled. You may be eligible for a supplementary grant or loan.
What other criteria do I need to satisfy to be eligible to receive an Erasmus grant?
You must:
- Be a citizen of one of the participating countries or a permanent resident in the UK.
- Be registered at a UK institution of Higher Education.
- Spend an approved study period of between 3 to 12 months at an institution in another EU, EEA or candidate country.
- Not have received a previous Erasmus grant.
- Not be in your first year of study.
What is it like being an Erasmus student?
Through Erasmus, you will gain a new perspective of your subject by experiencing how it is taught in a different country. You will find there are similarities with life in the UK, but you will be surprised at the differences.
The best people to tell you what it is like to be an Erasmus student are people who have been on an Erasmus placement.
I'm a part-time student. Can I go abroad with Erasmus?
Yes you can, provided that you study on a full-time basis when on your Erasmus placement.
Will employers recognise the skills gained on an Erasmus placement?
Erasmus students show that they have the qualities that employers look for. They are not afraid to take on challenges. They can successfully adapt to new environments. They show flexibility. They can build relations with people from different cultural background. And of course, most can use another European language.
Since 1987 over a million students have benefited from the Erasmus experience. Because Erasmus is well known and respected throughout Europe, employers appreciate the value of the experience.
Less than 5% of UK students take part in Erasmus, so by adding it to your CV you will stand out from the crowd.
It is hard to think of a profession which does not have an international dimension, especially in areas such as business, law and politics. Having experience of living abroad and knowing another language can be major assets when seeking employment.