Erasmus+ - EU Student Exchange and Scholarship Program

Overview

Erasmus+ is the European Union's flagship program for education, training, youth, and sport. With a budget of EUR 26.2 billion for 2021-2027, it is the world's largest student exchange program. Erasmus+ supports study periods and traineeships abroad for students, joint master's degrees (Erasmus Mundus), teaching and training assignments for staff, partnerships for innovation in education, and policy development. The program covers activities in the EU member states plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Turkey (Program Countries), and also includes projects with over 150 partner countries worldwide.

What You Can Find Here

Erasmus+ student mobility grants for 3-12 month study or traineeship periods abroad
Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's Degrees - fully funded master's programs at multiple European universities
Staff mobility grants for teachers and trainers to teach or train abroad
Erasmus+ KA2 partnerships for innovation between educational organizations
European Voluntary Service opportunities for young people
Jean Monnet actions for EU studies education
Grant amounts typically range from EUR 150-500/month depending on destination country

Who Should Use This

Students at European universities seeking study abroad or traineeship periods at partner institutions
International students at non-EU institutions wishing to study in Europe through Erasmus+ inter-institutional agreements
University staff seeking teaching or training mobility grants
Educational organizations seeking European partnership and collaboration funding
Master's students seeking fully funded Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's Degree programs

How to Get Started

Step 1: For student mobility: contact your home university's international relations/Erasmus office to apply for an Erasmus+ grant
Step 2: Your university nominates you to a partner institution - you cannot apply directly without your home university
Step 3: For Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's: apply directly to the EMJM program you are interested in at the consortium website
Step 4: For organizational partnerships: apply through the EU Funding and Tenders Portal during the annual KA2 call
Step 5: The European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) manages Erasmus+ - visit erasmus.ec.europa.eu for full details

Things to Check Before Applying

Standard Erasmus+ student exchanges require you to be enrolled at a participating institution - you cannot access grants independently
Erasmus Mundus grants are much larger (full scholarships) but also highly competitive
Erasmus+ grant amounts vary significantly by sending and receiving country
Brexit means UK institutions no longer participate as program countries - some international partnerships with UK exist under different terms

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can access Erasmus+ student mobility?

Students enrolled at universities in EU/Erasmus+ program countries can access student mobility grants. Students from partner countries (outside Europe) can also participate if their university has an Erasmus+ International Credit Mobility agreement with a European university.

What is the difference between Erasmus+ and Erasmus Mundus?

Erasmus+ student mobility is a short-term exchange (3-12 months). Erasmus Mundus is a prestigious full degree program: a 1-2 year joint master's degree taught at 2+ European universities with full scholarship funding.

Is Erasmus+ available after Brexit?

UK universities are no longer program country partners in Erasmus+. However, UK institutions can participate in some Erasmus+ KA2 projects as partner organisations, and student exchanges with the UK continue under bilateral agreements.

What is the Erasmus+ grant amount?

Monthly grant amounts vary by country pair. Typical monthly amounts range from EUR 150 (lower-cost EU destinations) to EUR 500+ (higher-cost destinations). Additional support is available for students with disabilities or fewer opportunities.

Can I do an Erasmus+ traineeship at a company?

Yes. Erasmus+ traineeships are for work placements at companies or organizations (not just universities) in program countries. They can last 2-12 months.