A European Union program that supports education, training, youth and sport, including opportunities for higher education students to study or do a traineeship abroad.

Through your own university, which has agreements with partner institutions. You apply internally, then to the host once nominated.

Participants usually receive a contribution toward extra costs, with amounts set by national agencies and varying by destination and type of mobility. It rarely covers all costs.

Can students outside the EU take part?

Students enrolled at participating institutions can often take part, depending on the university and country. Check with your international office.

What about Erasmus Mundus?

That is a different strand for joint master's degrees offered by consortia, where you apply directly to the program. Our scholarships section explains it.

Erasmus+ Explained: Study and Traineeships in Europe

For decades, "Erasmus" has been shorthand across Europe for a student year abroad, with a reputation for friendship, travel and language learning. Behind the nickname is a structured program with rules, funding and paperwork, and with a name that has changed over time as the scheme expanded. Understanding what Erasmus+ actually is, and what it is not, helps you use it well.

Funding rules, participating countries and program names change between program periods, so this guide describes the general model without figures or dates. Check your university's international office and the official European Union and national agency sites. It is general information.

What it is

Erasmus+ is a European Union program that funds education, training, youth and sport activities across many countries. For higher education students, its best-known features are:

Study mobility. Spending a period at a partner university in another participating country, usually between three and twelve months.
Traineeship mobility. Working or training at a company, institution or organization abroad, as an internship that may count for credit.
Blended and short options, combining virtual and physical mobility, in some cases.
Staff and other mobility, for teachers and administrators.
Joint programs and partnerships, supporting universities that cooperate.

Participating countries include EU members and a wider group of associated and partner countries, and the rules differ by country type.

How study mobility works

Erasmus study mobility rests on agreements between universities.

Your university has an agreement with a partner institution, often at department level.
You apply internally, and your university selects and nominates students.
The host accepts your application and informs you about registration, housing and orientation.
You sign a learning agreement listing the courses you will take.
You study abroad, usually without paying tuition to the host.
You return, and your credits are recognized according to the agreement.

The system uses a common credit framework, which makes recognition easier than in many other schemes. Our guide to exchange programs explained describes the wider model.

Traineeships

Erasmus+ traineeships allow students and recent graduates to work abroad.

You find a placement through your university, a network or your own search.
You sign a traineeship agreement between you, your university and the host.
The traineeship may be recognized as part of your degree, or recorded in your diploma supplement.
You may receive a grant, and the host may or may not pay a salary.
Rules vary by country on permits and insurance.

Traineeships can be a strong alternative to a semester of classes, particularly if your field values practical experience. Our guide to internships and volunteering abroad gives more context.

Who can take part

Typical conditions include:

You must be enrolled at an institution that holds the necessary charter and is in a participating country.
You must be at a certain stage of study, often after the first year for bachelor's students, with other rules for master's and doctoral students.
You must meet your institution's criteria, such as grades and language.
You cannot normally be sent to your own country of residence or to the country where your home institution is located.
There are limits on total mobility time per cycle of study.

Students from outside Europe who are enrolled at a participating institution may be eligible, but rules differ. Ask your international office.

The grant

Most participants receive a financial contribution.

Amounts are set by national agencies, and vary by destination country group and by type of mobility.
Top-ups may apply for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, those with disabilities or those who travel by sustainable means.
Grants are intended as a contribution to extra costs, not to cover everything.
Payments may be made in installments, and may be conditional on completing tasks such as a language assessment and a report.
Tuition at the host is usually waived, and you continue to pay home fees where they apply.

Do not assume that the grant covers living costs.

Learning agreements and recognition

The learning agreement is central.

Sign it before you go, with the courses you plan to take and the credits they carry.
Agree how they will count at home.
Update it within the allowed period if courses change.
Keep records, including syllabi and the final transcript.
After returning, make sure the credits are recorded.

Because the framework uses compatible credits, recognition is a standard part of the process, but problems can still arise if the agreement is not followed.

Language support

Some participants take an online language assessment before and after mobility, and may be offered courses in the language of study. Even if your courses are in English, learning some of the local language improves daily life. Use the support your university provides.

Other Erasmus strands

Erasmus Mundus joint master's. Highly integrated programs run by consortia of universities, with students studying in several countries and often receiving funded scholarships. You apply directly to the program.
Mobility for staff and teaching.
Cooperation partnerships between organizations.
International credit mobility with partner countries outside Europe, in some cases.
Youth and sport activities.

How to apply

Talk to your international office, and attend information sessions.
Check which partners and places are available for your subject and level.
Check eligibility and language requirements.
Prepare your internal application: form, motivation, transcript and sometimes language results.
Submit by the internal deadline.
After nomination, complete the host's application.
Arrange housing, insurance and travel.
Sign the learning agreement and grant agreement.

Deadlines can fall many months ahead, so start early.

Practical points

Housing. Some hosts offer rooms to exchange students, others do not. Apply early.
Insurance. You need appropriate health and accident cover.
Visas and residence. Check requirements for your nationality and country.
Registration. You may need to register with local authorities on arrival.
Banking and phones.
Student networks. Many cities have Erasmus student networks that organize events and help newcomers.

A worked example

Imagine a student who wants to spend a semester in Portugal. She attends an information session, checks that her department has an agreement with a Portuguese university and submits her internal application. After nomination, she completes the host's form and signs a learning agreement with courses that fit her degree. She receives a grant contribution and arranges housing through the host. During her stay, one course changes, so she updates the learning agreement within the permitted time. After returning, her credits are recognized.

Her success came from planning, paperwork and communication.

Erasmus life: what students report

Students often describe the first weeks as the hardest and the most memorable. Local Erasmus student networks organize welcome weeks, city tours and trips, and these events are the quickest way to meet people. Many friendships form with other exchange students, so make an effort to meet local students too, perhaps through a sports club or a language tandem. Expect different teaching styles: some courses are lecture-heavy with a single final exam, others rely on group projects. Ask classmates and the host's international office about assessment before you choose courses, and keep your learning agreement flexible enough to adapt.

Planning your return

Before you leave, ask your host which documents you will receive and when, such as the transcript of records and a certificate of attendance. Confirm how grades will be converted, and who at home will handle recognition. Keep your syllabi and assignments in case a course needs extra explanation. Plan to share your experience with future applicants, since your advice can help others avoid problems.

Common mistakes

Assuming that the grant covers all costs.
Missing internal deadlines.
Not signing a learning agreement before leaving.
Not updating it when courses change.
Leaving housing late.
Forgetting about insurance and registration.
Not keeping documents for recognition.

A quick checklist

Do I know my university's partners and deadlines?
Do I meet the eligibility conditions?
Do I have a learning agreement and grant agreement?
Have I planned housing, insurance and travel?
Do I know how my credits will be recognized?

Final thoughts

Erasmus+ turns the idea of a year abroad into a well-organized system, with agreements, grants and recognition built in. Use your international office, plan early and treat the paperwork seriously. Done well, it is an affordable and rewarding way to spend part of your degree in Europe.