Got those autumn blues? Does flying off to a sunnier destination to study seem tempting right now? If you are still in the first year of your course (BA, MA or PhD), you can apply to do this with the Erasmus programme. Today, we’re going to explain what this is and how it works.
What is the Erasmus Programme?
The Erasmus programme was launched in 1980 and is a cross-cultural exchange for students within the European Union. Most UK universities offer the programme and have links with hundreds of universities across the world.
How Long Can You Go Abroad For?
You can go abroad with Erasmus for anything from 3–12 months. But how long should you choose? Tarana, a peer advisor for Nottingham University’s Erasmus programme says:
I studied abroad for a semester since a year away seemed daunting at first sight! However, when I was actually on my exchange, I was having such a great time that it made me wish I had gone away for the whole year instead.
How Much Will It Cost?
The great thing about the Erasmus programme is that you get a grant! This is usually £300£400 per month, depending on your university and department. You’ll also have your tuition fees reduced for the time you are abroad. There is also a limited amount of funding available.
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Will the Study I Do Abroad Count Towards My Degree?
Yes! Any units completed in the host university will be recorded as valid credits towards your degree. You won’t even need to learn a new language (although a few phrases will probably come in handy at the shops!) as most host universities will teach certain courses in English.
Make sure you research the host university so you know whether they offer courses that will be appropriate to your chosen subject.
Where Can I Go?
The opportunities are almost endless! Here’s a small selection:
- At the Ecole Nationale Superieure de Chimie de Paris, in France, you can study chemical engineering. It’s one of the top institutions in the world for this field of study!
- At the University of Pisa, in Italy, you can study a wide range of subjects, from Philosophy, to Computer Science. It was founded in 1343 and is one of the most ancient universities in Europe.
- If you fancy a trip further afield you could even study English at the University of Auckland in New Zealand, geography at the University of Hong Kong, or History at the University of New Mexico in the United States!