Erasmus is the European Union's flagship educational exchange programme for Higher Education students, staff and institutions. It was introduced with the aim of increasing student mobility within Europe. Erasmus forms part of the EU Lifelong Learning Programme (2007-2013).
It encourages student and staff mobility for work and study, and promotes trans-national co-operation projects among universities across Europe.
Over 2 million students in Europe have participated in the programme since its inception in 1987, receiving funding to enable them to spend a period studying abroad. Students can read about the Erasmus experience from the student perspective on the British Council website.
The International and Study Abroad Office administers the Erasmus programme for Sussex students, reporting to the UK Erasmus national agency (the British Council) and distributing funding to students. All of the European links that Sussex maintains are managed through the Erasmus programme. Bilateral agreements of cooperation are exchanged on an annual basis with partner institutions. These stipulate the number of students to be exchanged each year. However, they also ensure that exchange procedures conform to the rules of Erasmus; receiving and sending institutions will have transparency in credit weighting of courses and will issue transcripts upon completion of the Study Abroad programme; nominated co-ordinators will aid and assist Erasmus students while at the host institution; welcome programmes, language classes etc; will be provided.
If you wish to study for between three months and an academic year at one of our European partner institutions, you will be able to participate in the Erasmus programme. If you wish to do a work placement or be a language assistant for your mandatory year abroad in an EU, EEA or candidate country, you may also be able to participate in the Erasmus Programme.
Eligible Countries
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey.
Erasmus grant and tuition fees
Students are eligible if they are registered at a UK institution of higher education and spending an approved study period abroad or carrying out an approved work placement (including a language assistantship) of between three and twelve months in one of the eligible countries. Students should not have received an Erasmus grant for the same type of placement (study, work or postgraduate) in a previous year.
The Erasmus grant is intended to be a contribution towards the extra costs of studying abroad. Students still need to have their normal adequate funds for daily living, including travel and accommodation. The cost of living varies considerably across Europe and students are advised to find out how much their year abroad is likely to cost them before they leave.
Receipt of the Erasmus grant does not affect a student’s entitlement to their normal student loan for the period of their stay abroad.
Erasmus procedures for Sussex students
Eligible Sussex students will automatically be included in the programme. Before they depart on the year abroad, the International and Study Abroad Office will ask them to hand in the following documents:
- Signed Erasmus contract;
- Confirmation that bank details on Sussex Direct are up-to-date.
While abroad, students must confirm the dates of their stay by sending back:
- Certificate of Arrival (beginning of year);
- Certificate of Attendance (end of year).
Erasmus students are also required:
- To complete an Erasmus report giving feedback on their experience;
- To sign a receipt for the grant funding received.
Erasmus Intensive Language Courses (EILC) are an initiative supported by the European Commission to enable Erasmus students to receive some tuition in languages that are not widely spoken or taught abroad. They take place in the host country twice during the academic year, prior to the start of each semester. Participating students do not have to pay any kind of fee for the EILCs, and will receive a normal Erasmus grant for the duration of the course if it precedes their term or year away.
Opportunities for teaching and administrative staff
Staff and teaching mobility:
Sussex staff from academic and administrative units, may benefit from Erasmus grants to undertake teaching abroad, or training and work shadowing at Erasmus partner institutions. For more information, refer to Opportunities for staff.