The Erasmus Programme (EuRopean Community Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students) is a predominately European Union program for students studying at universities. In 2014, The Erasmus Program will be transformed to include new programs which will result in the creation of a newly unified program called, Erasmus for All. Middle East countries, including Kuwait, may be an option as a "third country" (a country that is not a European Country, but in an agreement between the European Union and the European countries).

Who was Erasmus?

The Erasmus program is named for Desiderius Erasmus Roterodamus, also called Erasmus of Rotterdam. A Dutch traveler, born around 1500, Erasmus is an orphan that received a religious education. He became priest and got a doctorate in Paris. Critical about the teaching method, he used his theories and lived and worked in several parts of Europe, meeting and confronting with the most important characters of his time. By leaving his fortune to the University of Basel, he became a precursor of mobility grants.

Who is Eligible?

The Programme is open to any higher education school or university, and other organizations working in the field of higher education and research, as well as to students, doctoral candidates, teachers, researchers and university staff from any part of the world.

Participating Countries

Participating countries include:

• Member States of the European Union
• Countries or potential Candidates on the same footing as Member States (includes Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, Albania, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo under UNSC Resolution 1244/99, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Turkey and Switzerland) - only if they have an agreement (Memorandum of Understanding or an EEA Joint Committee Decision) establishing the participation of the country concerned in the EM program is in force by the date of the selection decision
• Third countries (meaning a country that is not a European Country, but in an agreement between the European Union and the European countries).

Programs

There 3 primary areas are:

Area 1 - Joint Program

Areas supported: Masters Courses and Joint Doctorates. These are operated by a consortium of higher education institutions, from both within the EU and elsewhere. The program offers provide integrated courses and joint or multiple diplomas following study or research at two or more higher learning institutions.

The Erasmus program extends scholarships for both students as well as academics, studying or teaching on Erasmus Masters Courses. Fellowships are also available for doctoral candidates. Scholarships cover participation costs, subsistence costs, and insurance for the duration of the study period.

Area 2 - Partnerships

Partnerships between European and Third Country higher education institutions are available for students (undergraduates to post-docs) and staff (administrative and academic).

Scholarships cover participation costs, subsistence costs, insurance for the duration of the study period, plus a contribution to travel costs.

Area 3 - Attractiveness Projects

The program is open to colleges and universities active in the field of higher education from any part of the world, and activities can take place anywhere in the world. This includes activities associated with international dimension of all aspects of higher education, such as promotion, accessibility, quality assurance, credit recognition, mutual recognition of qualifications between European and third countries, curriculum development, mobility and quality of services for international students.

Language Requirements

The language of instruction may be different from your home university or college. Some institutions arrange tests and select students based on their language skills, such as the Deutsches Sprachdiplom in German, Dele in Spanish, or TOEFL in English. Erasmus Intensive Language Courses might be available at host universities.

How to Apply

Area 1

Select the course that interests you. Visit the partnership website to see which courses are available in which disciplines. Apply direct to the consortium via its website.

Area 2

Check to see if Erasmus partnership programs are currently open for nationals from your country. Visit the partnership website to see which courses are available in which disciplines. Apply directly via their website. If you are registered at one of the partner institutions, you should contact your International Office for assistance.

Area 3

Projects are selected through a competitive system based on the quality of the content and organizational points of view. Applications must include letters of endorsement from each partner organization. The endorsement letters must clearly demonstrate that the partners are aware of the project's structure, objectives and budget and are committed to actively participate in it.

There is no official format for these letters, but the endorsement letter should indicate how the project fits within the strategy of each partner organization and what will be the added value for the organization in question to participate to it. They should confirm the partner's agreement with the application submitted. They are usually signed by the Legal representative of the partner organization or another appropriate authority that is authorized to represent the organization in legally binding agreements. The endorsement letters must also indicate the value of the financial contribution that the partner organization has agreed to make to the project activities. The amount indicated in the endorsement letter is an estimation of the financial contribution made by each partner.

ECTS

The European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) provides uniform credit across different educational institutions. Student workload consists of the time required to complete all planned learning activities such as attending lectures, seminars, independent and private study, preparation of projects, examinations, etc. One credit stands for around 25 to 30 working hours with 60 credits representing the workload of a year of study (usually 30 credits per semester and 20 credits per trimester). Those credits allocated to modules and courses can only be obtained after successful completion of the work required and appropriate assessment of the learning outcomes achieved.

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