Going abroad has many advantages: proof of dynamism, motivation and a true experience. The Erasmus program is part of an EU program (EuRopean Community Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students).

Erasmus + (2014 - 2020) was created in 1987 to ease cooperation between universities and allow for full academic recognition of studies and qualifications throughout the Union for both staff and students. It also pretends to improve the quality of higher education and the intercultural dialogue and understanding through scholarships for mobility by degree, training and exchange at all levels.

Erasmus offers the possibility of studying abroad for between 3 months and 1 year, with transferable tuition rates and grants.

Who is Eligible?

Erasmus program is eligible to all students enrolled at a Higher Education or a Higher Education/Further Education Institution that wish to study, do a work placement or be a language assistant. Usually, agreements are signed between the EU Member States and Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland.

Since 2015, Erasmus+ has also allowed short-term mobility to Europe from and to other parts of the world for students, researchers, and staff. This two-way mobility allows students to study in a foreign university for 3-12 months and obtain credits, which are then recognised at the sending institution as part of their degree. A grant for staff mobility is also possible for 5-60 days

Students that are enrolled in a short-term higher vocational education course or if they are a part-time student that will study full-time during their period abroad can also apply for the program, as well as postgraduate students who have not already exceeded their grant quota.

In all cases, the conditions of access to the Programme therefore relate to these two actors: the "participants" (individuals participating in the Programme) and the "participating organisations".

*Note that the language of instruction may be different than that of your home institution. Some institutions organize tests and select the students based on their skills on the language, such as the Deutsches Sprachdiplom in German, DELE in Spanish, or TOEFL in English. Erasmus Intensive Language Courses may be offered at host universities.

Participating Countries & Programs

Participation countries include countries in the EU and EEA. However, since 2015, Erasmus+ has also allowed short-term mobility to Europe from and to other parts of the world for students, researchers, and staff. This two-way mobility allows students to study in a foreign university for 3-12 months and obtain credits, which are then recognised at the sending institution as part of their degree. A grant for staff mobility is also possible for 5-60 days.

Students from all subject areas can participate if there are two universities signing an exchange agreement.

Contact your University for more information to find out those universities abroad that you can apply for to make sure the institution you want to go to provides your program.

It is advised to start preparing your stay at least 1 year before departure to find the right program and ensure you are able to submit all necessary documents and deadlines.

Requirements regarding Visa and Residence permits

Participants in Erasmus projects may need to obtain a visa for staying abroad in the Programme or Partner Country hosting the activity. It is a responsibility of all the participating organisations to ensure that the authorisations required (short or long-term stay visas or residence permits) are in order before the planned activity takes place.

It is also strongly recommended that the authorisations are requested from the competent authorities well in advance, since the process may take several weeks.

Visit the EU Immigration Portal for general information on visa and residence permits, for both short-term and long-term stays: ec.europa.eu/immigration.

Erasmus Study Mobility

Students can take part in the Erasmus study mobility at any time during their degree, except during the first year. When you go will depend on the structure of your degree and the arrangements your university has with its partners.

Work Placement

Work Placements need to be approved by the home institution, with an agreement between the student, institution and employer. Some employers offer a basic income in addition to grants. Work placement offers credit and recognition by the home institution.

The Language Assistant Programs allows participants to improve language skills and explore a community. Language assistantships in other EU, EEA member states or Turkey are now considered as work placements under Erasmus. Undergraduates participating in the official Language Assistants programme are eligible for Erasmus status, subject to eligibility criteria being met.

How to apply?

Students may apply through their university with an Erasmus Coordinator in their subject area. Applicants must submit:

• Level of qualifications
• Level of language
• Current degree inscription
• Desired courses
• Copy of personal documents such as Passport, National document, etc.
• Back account number (IBAN)
• Any other paper document required by the sending or hosting university

Applicants should be prepared to submit certified copies of all diplomas since the baccalaureate or A Level. Translations may be required (information should be provided by your home institution).

ECTS in Europe

The ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) system provides uniform credit across different educational institutions. ECTS grades make study programmes easy to read and compare for all students, local and foreign, with respect for the marks of the host institution.

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. 60 Credits represents the workload of a year of study, usually 30 Credits per semester and 20 credits per trimester (One credit stands for around 25 to 30 working hours). 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.

Example of graduation:

To fully understand how the system works, read our article on the ECTS.

University Credit System in Perú

In Perú, there is no national system of academic credits. The credits are not defined, but the University Law (in Spanish) offers some information. There is no generalized application of academic credit among Latin American higher education institutions, although there is a relative uniformity in the criteria used in its definition and quantification by Latin American universities. Each university applies the academic credit in its own criteria.

In principle, all kinds of credits can be validated, provided that the academic coordinator agrees. Before the stay, the student must agree, with their coordinator, the subjects they will study at the destination and the ones that will be validated.

Duration of the Program

Students may study abroad for between three months and an academic year. For students on short-term higher vocational education courses, the minimum period on a work placement is two months. You can combine a study period with a work placement (providing there are no gaps between the two activities) so it is considered a single Erasmus period. Check with the university Erasmus Co-ordinator for details on criteria.

Tuition & Grants in Europe

Students benefit from the tuition fee-waiver scheme. For example, a foreign student spending a full academic year on Erasmus does not pay any tuition fees in Perú for that year. However, if you study abroad for less than a year, you will have to pay them.

Students may receive an Erasmus grant for study or work placement. These are supplementary, non-repayable grants intended to offset any additional expenses incurred while abroad. The Erasmus grant is not means-tested.

To be eligible, students must be registered at a Higher Education institution which holds an Erasmus University Charter (EUC) and spend an approved study or work period of between 3 to 12 months each at an institution which holds an EUC. Grant values vary depending on the country you visit.

Students undertaking short-term work placements can receive additional supplementary funding in order to offset the relatively high initial set­up costs of such placements. This includes a one-off supplementary grant of €250 to each student, in order to assist with the higher expenses relating to short-term accommodation. Up to €300 can be paid to each student for travel costs.
Erasmus grants in Perú are paid through your home institution and in addition to the standard grants or loans to which you are entitled. The total duration of all grants may not exceed 24 months.

Tuition & Grants in outside Europe
There are distinct budgets for different regions of the world that are divided between all the European countries. Programme-Country institutions make up bilateral partnerships with universities from Latin American countries and apply on behalf of their partners.

Therefore, you will have to apply directly to your programme coordinator and can find the programmes on the EMJMD catalogue (see links).

Find out more about the Erasmus program on EU portal webpage.

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