The Erasmus program is a product of the European Commission to enhance higher education. It seeks to reinforce transnational cooperation between universities, boosting European mobility and encourage full academic recognition of studies and qualifications throughout the Union (with ECTS, European Credit Transfer System).
The Erasmus program is named for Desiderius Erasmus Roterodamus. 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.
The Erasmus program was created in 1987, and Norwegian universities have participated in the Erasmus action program since 1992. Currently 2,199 higher education institutions in 31 countries are participating in Erasmus:
Erasmus offers the possibility of studying abroad for a period of between 3 months and 1 year. The program of study is set out before the departure by the student, the home university and the host university, and must be agreed in writing by all three parties. The student's progress is followed by both universities during his/her stay, therefore all possible difficulties can be assessed quickly and managed expediently.
The ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) system is attached to life Long Learning- Erasmus. Total recognition of periods of study abroad is a condition of quality and volume of student mobility in Europe. The aim of ECTS is to guarantee this recognition.
The credit system represents the volume of work that the student must give to each module/course, affected by a value. 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, and so forth.
60 Credits represent the workload of year of study; normally 30 Credits are given for semester and 20 credits for a 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.
It is advised to start preparing your stay at least 1 year before your departure, in order to find all the different possibilities that are offered, and to avoid missing a deadline (registration time, allowances, etc.
It's usually better to leave after having achieved a first degree (ordinary degree, Bachelor of Engineering for example), or even after a post degree or Master in order to complete your studies.
It is possible to go without an exchange program and to contact yourself a foreign university in order to continue your studies. You must first check that the degree will be recognized both in the host country and at home. Nothing worse than to realize at the end of the stay that you won't be able to use your new qualification in your home country.
In any cases, it's better to check your level in the language before to go, and possibly attend a language leaning course, as you will have to be able to follow the courses.
Some institutions organize tests and select the students based on their skills on the language: Deutsches Sprachdiplom in German, or Dele in Spanish and TOEFL in English.
In addition, a student can get an Erasmus Intensive Language Courses (EILCs) offered at host universities.
The Erasmus grant is intended as contribution towards covering the difference in living expenses abroad (do not expect a full scholarship, the amount is often no more than hundred euros per month). This allowance can be granted in addition to other grants or loans.
A good news is that no fees (for tuition, registration, examinations, access to laboratory and library facilities etc.) have to be paid to the host institution./p>
Explain in your candidacy your level of qualifications, level of language skills, current degree, and the courses you wish to take.
Attach certified copies of all diplomas and educational degrees. It is possible that some universities will ask for translations.
Before to leave, you must assure that you've got enough money needed for your stay. Therefore ask information on the cost of living, the price of accommodation and do not forget to include the cost of travel that you will have to make.
Student grants allow you to face some needs but cover often only part of your spending as their amount is low. The Erasmus program provides automatically mobility grants (see above).
You should bring your European card for sickness insurance (see our section Health in the list of information about the city). You can also consider any other private insurance or international cover when you travel abroad.
Either accommodation is offered by your host institution (room on campus in April-May for example), or directly in September by trying to find a flatshare. The first solution is of course preferred. In the second solution, choose to stay in a cheap hotel, youth accommodation or bed and breakfast for a few days in order to have time to visit and find a room.
Consult our FAQ made by the most frequently asked questions and specific terms of expatriation.
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