ERASMUS + SMS Study Abroad - Program Countries
The Erasmus higher education program is one of the European Union's great success stories. It has been promoting cross-border mobility of students, university lecturers and university staff in Europe since 1987. To date, some 2.5 million students have spent a semester or internship abroad through this program.
What is the Bespecial thing about Erasmus ?
- Erasmus enables tuition-free study at a host university in Europe
- Erasmus promotes the stay abroad with a mobility grant for the additional costs incurred abroad
- Erasmus obliges the participating universities to advise and support the exchange students in questions of accommodation, insurance and host studies
- Credits earned during the semester abroad will be recognized towards credits at the University of Applied Sciences Ludwigshafen after prior approval by the respective study program.
Which countries participate?
- all 28 EU countries
- Iceland
- Liechtenstein
- Norway
- Turkey
- Serbia
The Erasmus University Charter (EUC), the European Commission's seal of approval for universities in Europe, is awarded by the EU Commission to those universities that meet all the requirements for successful participation in the program
The Erasmus Charter for Students informs you about your rights and obligations, as well as what you can expect from your home university and the host university or company at each stage of the program.
Eligibility requirements
can participate in the program:
- all students enrolled at a German university or college
- with German citizenship, citizenship of a country participating in the Erasmus - Program
- nationals of third countries who complete a full course of study in Germany leading to a recognized qualification
- exchange students cannot participate in the Erasmus program
- Disabled persons can receive a grant for additional costs within the framework of the ERASMUS stay.
Eligibility criteria
- minimum duration of stay: 3 months = 90 days
- successfully completed 1st year of studies for Bachelor students/successful completion of Bachelor studies for Master students
- proof of the language of instruction on the level B2 - EU frame of reference
- meaningful letter of motivation (personal and professional motivation and a short financial plan)
- Applicants who apply for a voluntary semester abroad will be considered with priority
Funding is available for semesters abroad at partner universities of 3 - 12 months per educational cycle (Bachelor, Master; Doctorate)
Mobility grants for 2022/23 | |||
| Groups | Countries | Amount of monthly grant | Minimum funding period |
Group 1 Program countries with higher cost of living | Denmark,Finland, Ireland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Norway, Sweden | 600 € | |
Group 2 Program countries with medium cost of living | Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain | 540€ | |
Group 3 Program countries with low cost of living | Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Northern Macedonia, Turkey | 490 € | |
If we receive more applications for a partner university than we have places available, the places will be allocated according to the following criteria:
- Completeness of documents
- Letter of motivation
- average grade at the time of selection
- short interview
Application
The application is made via the online portal.
Application documents
- printed and signed online application form
- current transcript of grades
- letter of motivation (personal and professional reasons for the stay abroad and a short description of the financing)
- proof of language skills in the working language
- Internship contract/internship commitment - if already available
Reporting obligation
All grantees who have participated in an Erasmus+ mobility measure are obliged to prepare a report on Mobility Tool Plus after completion of the measure and submit it together with relevant evidence (e.g. on the duration of the stay).
Special promotions
Erasmus+ aims to promote equal opportunities and inclusion, for this reason access to the program is facilitated for learners from disadvantaged backgrounds (this applies in Germany in the Erasmus+ program to single parents during study abroad) and with special needs.
- Inclusion and diversity
The new program aims to increase the qualitative impact of its measures and ensure equal opportunities. To this end, the program targets people of different ages and cultural, social and economic backgrounds. The focus will be on disadvantaged people, including people with disabilities, educational difficulties or migrant backgrounds, as well as people living in rural and remote areas.
Useful information on disability-friendly higher education institutions from the European Agency for Development in Special Needs Education: www.european-agency.org.
- Green Erasmus+
In line with the European Green Deal, the program will lead by example by encouraging participants to use lower carbon transport as an alternative to flying. Erasmus funding will also go towards building knowledge and understanding of sustainability and climate action so that Europeans acquire the world-leading skills needed to create sustainable societies, lifestyles and economies.
- Special funding for students with children as a lump sum (SMS only)
Students who take their child/children with them to study in an Erasmus+ Programme Country can apply for special funding.
