ERASMUS

The ERASMUS programme is the European Union's programme to encourage students and academic staff across Europe to experience European education and culture beyond their home countries. ERASMUS particularly supports student exchanges and offers funding towards the cost of participation. Already, over 1,000,000 students have taken part in the programme across Europe.

The University has been awarded an ERASMUS University Charter under the European Union's Lifelong Learning Programme. The Charter is valid from 2007 to 2013.

The University aims to give students an opportunity to study in a European country to broaden their educational and cultural horizons and to help improve employment prospects.

Most current ERASMUS exchanges in the University assist students who have to study abroad as part of their language degree programmes. However, there are also opportunities available to students in certain other subject areas. See the table below for a full list of agreements held between University of Stirling departments and partner departments at universities outside of the UK.

Click on one of the links below to find more information.

Our European Policy Statement
School Organised
Academic Credit
Additional Funding
How Do Students Take Part?
Students with Special Needs
Equal Opportunities
List of Academic Co-ordinators
Further Information

Our European Policy Statement

The following document is the University's policy on European education in respect of ERASMUS:

European Policy Document (PDF, 28KB)

School Organised

Several divisions within Schools have established exchanges with similar departments in one or more European university. Each exchange has an academic co-ordinator to organise the recruitment, selection and support of students while they are on exchange. A list of current programmes is at the bottom of this page. These programmes are specific to Divisions within Schools, so not all degree programmes at Stirling currently have the opportunity of European exchange.

Academic Credit

Students who take part follow an agreed programme of study at their host university and receive full academic credit for their studies abroad. ERASMUS exchanges normally take place in semester 6 of an Honours programme. Students study between 20 and 30 ECTS credits (equal to 44 to 66 Stirling credits) per semester on ERASMUS exchange.

Additional Funding

Currently all students who take part in the programme are awarded a grant towards the additional costs of their studies. These grants vary according to the period of study and in 2009/10 was paid at the rate of €360 per month (around £300 per month). The minimum exchange period is 3 months. Only study periods at host academic institutions attract funding as the University does not have an ERASMUS Charter which covers work placements. Students taking part in Language Assistantships through the British Council therefore do not qualify for ERASMUS funding through the University of Stirling.

These grants are in addition to any existing student loans, scholarships or other funds.

Many UK-resident students on compulsory exchanges, such as most language degrees, may be entitled to apply for additional levels of loans and SAAS/LEA/NIEB travel grants.

To be eligible for an ERASMUS grant, the student must be a citizen, and permanent resident, of the European Union or one of the European Economic Area countries. Some other students, such as those granted permanent refugee status, may also be eligible.

How Do Students Take Part?

Students are selected by participating academic areas within their School and must be able to be admitted to a suitable Honours Degree programme before taking part in an exchange. Most students will go on exchange for their 5^th or 6^th  semester. Selection usually takes place in the semester before, though some Schools make selections even earlier.

Each exchange has an academic co-ordinator (called the overseas advisor) in the relevant academic area who publicises the exchange, advises on academic matters such as identifying comparable modules at the partner university, organises selections and liaises with the partner universities regarding admission, registration, housing, and other details.

The advisor will also ensure that a programme of study is agreed for each exchange student for School approval so that permission can be given prior to any departure abroad. The relevant form is the SA1 ECTS Learning Agreement (Word, 168KB).

Once students are selected for ERASMUS exchange their names are sent to the Erasmus Coordinator (erasmus@stir.ac.uk) in the International Office, Student Programmes and the Records Office through a university nomination process. The Erasmus Coordinator will work with the student to complete the necessary Erasmus Grant paperwork, student feedback reports, and coordinate a grade translation after the exchange, if necessary.

Students with Special Needs

Some exchange partners are able to provide good levels of support for students with special needs and information on support at institutions is available at www.european-agency.org but any student with specific concerns should always discuss matters with the relevant academic co-ordinator in order to ensure support facilities are in place at the host institution.

Equal Opportunities

The programme operates on the basis of equality of opportunity for all in accordance with the University of Stirling's Equal Opportunities Policy.

List of Academic Co-ordinators

Contact the appropriate departmental co-ordinator for specific programme details.

Please note: Some of these programmes may only be possible in combination at host institutions.

Further Information

Contact the appropriate academic co-ordinator for specific programme details.

Questions about existing and new Erasmus agreements can be directed to the Erasmus coordinator at erasmus@stir.ac.uk.