Erasmus +

Erasmus+ is an EU programme that can help you travel to experience work, study or train in another country. Your time abroad on Erasmus+ can be from 2 days to 30 days or from 2 weeks to a year depending on the type of project you are on.

Erasmus+ is open to many people including:

• Pupils in school
• Students in higher education
• Students in vocational education and training
• Young people in youth organisations
• Adult learners

Staff in educational settings and youth workers can also access Erasmus+.

You cannot apply directly to Erasmus+. You must apply through a participating organisation such as your school or college or place of work.

If the application is successful, you will get funding that usually covers your travel costs and the cost of living abroad. You may get funding to cover other costs too.

You can also get Online Linguistic Support to help you learn the language you will use when you are abroad with Erasmus+.

The year you turn 18 years old you can apply for a DiscoverEU rail pass as part of Erasmus+, if you are an EU citizen.

You can find out more about Erasmus+ on the website, erasmusplus.ie.

You can go to any EU country and some countries outside of the EU with Erasmus+.

Programme countries are eligible for all parts of Erasmus+. Programme countries include all EU member states, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein, the Republic of North Macedonia, Turkey and Serbia.

Partner countries can take part in some aspects and must meet specific conditions.

The European Commission website has a list of countries that can take part in Erasmus+.

Northern Ireland students

The UK ended its participation in the Erasmus+ programme on 31 December 2020.

The Irish Government will support higher education students in Northern Ireland to avail of mobilities and internships across Europe.

You will generally get Erasmus+ funding to help cover your travel costs and living expenses such as accommodation and food. Any costs not related to these you will have to cover yourself. The amount of funding you get depends on the type of project you are on.

Extra funding is available to support people with disabilities and from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Higher education students will not have to pay fees for tuition, registration, examinations, and charges for access to laboratories or libraries in the institution where they are studying with Erasmus+. Fees for insurance or student union membership may still apply.

You can find information on grant levels and types of funding in the Erasmus+ Programme Guide. You may get additional grants from your institution, government or other sources. Check the European Funding Guide.

Only organisations can apply for Erasmus+ funding. This includes schools, higher education and training institutes, youth and sport organisations.

Applications from participating organisations must support one or more of the four priorities of the Erasmus+ programme 2021-2027.

• Inclusive Erasmus+ aims to ensure equal opportunities for everyone
• Digital Erasmus+ aims to develop accessible and high-quality digital learning and training
• Green Erasmus+ encourages participants to build knowledge and understanding of sustainability and climate change and to use lower carbon transport
• Erasmus+ participation in democratic life supports active engagement in society

If you are at school, you can spend time abroad studying at a partner school. You can also go as part of a group to learn with other school students abroad.

If you are in higher education, your study period abroad can combine with a traineeship.

If you are a trainee or apprentice, you can be hosted in a workplace or in another institution for trainees for work-based learning. Your traineeship can last from 2 weeks to 12 months.

If you are an adult learner, you can spend time at an adult learning organisation which may include class or work-based learning or job-shadowing. You can also study abroad as part of a group.

Young people in youth organisations and volunteers can travel for training or a youth exchange and take part in workshops, debates and outdoor activities.

Internship vacancies are offered by companies and organisations on Erasmusintern.org website.

You can find information on all projects funded under the Erasmus+ programme on the Erasmus+ Project Results platform.

School children

If you are in a school, applications for Erasmus+ must be made through your school. The school must be fair, inclusive and transparent when selecting candidates for Erasmus+.

Your school can apply to Erasmus+ directly or through a consortium of schools.

Your school can explore Erasmus+ opportunities through the eTwinning platform and the School Education Gateway.

Students in higher education institutions

If you are a student at third-level, you can apply for your Erasmus+, traineeship or a combined Erasmus+ and traineeship through the international or Erasmus+ office of your higher education institution.

You must be registered in a higher education institution and studying for a recognised degree or third level qualification and be in at least your second year. The study abroad or traineeship must be relevant to your degree or your personal development needs.

If you are a recent graduate, you must be selected for a traineeship during your last year of study and must complete the traineeship within one year of graduating.

If you have completed a primary degree you can apply for an Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Scholarship.

You can do an Erasmus+ many times. However, you can only do one Erasmus+ during each Bachelor, Masters, Doctoral degree or equivalent.

Vocational education and training (VET) learners or apprentices

If you are an apprentice or attending a vocational education and training (VET) course, contact Leargas for information on organisations or employers that you can apply for Erasmus with.

Your local Education and Training Board (ETB) would be considered a VET organisation for Erasmus+. Leargas publishes a list of vocational education and training (VET) organisations that are eligible for Erasmus+.

Youth participants, volunteers and youth workers

Young people in youth organisations or volunteers should apply through a youth organisation or group.

You can find Information on Erasmus+ and other youth opportunities on the Léargas website.

There are generally two application deadlines for organisations each year, one in spring and one in autumn.

Application dates for schools, vocational education and training, apprenticeships, adult education and youth organisations are published on the Léargas website.

Applications dates for higher education institutes are published on the Higher Education Authority’s Erasmus+ website euireland.ie.

Young people can take part in volunteering projects and solidarity projects in Ireland or in another country through a different programme called the European Solidarity Corps. You can register on the European Solidarity Corps Portal or visit europeansolidarity.ie to find out more.

You can find opportunities to travel, work, study and volunteer in Europe on Eurodesk.ie.

Young people and youth organisations can find information on the European youth portal and Youthpass websites.

EURIreland.ie is the Erasmus+ for Higher Education website, managed by the HEA.