Erasmus+

Erasmus+ is the mobility programme of the European Union for Education, Training, Youth and Sport. Education, training, youth and sport can make a major contribution to help tackle socio-economic changes, the key challenges that Europe faces, and to support the implementation of the European policy agenda for growth, jobs, equity and social inclusion.

Possible participants are students and recent graduates (up to one year after graduation) studying at a European Higher Education Institution (Universities and Vocational Education and Training institutions).

Students who can apply are those still studying or recently graduated — graduates can do the traineeship within one year after graduation, but they have to apply for it before graduating.

Students can spend from 2 to 12 months for each cycle of study (12 months as a Bachelor student, 12 months during the Master, 12 months during the PhD). For a combined study and traineeship, the minimum duration is 3 months and the maximum is 12 months.

The Erasmus grant is intended to be a supplement to your existing form of financial support — not a replacement. You can get extra money by working; any payment provided by the host organisation does not affect the awarding of your Erasmus grant.

The level of grant funding depends on the destination country: those travelling to more expensive locations get higher amounts. If you have special needs you may also receive further supplementary funding. Ask your International Office for the current amounts.

Once accepted, your grant is calculated on the actual number of months and usually paid in two instalments (around 70% at the start, the remainder at the end).

First, get all the information about the grant application from the International Bureau or the Erasmus coordinator at your institution. Different institutions have different deadlines and conditions for application.

Once selected, you may be asked to complete a language assessment. It is also your responsibility to ensure you have adequate health insurance, as well as wider insurance covering you for the period of your internship, and travel documentation (passports and visas).

Training Experience will help you find a receiving organisation where you will be working during your traineeship, and once accepted we prepare all the paperwork required by the Erasmus+ programme.

• Acceptance Letter / Letter of traineeship: signed by the receiving organisation to confirm they will receive the trainee.
• Learning agreement for traineeship: defines the learning outcomes, recognition provisions and the rights and obligations of the trainee, the sending organisation and the receiving organisation.
• Grant Agreement: the financial agreement prepared by the sending institution.

• Arrival letter: confirms the start of the work placement.
• Monthly reports (not always applicable).
• Modifications to the Learning agreement, if the dates, mentor or content of the placement change.

• Traineeship certificate: signed by the receiving organisation, confirms the results of the work placement.
• Transcript of Records: issued by the sending institution.

Undertaking an international internship gives you greater exposure to the global industry and provides invaluable international experience. It will also look very good on your professional CV, and candidates with international experience are often favoured in job applications.

A lot of internships lead to long-lasting relationships and business networking connections.