Erasmus is the European Commission's programme for Higher Education students, teachers and institutions. It forms part of the EU Lifelong Learning Programme and supports co-operation between the universities of 31 countries.

Erasmus is helping to transform higher education at the European level and enhancing the employability of graduates. Well over 1.5 million students have benefited from Erasmus grants, and the European Commission hopes to reach a total of 3 million by 2012.  

As the new UK National Agency for Erasmus, the British Council looks forward to working closely with schools and colleges to encourage future generations of participants in Erasmus and other international mobility projects.  

The portal www.lifelonglearningprogramme.org.uk provides the overall context of the Lifelong Learning Programme offer to UK participants of all types, and gives details of How to Apply for each sub-programme.

The Erasmus programme's own website www.erasmus-uk.org.uk provides broader information for anyone interested in the opportunities offered. It also hosts the Erasmus UK Course Guide; this interactive database has been designed to help students find information about the UK institutions and courses which offer an Erasmus experience. It is never too early for school pupils to start thinking about an international element within their further studies.

Questions about the Erasmus programme which are not answered by the websites above can be e-mailed to erasmus@britishcouncil.org or phone 029 2039 7405.

Erasmus celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2007. Erasmus Days were held by universities all over Europe, including an event in Cardiff organised by the British Council www.britishcouncil.org/learning-degrees-of-added-value

The Erasmus programme gives many UK students their first experience of living, studying and/or working, in a foreign country. Periods spent abroad can range from as little as two weeks to a full academic year, and opportunities are offered in a wide range of subject areas, many without the need for prior knowledge of a foreign language.

Erasmus is….  

• fun and challenging  
• a great way to live in another country
• affordable, with EU student grants, not loans
• about adding value to higher education courses
• about gaining  transferable employment skills, an international network of friends, new or improved language skills, and new perspectives on studies and careers.