Erasmus
Dossier description
The Erasmus programme was launched in 1987 and is part of the Lifelong Learning Programme (LLP). Erasmus seeks to increase the quality of higher education and to strengthen the European dimension by promoting transnational cooperation, encouraging mobility of students (through study and internship) and teachers and encouraging the academic recognition of studies and diplomas. It is also aimed at the design of study programmes, intensive courses, multidisciplinary activities and the teaching of certain subjects in another language. Erasmus has also created a European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS). By means of this system study periods carried out in other participating countries can more easily be recognized by universities.
The Erasmus programme is aimed at students and teachers in higher education from all EU Member States, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland (EFTA-EEA countries), Turkey and Croatia. The agency in the Netherlands that manages the decentralized actions of the LLP Erasmus is the Dutch organisation for international cooperation in higher education (Nuffic).
The Erasmus programme as described here should not be confused with Erasmus Mundus, involving international cooperation in education.
More information
Website: DG EAC Erasmus
News
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27 March 2012“All current programmes within the Lifelong Learning Programme must be treated equally in the new education programme Erasmus for all”. This was the general statement made by Doris Pack as... Read more -
31 January 2012The successful European student exchange programme ‘Erasmus’ celebrates its 25th anniversary. Nearly three million students have benefited from a study period or work placement abroad since the... Read more -
28 February 2011Jan Truszczyński has been director-general at the European Commission's Directorate-General for Education and Culture (EAC) since May 2010. EAC’s mission is to build a Europe of knowledge and... Read more