What is the Erasmus+ Programme?

The new Erasmus+ Programme 2021-27 is the latest version of the familiar Erasmus+ exchange programme that has been in existence since 1987. Read more about it.

Erasmus+ gives students the possibility to study or work in another European country and in doing so, to gain credit towards their degree. It’s a great way to gain international experience, expand your academic horizons, meet people from all over the world, improve your language skills, learn about other cultures, develop independence and self-confidence, boost your CV … need we say more?

Student Mobility for Studies – what’s it about?

This strand of the Erasmus+ Programme, the main focus of this booklet, allows students to expand their university education by doing part of their academic work in another European higher education institution.

The following are the basic guidelines set out by the European Commission:

• Students must have completed at least one full year of third-level study in order to participate.
• Students will not be required to pay tuition fees at the host institution; they will, however, be required to pay the normal fee to their home institution during their period of study abroad.
• The period of study abroad may not last less than two months (60 days) or more than 12 months.
• During your higher education studies, you may participate in Erasmus+ more than once, but not for more than 12 months in total during any one study cycle (i.e., Bachelor, Master, or Doctoral levels). The 12 months may include mobility for studies and for training. For information on traineeships (work placements), see https://www.universityofgalway.ie/erasmus-programme/outgoingstudents/erasmustraineeships/ .
• You will be required to obtain an agreed number of ECTS credits in the examinations or assessments you will take while abroad, and these credits will be recognised by your home university.

What are the benefits to the student?

University of Galway has been participating in the Erasmus+ Programme since its inception over 30 years ago, and several thousands of our students have availed of the opportunity to study or work abroad. Almost all of them have found it to be a most rewarding experience.

A period of study abroad can be of immense value for an individual’s personal and academic development. You will learn how to adapt to and appreciate the culture of a foreign country, improve your language skills, and benefit from the different approaches taken to your subjects in another educational system. Moving abroad is a big transition, of course, and you will find that it can be challenging at times to adapt to a new environment, but by the end of your stay you will have gained a great deal of experience and self-confidence.

Here are some quotes from students who participated:

“I had the chance to immerse myself in a foreign language to the point where it becomes totally natural to speak in this other language.”

Which University of Galway students can take part?

The following are currently the principal study abroad opportunities for University of Galway students under the Erasmus+ Programme.

•  In the College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Celtic Studies, most students who go abroad on Erasmus+ do so after completing their second year. Some will transfer from the standard three-year B.A. degree programme to a separate four-year “B.A. International” degree, while students of Global Languages will be required to spend the third year of their programme abroad, with a semester spent in each of two countries whose languages they are studying. After successfully completing their studies abroad, students return to take their fourth and final year at University of Galway. The year-long study abroad option is also available to BA International non-language students, because some of our partner universities offer courses through the medium of English: such students must have approval from the College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Celtic Studies and from each of the University of Galway academic disciplines in which they are studying.
• A semester studying abroad is a compulsory element in the third year of some BA Connect and denominated programmes, and students will be assigned to partner universities by the relevant programme director. The majority of such study visits will take place under the Erasmus+ programme. Other BA Connect or denominated Arts students who are taking a language and are thus obliged to spend a period in a particular country may have the opportunity to do so under the Erasmus+ programme, but subject to the availability of places, and provided such students complete an agreed course load at the host university.
• In the College of Business, Public Policy, and Law, many students who go abroad are on the four-year degree programme “B.Comm. International”. After successfully completing their second year, all students on this programme spend the full year attending college in the country whose language they are studying. Having secured the required credits, they then return to complete their fourth year in University of Galway. In addition, there are Erasmus+ places for non-language students in the B.Comm. (Global Experience); such students can apply to study abroad at a number of partner universities offering Business and related courses through English; they can study abroad for the full academic year or for one semester (and spend the other semester on work placement).
• The School of Law also offers students the opportunity to study abroad. Places are available to both undergraduate and LLB students. Students usually study abroad for a full academic year.
• In the College of Science and Engineering, there are a number of Erasmus+ agreements in place with universities abroad, and some of these may facilitate an undergraduate semester or year abroad.

Am I eligible?

To take part in Erasmus+, you have to be a registered University of Galway student, in the appropriate year, and be selected by your academic coordinator for one of the places that are available in your subject. The academic coordinators for all exchange links are listed at the back of this booklet. While our Erasmus+ Programme is extensive, you should note that we exchange students only with the universities listed in this booklet and in the subject areas named.

Most of our Erasmus+ places are allocated by the relevant academic coordinators, based on factors such as academic results, subject combinations, suitability of course offerings at different partner universities, etc. There is often competition for places and the coordinator’s decision on applications is always final. Depending on their University of Galway course and its requirements, students will be expected to study abroad for either a full academic year or one semester.