Accessibility Page Navigation
Style sheets must be enabled to view this page as it was intended.

Erasmus - Lifelong Learning Programme 

In 1987 the European Commission initiated a new educational programme for Higher Education students, teachers and institutions. Erasmus (or European Region Action Scheme for the mobility of University Students to give it its full name) is an integral part of a larger programme for educational cooperation called the Lifelong Learning Programme (LLP) which runs from 2007-2013.

The Erasmus programme was established to increase student and staff mobility throughout Europe while promoting transnational cooperation among European institutions. Under the Erasmus programme, students have the opportunity to study at a partner institution as part of their degree programme and to receive full recognition for the period abroad as an integral part of their overall degree. Since the 2008-09 academic year students also have the opportunity to work at a European enterprise under the Erasmus programme. Currently over 180,000 students participate in the Erasmus programme every year.

Staff can also participate in the programme through short term teaching and training placements.

How does Erasmus work?

Bilateral agreements are signed between higher education institutions, through which the partner institutions agree upon mobility of staff and students. Agreements are signed on the basis of reciprocity and once completed mobility can take place.

Thirty One European Erasmus Countries

31 European countries participate in the Erasmus programme and each institution has to apply for an Erasmus University Charter from the European Commission. The European Commission's Directorate General for Education and Culture has granted European Business School London, Regent’s College the Erasmus Extended University Charter for 2008-2013.

Page last updated 5/25/2010

"Studying International Relations at Webster Graduate School in London taught me two ways of International Relations: the academic way and the personal way...   In the academic life of International Relations, we learned and analyzed various political theories and their realization; methodologies and ways of research...   In the personal life of International Relations, we learned that it is possible for nearly all ethnicities, friends and enemies, to sit in one class-room, to listen to one professor, to share one lunch-break – suddenly we shared the same interests!  "

Bettina Lutz

Student quote