Frequently Asked Questions about Erasmus+
What is ERASMUS+ ?
Erasmus+ is the new European Union programme for education, training, youth and sport for 2014-2020. It replaces several existing EU programmes, covering all sectors of education: the Lifelong Learning Programme - Erasmus (higher education), Leonardo da Vinci (vocational education), Comenius (school education), Grundtvig (adult education), Youth in Action, and five international programmes (Erasmus Mundus, Tempus, Alfa, Edulink and the programme for cooperation with industrialised countries). For the first time, Erasmus+ will also offer EU support for sport, particularly at grassroots' level.
Erasmus+ significantly increases EU funding (+40%) for the development of knowledge and skills, reflecting the importance of education and training in EU and national policy agendas. It aims to boost people's personal development and job prospects.
The new programme builds on the experience and success of existing programmes such as Erasmus, but will have an even greater impact. It is based on the premise that investing in education and training is the key to unlocking potential, regardless of age or background.
Actions include support for:
For students:
* studying abroad
* working abroad
* linguistic preparation
For university/higher education institute staff:
* teaching abroad
* receiving training abroad
For universities/ higher education institutes:
* intensive programmes
* academic and structural networks
* multilateral projects
For enterprises:
* student placements
* teaching abroad
* university cooperation
Who can participate in ERASMUS+?
To participate in the ERASMUS+ programme, you must fulfill the following conditions: You are a student and enrolled in a formal programme of study at higher education level leading to a degree or a diploma (including doctoral level) in one of the participating countries. You are a citizen of one the participating countries (or are recognised as having an official status of refugee or stateless person or permanent resident). You have completed at least the first year of your university studies.
How do I participate in ERASMUS+ and where can I go?
If you fulfill the Erasmus+ application conditions, you should contact Kilis 7 Aralık University International Relations Office. The office will provide you with information on all the exchanges your institution is involved in, i.e. which universities, which faculties, in which countries etc. You can also check the website of Erasmus+ partner institutions. You can study at selected partner institutions of your home university in one of the thirty participating countries. There are a certain amount of places and grants available at each host university which are given to the students after a selection process organized by Kilis 7 Aralık University.
How long can I go and when?
In the framework of the ERASMUS+ programme, you can spend between three months and a full academic year abroad. In general, students spend either the first or the second semester, or a whole year abroad. Academic calendars can vary in the different countries. You can be an Erasmus+ student only once in each education level!
Are there any deadlines I need to respect?
There are application deadlines for Erasmus+. You should follow the announcements of International Relations Office carefully since each year the deadlines are changing. The applications submitted after the deadline are not accepted.
Can I apply for an ERASMUS+ grant?
Yes. ERASMUS+ provides mobility grants to many thousands of students. These grants are intended as a contribution towards covering the extra costs involved in studying abroad, such as travel expenses, language preparation costs, higher general costs of living in the host country. The ERASMUS+ grant covers the period of study abroad (from three months to a full academic year).
How do I apply for the ERASMUS+ grant?
The application procedure for an ERASMUS+ grant varies from country to country. Contact the international relations office of your home university about the grant application.
How high is the ERASMUS+ grant?
The awarded amount varies significantly from country to country. In any case, don’t expect a full scholarship. The ERASMUS+ grant is intended as contribution towards covering the difference in living expenses abroad. It can be combined with additional funds provided by the university, by the member state or by other public or private bodies. Each year the amount of grants change according to the countries as well. Please check the web site for outgoing students for the updated grants.
Do I have to pay university fees abroad?
It is a condition of the ERASMUS+ programme that no fees (for tuition, registration, examinations, access to laboratory and library facilities etc.) have to be paid to the host institution. However, small fees may be charged for costs, such as insurance, student unions, the use of photocopiers, laboratory products etc., on an equal basis with local students. Where appropriate, normal fees are payable to the home institution.
Will I receive academic recognition at home for my study period abroad?
Yes. The ERASMUS+ study period is an integral part of the programme of study at your home university. Full academic recognition must given for the study period abroad, as decided upon in the Learning Agreement.
What is a Learning Agreement?
ERASMUS+ students are expected to complete a Learning Agreement to be signed by themselves and the home and host institutions. The Learning Agreement is an informal contract that indicates precisely what courses/modules you will be studying. It should be completed well before you arrive at the host institution. Subsequent modifications to the Learning Agreement are permitted as long as they are agreed by all parties concerned. At the end of the study period abroad, the host university will provide the exchange student as well as the sending university with a transcript reporting the results obtained in the agreed programme of study.
What is ECTS?
To facilitate academic recognition, the majority of European universities have adopted the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). This system provides a common scale for measuring in credits the student workload required to complete course units (for example, one full year of studies generally amounts to 60 credits). Your Learning Agreements will be prepared by using ECTS. Please do not confuse Kilis 7 Aralık local credits with ECTS. At Kilis 7 Aralık University all the courses are designed according to 30 ECTS per semester.
How well do I have to speak the language of the country I will go to?
You must have acquired sufficient knowledge of the language in which the courses you will attend will be taught. This can be through school qualification in a foreign language, foreign language courses at university or simply by having spent some time living abroad.
Are there any preparatory languages courses?
Yes, in general, you can follow preparatory language courses either at your home university before your departure or at your host university before the beginning of your study period abroad. In addition, host institutions of countries, where the national language is less widely used and taught, often offer Erasmus+ Intensive Language Courses (EILC) to incoming ERASMUS+ students. You can check the list of universities offering EILC on the link http://ec.europa.eu/education/programmes/llp/erasmus/eilc/index_en.html
Who can help me with information about accommodation?
Finding accommodation is one of the first steps in your ERASMUS+ experience. Often the cheapest alternative is to have a room on campus. You should contact the campus accommodation office of your host institution about this as soon as possible. Both Erasmus+ offices of your home and host university country might be able to help you also. You can also ask at your host university if they have any special places where they post accommodation ads. Generally, there are ads in the local press, too.
How will the ERASMUS+ study period abroad affect my employment prospects?
According to recent studies, your prospects for employment increase slightly if you spend some time abroad. Many former ERASMUS+ students, and especially « long-period » ERASMUS+ students (6 to 12 months), tend to succeed in finding jobs and work tasks linked to the use of the international competences acquired or reinforced during the study period abroad, for example language, professional knowledge of the host country, first hand knowledge of the host culture and society, etc.
Slightly changed from http://erasmus.yasar.edu.tr/faq/