Erasmus Exchange

How does it work?
European exchange is sometime being referred to as 'Erasmus Exchange'. When students study abroad in Europe they do so under the Erasmus programme. Erasmus is a mobility scheme that enables higher education students across Europe to study or work abroad as part of their degree.

Erasmus Exchange are faculty and school specific, that is agreements are set up between a particular faculty and school at Leeds Metropolitan University with the equivalent department at a partner university in Europe. This means students can only choose to study at universities where their faculty and school have an exchange agreement.

To find out more about available destinations around Europe, please click here.

Type of Placement
Outgoing Erasmus students can participate in 3 types of programme:
1. Study Placement
2. Work Placement
3. Language Assistantship

Study Placement 
Students on study placement can spend either 1 or 2 semesters at a partner institution. The exact length and dates of the placement will vary between institutions.

Work Placement 
Students on work placement can spend either 1 or 2 semesters working at an institution. Work placement may be organised independently by the student or organised by the placement offices, and can be paid/unpaid work.

Language Assistantship 
Students will be working as a language assistant at a primary or secondary school and will usually be paid by the school, in addition to receiving the Erasmus grant. The duration is usually for 2 semesters and the length of the assistantship may vary.

Am I eligible?
You must discuss your application with your Erasmus Coordinator before submitting your application. Your application cannot be considered unless you have the support of your parent school. 

When can I go?
If you are completing a three-year degree, you should plan to go in your second year. If you are undertaking a four-year degree, you could go in your second or third year. You can choose to study abroad for a full year or in semester 1 or semester 2. Majority of the time, it will be academic decisions so please check with your Course Leader.

It is not possible for you to go on exchange in your final year, as your studies would become increasingly specific and appropriate equivalent are not always available at our partner institutions.

How does study abroad affect my degree?
There will be no effect to your degree at Leeds Metropolitan University as you will be fully credited while you are abroad. You are required to take a full-time study load, and have your study plan approved by your Course Leader.

Usually study abroad will be a pass/fail year/semester. This means that whilst abroad you must pass all modules/units undertaken in order to receive the credits that will contribute to your progression onto the next level. Please be aware that the marks on the year abroad will not count towards your final Leeds Metropolitan University degree classification.

Things to consider
Studying abroad is an exciting prospect but you need to be well-organised and well-prepared as there are a lot of things that need doing before you decide to apply and before you set off. This includes working out financing your year abroad, completing all the necessary paperwork and, if necessary, making visa applications depending on your immigration status.

Finance and Cost
Please read the following document carefully as this will provide you with an overview of the financial implications of studying abroad.
Funding & Costs to Consider
Student Loan 

Language
Some of our partner universities in non-English speaking countries will teach and assess in the language of that country. It is not expected that students to be completely fluent in a language before they go overseas. You should check with your School's Erasmus/Exchange Coordinator as early as possible about the level of language ability required for taking a period abroad. It is advisable that you make as much effort as you can to learn or refresh the language of your host country before you go.

Part-Time Language Courses
Part-time language courses are offered at various levels by the School of Languages and are available to all undergraduate students. Please visit the website for more information. 

Visa
If you are a non-British passport holder and applying to study within the European Union, you might be required to obtain the appropriate visa or permit to allow you to study at the host university. You should be aware it is your own responsibility to acquire your visa.

Please be aware that the Study Abroad Office is not qualified to offer consultations or detailed advice regarding visa applications. Immigration laws are complex and subject to frequent changes. Therefore, if you do have any questions about the process of applying for your visa, you will need to contact the appropriate Embassy directly.

Deadlines
The Erasmus grant application deadline for students wishing to go on an Erasmus Exchange in 2013/14 is 30th November 2013.

Guidelines

Erasmus Grant - General Condition & Erasmus Student Charter

List of Erasmus partners

Application Process

Forms to download

1 - Erasmus Grant Contact Form

2 - Learning Agreement

2 - Training Agreement

3 - Certificate of Attendance