About the Erasmus programme:

The ERASMUS programme was established in 1987 and forms a major part of the European Union Lifelong Learning Programme 2007–2013.

There are currently 2,199 higher education institutions participating in ERASMUS across the 31 countries

To participate in the ERASMUS programme students must be studying for a degree or diploma at a tertiary-level institution and must have completed their first year. They also have to be a citizen of one of the countries in the wider Lifelong Learning Programme.

The Erasmus Programme has a number of specific objectives:

1.to improve the quality and to increase the volume of student and teaching staff mobility throughout Europe, so as to achieve at least 3 million student and teacher exchanges by 2012

2.to improve the quality and increase the amount of multilateral cooperation between higher education institutions in Europe

3.to improve and increase cooperation between higher education institutions and enterprises

4.to spread innovation and new pedagogic practice and supports between universities in Europe