The Erasmus programme aims at:

• Students and trainees learning in all forms of third-level education and training

• Higher education institutions

• Teachers, trainers and other staff within those institutions

• Associations and representatives of those involved in higher education, including relevant student, university, and teacher/trainer associations

• Enterprises, social partners and other representatives of working life

• Public and private bodies, including non-profit organisations and NGOs, responsible for the organisation and delivery of education and training at local, regional and national levels

• Research centres and bodies concerned with lifelong learning issues

• Bodies providing guidance, counselling and information services relating to any aspect of lifelong learning

The main aims of the Erasmus programme are to:

• Improve the mobility of student and teaching staff

• Increase the degree of transparency and compatibility between higher education and advanced vocational education qualifications gained in Europe

The Erasmus programme supports the following actions:

• Mobility of students for the purposes of studying or training in other countries in higher education institutions, as well as placements in enterprises, training centres, research centres or other organisations

• Mobility of teaching staff in higher education institutions in order to teach or receive training in a partner institution abroad

• Mobility of other staff in higher education institutions and staff of enterprises for purposes of training or teaching

• Erasmus intensive programmes organised on a multilateral basis

All third-level educational institutions in the participating countries are eligible to take part in the Erasmus programme. They must adhere to the principles set out in the Erasmus University Charter. Educational institutions taking part in the programme have contracts with the European Commission. These contracts set out how the institution takes part in the scheme.  The institutions may get grants for a range of activities including the organisation of mobility for students and university teaching staff. 

Erasmus gives students the opportunity to study for a period of 3-12 months at a university or higher education institution in another participating country. This period of study is recognised in the home institution. Funding is available from the Higher Education Authority to facilitate students and teachers interested in Erasmus exchanges. 

Students who wish to avail of the programme must be attending a third-level institution that is participating in the scheme and must have completed at least their first year of third level education. The studies being completed in another participating country must involve a period of at least 3 months or an academic term and a maximum of 1 year. The partner universities and the student must agree on a programme of study before the student leaves. 

Erasmus students are eligible for a mobility grant to help them take part in the scheme. This grant is intended to help cover the cost of travelling and the difference in cost of living between the home country and the country where the student is studying. The European Commission may fund part of a student's language tuition before their departure to or on the arrival at a foreign institution. Additional funding is available for students with an officially recognised serious disability and/or exceptional special needs.

Students remain officially as students of their home institution. They are liable for the same charges and fees as if they were actually studying at home. Students who have higher education grants continue to receive those grants while studying in the other country. 

Mobility grants are also available to teachers interested in working in a partner institution. These grants cover the costs of teachers who are giving courses as part of the official curriculum of another European educational institution. Institutions are expected to make some contribution to the costs of these exchange programmes for their staff. Additional funding is available for teachers with an officially recognised serious disability and/or exceptional special needs. Teachers should make their applications through their university of origin.

** see Erasmus 2007-2013 PowerPoint presentation