About the Erasmus+ Programme

The Erasmus+ Programme is the new programme implemented by the European Union, replacing the Lifelong Learning and Youth Programmes that were in effect between 2007 and 2013 in the fields of education and youth.

Implemented for the 2014-2020 period, the Erasmus+ Programme aims to provide individuals with new skills regardless of their age or educational background, strengthen their personal development, and increase their employability.

The Erasmus+ Programme is open to the following countries:

European Union Member States that can fully participate in all actions of the Erasmus+ Programme: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom.

Non-EU Programme Countries: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Macedonia, Norway, Switzerland, Türkiye.

 

What is Erasmus Internship Mobility?

It is the process of an enrolled student in a higher education institution gaining vocational training and/or work experience at an enterprise or organization abroad. Through Erasmus internship mobility, a student gains practical work experience in an Erasmus+ programme country in the field of their vocational education.

To participate, students must be enrolled in a higher education institution that holds an Extended Erasmus University Charter; they must apply to their institution and be selected for an internship within the scope of Erasmus.

The internship activity is not required to be mandatory for the student’s diploma program. However, the economic sector of the internship must be relevant to the student’s current vocational education program.

Students receive financial support for the duration of their internship abroad. This financial support is non-refundable and is not intended to cover all expenses; it is only meant to assist with additional costs arising from mobility. If they wish, students may participate as "non-funded (’0’ grant) Erasmus students."

Eligible Host Organizations for Internships

For internship mobility, the Sending Institution must be a Higher Education Institution holding an ECHE.

The Host Organization must meet one of the following criteria:

A Higher Education Institution holding an ECHE; or

Any public or private organization active in the labor market or in the fields of education, training, and youth. For example:

Small, medium, or large private or public enterprises (including social enterprises)

Public bodies at local, regional, or national levels

Social partners or other representatives of working life, including chambers of commerce, craft/professional associations, and trade unions

Research institutes

Foundations

Schools/institutes/educational centers (at any level, from pre-school to upper secondary education, including vocational and adult education)

Non-profit organizations, associations, NGOs

Bodies providing career guidance, professional counseling, and information services.

Where Internships Cannot Be Conducted:

European Union institutions and EU agencies

Organizations managing EU programmes and established with grants under this scope

National diplomatic representations (such as embassies and consulates) of the student’s home country in the host country cannot host activities under this scope.

Duration of Internship Activity

Activities are carried out in accordance with the minimum and maximum durations determined by the European Commission.

The minimum duration for internship mobility is 2 full months, and the maximum duration is 12 full months, applicable separately for each level of study.

The total duration for students benefiting from both Learning and Internship mobility cannot exceed 12 months in total.

Students in any year of their study or in their final year can carry out internship activities within 12 months after graduation. For post-graduation internships, the application must be made before the student graduates (while still a 2nd-year student for associate degrees or a 4th-year student for bachelor’s degrees). Graduates cannot apply.

The activity must be carried out without interruption. If the host enterprise is closed due to holidays, the internship may be interrupted. Grant payments will continue for the period the enterprise is closed, but this period will not be added to the total activity duration. To ensure the minimum duration is met, holiday dates of the enterprise must be researched in advance. Weekend holidays are not considered interruptions to be deducted from the duration.

In case of Force Majeure, activities that cannot meet the minimum duration are accepted provided that the force majeure is documented, and a grant is provided for the actual duration stayed. In such cases, the student must contact their home institution’s Erasmus office.

If students return before completing the minimum duration for reasons other than force majeure, the activity is not accepted, and no grant is paid.

How to Apply?

Students can benefit from Erasmus internship mobility through their higher education institutions. Students wishing to intern must apply to the Erasmus offices of their own institutions. Minimum requirements and selection criteria are announced during the application period.

Unlike learning mobility, there is no requirement to be at least a 2nd-year student for internship placement.

Regarding agreements, it is not mandatory to have a bilateral agreement between the sending institution and the host enterprise. A "Learning Agreement for Traineeship" involving all parties will be binding.

Finding an Internship Placement
Students can intern at locations suggested by their universities or find their own placements and apply to Erasmus coordinations. Students selected according to the criteria for the relevant academic year can benefit from the activity within the allocated quotas.

Online Language Support (OLS)

The European Commission provides an Online Language Support system for students participating in mobility activities.

Currently, this support is offered in languages such as German, French, Dutch, Italian, English, and Spanish. Only students carrying out their activities in these languages are subject to this system (excluding native speakers).

Mandatory Assessments:
Selected students must take a language assessment via the OLS system before and after their mobility. These assessments do not affect the selection status; they aim to measure the change in language proficiency during the mobility. Both assessments are mandatory.

Optional Language Courses:
Based on their assessment results or recommendations from their institution, students may voluntarily participate in online language courses. The course language must be the same as the assessment language. Course durations are linked to the mobility period (between 2-6 months or limited to 6 months for longer mobilities).

Participation:
Higher education institutions provide access to assessments and courses. Licenses are defined for institutions via the Mobility Tool based on their mobility capacity. Students receive a web link via their email addresses to access the system. If licenses are limited, they are distributed starting from students with the lowest assessment scores.