Welcome to the NUI Galway Erasmus Programme
ERASMUS, the European Union's flagship mobility programme in the field of education and training, was established in 1987, and NUI Galway has been an active participant since the beginning. ERASMUS stands for "EuRopean Community Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students" and it was named after the philosopher, theologian and humanist Erasmus (1465-1536), who lived and worked in several countries in Europe, in quest of the knowledge, experience and insights which only such contact with other countries could bring. Originally part of the SOCRATES programme, Erasmus has, since 2007, been a subprogramme of the EU's Lifelong Learning Programme (LLP).
The Erasmus programme aims at enhancing the quality and reinforcing the European dimension of higher education as well as at increasing student and staff mobility. It enriches students' lives not only in the academic field, but also in the acquisition of intercultural skills and self-reliance. Staff exchanges are also of significant benefit, both for the individuals participating and for the institutions involved.
- More than 3,100 higher education institutions in 31 countries in Europe participate in the Erasmus programme.
- Over 1.7 million students have participated so far and it is hoped that 3 million students will have taken part by 2012.
- Around 25,000 professors and lecturers teach abroad each year with the support of the Erasmus programme.
- NUI Galway has in the region of 200 Erasmus bilateral agreements, and Erasmus links with some 130 European universities, providing opportunities for study and teaching abroad in a wide range of disciplines.
This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. The content of these web pages is the sole responsibility of the publisher and the European Commission is not liable for any use that may be made of the information.