Going Abroad

Outgoing students

ERASMUS +

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 sub programme 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 3 million students have participated so far.
• Around 25,000 professors and lecturers teach abroad each year with the support of the Erasmus programme.
• NUI Galway has approximately 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.

What is Erasmus+ ?

Erasmus+ is the European Union's new programme for Education, Training, Youth and Sport and runs from 2014 to 2021. 

Under it, students and staff at NUI Galway will continue to have a range of opportunities to study, train or teach abroad.  Learn more about Erasmus+.

Between second and final year, almost all students avail of the opportunity to spend an additional year (B.A. International) studying both their subjects at a German university.  The German Department currently has exchange agreements with Augsburg, Bamberg, Berlin, Bochum, Dresden, Frankfurt, Freiburg, Karlsruhe, Kassel, Leipzig, Mainz and Würzburg.                                                                                  

DAAD Funding for Study and Research n Germany

The DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) promotes international academic relations and cooperation, particularly through exchange programmes for students and academic staff. DAAD grants are not only available for students and staff of German, but for a wide variety of academic programmes at German universities, Fachhochschulen and colleges of art and music. For information about research and scholarship opportunities, applications and language certificates please contact Berit Carmesin, the German Department’s DAAD-Lektorin.

Find out more about DAAD and also about grant information sessions

Among the most popular DAAD scholarships for Irish students, there are:

University summer course grants for advanced students (open to undergraduate students of all disciplines)

Every year German universities offer a broad range of three- to four-week summer language courses which, in addition to extensive language teaching, focus on literary, cultural, political and economic aspects of modern and contemporary Germany. Undergraduate students of all disciplines are eligible to apply.

Value: € 850,- which contributes towards course fees and accommodation.

Contact:  Simone.klapper@nuigalway.ie

One-year grants for undergraduate degree-course students of German at Irish universities

The scheme is intended for second-year Irish students of German or European Studies who wish to spend their third year in Germany and who can submit a well-defined project for the year abroad.

Value: € 650,- per month plus an initial extra payment and lump sum towards travel.

Contact: simone.klapper@nuigalway.ie

One-year grants for graduate students  (open for students of all disciplines)

This scholarship provides funds for graduating or graduate students for postgraduate studies and/or research at any German university, Fachhochschule, research institute, music academy or art college for one academic year.

Value: € 750,- per month plus an initial extra payment and lump sum towards travel.

Contact: simone.klapper@nuigalway.ie

One to six month research grants for PhD students and junior scholars (open to all disciplines)

The grants are offered to enable well-advanced PhD students and recent PhDs to carry out dissertation or post-doctoral research at libraries, archives, institutes or laboratories in Germany for a period of one to six months.

Value: € 1000,- per month plus an initial extra payment towards travel.

Seven to ten month grants for PhD students and junior scholars (open to all disciplines)

This scholarship provides funds for doctoral or post-doctoral students to do research at any German university, Fachhochschule, research institute, music academy or art college for between seven months and one academic year. The stay at a German institution of higher education should be for the undertaking of PhD or post-doctoral work in Germany.

Value: € 1000 per month plus an initial extra payment and lump sum towards travel.

Contact: simone.klapper@nuigalway.ie