Overview

Gaining work experience abroad will help to enhance your employability, by developing key skills, maximising your understanding of your chosen career and it will also look great on your CV. But not everyone can afford to work abroad, which is where Erasmus+ can help, because they provide grants and scholarships that can help pay for your working abroad experience.

Erasmus+ is a European Union programme which is specifically for any sector of lifelong learning, such as school, higher, further or adult education, training, youth and sport organisations. The aim of the programme is to provide studying, working, volunteering, teaching or training abroad opportunities for participants. It has been running since 2014 and will continue to run until 2020.

Erasmus+ works with organisations, such as universities and colleges, who can apply for funding for students to take part in studying and work experience in a different country. If you are an individual, you will need to go through your school, organisation or institution to apply for funding.

Do I qualify for Erasmus+?

If you are a student who is in higher education or taking part in vocational education and training, then you might be able to take part in a funded internship in Europe, such as in London. Alternatively, employees in education, training and youth organisations can also take part in work shadowing, teaching or training activities abroad.

Higher education students

Students in higher education can partake in an international internship in a European enterprise for 2 to 12 months as part of their degree (all academic disciplines are accepted). To qualify, you must:

• Be registered at a university or college that holds an Erasmus Charter for Higher Education
• Be in higher educational studies which are leading to a recognised degree
• (Students who have graduated within a year are also able to take part.)

Alternatively, students who are enrolled in a short-time higher vocational education course, such as a foundation degree course or if you are a part-time student, you can also qualify for Erasmus+.

Vocational education and training students

Students who are in vocational education and/or training can partake in an international internship in a European enterprise for 2 weeks to 12 months as part of learning. To qualify, you must:

• Be an apprentice or student in a vocational training school
• (If you are a former apprentice) Have recently graduated, within a year of your graduation

Alternatively, students who are enrolled in a part-time higher vocational education course, such as a foundation degree course or if you are a full-time apprenticeship, you can also qualify for Erasmus+. You don’t need to be 18 or over to take part; younger students can take part in Erasmus+.

For more information about finding funding for your international internship or when you can apply, check out Erasmus+.

Twin can help you find your ideal internship with less of the stress, so why not check out more about our funded internships in the UK, or why not request a quote for our Erasmus+ programme.