Everything About Studying in Germany Through Erasmus+
Even though most of the German universities do not charge a tuition fee, the semester fee and living costs are borne by students. Therefore, as an international student studying in Germany, you need solid financial support to afford the basic living and studying costs which are often on the higher side. Several scholarships and programs come to the rescue of students in such situations and help them complete their studies in Germany. Erasmus+ EU Grants are one such program, and we will discuss it in detail in this article.
Erasmus+ Program – An Overview
Erasmus+ is a program launched by the European Commission and some supporting organizations for education, youth welfare, training, and sports for the period 2014-2020. The main aim of the program is to provide financial aid to youth in Europe for activities that can increase their skills and help them in employment. The Erasmus+ program was live in 2014 after a series of educational programs launched between the period 2007-2013.
The total budget allocated by the European Commission for this program for seven years is €14.7 billion. The approximate number of students who have benefitted from this program to date is 4 million. They now have work experience, can study and train, and also volunteer abroad.
Erasmus+ is one of the key steps towards reducing unemployment, which is the primary objective of Europe’s 2020 strategy.
List of Eligible Countries for Erasmus+
Only specific countries are eligible for the Erasmus+ EU Grant. And, the countries which are eligible can get these funds through educational institutions under the framework of certain Erasmus+ open calls.
Three categories of countries are eligible for Erasmus+ EU Grant actions:
Program countries for Erasmus+
This category includes EU member countries and non-EU member countries that can completely take part in Erasmus+ actions:
EU member countries
Belgium, Lithuania, Greece, Bulgaria, Portugal, Spain, Romania, Luxembourg, Czech Republic, Hungary, France, Slovenia, Croatia, Denmark, Slovakia, Malta, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Cyprus, Finland, Sweden, Estonia, Austria, Latvia, Ireland, United Kingdom, Poland.
Non-EU member countries
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Turkey.
Partner countries for Erasmus+
Countries which fall under this category can only take part in certain actions of Eramus+ under particular conditions and terms. The funds are released through the institutions and organizations of these countries only.
Region1 (Western Balkans)
Albania, Montenegro, and Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo; Eastern Partnership countries
Region2 (Eastern Partnership Countries)
Armenia, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Moldova, Georgia, Territory of Ukraine as recognized by international law
Region3 (South Mediterranean Countries)
Algeria, Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon, Israel, Morocco, Libya, Palestine, Syria, and Tunisia
Region4 (Russian)
The territory of Russia as recognized by international law
Region 5
Andorra, San Marino, Monaco, Vatican City State, Switzerland
Region 6
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Bhutan, India, China, DPR Korea, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam
Region 7
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan
Region 8
Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela
Region 9
Iran, Iraq, Yemen
Region 10
South Africa
Region 11
Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Congo – Democratic Republic of the, Cook Islands, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Micronesia- Federated States of, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Saint Kitts And Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent And The Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Timor Leste – Democratic Republic of, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Region 12
Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates
Study in Germany with the help of Erasmus+ EU Grants
Erasmus+ provides support to international students who are already enrolled in an institution in their country and wish to study for two-three semester in a German university. Therefore, this grant program is not applicable to students who are not enrolled in a university in their home country. The idea behind providing international students a chance to study in Germany is to enhance their academic knowledge, understanding of the German language, and provide professional expertise.
Requirements for studying in Germany through the Erasmus+ program
To become eligible for studying in Germany through the Erasmus+ EU Grant, you must be:
- Presently enrolled in a university in your home country (member of the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education)
- Studying at a university whose degree is recognized by German universities
- Seeking admission in a German university which is also a part of the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education
- Ready to become a part of the student exchange program with the mutual agreement of both the universities – your home university and the German university you wish to get enrolled in for specific mobility action
If you’re struggling to find information on Erasmus+ EU Grant funds, you can:
- You can get in touch with the German university’s international office
- You can get in touch with the Erasmus+ office
- You can get in touch with the international agencies or national offices in your home country
Even if you’re an international student who already has ample funds for studying in Germany, you can leverage Erasmus+ to do an internship in any German organization. You can do the internship in any public or private organization in Germany during the course of your studies.
Erasmus+ master loans
Erasmus+ never runs out of financial help for students. You can also apply for an Erasmus+ master loan at the Erasmus+ cooperating bank. You will get the loan at a lower interest rate as compared to the average market rates and can pay off the loan once you get employed.
How to apply for an Erasmus+ EU Grant in Germany?
Although you can seek enquire about the necessary information required before applying for an Erasmus+ grant from your university’s international office or a national agency in your home country for a particular action call, there are certain things that you must be aware of before applying for an Erasmus+ fund grant. These include:
- You are required to submit a complete form of a particular mobility action
- If the Erasmus+ fund is granted, you will be required to sign an agreement for the mobility period, and you and your home university will sign the same
- You will get a Learning Agreement for the study program to continue in a German university, and the same will be required to be approved by you, your home university, and the host German university
- You will receive the Erasmus+ Student Charter which will mention your rights and obligations towards the host German university
Duration of your studies in Germany as an Erasmus+ student
Costs covered by the Erasmus+ EU Grant
The Erasmus+ EU Grant aids internships or student exchange study actions in Germany. The following costs are covered by the funds approved under the Erasmus+ EU Grant:
- Cost of living in Germany
- Traveling
- Admission in a German university
- University Assessment fee
- Library resources
- Several other study related costs in the German university
The Erasmus+ Grant is offered to the student during the studies in a German university.
Degrees you can get through the Erasmus+ EU Grant
As per the learning agreement which you will get before traveling to Germany, your home university will recognize the degree gained in the host German university.
If you are awarded with the Erasmus Mundus Joint Degree scholarship, you will receive a dual or joint recognized degree from your home university and the host German university.
Visa terms and conditions for studying under the Erasmus+ program in Germany
As a non-German, international student, you must possess a Visa to study in Germany. Some of the exceptions to this are European Countries such as The European Economic Area EEA countries, Switzerland, Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, South Korea and the USA.
Depending on how long you are required to stay in Germany to complete your study program, there are two types of student visa you can apply for – short-period student visa and long-period student visa.
