Spain has highest number of Erasmus students

The European Commission’s report also highlights how active different countries are within the scheme. According to 2012-13 data, the three most popular destinations for Erasmus studentswere Spain, Germany and France. Spain also sent the most Erasmus students out of the country to study abroad.

Other findings highlight that the average Erasmus student is 22 years of age, typically planning six months of study abroad, with 67% studying at bachelor level. Female applicants make up 61% of Erasmus students. Although study abroad funding continues to represent the largest segment of Erasmus participation, 55,000 people (one fifth of awardees) were awarded grants for job placements outside of their country.

€15 billion to be awarded in the next seven years

In the next period (2014-20), plans are set for the initiative to grow exponentially as part of the European Commission’s reform strategy, aimed at modernizing higher education and increasing student mobility by at least 20%. The study abroad funding that Erasmus offers is a key part of this strategy, and the scheme has been given a 40% budget increase for the next seven year period, bringing its total budget to €15 billion (US$20.4 billion).

With this extra funding, Erasmus+, launched in January of this year in place of the Lifelong Learning Programme, plans to award grants to four million people over the next seven years. Among this number are two million higher education students and 300,000 staff members. As many as 135,000 student and staff exchanges are planned to take place throughout Europe and in partner countries worldwide.

Along with European Commission’s aims for dramatically increased student mobility, Erasmus+ will now begin offering dedicated funding for apprentices and volunteers, as well as offering more flexible rules for all its grants. Erasmus+ also aims to further its support system over the coming years with added emphasis on linguistic support, as well as additional support for those with special needs or from disadvantaged backgrounds and remote areas.