Erasmus - on the way back?

[OhDear111]

Good news? What could go wrong?

They’re announcing something tomorrow.

Such a good thing for young people to be able to access.

Is it different from the Turing system we have now?

Yes, Erasmus+ is generally only for mobility within Europe whereas Turing funding can be given to students going anywhere in the world. Turing is a little more generous with funding for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

If the Turing Scheme stops, students going to say, Canada or Japan won’t receive funding, but for the most part, everyone going to a European destination will (depending on how much money universities receive).

Erasmus is more global now than it used to be so can support mobility to places outside Europe, not in such large numbers as intra-European mobility but it is definitely a part of the current Erasmus programme.

Ohhh I’m glad to hear this! I was really lucky to benefit from Erasmus when I was at university. As part of my BEd, I spent 3 months in Finland! Best part of my 4 year degree 😍

Erasmus gave funds to all students doing MFL and needing to be abroad and others who did exchanges, eg to USA, Canada and Australia. It wasn’t means tested and money was available based on course, so you didn’t need to pay living costs for your dc to study French in France as many parents do now. Turing money has been in very short supply in many universities and parents are having to dig very deep.

I’m glad we are joining Erasmus again. Boris Johnson thought it cost too much but by leaving it, parents of MFL students have, in many cases, been seriously out of pocket as there’s no grants for even some moderately off dc.

Is Erasmus only for MFL students and does it include post-graduate study?

I can’t answer the second part of your question @Sheeppig re post grad access but can respond on UG -

My DD completed a YA across 2 countries last year, one within the EU and other in Middle East (both fully funded); she attends a university in the EU where students can access Erasmus funding for most UG programmes, not means tested. They encourage their students to participate, even if just for one semester to improve their Global outlook, mobility and experience.

Makes such a difference to YP’s options. I hope all the talk today of the cost and whether it provides value for money does not derail its reinstatement.

@Sheeppig Traditionally it was for students who had a year abroad as part of their course. MFL is the obvious one but other undergrads could use the scheme too to study abroad. It stops us being a little island, which is a good thing. Not sure about post grad and would presumably matter on course and length of course.

Erasmus also brought in EU students, and facilitated staff exchanges. The latter are very important, as they enable us to visit specific institutions to which we send our students, and check what the actual on-the-ground teaching and conditions are like.

@ParmaVioletTea Yes. Absolutely and valuable.

The EU and UK have formally agreed so don't think it will change until after an election.

I'm kind of hoping the unis will be a bit more encouraged to allocate Turing to MFL and other compulsory year abroaders as it seems very unfair for this year's students to miss out.

Absolutely @HPFA. I really hope your DD is successful in receiving funds for her YA.

Wonderful news - too late for DD who is currently abroad on the MFL year abroad but so delighted others will not have to face what she had to go through.

I expect though UK citizens might still require a visa but hopefully it will be more straightforward. Haven't seen any details yet on that aspect.

@HPFA I did think Turing was spread too thinly with some students jetting off for non essential reasons. If funding had been used for compulsory years first, no issue. Thats not what happened though and it was like pp money in schools. Given on a social basis, not always a compulsory educational one and many unis were desperately short of Turing money.

I posted this on another thread - reposting here

Can I shout from the rooftops about the EU solidarity corp that was part of Erasmus - hopefully open again to all UK 18-30 years olds.

its a fantastic volunteering opportunity.

DS spent a year out with it, travel, food & board paid for in exchange for volunteering time.

DS spent time clearing trees in Finland to dry stone wall building on a Croatian Island to restoring scout campsites on a beach in Greece. He made a huge number of friends & loved the experience.

there are 100s of opportunities to chose from, some a week long, some a year long.

after a stressful degree DS targeted outdoor, physical activities with larger groups & loved it.

The only restriction is age - it’s not education linked so accessible to everyone.

UK association will start from 2027 so before the next UK General Election so people should be able to be mobile during 2027 - a lot of work will be needed by colleagues in the UK to set up/ re-instate the various Erasmus requirements in a fairly short space of time but there have been discussions going on already.

Is it freedom of movement by the backdoor?

Too late for us, my son's experience of Turing was awful. There was no underpinning infrastructure and the Uni he went to in Canda totally messed up with funding and accomodation fees. I had to pick up the cost, because otherwise Student England would not have released his Y4 funds and he wouldn't have been able to complete his degree.

Sadly, no.

Just read that it has cost a billion pounds to rejoin ERASMUS.

if this is right, it is unconscionable. A billion pounds is needed for Defence or for Healthcare or for Roads. Not students.

Add that billion to the cost of Brexit. As well as the productivity and GDP declines.

A lot of us are sitting on our hands trying not to say “We told you so: national suicide” too loudly.

It’s not a waste however. Most ordinary people underestimate- or don’t understand - the huge goodwill and soft power that these sorts of international schemes engender.

Too late for DD currently studying abroad in the EU. Turing was less than useless, and there was just very little information or support with any of the process.

I think it's such a shame the little importance the wider public puts on having a well-educated population, as well as the sharing of knowledge and experience. And don't get me started on opinions around non-STEM degrees or degrees that are deemed of no use unless they allow the graduate to walk straight into a related job.

That is such good news. Erasmus was fantastic for DS , it basically provided most of his living expenses for a year in Spain, at Granada University. He had a wonderful time and his Spanish improved immeasurably.
(We enjoyed it too, we went to visit three times during the year. Fantastic city.)

@EmmaStone and @LetMeGoogleThat couldn't agree more - so delighted others will not have to go through what our DC have had to endure.

DC2 arrives back from Rome tomorrow for Christmas - are your DC coming home for a break?

@BestFruitForward You completely misunderstand why we need Erasmus. We need friends. We need to have a united front. We need to understand others. Of course young people should be supported. Shame on those who took it away in the first place. Myopic narrow minded fools.