The Erasmus programme allows students and staff at EU institutions in 33 countries to study for part of their degree or do a work placement in another EU country. It aims to increase student mobility within Europe.

The Polish Minister for Higher Education, Barbara Kudrycka, said at the 22^nd European Students’ Convention in Poland last Tuesday: “We would very much like to see a widening of the Erasmus scheme to non-EU countries, not only our Eastern neighbors but also for example the ones in the southern neighbourhood. In my view, the best diplomats for countries are students and scientists.”

The convention is a four-day event organised by the European Students Union (ESU), which represents 45 national unions of students from 38 European countries.  Allan Päll, the ESU’s chairperson, backed the drive to expand Erasmus: “We think education mobility enriches the life of students, both from an educational and social perspective. Moreover, we firmly believe that mobility supports European integration.” He also said he would like to see an increase in grants for students who struggle financially, to increase mobility.

Kudrycka has previously expressed an interest in allowing students from Eastern Partnership countries such as Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine to be given the opportunity to study in EU countries.

She said: “Today we consider mobility is an essential of the European community because mobility is an emanation of freedom and therefore the eastern dimension of mobility is becoming even more important. Students from European Partnership countries should be given the possibility of studying in EU counties on the same terms as students from EU countries.”

More than 2.2 million students have taken part in the Erasmus scheme since it started in 1987, an and there are plans to extend it to reach three million Erasmus students by 2012.

To find out more about the Erasmus scheme, please visit the European commission website, or for those in the UK – www.britishcouncil.org/erasmus

If you are a student at a UK institution (regardless of nationality) or are planning to be, read an article by the British Council about getting involved in the scheme here.

Are you a student from a non-EU country? Would you like to see the Erasmus programme extended?

The following measures are in place with immediate effect:

• Non-EU applicants will need to prove they have an almost-GCSE standard of English, rather than the beginner level currently required.
• To ensure applicants are coming to the UK to focus on study rather than work, students on courses below degree level will be restricted to 10 hours paid work a week instead of the current 20.
• Students on courses that last less than six months will not be permitted to bring dependants into the country, and dependants of students on below degree-level courses will not be permitted to work.
• Visas for courses that include work placements will now only be granted if the institution is on the Highly Trusted Sponsors List, a new register for educational establishments.

The increased restrictions on student visas are part of the British governments response to concerns about students coming to the UK and failing to leave at the agreed time, as well as others abusing the system and taking university places away from genuine international students.

The UK is one of the most highly-sought destinations for international students, who are thought to be worth between £5m and £8m to the UK economy.

For more information on UK visas visit the UK Border Agency and read the latest UK edition from i-studentadvisor.

Kate Samways, a fourth-year undergraduate at the School of European Studies was selected by the European Commission as the UK’s representative for ‘the two-millionth student’ in recognition of the Erasmus programme achieving two million participating students.

Run by the British Council, the Erasmus programme allows students a study period and/or a work placement in one of 30 European countries as part of their degree.

In order to mark the two million milestone, each of the countries participating in the programme selected one student to become their two-millionth representative and take part in the upcoming conference, “Erasmus – the way forward”, which will take place in Lund, Sweden, from 5 to 6 October 2009.

Commenting on Kate’s selection, Rose Matthews, Study Abroad Coordinator at the University’s International Relations Division said: “We were delighted to hear that Kate Samways has been chosen to represent the UK for the two millionth Erasmus student. Kate represents all that is positive about the Erasmus programme, having undertaken a study period and a work placement as part of her degree.

“Cardiff University has a long tradition of sending students abroad through the Erasmus programme and we believe that attendance on an Erasmus placement benefits both the student and the institution. The transferable skills that students develop through studying abroad greatly enhance their CV, helping them become more attractive to employers – particularly important in today’s increasingly competitive graduate employment market.  We congratulate Kate on this wonderful achievement.”

Simon Williams, Head of EU Programmes at the British Council, said: “It is clear through Kate’s experience that Erasmus students really do gain so much more than academic recognition. By integrating themselves into their new surroundings and getting involved, they become a real asset to their host community, broadening their own life experience as well as those of the people whose lives they touch along the way. Kate’s story is representative of the growing number of UK students who take part in this excellent programme. Not only does it offer academic, professional and personal development, but it helps young people to better understand and work with people from other cultures and all walks of life. It is great to see this being understood by an increasing number of students in the UK and across Europe.”