The Erasmus Programme is an EU-wide student exchange programme that offers opportunities to study throughout Europe. The high-quality university education experienced by students during exchange empowers our graduates socially, culturally and economically. The University has exchange agreements with institutions across Europe.
Erasmus can be an incredible academic, professional and personal experience. Students have opportunities to learn about another culture, people and way of life as well as travel and experience academic life at an EU institution. Students are also able to improve their CVs and expand employment opportunities through skills gained during Erasmus study.
Abertay has established partnerships with institutions across Europe -- check with the Exchange and Study Abroad Officer to see what options are available for your subject matter. The University is firmly committed to increasing its European dimension by working to extend partnerships through Erasmus; relationships will continue to be established as further contacts are made with European institutions.
Students can study for either a year or semester depending on what fits your academic schedule and personal preference. Interested students should ideally begin planning for Erasmus far in advance.
Students continue to pay tuition at Abertay, but do not pay tuition costs at the host institution during their Erasmus exchange. The Erasmus Programme offers grants to participating students in order to help defray costs during the exchange such as flights, housing, meals and personal spending money. Students are granted a set amount per month for expenses depending on the country of study. There may be additional funds depending on your course of study, country of study, socioeconomic status or any disabilities. If you believe you may qualify for additional funding, please inform the Exchange and Study Abroad Officer.
Credits earned during Erasmus study are counted toward a student degree and recognised on a student's transcript and Diploma Supplement. Students must first approve modules they plan to take during Erasmus with their School Erasmus contact before participating. Abertay is part of the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) system, but the European Credit and Transfer System (ECTS) is used to facilitate the transfer of credit for Erasmus students. Students earn two SCQF credits for every one ECTS credit successfully completed. After students complete the approved modules abroad, School Programme Boards apply the appropriate amount of credits to student records and these credits are applied when determining exit awards. Transcripts recognise credits earned during mobility and Diploma Supplements indicate the mobility modules, units, training activities and location.
If you are proficient in a language, there are many opportunities to study courses delivered in the languages of our European partners. However, students do not necessarily need to know another language to study abroad as many of our Erasmus partners deliver courses in English. If you do not know a language, Abertay encourages you to start learning the language of your host country before you study and possibly as soon as you know you are interested in going abroad. There are local opportunities in Dundee to study languages, or you may be able to participate in one of the Erasmus Intensive Language Courses (EILCs) in the host country before you begin your exchange. Feel free to speak with the Exchange and Study Abroad Officer regarding language learning options.
Incoming students to the University are placed into the relevant class according to their subject of study, and are encouraged to integrate with other students in their class and in the University. Abertay welcomes many European and international students each year -- student life is vibrant at the University and in Dundee.
New students to Abertay are given priority to be placed in university accommodation, and incoming Erasmus exchange students are included in this group. In addition, incoming Erasmus exchange students have access to all student support services such as counselling, finance advice, careers development information, Chaplaincy, and assistance with academics among other things.
All incoming students are assessed for English language ability and appropriate support is offered. The University offers a range of English language courses for students whose first language is not English. The courses currently offered are the Intensive Pre-sessional English Course and English for Study In-sessional. English for Study classes are free and can be studied alongside an academic programme. The programme aims to help students cope with lectures, tutorials and writing coursework.
Upon conclusion of study at Abertay, incoming students are awarded credits and an exit award if applicable after completing their study mobility. Transcripts indicating student modules, duration, results and credits earned are sent to both the student and their home institutions shortly after mobility.
To apply to study at Abertay as an Erasmus student, you must be nominated by one of our partner universities. Check with your institution's International Office or Erasmus Co-ordinator to see if your university partners with Abertay.
Abertay is able to accommodate both incoming and outgoing students for Erasmus work placements -- speak with the Exchange and Study Abroad Officer regarding the placement you would like to undertake. Prior to any work placement the University will put in place a learning agreement and agree objectives of the work placement with both the student and the sending/receiving institution. Placement agreements, objectives and the work programme are implemented in advance of any work experience undertaken by the Erasmus student. Abertay students successfully completing agreed objectives on an Erasmus work placement will have placements recognised on their student transcript as well as a certificate.
The Exchange and Study Abroad Unit implements and administers European and international mobility across the University. Each School also has a contact to help facilitate exchange and study abroad. For more information on participating in the Erasmus exchange programme or partnering with Abertay for an Erasmus exchange, please contact the Exchange and Study Abroad Officer. If you are interested in Erasmus Mundus, please contact the European Officer.
