Erasmus+ is the most extensive European student exchange programme funded by the EU. This page contains more information on the programme, along with a list of host universities by academic departments. University of Eastern Finland also has bilateral agreements with some European universities. In addition, the Nordic Countries are available through the Nordplus programme.
You can find Erasmus+ host universities sorted by faculty and subject via the links at the bottom of the page.
ERASMUS+
Students can apply for student exchange or international traineeships through Erasmus+ programme. Student exchange is based on bilateral agreements concluded between academic departments at the participating universities. The countries participating in the Erasmus+ programme are the EU Member States and Iceland, Liechtenstein, Northern Macedonia, Norway, Serbia and Turkey. More information on the Erasmus+ programme on the website of the Finnish National Agency for Education (EDUFI). (The link opens up to a new window).
ERASMUS+ STUDENT EXCHANGE
For whom: Bachelor’s/Master’s/Doctoral level students of all fields.
NB! Students from outside the EU/EEA are advised to discuss with their study programme coordinator if exchange studies would extend their studies and/or affect their tuition fee.
NB! If you have an employment contract with UEF (for example as a 10 % grant researcher), you are not eligible to apply for student exchange. See Heimo for instructions regarding staff exchange.
When: No earlier than in the second year of academic studies (the application process can be started in the first year)
Where: Numerous universities in Europe; see the options available (by UEF faculty/department).
Duration: One semester or full academic year (2–12 months, depending on the semesters of the host university). Physical exchange should be minimum 2 months. Completely virtual exchanges are not possible.
NB! The actual dates and duration of the exchange depends on the host university’s academic calendar, not UEF’s.
Applying: The annual first call for applications for the following academic year is 1–15 February (autumn semester, spring semester, or full academic year). A second call for applications may be held on 1–31 May if there are still places and grants available after the first call for applications.
The application process has two stages: firstly, students apply for exchange internally to be accepted as UEF’s candidates for exchange (home department/school chooses the candidates); secondly, the selected candidates apply for the exchange to the host university according to their application process. The final decision on the acceptance will be made by the host university. For more information, see the section on applying for student exchange and training abroad.
Funding: The Erasmus+ grant is EUR 490/540 per month in the academic year 2023-2024. The precise amount is determined by the duration of the exchange and the host country. Grant will be only paid for physical exchange period. Students who have fewer opportunities on participating in the exchange (e.g. students with family, family carers, disabled students, migrant background) or who have special needs due to physical or mental health can apply for additional support for the exchange. More detailed information on additional support can be found from “Funding your studies abroad“. In Erasmus+ programme student can also apply for green travel support, if most of the travelled journeys to host country and back home or at least one direction of journey is travelled with low emissions (bus, train, carpooling).
12 months per degree level: Students may complete more than one Erasmus+ student exchange or traineeship during their studies. However, the total maximum duration is 12 months per degree level (Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate).
Please note: Erasmus+ student exchanges are based on field-specific Erasmus+ agreements between departments/schools. Some agreements only cover Bachelor’s or Master’s studies (see the level of studies in the list of host universities.) The number of students accepted each year depends on the individual agreement. As a rule, students apply for exchange through the agreement of their major or minor subject. If a suitable destination cannot be found, it may be possible to apply for a host university of another department/school. However, most universities do not accept students from outside the agreed field and the available exchange studies are limited to the field or faculty specified in the agreement. In addition, students majoring in the subject will take precedence if the number of applicants exceeds the number of available places.
OLS language assessment: Students selected for exchange are required to take Erasmus+ OLS-online language test before the exchange. The results of the language assessment will not prevent student from taking part in the mobility. In general, students cannot use the OLS language test result to prove their language skills to the host university in their application process. Students need to consult host university in case they want to use the OLS test result as a prove of their language skills.
Digital Learning Agreement: All students need to make a digital study plan, Digital Learning Agreement (DLA), for the exchange period before their study exchange period begins. According to the host universities processes, Learning agreement might be required in the second stage when submitting the application to the host university. Digital Learning Agreement can also be called as an Online Learning Agreement (OLA).
UEF Erasmus ID Code: SF KUOPIO12
UEF Erasmus Charter Number: 101011365
UEF Erasmus Charter (PDF file available below)
UEF European Policy Statement (PDF file available below)
