FAQ – Studying in Europe

1. I’m a student in a European country. I would like to pursue my studies abroad. Can I apply for a scholarship?
2. I’m a PhD student. Can I apply for an Erasmus grant to pursue my studies abroad?
3. I’m a student from a non-European country. I would like to pursue my studies in Europe. Can I apply for a scholarship?
4. I have heard of the Erasmus Mundus programme. What are the conditions of participation and when will it start?
5. Will my secondary/higher education diploma be recognised in another European country?
6. Will my professional qualifications be recognised in another European country?
7. Can I apply for funding for a work placement?
8. I represent an education/training institution. Is it possible to include the website of my institution in the Ploteus database?
9. Where can I find information on job opportunities in Europe?

1. I’m a student in a European country. I would like to pursue my studies abroad. Can I apply for a scholarship?

Step 1: Ask at the International Relations Office at your home university if you can participate in the Socrates-Erasmus programme. Basically, once you have successfully passed the selection process and become an Erasmus student, you should receive a mobility grant. To learn more about the Socrates-Erasmus programme, please consult Information for students on Ploteus.

Step 2: If you have already chosen a university or other higher education institution abroad and wish to find out more about available scholarships, you can:

• Look for institutions in the chosen country that can award a grant to foreigners – check “opportunities for grants” on Ploteus’ Education Systems section
• Contact the Ministry of Education in your country and ask about grant opportunities
• Contact the Embassy of the country in which your host university is situated

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2. I’m a PhD student. Can I apply for an Erasmus grant to pursue my studies abroad?

Ask at the International Office at your home university if any of the agreements signed with partner universities provide for exchanges of doctoral students. Even if they do not include such a provision, the universities could agree on it at any time.

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3. I’m a student from a non-European country. I would like to pursue my studies in Europe. Can I apply for a scholarship?

Step 1: Ask the International Office at your university if you can participate in the Tempus or Alban programmes. If you are accepted to participate in the scheme, you will be awarded a grant. To learn more about Tempus and Alban programmes, please consult Information for students on Ploteus.

Step 2: If you have already chosen a university or other higher education institution abroad and wish to find out more about the scholarships available, you can:

• Look for institutions in the chosen country that can award a grant to foreigners – check “opportunities for grants” on Ploteus’ Education Systems section
• Contact the Ministry of Education in your country and ask about grant opportunities
• Contact the Embassy of the country in which your host university is situated

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4. I have heard of the Erasmus Mundus programme. What are the conditions of participation and when will it start?

The Erasmus Mundus programme will enable students to participate in postgraduate courses at European Universities. Students from third countries (outside of the EU, EFTA and accession countries) will be eligible for scholarships. These postgraduate courses will be prepared by a partnership of at least three higher education institutions from different Member States. The project started in September 2004. For more information, please consult regularly the following website: http://ec.europa.eu/education/index_en.html

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5. Will my secondary/higher education diploma be recognised in another European country?

In order to facilitate the mobility of students within Europe, the EU has introduced the network of National Academic Recognition Information Centres (NARIC’s). Together with the ENIC network, which was set up by the Council of Europe and UNESCO, the joint NARIC – ENIC network covers the area of all EU, EEA, and Central and Eastern European countries. The network provides advice and information on the academic recognition of diplomas and periods of study undertaken abroad. You will find more information on the following website: http://www.enic-naric.net

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6. Will my professional qualifications be recognised in another European country?

If you want to move within EU and EEA Member States, you could contact a National Reference Point for vocational qualifications. The national reference points operate in a network and provide information concerning the recognition of national qualifications and professional certificates in the area covered by the network. You will find more information on the following website: http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/

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7. Can I apply for funding for a work placement?

You can find information on opportunities for grants on Ploteus in the Education Systems section. If you are interested in participating in a work placement abroad, you could also contact the International Relations Office at your university or training institution and ask if they participate in the Leonardo da Vinci programme. As a beneficiary of the programme, you will be awarded a grant. In order to learn more about the Leonardo da Vinci programme, please consult Information for students and youth on Ploteus. If you are not eligible for the grants listed on Ploteus, please contact the Euroguidance Centre of the country you would like to study or work in.

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8. I represent an education/training institution. Is it possible to include the website of my institution in the Ploteus database?

In order to place your link on Ploteus, you should contact your National Euroguidance Centre, which is responsible for the selection of links to national institutions and organisations. The list of contacts can be found at the following address: http://www.euroguidance.org.uk/english/nrcvgcentres/index.htm

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9. Where can I find information on job opportunities in Europe?

If you are interested in moving within the EU/EEA for purposes of work, study or training, see the access details for the National Resource Centre for Vocational Guidance in your home country . Visit the homepage of Euroguidance Network at http://www.euroguidance.org.uk/

You could also visit EURES at http://ec.europa.eu/eures/ – the European Commission portal containing the European database of job opportunities. Its aim is to facilitate the free movement of workers within the 27 countries of the European Economic Area, and Switzerland.