Higher Education Authority an t�dar�s um Ard-Oideachas HEA

International Exchange Programmes

For many college courses in Ireland, you can apply to spend a period of your study in a partner college in another country. The period can range from one semester to a full academic year. During the period you study as normal, sit exams or complete assignments, depending on the requirements for the course in the host institution, and your results count towards your qualification back home.

There are many benefits for students in taking up an opportunity during their course to study abroad for a period. They will experience a new cultural setting and educational challenge, make new friends in the host institution, and have a ripe opportunity to improve their foreign language skills. For younger students, the challenge of living independently abroad contributes greatly to their personal development. Completion of a period of study abroad can be looked on very positively by employers.

The main study exchange programme in which Irish colleges participate is the European Union's Erasmus programme (European Region Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students). In operation for over 20 years, the programme currently has 37 participating colleges in Ireland. Every year, college schools and departments offer students on the courses that they run the opportunity to apply to spend a semester or a full academic year in a partner institution in another EU country. Under the exchange arrangement, students on similar courses in the partner institution abroad can apply to come to Ireland to study for a period. For outgoing Irish Erasmus students, being capable of meeting the language requirements for study and living in the country abroad is a pre-requisite. There are no tuition fees for the study period abroad under the programme.

In general, if you are accepted to study abroad under the programme, you receive a special grant to help you with meeting the extra costs involved (e.g. flights). Also, Irish Erasmus students in receipt of a maintenance grant continue to get paid their grant during their time studying abroad.

The National Agency for the Lifelong Learning Programme: Erasmus has a website, www.eurireland.ie, on international education, with particular emphasis on programmes run by the European Union. Further information on Erasmus opportunities is also available on college websites.  www.esn.org, the website of the Erasmus student network is a further source of information. Lastly, information can also be found on individual college websites on non-Erasmus study opportunities with partner institutions outside the EU.

Most Irish colleges participate in what is known as the Extended Erasmus Programme, where students on particular courses can go on a work placement abroad as part of their course. Further details are available in the Erasmus section of individual college websites.