Careers Centre ERASMUS Work Placements Angie Willshaw

Careers Centre What is Erasmus?  European Commission scheme  To increase mobility of Higher Education Students  Divided into 2 parts  Study most widely known  But not just for Study / language students!  Work Placement scheme also exists  Support given for University students to undertake work experience in Europe

Careers Centre What do I get from Erasmus Work?  Support provided as funding from the EC towards work placements in Europe  Students receive a monthly, flat rate ‘grant’ 2008/09: €390 per month (£300)  Not a maintenance grant, but a contribution towards the extra costs of living abroad  PLUS, tuition fee waiver for a full year spent in Europe (7 months), worth £860 in 2009/10  Students also receive payment from job, Student Loan & reduced Leeds bursary

Careers Centre How do I qualify for Erasmus Work?  You must be EU national  You must be registered at the University both before and after the Placement (usually students go away after their 2 nd year)  As far as Erasmus is concerned, you CAN do placement in final year, as long as it is completed before graduation (depends on department / school)

Careers Centre Will my work placement qualify for Erasmus?  Student responsible for arranging own placement  Placement must be part of your degree (approved by dept & recognised by the University eg degree supplement)  In EU country  Only placements of 3 – 12 months funded (can do 3+6 or 4+5)  Full time job  Timing (must fit into cycle, eg 1 st June 09 to 30 Sept 10)  Cannot work directly for the EC, embassies / consulates or national agencies  British Council Language Assistants are eligible too

Careers Centre How do I apply?  Most important thing is to get your PLACEMENT ARRANGED!  Application for Erasmus grant & fee waiver is through Careers Centre (from May/Jun)  Application form ed to you  Need Contract or job offer letter as proof  Need dates to be sorted out!

Careers Centre  Placement(s) must be 7 months long in total  EU national  You must be eligible for ‘Statutory Student Funding’ in the UK (ie Student Loans; dependent on residency criteria)  Islands students NOT eligible for this What about the Tuition Fee Waiver?

Careers Centre What happens next?  Placement Contract/Training Agreement & Certificate of Arrival issued  Signed by you, me, your supervisor  First payment (70% of overall grant) released  Complete end-of-placement Questionnaire & Certificate of Attendance  Remaining 30% of grant released  Lots of paperwork, but worth it!

Careers Centre Erasmus Work Contact details (Angie Willshaw) Telephone (0113) Webpage ( work/index.asp) work/index.asp