Key Takeaways about Erasmus Internships
- What Are Erasmus Internships? Erasmus internships are work placements abroad through Erasmus+ (or Turing Scheme for UK students), offering professional experience and cultural immersion. They are often, but not always, across EU countries.
- 5 Key Benefits: Gain professional experience, develop entrepreneurial skills, improve language proficiency, immerse in new cultures, and explore diverse career paths.
- Conditions and Requirements: Open to Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD, and VET students. Internships last 3-12 months. Erasmus+ grants help cover costs and ideally you can also find a paid internship.
- How to Apply: Contact theInterna to check eligibility, find internships, get visas, complete the learning agreement and create your profile for free.
- FAQs: Do interns get paid? What countries offer internships? Is it hard to get accepted? How much is the Erasmus+ grant?
What Are Erasmus Internships?
Erasmus internships are international work placements funded by the Erasmus+ program, run by the European Commission. Open to Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD students, as well as recent graduates, these internships offer hands-on experience in various fields.
Interns apply through their university’s Erasmus+ office, receive financial support, gain valuable skills and networks while working abroad, enhancing their employability and cultural understanding.
They offer a great way to actually see another culture whilst also getting important work experience.
There’s also a hidden opportunity, usually when you do a job or 2 jobs for 3-6 months each, it can be frowned upon by future employers, not internships though!
So what a great way to test out what you might like and see quickly whether you like it or not, without the potential negative repercussions that you might get if these were full time jobs.
5 Key Benefits of Erasmus Internships
Completing an Erasmus internship offers numerous benefits for students and recent graduates:
- Gain Professional Experience: Work in diverse, international business environments, learning different practices and management styles.
- Develop Entrepreneurial Skills: Build creative and entrepreneurial skills highly valued by future employers. Many former Erasmus+ interns have even started their own businesses, showcasing the program’s impact on fostering entrepreneurial spirit.
- Improve Language and Teamwork Skills: Enhance your foreign language proficiency and interpersonal teamwork skills by collaborating with multicultural teams.
- Cultural Immersion: Deepen your understanding of other cultures and ways of life by living and working abroad.
- Explore Career Opportunities: Discover new career paths through Erasmus+ traineeships, which support students and recent graduates, including vocational education and training (VET) opportunities.
These internships provide both personal growth and professional development, helping you stand out in the job market.
Conditions and Requirements
To apply for an Erasmus internship, there are specific requirements and conditions you must meet.
Eligibility
- Must be currently enrolled in a higher education institution in a Programme Country or be a recent graduate (within 12 months).
- Open to students at Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD levels, and vocational education and training (VET) students.
Duration
Internships typically last between 3 to 12 months. In our experience we’ve found the ideal length internship to be 7-8 months, enough time for you to settle in but also gives you the summer to go traveling or explore other things
Learning Agreement
Deadlines
Follow the specific deadlines and requirements set by both your university and the host organization – but mostly your university, so ask the coordinators if it’s not clear.
Equally remember you can do an Erasmus internship as a graduate, you just need to make sure that all the documents are signed BEFORE you stop being a student But the internship can begin and continue on after you have graduated.
Erasmus+ Financial Support
Grants are available to support living expenses during your internship abroad. These figures do vary based on the country so worth checking this one out further here
University Coordination
Often it’s your university’s Erasmus+ office that will manage your application and ensure you meet eligibility criteria.
How to Apply for Erasmus Internships
1) Check Eligibility
You must be a student or recent graduate from an Erasmus+ Programme Country. This applies to Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD, and VET students.
2) Contact Erasmus+ Office
Your university’s Erasmus+ office will guide you through the process and provide all necessary details and documents.
3) Find Internships
As mentioned, there are a few options out there, but feel free to have a search on our platform theInterna for internship opportunities based on your field of study and where you want to go.
4) Apply for the job
Create your candidate profile on theInterna with your CV, degree, etc. Whilst, of course, we can’t guarantee an Erasmus internship, we will try our best to find you the right match. Having been previous Erasmus students ourselves, we know how difficult it can be.
5) Apply for Funding
Once accepted, apply for Erasmus+ funding to support living expenses abroad.
6) Sign the Agreement
Sign a Learning Agreement with your university and host company.
7) Visa requirement
Particularly UK nationals will require a visa. It’s not the easiest of processes depending on the country. We can support, though, so please don’t hesitate to get in contact if you’re needing a hand on the visa side of things.
8) Prepare for Departure
Finalize travel, accommodation, and start your internship!
If you’ve found an internship through theInterna, we encourage you to check out our pre-internship training program to provide you with the necessary support, hard skills, and soft skills to make a real difference whilst on placement.
Just shoot us a message if you’d like access to this (whether you found an internship through us or not).
FAQs about Erasmus Internships
Can students from the United Kingdom attend the Erasmus+ Program?
UK students are no longer eligible for Erasmus+ but can access international placements through the Turing Scheme.
What countries does theInterna offer for Erasmus internship opportunities?
theInterna offers internships across several European countries. Opportunities vary depending on the sector but commonly include countries like Spain, Germany, France, and Italy.
We are also starting to expand opportunities in countries outside Europe as well, such as United States, Dubai, Singapore, Australia, Canada.
Do Erasmus interns get paid?
How much money do I get from an Erasmus internship grant 2025?
The Erasmus+ grant typically ranges from €400 to €700 per month, depending on the country’s cost of living.
Does Erasmus grant pay for rent?
The Erasmus+ grant is meant to cover living expenses, including rent. However, depending on the country, it may not cover all costs.
Is it hard to get accepted for Erasmus?
Acceptance depends on factors like the availability of positions and quality of your application. theInterna helps match students with internships that align with their skills and qualifications.
What are the odds of getting Erasmus?
The odds vary, but with theInterna’s support and matching process, students have a better chance of securing a relevant internship based on their skills and field.
How long do Erasmus internships usually last?
Erasmus internships can vary in duration, typically ranging from a few months to a full academic year.
The length might depend on the field of study, the specific requirements of the host company, and the academic calendar.
Interested in Erasmus Internships?
Links related to Erasmus Internships
- Pre-Internship Training Course
- What is the Turing Scheme and how does it work?
- Can I work during my Erasmus year?
- How to decide whether to study a new subject on your Erasmus year
- A Guide to Making the Most of Your Erasmus Experience
- 5 Tips for Building a Strong Personal Brand During Your Internship
- Spain Study Visa
- Placement Year Jobs Opportunities
- Interning at a Startup
- What is a Placement Year?
