According to new figures released by Commissioner Vassiliou, almost 200. 000 higher education students received grants to study or train abroad, a figure which represents an increase of 8.7%. This increase is even more significant in the case of  of students going on company placements, as figures went up more than 50% in relation to the previous year. Besides, more than 36.000 staff from higher education institutions also benefited from the possibility to receive training in any of the 31 countries taking part in the Programme.

In the academic year 2008/09, a total of 198.600 students went to one of the 31 countries participating in the Erasmus programme. The record numbers of students benefiting from the Erasmus scheme reflects a 12% increase in the budget available in 2008/09 for Erasmus studies, placements and other mobility actions.

This increase in the number of students benefiting from this scheme also lead to an increase in the average monthly grant that Erasmus students received from the EU in 2008/2009, which ranged from 255 € to 272 €. Only two countries, Iceland and Liechtenstein, sent fewer Erasmus students abroad than previously.

Lower budget increases in the next few years will, however, mean that it will be difficult for the programme to expand at similar rates in the near future without additional resources. For the time being, more than two million young Europeans have benefited from Erasmus funding since the programme's launch in 1987.

Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou highlighted the fact that more and more Europeans are part of the “Erasmus generation” benefitting from a learning experience abroad during their studies. This experience has meant for many of them the possibility to find a job after their studies, and helped in their academic and personal development. Commissioner Vassiliou also expressed the will of the European Commission to expand this European success story and make it an opportunity for all young people with the upcoming 'Youth on the Move' initiative.

Erasmus: Students mobility, company placements and other mobility schemes

Since 2007, Erasmus has also offered students the opportunity to go abroad for placements in businesses or other organisations. This saw an increase of more than 50% on the previous year, meaning that 30400 students in 2008/09 benefited from company placements under that scheme. A desire by students to increase their job prospects through practical work, as shown by a Eurobarometer survey in 2009, is seen as a main reason behind the increasing popularity of Erasmus company placements.

Furthermore, during the academic year 2008/2009, Erasmus supported more than 36.000 exchanges of staff from higher education institutions (up 13.6%). In 28.600 cases teachers received grants to teach abroad and in 7.700 cases staff spent time in another country for training in businesses or partner institutions.

Erasmus 2008/09 figures top ten

In terms of total number of students

• France: 28.300 students
• Germany: 27.900 students
• Spain: 27.400 students

As a share of their student population

• Luxembourg: 15.5%
• Liechtenstein: 3%
• Austria: 1.9%
• Czech Republic: 1.7%

Most popular destinations

• Spain 33.200 students
• France 24.600 students
• Germany: 22.000

The Erasmus Programme

Currently, an estimated 4% of European students receive an Erasmus grant at some stage during their studies benefiting from the Erasmus Programme. Erasmus not only caters for students and university staff, but also supports higher education institutions in working together through networks, multilateral projects and other measures. There is also an increased focus on reaching out to the world of business and society.

With the addition of Croatia and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to the Erasmus programme in 2009, the number of participating countries has risen to 33.

According to independent studies, the Erasmus programme has had a substantial impact on many levels: the participants acquire skills that increase their future employability or, in the case of staff, their career prospects. Higher education institutions internationalise their campuses, introduce new teaching methods and services, build up management capacity, strengthen research activities and create links to business.

The Commission believes the Erasmus programme can contribute to the Union's 'Europe 2020' strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth by equipping young people with the adaptable skills needed for a competitive, knowledge-based society.