University 4th in Europe for participation in work placements
05 Aug 2010
EU releases figures for Erasmus programme for 2008/09
In 2008/09, The University of Manchester was ranked fourth amongst European universities for outgoing work placements of students with EU support through the Erasmus programme.
The UK sends out the most students on placements after France and Germany, and is the second most popular destination for incoming students after Spain.
More students than ever from across Europe went abroad in this academic year for studies and company placements, according to new figures released recently by the EU. The biggest increase was in the number of students going on work placements, which was up more than 50% on the previous year.
When study and work placements are combined, the number of students from the UK participating in the Erasmus programme increased this year by 6% to 10,826 - the third successive annual increase since 2006.
Staff mobility also increased in the UK by 10% with over 1,700 staff taking part in either a teaching or training assignment.
Independent studies show that the Erasmus programme has had a substantial impact on many levels:
- Individual 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 for students, build up management capacity, participate more actively in research activities and create links to business.
- At the European level, co-operation and mobility through Erasmus triggered the Bologna Process for higher education reform.
More than two million young Europeans have benefited from Erasmus funding since the programme's launch in 1987 and it is estimated that 4% of European students receive an Erasmus grant at some stage during their studies.
The Erasmus programme has been managed in the UK since 2007 by the British Council.
More information
About the Erasmus Programme:
- The British Council: Erasmus
- European Commission: The Erasmus Programme [including more statistical information]
On opportunities to participate in the Erasmus Programme at The University of Manchester:
- Dr Caroline Whitehand, Manager of Study Abroad, at caroline.whitehand@manchester.ac.uk