ERASMUS+ exchange programme

Erasmus+ Traineeship scheme

Although coming under the umbrella of ‘Erasmus’, this scheme is handled completely separately to the Erasmus Exchange Programme. This scheme does not require a bilateral agreement between ourselves and the sending institution, whereas for our Erasmus exchange students this is a fundamental requirement. Erasmus exchange students undertake course units with us, whereas under the Erasmus+ Traineeship scheme the students come here for a period of lab experience or training. Students coming under the Erasmus+ Traineeship scheme must be registered as temporary staff members via Human Resources.  Students undertaking traineeships will be in receipt of an Erasmus+ funding grant (disbursed to them via their home university) towards the cost of living abroad during their work experience.  Supervisors will need to sign paperwork (which they will give you) from their home university to be able to disburse this grant funding to them.  

Most participants are likely to be EU nationals, in which case there are no visa implications. However, if a student is not a national of an EU country then they will need to have a visa before they come to Manchester.  This applies to Turkish students in particular.  As they are coming to the UK to work they will require a Tier 5 Visa.  Individual universities are not able to sponsor Erasmus+ Trainees for a Tier 5 visa.  The British Council have been granted permission by UKVI to act as sponsor in the university's stead.  The student should therefore consult the British Council website for advice (https://www.erasmusplus.org.uk/tier-5-visa-how-to-apply-for-a-certificate-of-sponsorship)

Members of staff receiving queries from students stating that they wish to spend a period of time in a laboratory under the Erasmus ‘placement’ scheme should refer the student to the Anne Pinkerton (anne.pinkerton@manchester.ac.uk) for advice and further information. Please also refer to the intranet page for visiting lab placement students.