Numbers of awards
The number of students you can send in any one academic year depends upon the student flows you request in your bilateral agreements. It is important to be realistic in making predictions. This is because great attention is paid to the comparison between actual and predicted mobility. Underperformance can seriously affect the University’s level of funding and chances of Contract renewal. For this reason, Erasmus Programme Directors are strongly encouraged to achieve mobility targets.
Grant Amount
Erasmus grants are only available for outgoing Queen's students, never to incoming students. They are allocated according to strict guidelines laid down by the UK National Erasmus Agency. The Exchange and Study Abroad team receives a block amount which is based upon the total number of student grants requested in the application to the Erasmus National Agency, therefore it is extremely important to be as accurate as possible in predicting student mobility for the next year. The level of funding will depend on:
- the host country;
- length of the placement.
How much, when and how?
The Exchange and Study Abroad team receives a block amount which is based upon the total number of student grants requested on behalf of Queen’s. The Exchange and Study Abroad team is notified of the total level of funding by the UK Erasmus Agency in July/August. Each year, the number of students increases, but the monthly allocation does not necessarily increase at the same rate.
Students must submit a Grant Application form via the Erasmus Programme Director to the Exchange and Study Abroad team . Eligible students will receive an initial payment and, if funds permit, may also receive a second payment. Initial payments are normally made in October/November, once the student returns his Certificate of Arrival form. Second payments are normally made after completion of the placement, upon submission of the completed student report form. Payment of the second allocation will not be made until at least May, when funds are received from the Erasmus National Agency.
In 2015-16 the placement grant was between 250-300 Euros per month for students on an Erasmus Study Period and between 250-400 Euros for students on an Erasmus Work Placement.
Erasmus grants are issued in Euros in the form of bank transfer to the students' accounts. Payment will be made to either a UK or Irish bank account. Students must complete and return the Bank Account Details Form, which will be sent to them by the Exchange and Study Abroad team.
Programme Directors should emphasise to any interested student that Erasmus funding is only intended to be a top-up to the source of funding which they already are living on at Queen's.
Postgraduate students should check with their grant awarding body whether there are funds to help with the Erasmus period. If there are, students must claim them from the grant awarding body. If there are not, students may be paid from Erasmus funds.