Erasmus+ programme

The Erasmus+ programme is an EU programme dedicated to support the educational, professional and personal development of the participating students and graduates. Therefore the programme enables students of higher education institutions to take part of the following possibilities:

• exchange studies 
• traineeships during studies
• recent graduate traineeships (within 12 months after graduation)

HOW MANY TIMES?

Every EKA student can apply for Erasmus+ grant up to 12 months per study level, incl. recent graduate traineeship. Except the students of Architecture and Urban Planning, who are free to use up to 24 months of Erasmus+ grant per 3+2 studies.

Students can do several mobilities during their studies, yet can not exceed the permitted 12 month limit.

Erasmus+ programme encourages students to use the programme for long-term mobilities aka mobility is longer than 60 days, yet individual students who are in need of and speciality departments for study groups can also participate in short-term mobilities (5-30 days). In that case the initiative must come from the head of the speciality department and they should contact the International Office for more information on details.

PhD students can go on short-term mobilities individually. More information from Irene Hütsi.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?

Exchange studies and training scholarships are available for all the students in EKA, incl. BA I year students.
PS students of joint study programmes can go on Erasmus via the leading institutions. Exception is made for students of the joint study programme with TalTech, they can apply for exchange studies via EKA as well (not via both at the same time, but have to choose one or the other).

WHERE CAN YOU GO?

Erasmus+ programme covers official EU countries + Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, Turkey, North Macedonia, Serbia.

In addition it is possible to support student mobilities outside of Europe, but there are limited resources of funding. This means students need to go through competiton to receive the funding. Competition aka application rounds are held twice a year  – in February (deadline on 01.03) and in September (deadline on 15.09)

IMPORTANT!

• Students will retain all rights and obligations as an EKA student during exchange studies/training.
• Erasmus+ mobilities are also available during academic leaves (if taken at student’s own request) or extension.
• If students are fee-paying students and they want to go on Erasmus+ mobilities, they will remain obliged to pay the tuition fee during their semester abroad (unless they are on an academic leave).
• Students may have an extension of nominal study time according to the number of semesters spent abroad. Extension is given to students, who do their mobility during nominal study time (aka is not on extension already) and have passed required number of credit points (please consult with your study specialist on this) on their mobility.
• Speciality department and the Academic Affairs Office must give their consent for student’s mobility. If a student has debts in paying a study fee or having enough study results, the speciality department or the Academic Affairs Office has the right to decline the student’s pursuit of an Erasmus+ mobility. 

Read more about the Erasmus+ programme from the European Commission’s website HERE.

Also, please see the ERASMUS+ student charter (in Estonian “Erasmuse üliõpilasharta”), which is also an annex for the grant agreements signed with students before going on Erasmus.
Certificate award letter of the charter by the European Commission is findable HERE.

EKA IN ERASMUS 2021-2027

ERASMUS programme has been the most important part of Estonian Academy of Arts’ (EKA) internationalisation strategy since 1999 when Estonia joined the initiative. Growth in quality and quantity have marked the progress all the way.

In 2017 (the most recent statistics), 65% of our alumni had participated in ERASMUS+ mobility and it is important to give each member of EKA, an opportunity for staff and teaching exchange. Incoming experts, too, are an important part of EKA’s ERASMUS strategy.

EKA’s goal in participating in the programme is to be part of the European and global community in the widest sense of the word.

We will participate in KA1 and KA2 project initiatives and aim to contribute in KA3 between 2021 – 2027.

We will provide inclusion of all socio-economic groups of our academy’s community in the programme.

We aim to provide an opportunity to experience labour market for recent graduates actively and promote cooperation in the fields of research and development.

Transparency and equal treatment is granted through acts approved by EKA’s Council and active monitoring.

EKA’s goal is to provide international experience to all members of the community and in exchange to our partners, provide excellent experience of internationalisation at EKA. The way to achieve this goal is through active participation in ERASMUS programme and other types of international cooperation. In the next programme period of 2021 – 2027 we aim to achieve that 80% of our students have an international experience abroad and 100% of the community have taken part in some form of internationalisation – in situ or through online platforms. Co-learning and cooperation between students with different cultural backgrounds contributes to the integration process. We consider important the interest in, and tolerance of EKA members coming from foreign countries. We respect and follow GDPR rules and encourage sustainability and climatefriendly approach in achieving these goals.

Exchange studies

The length of exchange studies can be either 1 or 2 semesters, with the minimum duration of 2 months (60 days). Normally one semester lasts 4-5 months. 

If preferred, students can go on exchange studies twice and do their semesters in different partner universities. 

Exchange studies can be done only in one of the EKA’s partner universities. Studying at the partner university as a nominated exchange student from EKA is free of charge

EKA has over 150 partners, which are listed under “Find a university”. The list may be sorted according to the student’s faculty and study level. If a student wishes to receive suggestions on which universities to select, we kindly advise to turn to the speciality department for this. 

Most of the partner universities are situated in Europe, but there are also some of them outside of Europe and in Switzerland. As Switzerland is not part of the Erasmus+ programme, therefore EKA does not have funding for exchange studies done there. Students who wish to pursue exchange studies in Switzerland must apply for a scholarship offered by the host university or have other sources of funding. In case of exchange studies outside of Europe, please seek more information under section “Global mobilities”

Students need to go through two application calls: one in EKA and the other in the selected partner university. The call in EKA is for applying for an Erasmus+ scholarship and the application is targeted to the EKA scholarship committee. After receiving approval from the committee, a student can start applying to the selected partner universities. Once the partner university confirms the applicant’s acceptance, the student can be sure of going on exchange studies.

Students can apply to a maximum of 3 different partner universities to raise their chances of going on exchange studies. 

The EKA scholarship committee includes the deans of the faculties of EKA, both vice-rectors and the head of the International Office.

Erasmus+ study results of your exchange period have to be transferred and appear on your EKA diploma supplement.

One shall aim for meeting full-time study load even when being abroad (30 EAP per semester). In case student participates on mobility on nominal time and after mobility transfers required amount of credits to EKA, the student may have extension of nominal study time according to number of semesters spent abroad.
PS the number of required credit points must be clarified with study specialist prior to the start of mobility. 

Traineeship/Recent graduate traineeship

The length of an Erasmus+ traineeship in Europe can be 2-12 months (60-360 days). In case of a global traineeship, the duration can be 2-5 months (60-150 days)

Students may go on Erasmus mobilities several times per study level, yet it is not allowed to cross the 12 month limit of Erasmus+ scholarship. The recent graduate traineeship is counted as part of the graduated study level.
For example, if a student has done 5 month long exchange studies and 3 month long traineeship while studying in EKA, the student preserves another 4 months of Erasmus+ scholarship to do a recent graduate traineeship. 

Application for a recent graduate traineeship must be submitted before graduating EKA aka during a student’s last semester.

Traineeships can be done either in Europe (enough funding for everyone interested) or globally (limited amount of funding, must be applied for).

Currently EKA is accepting applications for Erasmus+ traineeships in Europe on an ongoing basis. Global traineeship can be done only if students apply for funding during one of the application calls and receive support from the EKA scholarship committee. 

Students have to find a host organisation for traineeships themselves. The host organisation can be whatever gallery, studio, company, enterprise etc which supports student’s studies and selected speciality in EKA. 

Besides receiving an Erasmus+ scholarships, students may also receive a salary from their host organisations. 

It’s compulsory to have health, liability and accident insurance coverage. The student is responsible for buying it before starting the internship period.

In case of recent graduate traineeships, the students with a non-European passport must find guidance regarding visa issues on their own. Unfortunately the International Office can not be of any help in that matter, but is willing to issue necessary documents to prove the student’s upcoming Erasmus+ mobility.

In case traineeship is done during studies at EKA, one shall aim for meeting full-time study load even when being abroad (30 EAP per semester). In case student participates on mobility on nominal time and after mobility transfers required amount of credits to EKA, the student may have extension of nominal study time according to number of semesters spent abroad.
PS the number of required credit points must be clarified with study specialist prior to the start of mobility. 

Short-term mobilities

In addition to long-term mobilities, students may also participate in Erasmus+ blended short-term mobilities. In these cases, physical mobility must last between 5 days and 30 days (excluding travel time) and be combined with a compulsory virtual component facilitating collaborative online learning exchange and teamwork. A blended mobility for studies must award a minimum of 3 ECTS credits.

PhD students can participate in short-term mobilities without the need of virtual component.

PS in case of interest in doing a short-term blended mobility outside of EU,  the interested students need to apply for scholarship first. Application rounds take place twice a year:

• in February (deadline on 01.03)
• in September (deadline on 15.09)

Only applications which include a confirmation letter from the host institution are taken into consideration.

STUDENTS AND RECENT GRADUATES ON SHORT-TERM PHYSICAL MOBILITY – BASE AMOUNTS OF INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT (BLENDED MOBILITY AND DOCTORAL SHORT-TERM MOBILITY)

The base amounts of individual support in terms of short-term mobilities are set as follows:

One travel day before the activity and one travel day following the activity may also be covered by individual support.

In case a student or a recent graduate is with fewer opportunities, they have the right to receive a top-up amount to the individual support of their EU Erasmus+ grant of an amount of 100 EUR for a physical mobility activity period of 5-14 days and 150 EUR for the one of 15-30 days.

Students who are considered as students with fewer opportunities:

• recipient of Estonian needs-based study/special allowance
• parent of minor child/children
• from foster care background
• with diminished work ability
• with health related special needs or chronic illness (applying for fewer opportunities students’ top-up and don’t need support from inclusion support)

TRAVEL SUPPORT FOR ALL PARTICIPANTS – TOP-UP AMOUNT TO INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT FOR GREEN TRAVEL 

As of October 2024, all participants* taking part in a short mobility program are eligible for travel support. Allocation rule: Based on the travel distance between Estonia and the destination country (where the receiving institution is located).

* participants, who graduated in June 2024, are funded through the previous Erasmus+ project (2023 KA131) and thus travel support is allocated only in case the participant is with fewer opportunities. 

Students and recent graduates are warmly encouraged to opt for green travel. In this case, their travel support is higher (look the section “Green travel” and can receive up to 4 days of additional individual support to cover travel days for a return trip, if relevant.

Green travel is applicable, if the green method is used for travels between Estonia and the destination country (both directions, forth and back). The green methods are following:

• bus
• train
• carpooling
• bicycle

Only after the student has returned from mobility and presented required certificates of using green method for travels, the green travel top-up and if applicable, additional travel days are allocated and the support will be paid posteriorly.

INCLUSION SUPPORT

Global mobilities

Besides the EU countries, EKA students are also eligible for applying Erasmus+ funding for mobilities outside of Europe aka global mobilities. As there are only limited resources of funding available, therefore interested students need to go through competition to receive funding and those takes place twice a year:

• in February (deadline on 01.03)
• in September (deadline on 15.09)

Students can apply for global funding with a duration of 2-5 months (60-150 days) or 1 semester. In case of interest for longer period, the student needs to re-apply for global funding, but preference is given to applicants, who have not received global funding before. PhD students are also allowed to apply for funding for short-term mobilities (5-30 days)

The decision on who is granted funding for global mobilities is decided by the EKA scholarship committee. The committee consists of the deans of the faculties of EKA, both vice-rectors and the head of the International Office.

NB in case the mobility takes place in Switzerland or the United Kingdom, the EU grant rate per month is allocated as for mobilities in EU (group 1). 

EXCHANGE STUDIES OUTSIDE OF EU

Exchange studies outside of EU can be done ONLY in one of the EKA partner universities. Please seek the options under “Find a university”.

For applying funding, please list the selected non-EU partner university as one of your preferred universities in the application form. In case your application is approved by the EKA scholarship committee and also by the partner university, the global scholarship will be granted by the EKA International Office by compiling your grant agreements.

Funding for exchange studies outside of EU can not be transferred to funding for traineeship outside of EU.

TRAINEESHIPS OUTSIDE OF EU

In case of global traineeship, the host institution must be found and confirmed before applying for Erasmus+ funding. Host’s confirmation letter/email (claiming the duration of the mobility, location etc) has to be submitted together with the application form.
Applications without the confirmations are considered as non-compliant.

As of May 2024, EKA accepts applications for global mobilities done as a recent graduate.

Scholarship

(Following is regarding long-term mobilities. Please seek information on grant rates for short-term mobilities under the section “Short-term mobilities”)

The Erasmus+ scholarship is allocated for physical mobility only. In the case of an interest in virtual mobility, this is allowed according to the Erasmus+ rules, but it is not intended to be funded with a scholarship.

Students will receive scholarships according to the monthly rate which differs depending on the mobility type (exchange studies/traineeship).

PS the scholarship from the Erasmus+ program may not cover all the costs occurring while being on mobility abroad, and thus self-financing may also be necessary. During the stay abroad, the student has the right to receive state grants, study grants and loans on an equal basis with students studying in Estonia.

EXCHANGE STUDIES:

As of October 2024, the Erasmus+ grant rates are the following:

* Additional support is eligible for students, who are with fewer opportunities. This means either:

• recipient of Estonian needs-based study/special allowance
• parent of minor child/children
• from foster care background
• with diminished work ability
• with health related special needs or chronic illness (applying for fewer opportunities students’ top-up and don’t need support from inclusion support)

Participants should notify the EKA International Office about their belonging to the group of students with fewer opportunities prior to their mobility abroad (before the grant agreements are compiled).

Scholarship sum will be calculated according to the exact period of exchange studies (per days; 1 month = 30 days). The same number of days spent on exchange has to be proved by the host institution after finishing your studies. 

TRAVEL SUPPORT FOR ALL PARTICIPANTS 

As of October 2024, all participants* taking part in a short mobility program are eligible for travel support. Allocation rule: Based on the travel distance between Estonia and the destination country (where the receiving institution is located).

* participants, who graduated in June 2024, are funded through the previous Erasmus+ project (2023 KA131) and thus travel support is allocated only in case the participant is with fewer opportunities. 

Students and recent graduates are warmly encouraged to opt for green travel. In this case, their travel support is higher (look the section “Green travel” and can receive up to 4 days of additional individual support to cover travel days for a return trip, if relevant.

Green travel is applicable, if the green method is used for travels between Estonia and the destination country (both directions, forth and back). The green methods are following:

• bus
• train
• carpooling
• bicycle

Only after the student has returned from mobility and presented required certificates of using green method for travels, the green travel top-up and if applicable, additional travel days are allocated and the support will be paid posteriorly.

Additional support: INCLUSION SUPPORT

If a participant with fewer opportunities faces personal, physical, mental or health-related conditions that make participation in a mobility action not possible without extra financial or other support, they are eligible for separate inclusion support.

Please seek more information on this under the section “Inclusion Support”.

Additionally, students may apply for additional funding from state and private funds, but in case you receive another scholarship from the EU, then you cannot receive Erasmus funding anymore (the agreement will be with a „0“ grant).

TRAINEESHIP:

The following is in effect as of October 2024:

PS recent graduates who were allocated an Erasmus+ grant in June 2024 are funded through the previous Erasmus+ project (2023 KA131). Therefore, the grant rates apply as announced in the original application call.

 * Additional support is eligible for students, who have a disadvantaged background. This means either:

• recipient of Estonian needs-based study/special allowance
• parent of minor child/children
• from foster care background
• with diminished work ability
• with health related special needs or chronic illness (applying for fewer opportunities students’ top-up and don’t need support from inclusion support)

Participants should notify the EKA International Office about their belonging to the group of students with fewer opportunities prior to their mobility abroad (before the grant agreements are compiled).

Scholarship sum will be calculated according to the exact duration of mobility (per days). The same number of days spent on mobility has to be proved by the host institution after finishing your stay abroad. 

TRAVEL SUPPORT FOR ALL PARTICIPANTS 

As of October 2024, all participants* taking part in a short mobility program are eligible for travel support. Allocation rule: Based on the travel distance between Estonia and the destination country (where the receiving institution is located).

* participants, who graduated in June 2024, are funded through the previous Erasmus+ project (2023 KA131) and thus travel support is allocated only in case the participant is with fewer opportunities. 

Students and recent graduates are warmly encouraged to opt for green travel. In this case, their travel support is higher (look the section “Green travel” and can receive up to 4 days of additional individual support to cover travel days for a return trip, if relevant.

Green travel is applicable, if the green method is used for travels between Estonia and the destination country (both directions, forth and back). The green methods are following:

• bus
• train
• carpooling
• bicycle

Only after the student has returned from mobility and presented required certificates of using green method for travels, the green travel top-up and if applicable, additional travel days are allocated and the support will be paid posteriorly.

Additional support: INCLUSION SUPPORT

If a participant with fewer opportunities faces personal, physical, mental or health-related conditions that make participation in a mobility action not possible without extra financial or other support, they are eligible for separate inclusion support.

Please seek more information on this under the section “Inclusion Support”.

Inclusion support

If a participant with fewer opportunities faces personal, physical, mental or health-related conditions that make participation in a mobility action not possible without extra financial or other support, they are eligible for separate inclusion support.

In particular, inclusion support is money that intends to ensure additional financial support for persons with special physical needs or disabilities, special mental health needs or other health problems, so that they can participate in an Erasmus+ mobility, but in some justified cases, other participants with fewer opportunities also receive inclusion support, or if participation in a mobility would not be possible without inclusion support.

The target group for inclusion support overlaps with the recipients of additional support for participants with fewer opportunities:

• Recipients of Estonian needs-based study/special allowance
• Students who are parent of minor child/children
• Students with foster care background
• Students with diminished work ability
• Students with health related special needs or chronic illness

Students who aim to apply for inclusion support must reach out to the International Office. Together with the student, the International Coordinator will clarify the supplementary costs for their participation in the mobility and help fill out the application form based on what the National Agency makes the decision on the allocation of individual support.

NB! The completed application along with the required attachments must be submitted to the National Agency as early as possible before the start of the mobility, to ensure it can be evaluated in a timely manner (considering that the Agency may request additional explanations and/or evidence regarding the need for inclusion support if necessary).

The application for inclusion support must reach the National Agency at least one month before the start of the mobility. Since paperwork takes time, please contact the International Office at least six weeks before the mobility begins.

VIDEO RECORDING

Detailed information on inclusion support and the application process can be found from the recorded info hour, which was conducted by Laura Hütt, the senior specialist from the Education and Youth Agency. It covers the following topics:

– which costs are eligible
– application process (before mobility)
– financial report (after mobility)
– examples
– recommendations

The recording is in English and available HERE.

Language learning support

Each participant, who is about to go on an Erasmus+ mobility, is obliged to do an online language test aka OLS Language Test before the receival of scholarship, unless your exchange studies or traineeship is carried out in your native language. The second test, after mobility, is voluntary.
The licence for the test is issued by the International Office once a student’s upcoming mobility has received full confirmation from the host and EKA. 

Students might get a free voucher for an online language course, if the result is below B2 level. Following the course is not mandatory, but we strongly advise it for a student’s own benefit.  

The language test result does not affect a student’s possibility of going on Erasmus. The data is collected for statistics by the European Commission. 

Following the test is mandatory each time a student is going on an Erasmus+ mobility

Insurance

Protection and safety of participants involved in the Erasmus+ projects are important principles of the Programme. This means all participants involved in a mobility activity in the Erasmus+ Programme must be insured against the risks linked to their participation in these activities.

Insurance coverage shall include

• wherever relevant, travel insurance (including damage or loss of luggage);
• third party liability (including, wherever appropriate, professional indemnity or insurance for responsibility);
• accident and serious illness (including permanent or temporary incapacity);
• death (including repatriation in case of projects carried out abroad).

The responsible party for taking the insurance coverage is the participant. However, in case the host institution wants to, it may be covered by them as well. In that case we need some kind of proof about it.

As the insurance is one of the prequisites of paying out the Erasmus+ scholarship, the copy of the proper insurance policy must be sent to the International Office prior to the payment.

You may ask for an offer: https://www.protrip-world-liability.com/ (liability),  www.iizi.ee, www.kindlustusest.ee or any other reliable insurance company in your preference. 

Academic information

Erasmus+ mobilities are available for all EKA students during their nominal study time, incl. extension and academic leave (taken at student’s own request). Recent graduate traineeships can be done within 12 months after graduating EKA and only in case a student has enough Erasmus+ months left.

All mobilities award credits points (except recent graduate trainees) and it is a requirement for the students to transfer the credits to EKA. 

Students may be eligible for extension of nominal study time according to number of semesters spent abroad (1-2) if meeting the following conditions:

• Exchange studies/traineeship has taken place during student’s nominal time
• Required number of credit points have been transferred to EKA. The number of required credit points must be clarified with study specialist prior to the start of mobility. 

More detailed explanation regarding credit transfer will be given by the student’s study specialist.

Please be noted:

• One shall aim for meeting full-time study load even when being abroad (30 EAP per semester)
• During exchange studies – pick more speciality courses, less optional courses
• Consultations regards current study state must be done with Study Specialist prior to mobility
• Consultations regards credit transferral should be done with Head of Curriculum prior to mobility (to avoid confusions later on)

EKA academic calendar is due to be followed even when being abroad

If a student is doing Erasmus+ mobility while being on an extension, no more extension is given to the student. 

Students, who pay tuition fees at EKA, must continue doing it while being on Erasmus (unless they are on an academic leave).

Speciality departments can decline a student’s request for Erasmus+ mobility due to the lack of study results or failing to pay tuition fees on time. 

More information on the requirements set by the university:

– (eesti keeles) EKA õppekorralduseeskiri (§ 19. Vahetusõpingud ja/või praktika välismaal)

– (In English) EKA Regulations for Organization of Studies (§ 19. Exchange studies and/or internship abroad (study mobility))