Erasmus Grant

While you are abroad you continue to receive in full the normal funding (eg grant or loan) that you would have received if you had been spending that period in Belfast. In addition, you should be eligible for an Erasmus Grant.

Please note that the Erasmus grant is only supposed to be a top-up to the source of funding which you are already living on at Queen’s. It should in no way be seen as a lucrative scholarship. It is just a contribution towards additional costs, eg travel, higher cost of living, etc.

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 Erasmus National Agency. The level of funding will depend on:

• your host country and the cost of living there in relation to the UK;
• the length of your placement.

The Erasmus Grant - How much, when and how?

The Global Opportunities Team (Careers, Employability and Skills) receives a block amount of Erasmus funding which is based upon the total number of student grants requested on behalf of Queen's.  The Global Opportunities  Team is notified of the total level of funding by the UK Erasmus National Agency in June.  The Erasmus National Agency transfers the Erasmus grant funds to Queen's in two instalments - normally in October and the following June/July - and these funds are then paid to eligible students. 

The monthly Erasmus grant rate varies depending on the country in which your host university or employer is based.  The rates for 2021-22 are:

Country	Maximum monthly grant rate (Euros)	Monthly Supplement for students from disadvantaged backgrounds(Euros)
Group 1 (high cost of living):  Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Norway, Sweden	Up to € 420	€ 120
Group 2 (lower cost of living):  Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia	Up to € 370

Example A: Student on 5 month study placement in Spain
Total Grant = 5 x 370 = 1850 Euros (maximum)
First Instalment of 70% = 1295 Euros (maximum)
Second Instalment of 30% = 555 Euros (maximum)

Example B: Student from disadvantaged background on 5 month study placement in Spain
Total Grant = 5 x (370+120) Euros = 2450 Euros (maximum)
First Instalment of 70% = 1715 Euros (maximum)
Second Instalment of 30% = 735 Euros (maximum)

Students must submit an Erasmus Grant Application form to the Erasmus Programme Director or Placement Co-ordinator in their School, who will forward it to the Global Opportunities Team.  Forms are available from your Erasmus Programme Director or School Placement Co-ordinator.

Eligible students will receive their Erasmus grant in two instalments.  First instalments are normally made in October, once funds are received from the Erasmus National Agency, and after you have returned your Erasmus Contract, initial Confirmation of Attendance form and Learning/Training Agreement.  Second instalments are normally paid the following June/July, once funds are received from the Erasmus National Agency, and after submission of your Student Report Form and final Confirmation of Attendance form.  You will receive 70% of your total grant in the first instalment and 30% in the second instalment.  Your Erasmus grant will be calculated based on your exact dates of attendance at your host university or company, which you will submit on your Confirmation of Attendance form. 

If you are from a household with an annual income of up to £25,000, you may also be eligible to receive a Widening Participation supplement of 120 Euros per month.  To determine your household income, the University will use the information submitted in your application to the Education Authority / Student Finance for student loans and other financial support.

Your Erasmus grant will be deposited into your UK or Ireland bank account via a bank transfer in euros. We regret we cannot make transfers to a non-UK or Ireland account.  You must complete and return the Bank Account Details Form, which will be sent to you by the Global Opportunities Team.

It is up to you to arrange how you will access these funds whilst overseas. You may wish to draw on the funds using your ATM card in your host country or you may wish to open a bank account there.

We recommend that you contact your local bank in the UK or Ireland to seek advice and guidance.

Student Loans

Students undertaking a period of study abroad are entitled to receive their normal student loan. Some students may be eligible to apply for a supplementary loan. Those students who qualify for a supplement will also be eligible for travel grants within the UK student support arrangements.

Students should apply to their Education & Library Board or Student Loan Company for a supplement to their normal level of funding.

Tuition Fees

Students who are on a full academic year Erasmus study or work placement in 2021-22, who are normally eligible for UK student support (loan or grant), will pay no tuition fee to Queen's and the University will be reimbursed by the Department for the Economy. Students who spend part of the year on an Erasmus placement will be liable to pay the full year's tuition fee to Queen’s in the normal manner.

Note that the tuition fee waiver is only applicable to students who apply for a full year Erasmus placement in the first instance. Students who extend their placement mid year will not be eligible for a tuition fee waiver.

The Erasmus tuition fee waiver is a UK government concession and is reviewed annually.

Students are not required to pay tuition fees to the host university. However, charges may be made for orientation programmes.