Newcastle supports funding for a popular European student exchange

Published on: 11 October 2019

Newcastle University has committed to invest up to £1.4m to support the Erasmus exchange programme for academic year 2020-2021 in the event of a no deal Brexit and the government not funding it.

The University will cover the equivalent of the Erasmus+ grants for Newcastle University students involved in the Erasmus+ schemes, supporting almost 400 students entering their second year who will study abroad during the 2020-2021 academic year. Newcastle University will also continue to receive students from partner EU institutions.

Professor Richard Davies, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Global, Newcastle University, said: “Studying abroad is an amazing experience, which can change the lives of students for the better in so many ways.

“Supporting the Erasmus exchange programme will provide certainty to those 400 students, affording them the opportunity to study abroad at our many partner universities. It will also help us attract a diverse range of students into Newcastle.”

Newcastle University is working with more than 150 institutions across Europe, and a large number of international partners have signalled they are equally committed to support exchanges regardless of Brexit outcomes.

Opportunities for personal and educational development

Undergraduate Bethany Mackay is undertaking an Erasmus placement at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. The Newcastle University Law School student said: “With even only studying abroad for a few weeks, I can already see that this will be a fantastic opportunity for me, both in terms of personal and educational development. I think it is very important that we continue to give other Newcastle students the chance and necessary support, as I have benefited from, to have an invaluable experience studying abroad in a new culture.”

Erasmus grant recipient, Niklas Heidler, enrolled on a postgraduate Operations Management dual degree delivered by Newcastle University and the University of Groningen. He said: “The Erasmus programme enables students to get the very kind of experience that matters most in the professional life in the 21st century: international self-confidence and openness.”

First established in 1987, Erasmus+ is the European Programme for education, training, youth and sport. It has provided millions of Europeans with funded opportunities to study, train or volunteer abroad for two to 12 months as part of their degree.

The announcement follows on from Newcastle University’s decision to fund the programme and to offer a guarantee to its 2019-20 outgoing students. The decision preceded the government’s announcement that it would fund the exchange programme for 2019-20.

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