Not to be confused with the massive Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (which fund full degrees), the Erasmus+ International Credit Mobility (ICM) program funds short-term exchanges (usually 1 or 2 semesters). It allows students from non-EU countries to study at a European university for free, while earning credits toward their home degree.
Quick Overview
Full Requirements & Details
Academic Requirements
- Min. CGPA
- No Minimum Requirement
- Offer Degrees
- Bachelors, Masters, PhD
- Subjects
- Agriculture, Arts, Biology, Business, Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, Engineering, History, Law, Mathematics, Medicine, Physics, Psychology
- Seats Available
- Thousands globally
- Study Gap Allowed
- No Restrictions (Gap Allowed)
- Research Publication
- No
- Work Experience
- No
- Age Range
- No Age Limit
Language Requirements
- IELTS
- Optional
- TOEFL
- Optional
- GRE
- Not Required
- Local Language
- English
- Local Lang Test
- No
- Study Languages
- Varies by host university
Financial Details
- Type
- Full
- Fund Details
- Monthly allowance (approx €800-€900) + fixed travel grant
- Monthly Stipend
- EUR 850/mo
- Tuition
- Full
- Living Costs
- Full
- Travel & Health
- Yes / None
- Application Fee
- Free (No Application Fee)
- Spouse Allowed
- No
What Matters Most
Required Documents
Why You Should Apply
This is the ultimate fully funded semester abroad. The EU pays you a standardized monthly allowance based on the cost of living in the host country (usually between €800 and €900 per month). They also give you a lump-sum travel grant based on the geographical distance from your home country to Europe.
You pay absolutely zero tuition to the host European university. It is an incredible way to experience the European higher education system, travel the Schengen zone, and drastically boost your resume without committing to a full multi-year degree abroad.
Application Process
You CANNOT apply directly to the EU. The funding is decentralized. You must go to the International Relations Office of your CURRENT home university.
Ask them: 'Do we have any active Erasmus+ KA171 / ICM agreements with European universities?' If yes, you apply through your home university's internal selection process. They nominate the top students to the European partner, who then formally accepts you.
How to Win This Scholarship
The bottleneck is entirely institutional. If your home university does not have an active Erasmus+ ICM contract, you cannot apply. Your strategy should be to check your university's international exchange portal obsessively.
When a call opens, your GPA and a highly convincing motivation letter (detailing exactly which classes you will take in Europe and how they map to your home curriculum) are the deciding factors. Language proficiency in English (or the host country's language) is usually verified through an internal university interview rather than requiring expensive IELTS tests.
Benefits After Completing Study
You return to your home university, transfer your European credits, and graduate with international academic experience, which makes you a prime candidate for future full-degree scholarships like Erasmus Mundus or Chevening.
The monthly stipend is designed to cover a student lifestyle (dorms, cooking at home). In expensive cities like Paris or Copenhagen, €900 is tight, but in Poland or Portugal, you will live extremely comfortably. You must sign a 'Learning Agreement' before leaving, locking in the classes you will take to ensure the credits actually transfer.
Official Source
For complete details and to verify all requirements, please refer to the scholarship provider's official website.
Visit Official Source