Erasmus Program
The aim of the Erasmus Program is to increase the quality of higher education in Europe and strengthen its European dimension. Erasmus is primarily concerned with the mobility of university students, funded by the European Union (EU) to link universities across its member states.
Erasmus is one of the major branches of the EU Lifelong Learning Program (LLP), covering undergraduate and graduate studies. Key objectives of the LLP Program, as determined by the LLP Bureau in Brussels, include:
- Achieving a significant increase in student and staff mobility between European higher education institutions
- Promoting broad and lasting inter-institutional co-operation
- Contributing to the concept of a people's Europe
- Contributing to the economic and social development of Europe through graduates with direct experience of intra-European cooperation
Since the 2003–2004 academic year, universities in Turkey holding an Erasmus University Charter (EUC) from the European Commission have been eligible to participate in Erasmus activities, including Student Mobility, Student Placement/Internship, Teaching Staff Mobility, Staff Training Mobility, Organisation of Mobility, Thematic Networks, the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS), Intensive Programs, and Curriculum Development.
METU has agreements on behalf of Environmental Engineering with the following partner institutions:
The Mobility Process
1) Application documents to be sent to the host university
- Application Form (available on the host university's website; the International Cooperation Office address must be used to avoid postal issues)
- Dormitory application form, for universities that offer dormitories
- Learning Agreement — "Before the Mobility" must be signed by the department's Erasmus Coordinator. At least 30 ECTS worth of courses must be taken.
- Any additional documents the host university requires (official transcript, photo, portfolio, passport copy, etc.)
2) Documents to deliver to your ICO advisor to receive an 80% grant
- A copy of the Letter of Acceptance
- Learning Agreement (Before the Mobility — signatures completed)
- Academic Approval Form – Outgoing
- Leave of absence letter (must be submitted to the department at least 1 month before mobility)
- Compulsory Health Insurance with international validity (policy number written on the grant agreement)
- Online Language Support (OLS) exam
- Grant Agreement (prepared with your advisor after opening a Euro account at VakıfBank METU Branch)
- E-mail confirming visa approval (check embassy requirements — visa procedures are the student's responsibility)
1) During the Mobility Form — only required for students who change their courses. The 30 ECTS criterion must still be satisfied after any additions or removals. This form, signed by the host university advisor and METU departmental coordinator, must be e-mailed to the ICO advisor within 4–6 weeks of mobility starting.
2) Additional Grant Agreement — required for students extending their stay beyond the originally agreed period. Must be signed and sent to the ICO advisor 1 month before mobility ends. Without it, no grant is paid for the extra time abroad.
- Transcript — sent directly to the office by the host university
- Certificate of Attendance — confirmed and signed by the host university
- Travel tickets (plane, bus, train) or a passport copy showing entry/exit stamps
- Learning Agreement (Before, During, After) confirmed by the host university and METU Departmental Erasmus Coordinator
- Academic Confirmation Form – Return
- EU Mobility Survey
- Online Language Support (OLS) exam
- Partner Information Form, sent to the ICO advisor