Twenty-five years after its launch, Erasmus has become the best known EU programme and the most successful student exchange scheme in the world. More than 231.000 students received Erasmus grants to study or train abroad during the 2010-11 academic year - a new record and an 8.5% increase compared to the previous year.

With its focus on languages, adaptability, inter-cultural awareness and leadership, Erasmus provides young people with vital skills to boost their employability and personal development. Since it began in 1987, the programme has provided more than 2.5 million European students with the opportunity to go abroad to study at a higher education institution or for a job placement in a company. On current trends, the European Union will reach its target of supporting 3 million Erasmus students by 2012-13.
The three most popular destinations for students in 2010-11 were Spain, France, and Germany. Spain also sent the largest number of students abroad, followed by France and Germany. Luxembourg sent the largest number of students abroad as a proportion of the national student population. The 2010-11 Erasmus budget dedicated to student and staff mobility was around € 460 million. In addition, 40.000 grants were awarded to university staff and teachers to teach or receive training abroad, 13% more than in the previous year.

More information: http://ec.europa.eu/education/pub/pdf/higher/erasmus1011_en.pdf