Erasmus+, an important cornerstone of UM’s internationalisation activities

For many years, the Erasmus+ mobility programmes (i.e. the Key Action 103 and Key Action 107) form an important cornerstone of Maastricht University’s (UM) internationalisation strategy. Steadily expanding its participation in the programme, UM has, since 2017, become the largest recipient of Erasmus+ funding for student mobility programmes in the Netherlands, on average receiving and sending around 1,000 students abroad each academic year.

Erasmus+ supports UM’s mission to offer students from all over the world the opportunity to develop into active, globally oriented citizens and critical thinkers. Next to providing students with access to complementary academic expertise of partner universities, Erasmus+ also helps students develop their transversal skills (e.g. intercultural competencies), ultimately increasing their employability.

Erasmus+ mobilities during the COVID-19 pandemic


The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on Erasmus+ mobility programmes. Following consultations with internal and external experts, UM has under strict safety measures allowed for the continuation of a part of its intra-European mobilities.

The European University of the Netherlands

As the eminent European University of the Netherlands, UM, under its new strategic programme 2022-2026 aims to further expand its participation in the Erasmus+ programme in the coming years. The Erasmus+ programme 2021-2027 has seen a doubling of its existing budget, allowing for the learning mobility of millions of Europeans and students from associated countries in the coming years.

Focus points for UM in the coming years include further increasing the accessibility of the programme for students with disabilities and financial need, digitalising project administration via the Erasmus Without Papers (EWP) initiative and incentivising support staff to participate in a mobility to broaden their professional horizon.

Benchmarking with partners

UM regularly benchmarks its engagement in the Erasmus+ programme with universities in the Netherlands and abroad. For example, in the context of the Young European Research Universities Network (YERUN), organizational structures are compared and opportunities and challenges of the new Erasmus+ 2021-2027 programme discussed.

More information

Click here for more information about UM’s participation in the Erasmus+programme. Or send an email to:

Erasmus+  Esther Schouwenaar

Erasmus+ supports UM’s mission to offer students from all over the world the opportunity to develop into active, globally oriented citizens and critical thinkers. Next to providing students with access to complementary academic expertise of partner universities, Erasmus+ also helps students develop their transversal skills (e.g. intercultural competencies), ultimately increasing their employability.

Erasmus+ mobilities during the COVID-19 pandemic


The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on Erasmus+ mobility programmes. Following consultations with internal and external experts, UM has under strict safety measures allowed for the continuation of a part of its intra-European mobilities.

The European University of the Netherlands

As the eminent European University of the Netherlands, UM, under its new strategic programme 2022-2026 aims to further expand its participation in the Erasmus+ programme in the coming years. The Erasmus+ programme 2021-2027 has seen a doubling of its existing budget, allowing for the learning mobility of millions of Europeans and students from associated countries in the coming years.

Focus points for UM in the coming years include further increasing the accessibility of the programme for students with disabilities and financial need, digitalising project administration via the Erasmus Without Papers (EWP) initiative and incentivising support staff to participate in a mobility to broaden their professional horizon.

Benchmarking with partners

UM regularly benchmarks its engagement in the Erasmus+ programme with universities in the Netherlands and abroad. For example, in the context of the Young European Research Universities Network (YERUN), organizational structures are compared and opportunities and challenges of the new Erasmus+ 2021-2027 programme discussed.

More information

Click here for more information about UM’s participation in the Erasmus+programme. Or send an email to:

Erasmus+ Cateau Oonk

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