Erasmus+ Beyond Europe provides an extension to the program across borders beyond the EU, with a greater emphasis on cooperation beyond Europe’s borders. Mobility for staff and students as well as building institutional capacity can now be extended globally, while European Union member states can still work closely together on the basis of European integration. With the addition of the “International Credit Mobility” and “Capacity Building in Higher Education” funding programs to external member countries, funding for student exchanges and institutional cooperation can now reach the African, Asian and American continents.
The Mechanism: How Global Mobility Works
The quickest method of getting students or staff abroad is International Credit Mobility (ICM). Through this, the Erasmus+ program offers exchanges of people between Programme Countries in Europe and Partner Countries across the globe. Rather than a whole degree program, it is a way to gain credit while working in another country for a short amount of time, anywhere from 2 months up to 12. As a bonus, these experiences can be counted for credits towards their degree. In many cases, it allows students from Partner Countries to experience something international they may otherwise not be able to afford or gain. Universities that are partners with Leiden, such as in Egypt, Ghana, Palestine, and Panama, among many others, can offer PhD students an option for ‘Beyond Europe’ exchanges to spend some time conducting research in Europe. In this instance, it also offers students an opportunity to have some virtual flexibility for the remainder of their time, as needed.
Institutional Cooperation: Capacity Building and Partnerships
Beyond individual mobility, Erasmus+ invests heavily in Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE). This strand supports multi-country projects designed to modernise and reform higher education systems in Partner Countries. Through CBHE, European universities collaborate with counterparts in regions such as the Western Balkans, Central Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America to develop curricula, improve governance, and strengthen links between academia and the labour market. These projects are substantial: the 2026 call alone carries an indicative budget of approximately €113 million, with funding allocated regionally to ensure balanced global engagement. For institutions in Partner Countries, participation is typically facilitated through European partners, as they generally cannot act as coordinators but can join consortia to implement reform-oriented initiatives.
A Note on Eligibility and Access
"Beyond Europe" does not imply a single program with a consistent set of rules. As is the case with many other programs, eligibility for different ICM (International Credit Mobility) activities may vary. Some Partner Countries, for instance, are allowed only to send, but not to receive, students and staff from and to Europe under development aid-related considerations. In addition, institutions do not participate by default in these programmes. They have to sign inter-institutional agreements. As for individual students and staff, the first step is always the International Office.
The Broader Vision
Extending the European Programmes beyond Europe shows an acknowledgement of the fact that competence that is truly global cannot be achieved within a single region. Universities UK International (UUKI) states that opening up Erasmus+ to more countries will support more and a more diverse group of students to benefit from the programs and as a result, improve and strengthen the students' and institutions' overall international profile and outlook. Despite the program remaining predominantly European, the external aspect allows Erasmus+ to be mutually beneficial; European students gain valuable exposure to different non-European contexts, and partner country institutions have the ability and partnership opportunities to compete in an increasingly connected international education and research market.
