Erasmus+ is the main European mobility programme. In addition to funding semester-long mobilities and work placements, Erasmus+ offers the opportunity to take part in a blended intensive programme at an Erasmus+ partner university.

The Aurora University Alliance is a network of universities – from Reykjavik to Duisburg-Essen to Naples – that are strong in research. As a student at an Aurora university, you can benefit from a wide range of short-term programmes.

Requirements

To participate, you must:

• be enrolled in a programme that leads to a degree at a higher education institution
• have the required language skills for the class
• ensure that enough time remains in your 12-month Erasmus+ eligibility allotment per study cycle to complete the class in question

You submit your application for an Erasmus+ BIP through your faculty at UDE. You cannot apply directly to a partner university. If you are selected, you submit a request for funding to the International Office at UDE.

You apply for Aurora short-term mobilities either directly with the Aurora partner university or through the International Office at UDE.
That means:

• Check the calls for applications to Aurora BIPs or Aurora short-term mobilities to see where you need to apply: https://aurora-universities.eu/course-catalogue/. Or you can ask us: shortmobility@uni-due.de.
• If you are selected, you submit a request for funding to UDE’s International Office.

Funding

When you take part [ME1] in an Erasmus+ or Aurora short-term mobility,[ME2]  you[ME3]  receive Erasmus+ or Aurora funding for the mobility phase:

• Funding amounts to €79 per day for stays of up to 14 days. You receive €56 per day starting on day 15. Mobilities generally last five days.
• In addition, two travel days (or up to six days for when you use ‘green’ travel options) and a lump-sum travel cost allowance, calculated according to the distance between UDE and the host institution, are also funded. Travel cost allowances differ for standard travel and sustainable/‘green’ travel (meaning that at least 50% of the trip is taken with sustainable modes of travel). The travel cost allowance amounts are listed in the table below.
• Students who meet at least one of the funding eligibility criteria listed below can request an additional grant (social top-up) of €100 (for stays of 5–14 days) or €150 (for stays of at least 15 days). Even if you meet more than one of the criteria, you can only receive one top-up[ME4] :
  • gainfully employed students ([ME5] starting in 2026/27, only eligible if sufficient funds are available)[ME6] 
  • first-generation students (students whose parents do not have a university education)
  • students who are taking their child/children abroad with them
  • students with a chronic illness
  • students with a disability (degree of disability > 20)

Travel allowances (academic year 2025/26)

Learning Agreement

When you take part in a BIP you must enter into a Learning Agreement. The Learning Agreement is signed by you, the person responsible for recognition at your faculty at UDE and the responsible person at the receiving institution.

If you are taking part in an Aurora course rather than a BIP, we recommend that you talk to your departmental student advisor or degree programme coordinator about receiving recognition. 

Important: Make sure recognition is agreed upon in advance, especially if the course is not part of your curriculum.

Can I take part even if I have already been abroad with Erasmus+?

Yes, as long as you have not used up your Erasmus+ eligibility allowance of 12 months per study phase.

Do I have to pay tuition fees to the host institution?

No.

How far in advance do I have to apply?

The deadlines are different for different institutions and programmes.

Can I do more than one short term mobility?

Because funding is limited, students can do just one short-term mobility within each two-semester period as a rule. There are exceptions for student-oriented projects such as the Aurora Student Council. You can take part in multiple short-term mobilities as long as your total Erasmus+ eligibility allowance has not been exceeded.

When spots are limited, students who have not yet taken part in a short-term mobility in the current academic year will be given preference. If there are still spots available after that, students who have already taken part will be eligible. A BIP will be calculated into your Erasmus+ eligibility allowance proportionally, so it does not have much of an effect on other stays.

Where can I find current opportunities?

We recommend following our Instagram account for stays abroad. There, we regularly share and update information about short-term mobilities currently on offer. And take a look at the Aurora Course Catalogue, too. 

How much is the grant?

 Where can I apply?

The application process is different for each class and programme. You will find the details in each call for applications (e.g. through the International Office or in the Aurora Course Catalogue).

Please check the classes as advertised on Instagram first. The deadlines indicated in the Aurora Course Catalogue are usually at least two weeks later than the UDE deadlines. This is because UDE first nominates students and completes the necessary administrative procedures. So please make sure you meet the deadlines published on the International Office’s Instagram page.

Do I need to get approval from my faculty for a short-term mobility?

Yes, students who would like to take classes as part of the short-term mobility programme need to request approval from their faculty in advance (via OLA or a letter of approval).
Exceptions to this rule are events with a clear student focus – such as the Aurora Volleyball Championship or the Aurora Student Conference.