Arden University takes a step towards new international opportunities for students

Arden University has secured the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education (ECHE), marking an important step towards creating more opportunities for students to study, work and gain experience abroad.

The Charter is a key requirement for higher education institutions taking part in Erasmus+, the European Union programme that supports education, training, youth and sport.

While the Charter itself is not a funding award, it means Arden can apply for relevant Erasmus+ funding and develop partnerships with universities and organisations in other countries.

What could Erasmus+ mean for Arden students?

One of the most exciting possibilities is the opportunity to study at a partner university abroad while continuing your Arden degree - with credits from their time abroad counting towards their Arden qualification.

For example, a student could spend a term at a partner university in Europe, gaining a different perspective on their subject while experiencing life in another country. Erasmus+ funding can contribute towards travel and living costs, helping to make an international study experience more accessible.

Gain international work experience

Erasmus+ can also support work placements abroad, giving students the chance to gain practical experience with organisations in another country.

Placements can take place with a range of organisations, including businesses, charities, research organisations and education providers. They are designed to connect with a student's learning and personal development, making international work experience more than simply an opportunity to travel.

For students thinking about their future career, this could be a valuable way to develop skills such as communication, adaptability and working with people from different backgrounds, while also gaining experience they can talk about with future employers.

There can also be opportunities for recent graduates, with eligible Erasmus+ traineeships potentially taking place after graduation.

International experiences that fit around your life

An international experience does not necessarily mean spending months away from home.

Another opportunity supported through Erasmus+ is blended mobility, which combines online collaboration with a shorter period of study or training abroad. Depending on the programme and funding available, these experiences can involve a physical period overseas of between five and 30 days.

For Arden students balancing study with work, family or other commitments, shorter international experiences could provide a more practical way to gain overseas experience.

More than travel

Studying or working abroad can be about much more than seeing a new country.

Working with people from different cultures can help you develop new perspectives, become more confident in unfamiliar situations and understand how your subject and future profession are approached in different parts of the world.

For employers operating internationally, experience of different cultures and ways of working can also be useful. An international experience can give you examples of how you adapted, communicated and solved problems in a new environment, adding another dimension to your CV.

What happens next?

Securing the ECHE is an important first step, but it does not mean that Erasmus+ opportunities are available to apply for just yet.

Arden will now consider which opportunities and international partnerships could best support its students and existing priorities.

The current Erasmus+ programme runs until 2027, with further developments expected as planning takes place for the next programme period.

For Arden students and prospective students, the Charter represents something important: more possibilities for international learning and experience in the future.

As Arden continues to develop its opportunities for international students, Erasmus+ could become another way for you to take your learning beyond the classroom and build skills that can support your career path.

You can learn more about studying with Arden as an international student here.