The Health Sciences University (HSU) has been awarded the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education (ECHE) by the European Commission. This significant milestone confirms the university's eligibility to fully participate in the Erasmus+ programme from January 2027. The Charter establishes the quality framework necessary for higher education institutions involved in Erasmus+ mobility and collaboration activities.
This development follows the recent agreement between the UK Government and the European Union, which will see the United Kingdom reassociate with the Erasmus+ programme starting from the 2027/28 academic year. Erasmus+ provides funding for international study, training, work placements, and collaborative projects across Europe, fostering global skills and partnerships for learners, staff, and institutions.
With the Charter secured, HSU students and staff will regain access to a wide array of funded international opportunities. This reinforces the university's dedication to developing healthcare professionals prepared for an increasingly interconnected global landscape.
“"Securing the Erasmus Charter is a milestone moment for our institution. International mobility is transformative, boosting career prospects and broadening horizons, particularly for our students from underrepresented backgrounds. We are thrilled to rebuild our historic European partnerships and look forward to submitting our first formal funding bids when the 2027 work programme calls open this autumn."
The Erasmus+ programme supports student study exchanges, traineeships, and work placements abroad. It also enables academic and professional services staff to undertake teaching, training, and professional development with partner institutions across Europe. The programme aims to enhance employability, language skills, intercultural understanding, innovation, and collaboration, while promoting wider participation for learners from all backgrounds.
For HSU, which is committed to creating a healthier society through education, research, and clinical impact, participation in Erasmus+ aligns with its strategic goal of preparing graduates for modern healthcare challenges and strengthening international collaboration in health sciences education.
From 2027, HSU students will be eligible for funded study periods and placements with European partners, typically lasting two to twelve months. This will allow them to gain international experience, develop professional networks, and improve their employability. Practice-based opportunities will also be available, enabling students to access traineeships, internships, and workplace learning overseas to develop clinical, research, and professional skills.
Academic and professional services staff will benefit from dedicated funding for teaching, training, job-shadowing, and collaboration with European partners, bringing new ideas and best practices back to HSU. The Charter also enables HSU to participate in Erasmus+ cooperation projects, strategic partnerships, and teaching alliances, fostering innovation, curriculum development, research collaboration, and knowledge exchange with European institutions.
HSU anticipates welcoming European exchange students once again, enriching the campus environment with greater cultural diversity and international perspectives among future healthcare professionals. The award of the ECHE also reflects HSU’s commitment to Erasmus+ principles of inclusion, accessibility, sustainability, and digital innovation, with a particular focus on removing barriers to participation for students from underrepresented groups.
As preparations commence for the programme's return, HSU will collaborate with existing and new European partners to develop opportunities that support student success, advance health sciences education, and strengthen international cooperation in healthcare, research, and workforce development.
