Erasmus+ is the European Union’s programme for learning, teaching, training and cooperation across countries. Its best-known part is student exchange: a student spends one or two semesters at a partner university and has the credits recognised at home. Vietnamese students can take part in two main ways: through international exchange projects their university signs with European partners, and through Erasmus Mundus joint master programmes open to students worldwide.
This article explains how Erasmus+ works, why it is often called one of Europe’s most successful programmes, and how a Vietnamese student can find opportunities and prepare a convincing application.
From a modest idea to a generation
Europe’s student exchange scheme began in the late 1980s on a small scale. Over the decades it grew into Erasmus+, covering not only university students but also vocational learners, teachers, youth workers and sport. Millions of people have taken part.
In Europe, the “Erasmus generation” refers to young people who spent a semester in another country, made friends across the continent, picked up languages and came home with a broader outlook. Many see it as one of the most effective ways of bringing Europe together, because it builds connections between people rather than only between governments.
Three formats Vietnamese students meet
- International credit mobility: a Vietnamese and a European university sign an agreement; selected students spend a semester abroad, often with project funding.
- Erasmus Mundus joint masters: programmes run by several universities in different countries, with study in at least two countries and competitive scholarships for students worldwide.
- Staff and lecturer exchange: short teaching or training visits that open the door to deeper cooperation.
How an exchange semester works
Before leaving, the student signs a learning agreement with both universities listing the courses to be taken abroad and how they will be recognised at home. This is the most important document; without it, credit recognition can be refused.
On arrival, the international office usually welcomes students with an orientation week, often pairing them with a local “buddy”. Exchange student networks organise social events, trips and cultural evenings. At the end of the semester, the host university sends a transcript home for recognition.
Many students say the most valuable lessons are outside the syllabus: renting a room, opening a bank account, cooking, coping in a new language and working in teams with classmates from ten countries. Those skills stay with them throughout their careers.
Erasmus Mundus: one master, several countries
Erasmus Mundus programmes are joint masters designed by groups of universities in several European countries, sometimes with partners elsewhere. Students spend one semester in one country and the next in another, graduating with a double, multiple or joint degree. Some top applicants receive scholarships covering tuition, living costs and travel according to each programme’s rules.
Because the scholarships are attractive, competition is intense. Strong applications show clear direction, solid grades, relevant experience and a thoughtful motivation letter explaining why a multinational programme fits the applicant’s goals.
How to find opportunities
- Ask your university’s international office which exchange projects exist with European partners, selection criteria and deadlines.
- Search the official Erasmus Mundus catalogue and filter by field.
- Read each programme’s conditions: degrees, language, experience and scholarship eligibility.
- Mark deadlines, often at the end or start of the year for entry the following autumn.
- Prepare language certificates early, since tests and results take time.
Writing a convincing motivation letter
The motivation letter is where many Vietnamese applicants are weakest. Common mistakes include vague talk of passion, praising the university and repeating the CV. Selection committees want something else: what you have done in the field, which question makes you want to study further, why the programme’s multinational structure helps you answer it, and what you plan to do afterwards.
Be specific, give real examples, keep it concise and revise it several times. Asking someone who knows the field and someone who writes English well to read it is a simple way to raise its quality.
Challenges to anticipate
- Living costs in some cities exceed the support provided.
- Housing in popular student cities can be hard to find, so start early.
- Visa procedures for non-EU students take time; follow the host country’s official guidance.
- Different learning styles: much independent study, discussion and continuous assessment.
- Culture shock and homesickness, especially in the first weeks and around Lunar New Year.
Money matters
Exchange grants and scholarships rarely cover every expense, so a realistic budget is essential. List rent, deposit, insurance, transport, food, phone, study materials and a buffer for emergencies, then compare it with the support offered. Some host universities help exchange students find housing, which can save both money and stress. Families should also plan how money will be transferred and keep some savings accessible in case of delays. Knowing exactly where the money will come from each month removes a major source of anxiety and lets students focus on their studies.
Making the most of the experience
Students who get the most out of an exchange tend to plan more than their timetable. They set a few personal goals — improving a language, joining a research group, visiting companies in their field — and track them during the semester. They say yes to invitations from classmates, even when tired, because friendships formed in the first weeks shape the whole stay.
It also helps to keep a simple record of what you learned, both academically and personally. When you return, that record becomes material for job interviews, scholarship applications and conversations with younger students who want to follow the same path.
Why it is worth trying
A semester or a multinational master is more than a line on a CV. It lets Vietnamese students see their field through another education system, build an international network and understand how Europeans work together despite different languages. For many, it becomes a turning point.
Rules and opportunities change from year to year and from project to project, so always read the official information of the university and the programme before deciding.
Frequently asked questions
Can Vietnamese students join Erasmus+?
Yes, through international exchange projects between Vietnamese and European universities, or through Erasmus Mundus joint masters open to students worldwide. Opportunities depend on each university’s agreements.
How is Erasmus Mundus different from Erasmus+?
Erasmus+ is the umbrella programme. Erasmus Mundus is part of it: joint masters run by several universities in several countries, with scholarships for top students.
Do exchange students pay tuition to the host university?
Under exchange agreements, students usually pay tuition at their home university and are exempt at the host. Details are set in the agreement between the two institutions.
What does an Erasmus Mundus application need?
Typically degrees and transcripts, language certificates, a motivation letter, references and a CV. Each programme has its own requirements and deadlines.
When should I start preparing?
At least a year ahead, because scholarship deadlines are often much earlier than enrolment dates.
