STUDENT MOBILITY FOR TRAINEESHIPS – GENERAL PRINCIPLES
Erasmus+ Student Mobility for Traineeships is an activity that enables students enrolled at a higher education institution holding an Erasmus Charter for Higher Education (ECHE) to gain professional experience at institutions or organisations located in eligible countries within the scope of the Erasmus+ Programme. Within this framework, students may undertake a traineeship at another higher education institution or at a public or private organisation operating in the labour market.
This type of mobility aims to enable students to put their theoretical knowledge into practice, develop their professional skills, gain international work experience and become familiar with different working environments.
The minimum duration of Erasmus+ Student Mobility for Traineeships is two full months, while the maximum duration is twelve full months. The duration of the activity is assessed separately for each cycle of study.
FINDING A TRAINEESHIP PLACEMENT AND ELIGIBLE HOST ORGANISATIONS
Within the scope of Erasmus+ Student Mobility for Traineeships, the host organisation may be a public or private sector organisation operating in the labour market or in the fields of education, training, youth, research and development, provided that the traineeship is related to the student’s academic field.
Examples of eligible host institutions and organisations include:
- Small, medium-sized or large public or private sector organisations,
- Social enterprises,
- Public institutions operating at local, regional or national level,
- Embassies or consulates of the sending country located abroad,
- Chambers of commerce, associations of tradespeople and craftspeople, professional associations, stock exchanges and trade unions,
- Research centres, research institutes and laboratories,
- Foundations,
- Schools, institutes and educational centres,
- Organisations providing vocational education and adult education,
- Non-profit organisations, associations and civil society organisations,
- Organisations providing career planning, professional counselling, vocational guidance and information services,
- Higher education institutions meeting the eligibility requirements specified under the Erasmus+ Programme.
The traineeship placement and the proposed traineeship programme must be compatible with the content of the student’s degree programme and academic field. This compatibility is evaluated by the Departmental Erasmus Coordinator and the relevant academic units.
INELIGIBLE HOST ORGANISATIONS
The following organisations are not eligible to act as host organisations within the scope of Erasmus+ Student Mobility for Traineeships:
- Institutions and agencies of the European Union,
- Organisations responsible for managing European Union programmes, such as Erasmus+ National Agencies.
Although these organisations may offer their own traineeship programmes, traineeships undertaken at such organisations cannot be considered or funded within the scope of Erasmus+ Student Mobility for Traineeships.
FINDING A TRAINEESHIP PLACEMENT
Students applying for Erasmus+ Student Mobility for Traineeships are responsible for finding the institution or organisation where they will undertake their traineeship.
The Erasmus Coordination Office of Ankara Science University provides students with information and guidance regarding the search for a traineeship placement, required documents and eligibility conditions. However, the Erasmus Coordination Office is not responsible for finding a traineeship placement on behalf of the student or securing a traineeship position at any institution or organisation.
Before accepting a traineeship offer, students must review the following matters:
- Whether the traineeship is related to the student’s academic field,
- Whether the organisation is an eligible host organisation under the Erasmus+ Programme,
- The start and end dates of the traineeship,
- The duties and work programme of the traineeship,
- Weekly working hours,
- The working language,
- The working conditions of the host organisation,
- Arrangements relating to health, accident and liability insurance,
- How the traineeship will be academically recognised.
Students are advised to obtain an academic suitability assessment from the Departmental Erasmus Coordinator before finalising the traineeship placement.
Once the traineeship placement has been confirmed, a Letter of Acceptance must be obtained from the host institution or organisation, and a Learning Agreement for Traineeships must be prepared.
SOME TRAINEESHIP SEARCH RESOURCES
Students may use the following platforms when searching for traineeship opportunities:
- EURES – European Employment Services: A European employment network through which employment and professional development opportunities in European countries may be explored.
- Eurodesk Opportunity Finder: A platform for exploring international traineeship, education, employment and volunteering opportunities.
- European Youth Portal – Traineeships: Provides information on traineeship opportunities in Europe and guidance on finding a traineeship placement.
- EuroBrussels – Internships: Includes traineeship opportunities particularly in the fields of international organisations, civil society, research, communications and European affairs.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
The publication of a traineeship opportunity on any of the platforms listed above does not mean that the relevant organisation has been approved by Ankara Science University or that the traineeship is automatically eligible under the Erasmus+ Programme.
Before the mobility begins, the student must obtain the approval of the Departmental Erasmus Coordinator and the Erasmus Coordination Office regarding the suitability of the traineeship placement, the duties, the work programme and the Learning Agreement for Traineeships.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
The application requirements for Erasmus+ Student Mobility for Traineeships may be updated for each academic year. Therefore, applicants must consult the official call for applications published for the relevant period for the most up-to-date information. The general application criteria are as follows:
- Associate degree and undergraduate students must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.20 out of 4.00, while master’s and doctoral students must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.50 out of 4.00.
- Applicants must document their foreign-language proficiency. They may use the results of the English Proficiency Examination administered by Ankara Science University or the results of foreign-language examinations accepted in the relevant call for applications.
- Applicants must be registered as full-time students in a degree programme at Ankara Science University.
- The proposed traineeship must be related to the student’s registered academic field.
- As a general rule, an inter-institutional agreement is not required for Erasmus+ Student Mobility for Traineeships. However, where the traineeship is to be carried out at a higher education institution, the current Erasmus+ rules apply depending on the country in which the host institution is located and its institutional status.
- Where the traineeship is carried out at a higher education institution located in a country associated with the Erasmus+ Programme, the host institution must hold an ECHE. A separate inter-institutional agreement between the sending and receiving higher education institutions is not required.
- Where the traineeship is carried out at a higher education institution located in a third country not associated with the Erasmus+ Programme, the host institution must be officially recognised under its national legislation, and the required inter-institutional agreement must be concluded before the mobility begins.
A- APPLICATION PROCESS
Applications for Erasmus+ Student Mobility for Traineeships are submitted through TURNAPortal, provided by the Turkish National Agency, using the applicant’s e-Government credentials.
Before applying, candidates are strongly advised to conduct detailed research on the institution or organisation where they intend to undertake their traineeship. The following matters should be reviewed:
- The duties and work programme of the traineeship,
- The relevance of the traineeship to the student’s academic field,
- The working language,
- The start and end dates of the traineeship,
- Weekly working hours,
- The working conditions of the host organisation,
- Arrangements relating to health, accident and liability insurance,
- Documents required by the host organisation.
A detailed guide on the use of TURNAPortal may be accessed through the relevant link.
B- EVALUATION OF APPLICATIONS
Applications for Erasmus+ Student Mobility for Traineeships are evaluated on the basis of a scoring system in accordance with the established criteria.
Main Evaluation Criteria
- Academic achievement: 50%
- Foreign-language proficiency: 50%
Additional Points
- Submission of a traineeship acceptance letter at the time of application: +10 points
- Children of martyrs and veterans: +15 points
- Students with disabilities, provided that their disability status is documented: +10 points
- Students who are currently or were previously subject to a protection, care or accommodation decision under Social Services Law No. 2828 or Child Protection Law No. 5395: +10 points
- Students who themselves, or whose first-degree relatives, have received disaster relief assistance from the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD): +10 points
- Traineeships aimed at developing digital skills – Digital Opportunity Traineeships (DOTs): +5 points
- Applications made within the scope of a compulsory traineeship, where this criterion is included in the relevant call for applications: +5 points
Point Deductions
- Previous participation, with or without a grant, in an Erasmus+ student mobility activity under the same project type and at the same cycle of study: −10 points
- Participation in a mobility activity in the applicant’s country of citizenship: −10 points
- Applying for both study and traineeship mobility during the same application period: −10 points from the mobility type prioritised by the student
Point Deductions Related to Procedures and Obligations
- Failure to attend Erasmus+ meetings and information sessions without a valid excuse: −5 points in the subsequent application
- Failure to participate in the mobility activity after selection without submitting a withdrawal notice within the announced period: −10 points in the subsequent application
- Failure to attend the foreign-language examination without a valid excuse after declaring an intention to take the examination: −5 points in the subsequent application
Applications are evaluated in accordance with the Erasmus+ Implementation Handbook applicable to the relevant contractual period and the criteria announced in the call for applications published by Ankara Science University.
C- GRANT SUPPORT
Within the scope of Erasmus+ Traineeship Mobility, students and recent graduates who meet the relevant eligibility conditions may receive financial support for the traineeship period they complete abroad. The Erasmus+ grant is not intended to cover all expenses incurred abroad; rather, it contributes to the additional costs arising from participation in the mobility activity.
The grant amount that may be provided is determined according to:
- The destination country,
- The duration of the mobility,
- The type of mobility,
- The relevant contractual period.
Erasmus+ Grant Amounts for Student Mobility for Traineeships – 2026 Contract Period
The monthly grant amount provided to students and eligible recent graduates participating in long-term traineeship mobility is determined according to the country group of the destination country.
| Country group | Destination countries | Monthly grant for traineeships |
|---|---|---|
| Group 1 and Group 2 Programme Countries | Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden | EUR 750 per month |
| Group 3 Programme Countries | Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Lithuania, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania and Serbia | EUR 600 per month |
Under the rules applicable to the relevant contractual period, students and recent graduates participating in long-term traineeship mobility receive an additional traineeship grant of EUR 150 per month in addition to the basic individual support amount.
Top-up Support for Participants with Fewer Opportunities
Participants with fewer opportunities who meet the relevant eligibility requirements and provide the required supporting documents may receive an additional EUR 250 per month in addition to their monthly Erasmus+ traineeship grant.
The eligibility requirements, accepted supporting documents and application procedure for Top-up Support are specified in the Erasmus+ Implementation Handbook for the relevant contract period and in the application announcement published by our University.
Grant amounts may vary depending on the contract period. The final amounts applicable to participants are specified in the relevant application announcement and in the grant agreement signed with the participant.
Duration of the Activity and Grant Calculation
Students’ activity periods and grant amounts are calculated on an estimated basis before the mobility begins. The start and end dates stated in the traineeship acceptance document and the Learning Agreement for Traineeships are taken into account when determining the estimated activity period.
The student’s estimated grant amount is calculated by the Erasmus Coordination Office through the Beneficiary Module (BM) based on the planned mobility dates. A grant agreement specifying the maximum calculated grant amount and the payment conditions is signed with the student.
Before the mobility, 80% of the estimated total grant amount is transferred as the first payment to the student’s Euro-denominated bank account. The remaining grant amount is paid after the mobility has been completed and the student has submitted all required return documents, taking into account the confirmed activity period.
The final activity period is determined according to the actual start and end dates stated in the Traineeship Certificate, Certificate of Attendance and other relevant return documents. Where the actual activity period is shorter than the planned period, the student’s final grant amount is recalculated. Where the first payment exceeds the final total grant amount, the student is required to reimburse the excess amount.
The traineeship period may be fully or partially funded, or the mobility may be completed entirely as a zero-grant mobility. Where the activity period is partially funded, the funded period cannot be shorter than the minimum duration determined for the relevant mobility type. The minimum duration for long-term traineeship mobility is two full months.
Participation without a grant does not affect the student’s Erasmus+ mobility status or their academic and administrative obligations under the Programme.
Where a student wishes to extend the traineeship period, the extension is subject to the approval of the host institution or organisation and the Erasmus Coordination Office. Where sufficient funds are available within the relevant project budget, an additional grant may be awarded for the extended period. Where the grant amount is increased, an amendment to the grant agreement must be signed with the student before the mobility ends. Where sufficient funds are not available, the extended period may be completed as a zero-grant period.
Where necessary, grant reductions may be applied in accordance with the relevant implementation rules and the provisions of the grant agreement, taking into account the duration of the activity, the student’s attendance in the traineeship programme and fulfilment of mobility obligations.
Travel Grant Support Calculations
Travel grant support may be provided to contribute to students’ transportation expenses. For the calculation of this support, the distance between the point of departure and the city where the traineeship mobility will take place is determined in kilometres using the distance calculator provided by the European Commission.
The applicable travel grant amount is calculated according to the relevant distance band and the table valid for the contractual period concerned. The amounts indicated in the table cover the total cost of the outward and return journeys and must not be multiplied by two.
| Travel distance | Standard travel grant | Green travel grant |
|---|---|---|
| 10–99 km | EUR 28 | EUR 56 |
| 100–499 km | EUR 211 | EUR 285 |
| 500–1,999 km | EUR 309 | EUR 417 |
| 2,000–2,999 km | EUR 395 | EUR 535 |
| 3,000–3,999 km | EUR 580 | EUR 785 |
| 4,000–7,999 km | EUR 1,188 | EUR 1,188 |
| 8,000 km or more | EUR 1,735 | EUR 1,735 |
Please click here to access the European Commission Distance Calculator.
Green travel refers to the use of environmentally friendly and low-carbon means of transport. Travel by bus, train and car-sharing may be considered within this scope.
To qualify for green travel support, green means of transport must be used for both the outward and return journeys, and more than half of the total journey must be completed using low-carbon means of transport.
Where necessary, additional individual support may be provided for travel days. In this context, additional grant support may be provided for up to 2 days for standard travel and up to 6 days for green travel before and after the activity.
For the conditions of green travel, current travel grant amounts and the documents to be submitted, please refer to the Erasmus+ Green Travel Support page.
D- OBLIGATIONS OF SELECTED STUDENTS BEFORE THE MOBILITY
Students selected to participate in Erasmus+ Student Mobility for Traineeships must complete all required preparations before the mobility activity begins.
Students must first obtain a Letter of Acceptance from the institution or organisation where they will undertake their traineeship and submit a copy of this document to the Erasmus Coordination Office.
The approved traineeship must be relevant to the student’s department and academic field. Traineeship offers that are not compatible with the student’s field of study are not considered eligible.
Learning Agreement for Traineeships
The Learning Agreement for Traineeships, which contains detailed information about the traineeship activity, must be prepared before the mobility begins.
The document must include the following information:
- The duties and responsibilities of the trainee,
- The work programme,
- The intended learning outcomes,
- Monitoring and evaluation methods,
- The working period,
- Insurance arrangements,
- How the traineeship will be academically recognised.
The document must be approved by the following three parties:
- The student,
- Ankara Science University,
- The host institution or organisation.
A copy of the approved document must be submitted to the Erasmus Coordination Office.
OFFICIAL PROCEDURES AND DOCUMENTS
Passport
- Students must apply to the relevant Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs to obtain a passport.
- A copy of the passport page containing the student’s personal details must be submitted to the Erasmus Coordination Office.
- Current passport regulations must be reviewed regarding any fee exemption based on student status and age.
- Students over the age of twenty-five may obtain the required institutional letter concerning their mobility abroad from the Erasmus Coordination Office and complete the relevant official procedures.
- If the validity period of an existing passport is insufficient, the passport must be renewed.
Visa
- After obtaining a passport, students must make a visa appointment with the consulate or authorised visa application centre of the destination country.
- Preparing the required documents and submitting the visa application on time are the student’s responsibility.
- The Erasmus Coordination Office provides information and guidance during the process.
- After the visa has been issued, a copy of the relevant passport page must be submitted to the Erasmus Coordination Office.
Health, Accident and Liability Insurance
Students must have health insurance that is valid in the destination country and covers the entire mobility period.
The health insurance policy must cover both outpatient and inpatient treatment, and the insurance period must provide uninterrupted coverage throughout the mobility activity.
For traineeship mobility, the student must also have:
- Accident insurance covering damage or injury suffered by the student in the workplace,
- Liability insurance covering damage caused by the student to third parties in the workplace.
The Learning Agreement for Traineeships must clearly indicate whether the accident and liability insurance is provided by the sending institution, the host organisation or the student.
Since insurance coverage and visa requirements may vary by country, students must check the current requirements of the relevant country. Copies of the insurance policies must be submitted to the Erasmus Coordination Office.
Students travelling to countries that have a social security agreement with Türkiye may obtain the relevant documents from the Social Security Institution.
Bank Account
Students entitled to receive an Erasmus+ grant must have a euro-denominated bank account opened in their own name.
The account details must be submitted to the Erasmus Coordination Office.
Grant Agreement
The Grant Agreement prepared by the Erasmus Coordination Office must be signed before the mobility begins, and a copy must be submitted to the Erasmus Coordination Office.
Language Support
Students participating in traineeship mobility may use the Online Language Support resources available through EU Academy to improve their foreign-language skills.
The OLS language assessment is not compulsory for KA131 students and recent graduates before the mobility. Nevertheless, students are encouraged to benefit from the language-learning opportunities available through EU Academy.
E- PROCEDURES DURING THE MOBILITY
Students undertaking Erasmus+ Student Mobility for Traineeships abroad must follow the official procedure where changes are required to the Learning Agreement for Traineeships prepared before the mobility.
The student must first inform the Departmental Erasmus Coordinator and the Erasmus Coordination Office.
Changes to the traineeship programme must be prepared using the During the Mobility section of the Learning Agreement for Traineeships.
The amended document must be approved by the following three parties:
- The student,
- Ankara Science University,
- The host institution or organisation.
Changes that have not been approved by all three parties are not considered valid. The amended and signed document must be submitted electronically to the Erasmus Coordination Office.
F- PROCEDURES AFTER THE MOBILITY
Students who have completed their traineeship mobility must submit the required documents to the Erasmus Coordination Office no later than one month after their return.
Certificate of Attendance and Traineeship Certificate
The Certificate of Attendance, issued by the host institution or organisation and indicating the actual start and end dates of the mobility activity, must be submitted to the Erasmus Coordination Office.
The host institution or organisation must complete and sign the following sections of the After the Mobility part of the Learning Agreement for Traineeships:
- Evaluation of the Trainee
- Traineeship Certificate
These documents must include information on the duties performed by the student, the knowledge and skills acquired, and the evaluation of the student’s traineeship performance.
The completed and signed documents must be submitted to the Erasmus Coordination Office.
Entry and Exit Documents
Copies of the relevant passport pages showing entry and exit records, or the official international entry-exit document obtained through the e-Government system, must be submitted to the Erasmus Coordination Office for the calculation of the final mobility period and the final grant amount.
Final Report – Participant Report
Students are required to complete the online Participant Report containing their evaluation of the Erasmus+ mobility experience.
The report is sent to the student’s e-mail address. Completion of the Participant Report and submission of the post-mobility documents are among the obligations that must be fulfilled before any remaining grant payment can be made.
G- RECOGNITION OF TRAINEESHIP MOBILITY
A traineeship successfully completed within the scope of Erasmus+ Student Mobility for Traineeships is recognised by Ankara Science University.
Where the traineeship forms part of the student’s curriculum, the activity is fully recognised, preferably through the award of ECTS credits.
Where the traineeship does not form part of the student’s curriculum, the completed Erasmus+ traineeship mobility is recognised by recording it in the student’s Diploma Supplement.
The method by which the traineeship will be recognised within the student’s academic programme is determined by the relevant department or academic board before the mobility begins.
The suitability of the host organisation, the content of the traineeship and the intended learning outcomes for the student’s academic field are evaluated by the Departmental Erasmus Coordinator and the relevant academic units.
Information concerning the completed Erasmus+ traineeship mobility is included in the student’s academic records and Diploma Supplement.
INFORMATION PRESENTATION
You can access the information presentation on the Erasmus+ Student Traineeship Mobility process through the link below.
Click here for the Erasmus+ Student Traineeship Mobility Information Presentation.