Erasmus+ in Italy (KA131): How It Works

What is Erasmus+ KA131?

KA131 is the main strand of Erasmus+ covering individual student mobility in higher education. Through it, while a student at your university in Turkey, you can spend a semester or an academic year at a partnered Italian university. The courses you take there count towards your own degree under the agreement between the two institutions. The degree, in other words, comes from your own university, not from Italy; the Italian term is recognised as part of your education. That structure is what fundamentally separates Erasmus from a fully funded master’s programme.

Study or traineeship?

Erasmus+ offers two kinds of mobility. The first is study mobility: you take courses at a partnered Italian university. The second is traineeship mobility: practical experience at an Italian institution or company. Both sit under the same programme but involve different processes and paperwork — study mobility turns on course equivalence and the Learning Agreement, while a traineeship turns on the host’s acceptance and the training plan. Which suits you depends on your academic and career goals.

How does it work from Turkey?

You apply not to Europe but to your own university’s Erasmus office. The grant and the placement are arranged through your university’s Erasmus budget and its agreements — which means the Italian universities open to you are limited to those your department has agreements with. Application, selection and grant procedures differ slightly from one university to another, but the general framework is the same. You’ll find the detailed application flow on our application page.

How much is the grant?

Because Italy counts as a “group 2” country in the Erasmus+ grant calculation, the monthly grant sits in the middle band — recently around €600 a month at most universities. Top-ups may be added: support for disadvantaged students, and a “green travel” supplement for going overland. The exact figure depends on your university’s budget and that year’s rules. Whether the grant actually stretches is a separate question, and it depends on the city — see our grant amounts pages for the detail.

Who can apply?

Study mobility is open to students who have completed a certain stage at their own university — generally second year and above at bachelor’s level. Selection combines academic average and foreign-language score in set proportions, with each university publishing its own criteria. Master’s and doctoral students can join Erasmus at their own level too. Total Erasmus time within one study cycle is capped, so count any previous mobilities against that ceiling.

Why is Erasmus+ worth it?

Erasmus may not be a full scholarship, but the experience it buys is priceless. A term in Italy is a serious investment in language, culture and academic network — and for many students it becomes the first step in a plan for a master’s or a career in Italy. The connections and experience of an Erasmus term lay a strong foundation for a later MAECI application or a full-time programme. If staying on in Italy is on your mind, treat the term as reconnaissance and preparation.

Documents and translation

The Learning Agreement and grant contract generally run in English and need no translation. The host institution may, however, ask for a transcript translation, and stays over 90 days can require translated civil records for residence formalities. If a document does need translating, upload it and get a price the same day. All told, the Erasmus paperwork is light next to the full programmes.

Time limits and repeat mobility

Each study cycle carries a total Erasmus time limit — bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate are counted separately, and within each you may spend up to a set number of months on Erasmus. If you’ve been on Erasmus before, subtract that from the ceiling to find what remains. The flexibility allows either several short mobilities or one long term within a cycle. Settle your remaining entitlement with your university’s Erasmus office before planning, so the term length you’re aiming at is actually within your rights.

Erasmus or a full programme?

Don’t confuse Erasmus with a full degree programme. Erasmus is a short-term exchange that places part of your existing education in Italy; the degree comes from your own university. On a full programme you study in Italy from start to finish and take an Italian degree — which is where MAECI, DSU and the university scholarships come in. The two serve different goals: to explore, and to gain language and experience, Erasmus; to earn a degree in Italy, a full programme. Many students meet Italy through Erasmus first and move to a full programme after.

If this is your first time abroad

For many students Erasmus is the first long stay abroad — a personal milestone as much as an academic one. Learning basic Italian before you go, researching the practicalities (banking, residence) and arranging accommodation in advance all smooth the landing. University ESN (Erasmus Student Network) communities guide new arrivals and speed up the social side. The first weeks can be bureaucratically heavy; be patient and ask for help. The students who get the most from Erasmus are the ones who arrive prepared and stay open to the place.

Frequently asked questions