The University of Roehampton's participation in the Erasmus+ programme is imperative to giving our students the opportunity to study abroad, particularly those from lower income households who would not otherwise be able to afford an international experience. The funding received through the KA103 programme allows the University to achieve key international targets and institutional strategic goals. The funding has allowed us to send more students to study abroad as part of their degree programme, which not only has contributed towards successfully delivering the aims of the University of Roehampton Outward Mobility Strategy 2016-2019, but has also fed in to Roehampton's Employability Strategy and Access and Participation Plan.The Erasmus+ programme has allowed our International Business and Modern Languages students with compulsory study abroad components as part of their degree fulfil this requirement and many would not have been able to without the funding. Unfortunately due to the declining enrolment in our Modern Languages programmes, we were not able to send as many languages students abroad as we have done previously. Unfortunately, this was the last year that we will be sending a cohort of languages students abroad, as the undergraduate programmes have now closed. Due to the uncertainties of Brexit, many students were worried about this affecting their funding or status within the UK as international students, despite reassurances from the institution and the partner universities. Seven students withdrew from the programme prior to the start of their mobility as a result of academic progression issues, or withdrawal from the University. This year, 22 students participated in a period abroad to a range of countries and institutions. Many of these students would not have been able to participate in outward mobility or graduate without the funding and top-ups offered by Erasmus+. Roehampton aims to continue to grow the number of students and staff participating in mobility and hopes to prioritise existing partners for new initiatives in cases where mobility between respective languages departments is no longer possible. More staff than ever participated in the Erasmus+ programme this year from a wide range of departments. The University received its highest number of Erasmus+ applications, with 16 staff members accepted on teaching mobility and six on training mobility programmes. Staff members from a wide range of disciplines applied for the programme, most notably, five members of staff from the department of Media, Culture and Language participated in a staff teaching mobility, four staff members from the department of Education and five members of staff from the department of Dance took part in a mobility, highlighting how the departments and curriculum are become increasingly internationalised. Through staff teaching and training opportunities, staff have been able to engage more in the internationalisation of the University, they have strengthened existing links with partners, and created new ones. They have encouraged more staff and students to get involved and they continue to promote the outward mobility agenda by championing the Erasmus+ programme and study abroad opportunities for all. Staff have become international champions within their departments and have been able to work towards internationalising the curriculum through the development of new study abroad and short term mobility opportunities. Without the financial support received through Erasmus+, many of these changes to the curriculum and the internationalisation of Roehampton as an institution would not have been possible.Roehampton has been an enthusiastic participant in the Erasmus+ programme alongside other European-funded projects and hopes to continue doing so for years to come, further growing the scheme within the University as part of the Outward Mobility Plan 2019-2023.

This is a higher education student and staff mobility project, please consult the website of the organisation to obtain additional details.

The University of Roehampton has participated in a variety of European funded projects, including various iterations of the Erasmus+ programme, for many years. Erasmus+ K103 funding makes a significant contribution towards the fulfillment of key institutional strategic goals, particularly around increasing the employability of Roehampton students and graduates, and the University’s new, recently launched Outward Mobility Strategy, which aims to double the number of students studying abroad. The Erasmus+ programme plays a fundamental role in the success of our Modern Languages students and significantly contributes towards the success of our International Business students, as they complete compulsory study/work placements overseas. The programme is strongly embedded in our Media, Culture and Language degree programmes, with the majority of our Erasmus+ student participants and a high number of staff participants coming from this area.In the academic year 2015-16, 28 students participated in an Erasmus+ mobility placement; of these, one student was optional (not a mandatory part of their degree), whilst 27 were required to participate in an international experience as part of their Modern Languages or International Business degree. Two students participated in traineeships and the remaining 26 chose study placements. These numbers are relatively consistent with previous years.In 2015-16, 12 staff members participated in teaching mobilities through the Erasmus+ programme, with one staff member undertaking four placements. Participants were from departments across the institution, demonstrating University-wide engagement with the programme especially within the Humanities and Dance areas. Participation in the programme has increased academic staff engagement with internationalisation generally by increasing and strengthening links with partner institutions, leading in some cases to joint research bids/projects, and by making staff champions for student participation in study abroad programmes in the future.Participation in Erasmus+ has allowed Roehampton to fulfil its responsibilities to students on Modern Languages and International Business programmes. It has also helped to enhance engagement with outward mobility generally at the University thanks to the financial support that participants receive, particularly as Roehampton has a higher than average number of widening participation students. Finally, supporting staff to participate in outward mobility is key to Roehampton's internationalisation aspirations and contributes towards the internationalisation of classrooms by making staff global advocates; in many cases this would not be possible without the Erasmus+ programme.