Canada seeks expanded access to EU student exchange programme

Canada has begun negotiations with the European Union (EU) to expand its participation in Erasmus+, a major European programme that supports international student exchanges, academic cooperation, professional training and youth mobility.

The proposed expansion could give Canadian students and educators greater access to study and training opportunities across Europe, while strengthening academic partnerships between Canadian and European institutions. The federal government announced the initiative following the Canada–EU Summit held in Montréal on October 29–30. The announcement formed part of a broader partnership, titled the Alliance for the Future, through which both sides outlined plans to deepen cooperation in several areas.

Under the proposed arrangement, Canada and the EU will negotiate wider opportunities for Canadians to study, live and work in Europe. The two sides are also exploring a new-generation youth mobility partnership to facilitate exchanges between young people in both regions.

What Erasmus+ offers

Erasmus+ is an EU-funded programme that supports international learning, training and cooperation across education, youth and sport. It provides opportunities for students, graduates, teachers, university staff and youth organisations to gain international experience and develop professional skills.

The programme supports several forms of mobility and institutional collaboration, including:

• Student exchanges: Opportunities for university and other eligible post-secondary students to complete part of their studies at institutions abroad.
• Traineeships: Practical work and training placements for eligible students and recent graduates.
• Staff mobility: Teaching assignments, professional development and training opportunities for educators and higher education staff.
• Joint master's programmes: International graduate courses delivered by institutions in multiple countries, with scholarships available to selected students.
• Youth exchanges: Cross-border projects that bring young people together for learning, cultural interaction and skills development.

Eligible participants may receive financial support towards travel and living expenses, making international education and training more accessible. However, Canada currently has limited access to the programme. The EU classifies it as a 'third country not associated to the Programme', meaning Canadian universities and organisations can participate only in specific activities and must meet prescribed eligibility conditions.

Full participation is currently available to the EU's 27 member states and six associated countries. Under the existing arrangement, Canadian universities cannot independently apply for Erasmus+ exchange funding. Instead, eligible European institutions partner with them and submit applications, allowing students to undertake credit-bearing study periods abroad lasting between two and 12 months.

Despite these restrictions, exchanges between Canada and Europe have continued.

According to European Commission figures, projects selected between 2022 and 2024 planned mobility opportunities for 1,007 students and staff travelling from Canada to EU member states and associated countries. Another 866 participants were expected to travel in the opposite direction. Canadian students also have access to Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters scholarships, which can cover tuition fees, travel expenses and a living allowance. Between 2021 and 2024, at least 91 scholarship recipients from Canada were selected under the programme.

Expansion details and timeline yet to be announced

While the proposed negotiations signal a possible expansion of Canada's involvement in European education exchanges, the federal government has not yet outlined the precise scope of the arrangement or a timeline for its implementation.

The recent announcement said Canada and the EU would negotiate additional opportunities for Canadians to study, live and work in Europe in the coming months.An accompanying backgrounder from the Prime Minister's Office said both sides would also explore a next-generation youth mobility partnership to help young Canadians and Europeans access opportunities in each other's regions.

The government said the initiatives would create more opportunities for Canadian students, educators, training institutions and youth organisations to work with European counterparts through international exchanges, joint learning activities and institutional partnerships. The current Erasmus+ programme cycle runs until 2027. The outcome of the negotiations could therefore help shape Canada's participation in the programme's next phase.

International work opportunities through IEC

Alongside the proposed Erasmus+ expansion, Canada already operates a youth mobility programme that allows young people from participating countries to live and work in the country. The International Experience Canada (IEC) programme operates through reciprocal agreements with partner countries and territories. It currently covers 22 of the EU's 27 member states, allowing eligible young Europeans to obtain Canadian work permits.

The programme has three main categories:

• Working Holiday: Provides open work permits, allowing participants to work for most Canadian employers.
• Young Professionals: Offers employer-specific work permits for eligible participants seeking professional work experience.
• International Co-op (Internship): Allows eligible students to undertake internships or work placements connected to their academic programmes.

All 22 participating EU member states offer access to the Working Holiday category, although availability of the other two categories varies by country. Applicants are generally required to be between 18 and 35 years old. Depending on their nationality and the applicable bilateral agreement, work permits are typically valid for 12 or 24 months.

The proposed expansion of Erasmus+ could complement these existing mobility arrangements by extending opportunities beyond employment and travel to include broader academic exchanges, professional development and institutional cooperation.