Bridgwater College staff are delighted to have recently been awarded the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education for the very first time. The Charter provides formal recognition that the College’s degree-level provision meets the requirements and expectations of the European Commission’s quality framework for European and international cooperation.

The Erasmus programme is a European Union student exchange programme whereby students spend periods of up to three months, and sometimes a year, in another country to broaden their horizons and learn new life skills, such as making travel arrangements, living independently, managing money, meeting new people and improving their language skills. Their time abroad can include periods of study, work experience, teaching or volunteering, and the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education not only confirms the College’s experience and expertise in managing these exchanges, but also demonstrates that the international agenda forms an integral part of the College’s ongoing strategy.

The Erasmus programme is open to all education, training, youth and sport organisations and offers exciting opportunities for participants of all ages to experience cultures, workplace activities and industry behaviours in different countries. Bridgwater College fully embraces the Erasmus programme for the huge value it adds to the student experience by preparing young people for an exciting and fulfilling career in the global marketplace in which we now operate. It also contributes to their personal growth by boosting confidence, encouraging independence and broadening horizons which, in turn, increases their employability.

Erasmus member countries number 32 in all, mainly within Europe. Bridgwater College is already working with institutions in Finland, Holland, Denmark and Spain, where staff and students alike are undertaking exchange visits to share best practice in automotive, engineering and construction. The College has also played host to delegates and learners from a number of other countries, including Lithuania, Estonia, the Czech Republic and Germany.

Staff at Bridgwater College believe that the Erasmus Charter will enable them to forge even stronger links with European member countries, creating for staff and students a legacy of overseas work and study opportunities for many years to come.

If you would like more information about the Erasmus programme, please contact our Business Development team on 01278 655111 or email business@bridgwater.ac.uk.