National and international mobility grants: your guide and ideal accommodation

Going on an exchange programme is, without a doubt, one of the most incredible decisions you’ll make during your time at university. Moving to a new city, living alongside people from all over the world, discovering new cultures and stepping outside your comfort zone completely transform the way you see things.

However, we know that the first step in going abroad to study always involves doing the maths. The financial barrier is often the main obstacle, but the good news is that there are plenty of support schemes designed specifically for this purpose. As we know that searching for information can be a bit of a nightmare, we have put together this guide with everything you need to know about the main national and international mobility grants. What’s more, we’ll tell you how to secure the perfect accommodation for your stay, especially if you’re arriving halfway through the academic year.

International mobility grants: studying in Europe

If your aim is to spend a semester or a whole year in another European country, there’s one standout choice:

• The Erasmus+ programme: it is the crown jewel of European mobility. This programme allows you to study in another European Union country (and associated countries) with the assurance that your home university will recognise the credits you earn whilst studying abroad.
• How does the grant work? The Erasmus grant varies depending on the cost of living in the host country. Countries are divided into groups (Group 1 for more expensive countries such as Norway or Denmark, and Groups 2 and 3 for countries with an average or low cost of living, such as Spain, Italy or Poland).
• Additional grants: in addition to the EU grant, the Spanish Ministry of Education and many autonomous communities offer additional funding on top of your monthly grant.
• Santander Erasmus grants: they’re the perfect supplement. Banco Santander offers additional financial support to students with the best academic records who have already been awarded an Erasmus+ place.

Scholarships to study in Spain for students from Latin America

If you’re reading this from Latin America and your dream is to cross the pond to study in Spain, there’s a huge range of international study opportunities available. These are the most important ones:

• Fundación Carolina: this is the leading organisation in this field. They offer a comprehensive range of grants, particularly for postgraduate studies (master’s and doctoral programmes) and research placements. In many cases, they cover airfare, a very high percentage of the tuition fees, medical insurance and a monthly allowance for accommodation and living expenses.
• AUIP (Ibero-American University Association for Postgraduate Studies) scholarships: promote mobility between Andalusian and Latin American universities. They’re a brilliant option if you’re heading to university in the south of Spain (such as our student accommodation in Seville, for example).
• MAEC-AECID scholarships: sponsored by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, these scholarships are strongly focused on international cooperation and educating talented young people from Latin America.

An extra tip for international students: if you’re coming from outside the EU, remember to start the process for your student visa and TIE (Foreigner Identity Card) several months in advance. Universities usually have an Office of International Relations (OIR) which will guide you through the process step by step.

National mobility: discover Spain with the SICUE programme

Sometimes you don’t need to leave the country or cross an ocean to have an unforgettable university experience. The SICUE programme (Exchange System between Spanish Universities) allows you to study at a university other than your own within Spain.

To apply, the general requirement is to have completed around 45 credits and to be enrolled on at least a further 30 credits. It’s the perfect opportunity to leave your home town and experience the vibrant university atmosphere in places such as Pamplona, Salamanca, Valencia, Sabadell or Seville.

How can SICUE be funded?

One of the biggest concerns when it comes to taking part in the SICUE programme is how to pay for it, as the mobility placement itself does not come with any direct financial support. To cover the cost of living away from home, students often apply for:

• The General Ministry Grant (MEC Grant): if you meet the financial and academic criteria, you can apply for the ‘residence-linked grant’. This provides you with vital financial support (currently around €2,500 a year) for living away from home during the academic year.
• Regional grants: many autonomous communities offer travel grants or supplementary grants for their students participating in national mobility schemes.

The second semester: the perfect time for your exchange

Whether you’re coming on an Erasmus exchange, from LATAM, or going on a SICUE exchange, many students choose the second term (from January/February to June) to take part in their exchange programme.

That’s a brilliant decision. By arriving at the start of the new year, you avoid the chaos of September, enjoy spring in Spain and jump right in to a course that’s already up and running. However, arriving at the halfway point of the academic year presents a major challenge: finding accommodation.

In January, the vast majority of shared flats are either fully let or require tenants to sign a one-year tenancy agreement, which doesn’t fit in with a five-month exchange. What’s more, managing security deposits, dealing with landlords from afar or setting up Wi-Fi from another country can turn into a real logistical nightmare.

Your student hall of residence: the all-in-one solution

This is where Canvas Student comes in. We fully understand the needs of exchange and mobility students, which is why we have designed an experience that takes all the stress out of finding accommodation.

Choosing our student hall of residence for your mobility guarantees you:

• Genuine flexibility for the second semester: we offer stays tailored to the exact months of your exchange. If you’re coming for one term, you’ll have accommodation for one term. No annual contracts to tie you down.
• A hassle-free arrival: just turn up, unpack your bags and start enjoying yourself. With our ‘all-inclusive’ package, you won’t have to worry about any unexpected bills for electricity, water or the internet.
• Top-class facilities: you have access to a gym, study rooms, a cinema and leisure areas without even leaving the building.
• International community: when you’re new to a city, making friends quickly is vital. At Canvas, you’ll be living alongside students from many different countries. What’s more, by organising events and activities on a regular basis, we make sure you get to know the other residents right from the first week.
• Strategic locations: whether your scholarship takes you to Salamanca, Seville, Valencia, Pamplona or Sabadell, there’s a Canvas facility for you, located conveniently close to campus.

If your scholarship has already been approved or you’re still in the middle of the application process, the next step is to put your mind at ease. Explore our locations on the website and get ready to enjoy the best months of your university life with us.