91998E1125

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1125/98 by Marjo Matikainen-Kallström (PPE) to the Commission (8 April 1998)

Subject: Charges to Erasmus programme exchange students

The basic idea of the Erasmus programme, which is funded by the European Union, is reciprocal free movement of students in the Member States without their being charged separate tuition fees. However, I have heard of cases in Britain, for instance, where Finnish exchange students were charged tuition fees or required to make comparable payments under various pretexts.

What will the Commission do to ascertain how widespread such infringements of the principles underlying the exchange programme are, and what will the Commission do to ensure that all educational establishments participating in exchange programmes abide by the same rules?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission (20 May 1998)

An essential condition for participation in the student mobility action of the Erasmus Chapter of Socrates is that the student must not be charged a university fee by the host institution for the study period abroad. The student's home institution is, however, permitted to continue to charge such fees during this study period.

'University fees' include payments for tuition, registration, examinations, access to laboratory or library facilities. Small fees may, however, be charged to incoming Erasmus students on an equal basis with local students for costs such as insurance, student unions, and the use of miscellaneous material such as photocopiers, laboratory products.

The Commission pursues all cases brought to its attention in which Erasmus students claim to have been charged university fees by their host institution. It investigates the circumstances of each case, in consultation with the relevant Socrates or Erasmus national agency as appropriate, to determine whether an infringement of the programme rules has taken place.

If the Honourable Member were able to furnish the Commission with the names and circumstances of Finnish Erasmus students required to pay tuition fees at British universities, the Commission would examine the matter.