The programme was launched in 1995 and now extends to the fifteen Member States of the European Union plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. The new programme has taken over student exchanges at the higher education level from the Erasmus programme, the language studies covered by Lingua, plus new activities at all levels of education. Socrates offers you an opportunity to study abroad and learn about life in the other countries of the Union. Examinations sat abroad are recognized by the university of origin, and grants may be awarded in certain circumstances. Mobility is not confined to students.
Teachers can also benefit.
In addition, the establishment of European university centres is encouraged as a means of responding more closely to students' concerns and developing a genuine open European education area. The aim is to encourage partnerships between schools in different countries of the Union for the joint study of new languages, other European cultures, the environment and our cultural heritage. This chapter includes and expands on measures for migrant children, travellers and itinerant workers. It seeks to reinforce language learning by developing new teaching material, offering teachers the opportunity to undertake total immersion courses in other Member States and promoting exchanges of young people. A specific measure will also offer open distance learning to be accessible in several countries.