Socrates is the EU education programme. It supports European co-operation on a range of educational projects, initiatives and professional development, providing opportunities for all sectors, including schools, higher education and lifelong learning.

Socrates spans the entire breadth of the UK's education system. It comprises eight parts, or Actions, which aim to improve quality and strengthen the European dimension in education (detailed below).

Comenius: for school and further education. Supports joint curriculum projects between schools and colleges, staff training opportunities and the development of networks.

Erasmus: for higher education. Encourages co-operation between universities across Europe and supports mobility of students and staff in higher education, the development of joint programmes and courses and the development of thematic networks.

Grundtvig: for adult education and lifelong learning. Aims to improve the availability, accessibility and quality of adult teaching and learning through supporting European Co-operation Projects, Learning Partnerships, staff training and the development of networks.

Lingua: the learning of foreign languages. Supports projects that raise awareness of language learning opportunities and that develop language learning materials.

Minerva: Information and Communication Technology and Open and Distance Learning. Aims to promote improved understanding and awareness of ICT and ODL and to develop new teaching and learning approaches.

Observation and Innovation: including Arion study visits and the Eurydice and NARIC information networks.

Joint Actions: initiatives that span the EU's education, vocational training and youth programmes.

Accompanying Measures: support for initiatives that fall outside of the above actions.