UK to Rejoin Erasmus+ Student Exchange Programme in 2027
The United Kingdom will rejoin the Erasmus+ student exchange programme in 2027, six years after withdrawing from the scheme following Brexit. The agreement, confirmed on Wednesday, will allow British students to study at European universities without facing additional fees, and vice versa for European students.
Under the terms of the deal, the UK will contribute £570 million to the expanded Erasmus+ scheme. The government has characterized this as a 30% discount compared to potential costs had the UK not previously left the program.
EU Relations Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds hailed the agreement as evidence of a “new partnership” between the UK and the European Union, emphasizing the benefits for young people. “This is about more than just travel: it’s about future skills, academic success, and giving the next generation access to the best possible opportunities,” he stated.
However, the move has faced criticism from within the Conservative party. Priti Patel, the shadow foreign secretary, labelled the deal a “betrayal” of Brexit and accused the Labour government of being “obsessed” with re-establishing closer ties with Brussels. Patel argued that the agreement would “throw away billions of pounds of hard-pressed taxpayers’ money.”
The Erasmus scheme, named after the Dutch Renaissance humanist Desiderius Erasmus, was initially abandoned by the UK in December 2020 as part of its post-Brexit trade agreement with the EU. The programme facilitates study abroad opportunities for students, providing grants to help cover living expenses while participating students continue to pay fees to their home institutions.
The initial agreement covers participation in the 2027-28 academic year, with future access contingent upon the negotiation of new agreements. This initial return to the program follows a pledge made by Prime Minister Keir Starmer to rejoin Erasmus+ as part of a broader effort to reset relations with the EU.
The scheme has a long history of fostering international collaboration, with approximately 9 million people having participated since its launch in 1987. Some observers credit Erasmus+ with cultivating a pro-EU sentiment among a generation of British students.
Jakob Calice, Managing Director of the OeAD-GmbH – Agency for Erasmus + Programme and Institutional Coordinator for ECIU European University, noted the high demand for places in the program, stating, “We must be early, because all of Europe is knocking at the door.” He indicated that the first Erasmus+ placements under the new agreement are expected to begin in the autumn of 2027.
The UK’s previous decision to leave the Erasmus programme was largely attributed to cost concerns, as voiced by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson. However, the current government appears to have prioritized the benefits of student mobility and international collaboration in reaching this new agreement.
The rejoining of Erasmus+ is expected to benefit approximately 100,000 people in the first year alone, encompassing not only university students but also those in further education and apprenticeships.
