UK to Rejoin Erasmus+ Scheme in 2027 After Brexit
The UK has announced plans to rejoin the EU's Erasmus+ scheme in 2027 following negotiations in London and Brussels. This move fulfills a Labour manifesto pledge and is expected to cost about £570 million.
Up to 100,000 people could benefit in the first year across education, training, culture, and sport, including apprentices, further education (FE) students, adult learners, and higher education students.
Under the new UK terms, there will be roughly a 30% discount to standard Erasmus terms while ensuring full participation benefits and value for taxpayers. University students will be able to spend up to a year studying at European universities as part of their UK degree courses without incurring extra fees. UK universities will also host European students on the same terms.
Grants will be available to help with living costs abroad for those traveling under Erasmus+, including FE students and those undertaking work placements.
The announcement was welcomed by officials and stakeholders. Skills minister Jacqui Smith described it as expanding opportunities, while EU talks were led by EU relations minister Nick Thomas-Symonds and Maroš Šefčovič. David Hughes, chief executive of the Association of Colleges, also hailed the development.
To provide context, Erasmus began in 1987, and the UK had left the scheme after Brexit, establishing the Turing scheme as a replacement. There has been no announcement yet regarding the future of the Turing scheme.
