EU’s Erasmus Reopens to UK Students for First Time Since Brexit

The EU’s Erasmus programme is set to reopen to UK students for the first time since Brexit, marking a major step in restoring educational and cultural exchange between the UK and Europe. The move will allow British students to once again access study, training, and mobility opportunities across EU institutions. It signals renewed cooperation in higher education, strengthens international learning pathways, and expands global exposure for students on both sides.

Young people across the UK are set to regain access to study and work opportunities in Europe, as the government confirms a return to the EU’s Erasmus programme for the first time since Brexit, backed by a £570 million investment.

Formally known as Erasmus+, the programme will reopen in 2027 to participants in education, training, culture, and sport, following negotiations between London and Brussels that deliver on a key Labour manifesto promise. Ministers estimate that as many as 100,000 people of all ages could benefit in the first year alone, with opportunities extending beyond universities to include apprentices, further education students, adult learners, and those pursuing skills-based training.

Skills minister Jacqui Smith welcomed the move enthusiastically, calling it a landmark moment that opens new doors for young people and reflects the positive impact of resetting the UK’s relationship with the EU. She clarified that the £570 million represents fresh funding from the Treasury, separate from the Department for Education’s existing budget, and includes a 30% reduction negotiated with the EU to reflect the UK’s strong appeal as a host country.

According to Smith, that discount ensures the UK is securing better value than before, creating a more balanced exchange between British participants heading abroad and EU learners coming to the UK. She also stressed that Erasmus+ is not limited to university students, highlighting its relevance for apprentices, further education colleges, youth organisations, and adult learners seeking international experience.

David Hughes, chief executive of the Association of Colleges, described the announcement as a major win for further education staff and students of all ages. He noted that international exposure broadens students’ worldviews and gives educators valuable insights into how other countries deliver technical education and develop workforce skills.

The agreement was finalised by EU relations minister Nick Thomas-Symonds after discussions with EU counterpart Maroš Šefčovič, forming part of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s broader effort to rebuild ties with Europe. In a joint statement, UK and EU officials said the renewed association with Erasmus+ would unlock meaningful opportunities across education, training, youth, and sport sectors, with particular benefits for younger generations on both sides.

They added that the agreed financial terms strike a fair balance between the UK’s contribution and the benefits received, clearing the path for full participation from 2027. Not everyone welcomed the decision, however, with shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel criticising the government for spending billions on rejoining Erasmus rather than focusing on post-Brexit trade and economic growth.

For university students, the return to Erasmus means they can once again spend up to a year studying at European institutions as part of their UK degrees without additional tuition fees, while UK universities can host European students under the same conditions.

Participants travelling abroad will also be eligible for grants to help cover living costs, including those studying at further education colleges or undertaking work placements. Alex Stanley, vice-president of the National Union of Students, said Brexit had led to a sharp decline in student exchanges between the UK and Europe.

He added that the programme’s return will allow a new generation of UK students to benefit from international study, while campuses across the country gain from the diversity and perspectives Erasmus students bring. Launched in 1987 as a university exchange initiative, Erasmus has since grown to include work placements, training programmes, school trips, and cultural projects.

The UK exited the scheme in 2020 after Brexit, with the government at the time arguing it offered poor value for money, although students in Northern Ireland have continued to access Erasmus through support from the Irish government.

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Source: theguardian‍