The United Kingdom will rejoin the European Union's Erasmus+ student exchange program in 2027, marking a significant reversal of the Brexit-era decision to leave the scheme in 2021.
The British government confirmed Wednesday that it has successfully negotiated terms to rejoin Erasmus+, with UK participation beginning in the 2027/28 academic year. EU Relations Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds described the agreement as a tremendous victory for young people, emphasizing that it will break down barriers and widen horizons for students from every background to study and train abroad.
Under the negotiated deal, the UK will pay approximately £570 million to participate in the program for the 2027/28 academic year, representing a 30% discount compared to standard membership terms for non-EU countries. The government estimates that over 100,000 British students, adult learners, and young people could benefit from the program in its first year.
EU Erasmus Program
The Erasmus program allows university students to study at institutions across Europe for between two and 12 months without paying additional tuition fees. The scheme also extends opportunities to vocational training, apprenticeships, adult education, and sports coaching, with job shadowing and training abroad available to education staff, according to CNN.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who took office last year, has made strengthening ties with the EU a key priority following years of strained relations during and after Brexit negotiations. The foundation for Wednesday's announcement was established during a UK-EU summit in May, when both parties agreed to deepen cooperation and strengthen ties for the younger generation.
The UK originally left Erasmus in December 2020 when then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson withdrew from the program, claiming it did not provide good value for money. Johnson replaced Erasmus with the Turing Scheme, a UK-funded program that finances study opportunities globally rather than being limited to Europe, DW News reported.
Student Exchange Program
However, research suggested that Britain's participation in Erasmus had actually generated economic benefits. A 2021 report from Chatham House estimated that the program resulted in a net gain of £243 million annually for the UK economy, as it enabled well-funded EU students to come to Britain, creating a valuable customer base for higher education, services, and hospitality sectors.
UK universities have welcomed the breakthrough. Tim Bradshaw, chief executive of the Russell Group representing leading British universities, stated that Erasmus+ opens fantastic opportunities for students and young people to benefit from new experiences and learning.
The agreement is part of a broader package of UK-EU cooperation announced on Wednesday, which also includes the start of negotiations on electricity market integration and deadlines to finalize trade deals on food and beverages and carbon market linkage, as per Gov.UK.
