After lengthy talks between the UK government and the EU, a deal has been signed allowing British students to once more take part in the Erasmus+ exchange programme.
The deal will come into effect on 1 January 2027. It is anticipated that more than 100,000 students will benefit from the study abroad scheme in the first year alone.
It comes as welcome news, with Skills Minister Jacqui Smith saying the programme offers “transformative opportunities to enhance young people’s life chances.”
“Generations of people have benefitted from the opportunities working and studying abroad offers, and I’m so pleased that today’s students, apprentices, educators and young people can experience all Europe has to offer,” she added.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Erasmus+ scheme – including what it is, why Britain left the programme and what rejoining means for students.
What is the Erasmus+ scheme?
Erasmus+ is an EU scheme that allows students from all backgrounds to study and train abroad and provides grant funding for placements and partnerships within Europe.
Covering travel, living and course costs, as well as visa and entry fees, the scheme encompasses job shadowing, vocational education and training, higher education accreditation and more.
First set up in the 1980s, the Erasmus+ includes all 27 EU member states, in addition to Iceland, Serbia, Turkey, North Macedonia, Liechtenstein and Norway. Its key principles are to support people and staff working in education, to support partnerships and countries working together and to improve youth work, sport and education across Europe.
Why did the UK leave the student exchange programme?
Between 2014 and 2020, the UK was part of the Erasmus exchange programme, but officially left the scheme in January 2021, after Britain formally departed the EU following Brexit.
Despite the previous Conservative government claiming the programme was too expensive, Prime Minister Keir Starmer petitioned for a “reset” and his government has been in talks with EU leaders to reinstate the UK’s access to Erasmus+.
What does rejoining mean for a British student?
According to the UK government’s press release, it secured a 30% discount on the default contribution rate, “delivering a fair deal for taxpayers while guaranteeing full participation in the programme.”
“We want to give our young people the very best start, and bringing back Erasmus+ does exactly that,” said EU Relations Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds. “It offers thousands of students and apprentices the chance to learn and grow in Europe, boosting their quality of life and helping them gain a fresh perspective on the world.”
He added: “This is what a positive UK-EU relationship looks like in practice, making a tangible difference to people’s lives and careers.”
If you’re based in the UK, you can register here for updates ahead of the first funding call in 2027.
