- Deal to kick in from early 2027, with some 100,000 people set to benefit according to government estimates
- Agreement touted as a “win for young people” – but fate of mooted UK-EU youth mobility scheme unknown
- Unknown whether UK will keep its own international education and training scheme, the Turing program – introduced in Erasmus’s stead
While the UK will contribute around £570 million to the Erasmus+ scheme as part of the deal, the government said it had managed to agree a 30% discount on what it would have paid under the UK’s trade agreement with the EU. Participation in the program beyond the 2027/28 academic year would be agreed separately in the future.
Under Boris Johnson’s premiership, the UK left the Erasmus+ program after Brexit, with the then-Prime Minister claiming it did not offer value for money. It was replaced by the Turing scheme – the future of which remains unclear following today’s announcement.
The agreement will mean UK students will be able to take part in the scheme without paying any extra fees from January 2027 and has been warmly welcomed by the international education sector. Government modelling predicts that over 100,000 people in the UK could benefit from Erasmus+ within the first year of rejoining the scheme.
Universities Wales Director Amanda Wilkinson called the move a “hugely positive development that will support student and staff mobility”, as well as paving the way for partnership between universities in Wales and their European counterparts.
“While the UK was not participating in the Erasmus scheme, Wales took its own measures to support mobility through its celebrated Taith program. We look forward to building on our strong relationships with European partners to ensure university students and staff can benefit from the life-changing opportunities that Erasmus has to offer,” she said.
Vivienne Stern, Universities UK chief executive said the agreement was “fantastic news” for both students and universities in the UK and Europe, adding that the deal marked “a huge step forward in our relationship with the UK and will offer life-changing opportunities for thousands of students”.
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
Nick Thomas-Symonds, EU relations minister
Chief executive of the Russell Group, Tim Bradshaw, pointed out that Erasmus+ had even greater scope than previous iterations of the scheme.
“Today’s educational exchanges can create tomorrow’s research and innovation partnerships. New cross-border collaborations will build on our long-term relationship with the EU alongside successful Horizon projects. For association in 2027, there’s a lot of work to be done to make sure the sector is ready – but our universities are set to work with government to ensure the UK makes the most of this important step,” he added.
The UK’s Labour government is also positioning the agreement as a major achievement and a milestone in improving the country’s post-Brexit relationship with Europe.
EU relations minister Nick Thomas-Symonds called the move “a huge win for our 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 said. “Today’s agreements prove that our new partnership with the EU is working. We have focused on the public’s priorities and secured a deal that puts opportunity first.”
Meanwhile, minister for skills Jacqui Smith said rejoining Erasmus+ would “open doors for thousands of students and staff right across the country in universities, schools, colleges and adult education”.
News that the UK might be set to rejoin Erasmus+ surfaced in May, after European leaders put reinstating the scheme for EU students back on the negotiating table. Also discussed was the possibility of setting up a youth mobility scheme allowing a limited number of people aged 18-30 to move freely around Europe – it is unclear at what stage negotiations for this are.
The announcement comes as several major UK universities – among them Leicester and Nottingham – have faced making cuts to their modern language programs or cutting them altogether, citing dwindling interest and financial constraints.
