The UK government has announced its decision to rejoin the Erasmus programme, the European Union’s education and training initiative, five years after leaving it due to Brexit. This move allows UK institutions to reconnect with Erasmus’s extensive network of educational, training, and cultural opportunities, which the government describes as “a huge win for our young people.”
The Erasmus programme, originally launched in 1987, has evolved into Erasmus+, expanding its focus beyond higher education students to include work placements, sports coaching, teacher training, and various school language and cultural projects. This broader approach reflects the UK ministers’ emphasis on vocational training and work experience for students and apprentices.
In the academic year of 2018-19, over 8,000 UK trainees and nearly 10,000 university students participated in the Erasmus programme. Interested individuals do not apply directly; instead, they must go through participating organisations, such as schools, colleges, youth groups, or workplaces. Programmes can last from two days to a year and are available in all EU member states and associated countries, including Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, Serbia, Turkey, and North Macedonia.
Participants in Erasmus+ benefit from grants that cover travel, accommodation, living costs, and course fees, while students continue to pay tuition fees to their home institutions. The UK government plans to establish a new national agency to manage the Erasmus+ programme, with applications anticipated to commence in mid-2026 ahead of full rejoining in 2027-28. During this period, the government will assess how effectively the scheme promotes opportunities for young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Following Brexit, the UK government had maintained that it could remain part of Erasmus. In early 2020, then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson reassured Parliament, stating, “There is no threat to the Erasmus scheme; we will continue to participate.” However, by December 2020, the UK had excluded Erasmus membership from its post-Brexit agreement with the EU, with Johnson arguing that the financial implications were unfavorable due to the influx of EU nationals studying in the UK.
Despite the UK’s withdrawal, students at universities in Northern Ireland have continued to participate in the Erasmus programme with the support of the Irish government. The UK government has negotiated a fee of £570 million for the first year of rejoining, which represents a 30% discount based on its projected costs. Government officials have noted that this discount acknowledges the UK’s historical advantage in attracting EU participants.
Research conducted by Universities UK in 2020 estimated that the UK economy benefitted from a net gain of £243 million from Erasmus after accounting for expenses. The Liberal Democrats have welcomed the rejoining, calling it “a moment of real opportunity and a clear step towards repairing the disastrous Conservative Brexit deal.” Conversely, members of the Conservative Party have expressed skepticism. Laura Trott, the shadow education secretary, described the £570 million cost as “nuts,” while Priti Patel, the shadow foreign secretary, claimed that Labour was “dragging Britain back under the control of Brussels.”
Looking ahead, the current Erasmus+ framework is set to conclude in 2028, at which point the UK will need to renegotiate its membership under a new agreement. The government has assured that the 30% discount will remain in place while the impact of the UK’s membership is evaluated before the new framework is adopted. This initiative marks a significant step in redefining the UK’s role in international educational exchanges while expanding opportunities for its youth.
