UK rejoins Erasmus student exchange programme in post-Brexit reset under PM Keir Starmer
After a five-year absence, the UK returns to the EU study abroad scheme, with 100,000 people estimated to benefit in the first year alone
Britain is to rejoin the European Union’s popular Erasmus student exchange programme almost five years after leaving the scheme following Brexit, a joint UK-EU statement said on Wednesday.
“The UK has successfully agreed terms to join the Erasmus+ programme in 2027, widening opportunities for young people from all backgrounds, learners, educational, youth and sport staff to study and train abroad,” a UK government statement added.
The scheme, which will have to be approved by all EU member countries, will be open to university students, but will also be broadened to include others in further education and on apprenticeships.
The UK government said more than 100,000 people in the country could benefit from the scheme in the first year alone.
Following negotiations, the UK’s contribution to the costs of the scheme in 2027 would be around £570 million (US$760 million), the statement said.
The announcement comes as part of Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s much-touted “reset” with the 27-country bloc.