In a significant move to reset post-Brexit relations, the UK government is reportedly on the verge of announcing its return to the European Union's flagship Erasmus+ student exchange programme. An official announcement could come as soon as Wednesday, paving the way for British university students to participate from January 2027.
Negotiations and a Financial Breakthrough
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer first signalled the intention to rejoin Erasmus as part of his broader reset with Brussels back in May. Since then, Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds has been leading talks, including a meeting with the European Commission's Maros Sefcovic in Brussels last week. The core of the negotiations centred on agreeing financial terms for UK membership, which is calculated based on a country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
According to reports, a key breakthrough has been reached. The EU is understood to have offered the UK a 30 per cent reduction on its membership fees for the first year. This addresses previous concerns over cost, which were cited by the Boris Johnson government when it withdrew from the scheme and launched the domestic Turing scheme as an alternative.
A Welcome Boost for Students and Universities
The potential return to Erasmus+ has been met with widespread acclaim from the higher education sector. The programme's scope is reported to be even broader than the one the UK left, encompassing not just university study exchanges but also vocational training placements.
Tim Bradshaw, chief executive of the Russell Group, expressed delight, stating the programme "opens up fantastic opportunities for students, adult learners and young people." Vivienne Stern of Universities UK called it "fantastic news for the UK, and for students and universities here and across Europe," highlighting the "life-changing opportunities" it will provide.
The Road to 2027
While the Cabinet Office has maintained its standard line of not commenting on ongoing talks, the reported timeline is clear. With the deadline looming to join in time for the 2027 academic year, the anticipated announcement this week would set the formal process in motion. This marks a tangible step in Sir Keir Starmer's pledge to rebuild bridges with the EU, moving beyond the "utterly reckless" Brexit template he has previously criticised.
The final agreement, which focuses on "mutually agreed financial terms," signifies a new chapter in UK-EU cooperation on education and youth mobility, seven years after the UK's departure under the previous administration.
