The European Union has ruled out allowing Welsh students to continue participating in the Erasmus study programme, following the UK's departure from the scheme as part of the Brexit deal.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that the only way Wales could rejoin was if the entire UK re-entered the programme. In a letter to a Member of the European Parliament, she noted that the UK had rejected an offer of full association to Erasmus, which would have required a standard financial contribution from third countries.
Welsh and Scottish ministers had hoped to find a way for their students to remain in the scheme, but the EU's response dashed those hopes. More than 100 MEPs had signed a letter in January urging the Commission to extend Erasmus benefits to Scotland and Wales, but the Commission's reply was not what they had hoped for.
In contrast, Northern Irish students can still participate under an arrangement with the Irish government. The UK government has launched the Turing scheme as a replacement, with an initial £110 million investment to support student exchanges worldwide.
Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford criticised the UK government's decision as 'small-minded', while a Welsh Government spokesman said they would continue to explore options to maintain partnerships with Europe.
