The United Kingdom and the European Union have signed legal texts allowing Britain to rejoin the Erasmus student exchange scheme, five years after Brexit
London and Brussels had already agreed the terms in December as part of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s so-called EU “reset”. The programme will restart for UK-based students next year.
The British government says more than 100,000 people are expected to take part in the first year. The UK will contribute £570 million (€661 million) towards the scheme’s costs in 2027. Officials say this represents a 30% discount on the “default contribution rate” and is intended to ensure
a fair deal for taxpayers while guaranteeing full participation in the programme.
Students, apprentices and young people will be eligible to join the scheme. This includes placements in leading European companies, cultural exchanges, and other cross-border opportunities.
UK skills minister Jacqui Smith claimed Erasmus+ offers
transformative opportunities to enhance young people’s life chances.
The British Council will return as the UK’s “national agency,” helping organisations and individuals take part in the programme, as it did between 2014 and 2020. The European Commission is expected to formally confirm its return to the role later this year.
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