The UK Returns to Erasmus+ in 2027: What It Means for Students, Schools and Lifelong Learners

After years of uncertainty and debate over post-Brexit education ties with Europe, the UK has agreed terms to rejoin the EU’s Erasmus+ programme from 2027 onwards — a major development for young people and international learners.

This isn’t just a diplomatic headline — it’s a real change that will open doors for thousands of students, trainees, apprentices and educators from the UK and across the European Union.

🎓 What Is Erasmus+?

Erasmus+ is the European Union’s flagship education, training, youth and sport programme, running from 2021–27 with wider opportunities than the old student-exchange Erasmus scheme. It helps people study, train, volunteer or work abroad with funding support for travel, living costs, courses and placements.

It’s open to people of all ages and levels of education — from school pupils and university students to apprentices, adult learners, youth workers and teachers.

🇬🇧 Why This Matters: What Rejoining Means

✈️ Real Opportunities to Go Abroad

For the first time since Brexit, UK participants will again be able to:

• Study at universities in Europe as part of their degree

• Do internships or work placements abroad

• Take part in youth exchanges and vocational training

• Volunteer or train overseas in a supported programme

  
  

This can last anywhere from a few days to a full academic year — and will be funded through Erasmus+ grants.

🧑‍🎓 Who Can Take Part

It’s not just university students. Erasmus+ includes:

• School pupils and teachers (short trips or exchanges abroad)

• Further and vocational education learners

• Apprentices and trainees

• Adult education participants

• Youth workers and youth groups

  
  

Institutions such as schools and universities apply for funding — individuals apply through their participating organisation.

💰 What It Costs and How It Works

To re-join, the UK will pay around £570 million for the 2027–28 academic year, secured at a 30% discount on typical EU terms.

This funding will support mobility placements as well as partnerships between UK and European education and youth organisations.

After 2027–28, future participation costs will be negotiated as part of the EU’s long-term budget for Erasmus+.

🌍 Why It’s a Big Deal

🚀 Broader Access to International Learning

The programme is expected to benefit over 100,000 people in the UK in its first year, including apprentices, FE students, university students, staff and youth organisations.

For many, this means:

• Valuable cultural exchange and language immersion

• Enhanced employability through international experience

• Networking with peers and employers around Europe

• Broader perspectives and confidence-building opportunities

Educators and universities have welcomed the news as a “huge step forward” for UK-EU cooperation in education and international mobility.

📍 How It Affects You If You Want to Study in the UK

If you’re considering coming to the UK to study — whether you’re from Europe or elsewhere — this development matters in a couple of ways:

🎒 European Students Can Come Here on Erasmus+

EU students (and those from other countries associated with Erasmus+) will be able to come to the UK for study, placements or training, with funding support.

🤝 UK Students Will Have More Options Abroad

UK students will get easier access to studying or training in dozens of European countries while still enrolled at a UK institution.

This opens up real possibilities not just for degrees, but for skills, languages and career-boosting international experience.

📅 What Happens Next

Official participation in Erasmus+ begins in the 2027/28 academic year, and institutions will start preparing applications and partnerships in the years ahead.

Educational providers in the UK will also work to maximise take-up, particularly among learners from disadvantaged backgrounds — aiming to ensure the benefits of Erasmus+ reach as many people as possible.

📝 In Summary

Rejoining Erasmus+ in 2027 marks a major reset in UK-EU education ties and brings back a programme that has created enriched academic, professional and cultural experiences for millions since the 1980s.

For anyone looking to study in the UK — and for UK students wanting to go abroad — Erasmus+ opens up wide-ranging opportunities to learn, grow and build international experience with real funding support. Please contact us for help.