In a significant move to rebuild European ties, the UK government has confirmed it will rejoin the EU's flagship Erasmus+ student exchange programme in 2027. The announcement marks a decisive reversal of the post-Brexit decision to leave the scheme and forms a central pillar of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's strategy to reset relations with Brussels.
A Landmark Deal for Future Generations
EU Relations Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds heralded the agreement as a "huge win for our young people", estimating that as many as 100,000 individuals in the UK could benefit from the scheme in its first year of renewed membership. The Erasmus+ programme provides funding for students, trainees, and volunteers to live, study, and work in other European countries for periods of up to a year.
The financial terms of the re-entry have been carefully negotiated. The UK has secured a 30 per cent discount on its membership fee, which is calculated based on a country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). As a result, the UK's contribution for the 2027 programme will be approximately £570 million.
Reversing the Brexit Decision
This move directly overturns the policy of the previous Conservative government, which withdrew from Erasmus+ as part of the Brexit settlement under Boris Johnson. At the time, ministers argued that creating a domestic alternative—the Turing scheme—would be more cost-effective, claiming EU membership would have incurred a net cost of £2 billion over seven years.
Minister Thomas-Symonds, who finalised the deal in talks with European Commission Vice-President Maros Šefčovič last week, emphasised the broader value of the programme. "This is about more than just travel: it’s about future skills, academic success, and giving the next generation access to the best possible opportunities," he stated.
Widespread Welcome from the Education Sector
The breakthrough has been met with enthusiastic approval from university leaders across the country. Tim Bradshaw, Chief Executive of the Russell Group, expressed delight, noting that the renewed scheme offers "fantastic opportunities for students, adult learners and young people to all benefit from new experiences and learning."
Vivienne Stern, Chief Executive of Universities UK, called it "fantastic news for the UK, and for students and universities here and across Europe," adding that it marked a huge step forward in the UK-EU relationship.
Skills Minister Baroness Jacqui Smith highlighted the scheme's role in social mobility, stating it will "open doors for thousands of students and staff right across the country" and help build the international experience that employers value.
The wider reset deal also includes agreements to begin negotiations on integrating UK and EU electricity markets. Furthermore, a deadline has been set to conclude talks on a new food and drink trade deal and a carbon market linking agreement before the next UK-EU Summit in 2026.
