United Kingdom to Rejoin EU's Erasmus+ Programme in 2027

The United Kingdom government has confirmed a significant policy shift, agreeing to rejoin the European Union's Erasmus+ education and youth exchange programme starting in January 2027. This decision fulfills a commitment made by the Labour Party under Prime Minister Keir Starmer to restructure post-Brexit relations with Brussels.

The agreement, officially announced on December 17, 2025, encompasses a broad scope covering education, training, culture, and sports, extending beyond traditional university students to include apprentices, further education learners, and adult learners. Government modelling projects that over 100,000 individuals in the UK could benefit from the scheme in the first year of its reintroduction.

For the 2027/2028 academic year, the UK's financial contribution is set at approximately £570 million. This figure incorporates a 30% discount compared to the standard rate applicable to non-EU participating countries under current EU trade agreements. UK students participating in Erasmus+ will continue to pay standard domestic tuition fees to their home institutions while receiving grants to offset additional living costs abroad.

Conversely, EU students studying at UK institutions under the scheme will be granted an exemption from international fees, paying only the domestic rate, currently capped near £9,535 annually. The UK previously participated in Erasmus starting in 1987 but withdrew in early 2021 following Brexit, replacing it with the domestic Turing Scheme.

The move is viewed as a crucial step in improving bilateral relations, potentially paving the way for a broader youth mobility agreement for individuals aged 18 to 30. To manage the programme's implementation, a national body in the UK will be established to oversee Erasmus+ operations before funding calls open for 2027. Industry leaders, including the chief executive of the Russell Group, have welcomed the decision while noting the necessary work required to ensure readiness for the 2027 start date.