UK to rejoin Erasmus from 2027 under wider EU reset deal

The government has announced today (17 December) that the UK will rejoin the EU’s Erasmus+ programme from 2027 after reaching an agreement with Brussels as part of a wider reset of relations covering education, energy and trade. 

The decision follows a commitment made at the UK-EU Summit in May and will allow students, apprentices and adult learners in the UK to take part in study, training and work placements across Europe.

Ministers said more than 100,000 people in the UK could benefit in the first year of participation, with opportunities spanning higher and further education, apprenticeships, youth work, culture and sport.

The government said the scheme would be targeted at widening access, particularly for people from disadvantaged backgrounds, citing evidence that studying abroad can improve long-term employment prospects.

Erasmus+ will allow further education students and apprentices to undertake work placements with European employers, while university students will be able to study or train overseas. Opportunities will also be available to adult learners, school groups, youth organisations and staff working across education and sport.

The UK has agreed financial terms that include a 30% discount on the default contribution under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. The government said the UK’s contribution for the 2027–28 academic year would be about £570m, with any future participation subject to further negotiation.

Nick Thomas-Symonds, EU relations minister, said: “Joining Erasmus+ is a huge win for our young people, breaking down barriers and widening horizons to ensure everyone, from every background, has the opportunity to study and train abroad.

“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.”

A UK national agency will be appointed to run the programme, with guidance expected well ahead of the first funding calls in 2027. The government said it would work with education providers to maximise take-up and provide clarity on how Erasmus+ would sit alongside existing domestic schemes.

According to a 2025 Universities UK International report, students from less advantaged backgrounds who studied abroad had a higher average professional-level employment rate five years after graduating than those who did not.