UK Erasmus Scheme Return: What Students Need to Know

UK Set to Rejoin Erasmus Scheme, Reversing Brexit-Era Departure

Teh United Kingdom is poised to rejoin the Erasmus student exchange program, five years after withdrawing from the initiative following the decision to leave the european Union.The move, understood by the BBC, will allow UK students to participate in the scheme beginning in January 2027.

The Erasmus program,established in 1987 and named after the Dutch renaissance humanist Desiderius Erasmus,provides funding for individuals to study,train,or volunteer abroad in European countries for up to a year. The UK’s departure from the EU in december 2020 led to its withdrawal from the program, a decision then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson characterized as “tough” but “extremely expensive.”

in response, the government launched the Turing scheme in 2021, offering similar placement opportunities on a global scale. However, the return to Erasmus signals a significant shift in policy. A government spokesperson indicated they would not comment on ongoing discussions,but ministers are expected to make a formal proclamation on Wednesday.

The National Union of Students (NUS) has welcomed the news. “It is fantastic that another generation of students will be able to be part of the Erasmus program,” said Alex Stanley,from the NUS,adding that it represents a “huge win for the student movement.” He emphasized that students have actively campaigned for re-entry into Erasmus as the initial withdrawal.

Did you know? – Erasmus+ isn’t just for university students. It also supports vocational training, apprenticeships, adult learning, and youth work across participating countries.

The Impact of Brexit on Student Mobility

The decision to leave Erasmus in 2020 impacted thousands of students and trainees. In 2020, the last year of UK participation, the scheme received €144 million (£126 million) in EU funding, supporting 55,700 participants overall. That year, 9,900 UK students and trainees traveled abroad thru the program, while 16,100 individuals came to the UK. glasgow, Bristol, and Edinburgh were the leading UK universities for student participation, with Spain, France, and Germany being the most popular destinations.

Turing Scheme and Future Implications

The Turing scheme has continued to operate in the interim, providing £105 million in funding during the 2024/25 academic year for 43,200 placements. These placements were distributed across higher education (24,000), further education (12,100), and schools (7,000), with the majority (38,000) of participants originating from England.

Ministers who championed the Turing scheme argued it would broaden access to international opportunities, especially for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, and offer greater financial support for travel. The future of the Turing scheme remains uncertain as Erasmus is reintr

Pro tip: – Students interested in applying for Erasmus should check eligibility requirements and request deadlines well in advance, as competition for places can be high.

Why did the UK leave Erasmus? The UK withdrew from Erasmus in December 2020 as an inevitable result of Brexit. Then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson deemed the program “extremely expensive” despite its benefits.Who is affected? The decision initially impacted over 55,000 participants annually, including 9,900 UK students traveling abroad and 16,100 coming to the UK. What is changing? The UK is set to rejoin Erasmus in January 2027,allowing UK students to participate once again.How did it end initially? The UK’s departure from the European union triggered its automatic withdrawal from the Erasmus program, leading to the launch of the Turing scheme as a replacement.

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