UK Poised to Rejoin Erasmus Programme in Potential EU Deal
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A return to the Erasmus student exchange program appears increasingly likely for the United Kingdom, as Prime Minister Keir Starmer indicated in May that a youth mobility scheme could be a key component of a renewed agreement with the European Union. The potential move has been met with enthusiasm from student groups, who see it as a significant victory after years of campaigning.
A Student Movement Victory
The National Union of Students (NUS) hailed the prospect of rejoining Erasmus as “fantastic,” with a representative stating that it would be “a huge win for the student movement.” “Students have been campaigning to rejoin Erasmus from the day we left,” the representative added, underscoring the depth of feeling on the issue.
The End of an Era: Brexit and the Scrapping of Erasmus
The UK officially withdrew from the Erasmus scheme in December 2020, coinciding with the implementation of its post-Brexit trade deal with the EU. Then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson described the decision as “tough,” but justified it by citing the program’s escalating costs. In its place, the government launched the Turing scheme, intended to provide similar opportunities for international study and work experience.
Comparing Erasmus and Turing
Both the Erasmus and Turing schemes extend opportunities beyond traditional university students, encompassing vocational courses, apprenticeships, and training programs at colleges and schools. In 2020, the final year of UK participation in Erasmus, the program received €144 million (£126 million) in EU funding, supporting 55,700 participants in various projects. That year saw 9,900 UK students and trainees venture abroad, while 16,100 international students came to the UK. Popular destinations for UK students included Spain, France, and Germany, with Glasgow, Bristol, and Edinburgh being the leading universities for outbound student participation.
The Turing scheme, in the 2024/25 academic year, received £105 million in funding, facilitating 43,200 placements. Of these, 24,000 were in higher education, 12,100 in further education, and 7,000 in schools. The vast majority of placements – 38,000 – were for students in England, with 2,900 in Scotland, 1,000 in Wales, and 1,200 in Northern Ireland.
A Focus on Disadvantaged Backgrounds
Ministers who spearheaded the introduction of the Turing scheme in 2021 emphasized its commitment to inclusivity, stating it was designed to benefit more students from disadvantaged backgrounds and offer enhanced support for travel expenses compared to the Erasmus program.
The Future of Turing
However, the future of the Turing scheme remains uncertain should the UK successfully rejoin Erasmus. It is currently unclear whether the two programs will operate in parallel or if Turing will be phased out. The potential reintroduction of Erasmus marks a significant shift in the UK’s approach to international educational exchange, signaling a willingness to rebuild ties with the EU in the realm of youth mobility.
