For the first time since Brexit, the United Kingdom rejoins the EU's Erasmus program

2025-12-17 11:37:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

For the first time since Brexit, the United Kingdom rejoins the EU's

Young people across the UK will be able to study or gain work experience through the EU's Erasmus scheme for the first time since Brexit. The government announced a deal to return to the EU at a cost of £570 million. The scheme, officially known as Erasmus+, will reopen to those involved in education, training, culture and sport from 2027, following discussions in London and Brussels.

The UK government said up to 100,000 people of all ages could benefit in the first year and stressed that Erasmus membership would create educational and training opportunities for British interns, further education students and adult learners, as well as those in higher education.

David Hughes, chief executive of the Association of Colleges in the UK, said the announcement was "great news" for staff and students of all ages. The decision was also welcomed by European Union chiefs.

EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šef?ovi?, who was directly involved in the talks, welcomed the UK's move to rejoin Erasmus as a "big step forward", stressing that it would "strengthen human ties" between the EU and the UK.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also welcomed the decision, saying it would open the door to new shared experiences and lasting friendships.

For university students, the decision means they will be able to spend up to a year studying at European universities as part of their UK degree courses without paying additional fees, while UK universities will be able to accept European students under the same conditions.

Those travelling to Europe under the scheme will be eligible for a grant to help with living costs abroad, including those studying at FE colleges or on work placements.

The Erasmus scheme began in 1987 as a university exchange program, but has expanded over the past decade to include work and training placements, as well as funding for school trips and cultural events.

The UK left Erasmus after Brexit, with Boris Johnson claiming the programme did not offer value for money. The government created a more limited travel programme for students, known as the Turing scheme. No announcement has yet been made about the future of the Turing scheme. /CNA