After several years outside Europe’s flagship student exchange programme, the UK is set to rejoin Erasmus+ from the 2027/28 academic year. For many in education, this marks a long-anticipated shift – not just in policy, but in how the UK reconnects with international study and collaboration.
While there is still detail to be worked through, the decision itself is now confirmed. Below, we set out what we know so far, what is still being finalised, and what this change is likely to mean for students, institutions, and international partners.
Timeline & Finance
The UK government and the European Union have agreed that the UK will associate with Erasmus+ from 2027, starting with the 2027/28 academic year. This was announced as part of the wider UK–EU reset in 2025. The government has confirmed:
· A first-year UK contribution of around £570 million
· A 30% discount on standard participation terms
· Initial participation aligned with the current EU budget period
How Erasmus+ will work for UK students
Erasmus+ does not work like a scholarship that you apply for online as an individual. Instead, everything runs through institutions.
What this means in practice
· Universities, colleges, schools and training providers apply for Erasmus+ funding
· Institutions then offer exchange places with partners in Europe, and grants to their students and staff
· Students apply internally, through their own institution
A new UK National Agency
Most Erasmus+ activity is run nationally rather than from Brussels. The government has confirmed it will appoint a UK National Agency to manage the programme. A dedicated website and detailed guidance are expected by the summer of 2026, giving institutions time to prepare for the first year of exchanges starting in 2027.
For students, this means that practical information – including who can go where, for how long, and with what funding is available – is likely to start appearing during the 2026–27 academic year.
What Erasmus+ funding actually covers
One of the strengths of Erasmus+ is that it is designed to make international study realistic, not just aspirational.
Funding can help with:
· Travel costs
· Living expenses while abroad
· Tuition or course fees (where relevant)
· Visa and entry costs
· Language preparation
· Administrative and organisational costs
There is also extra support available for students with disabilities, additional learning needs, or from lower-income backgrounds. This inclusion element is built into the programme and has always been a central part of its design.
The details of where this funding will be allocated is still open for discussion and will be partly devolved to individual institutions.
How this differs from the Turing Scheme
Since 2021, the UK has funded international mobility through the Turing Scheme. While Turing expanded opportunities beyond Europe, it has had a key limitation: it is largely one-way. Erasmus+ brings back:
· Two-way exchange, with students and staff moving both in and out of the UK
· Long-term partnerships between institutions, rather than isolated placements
· Opportunities across a wide range of education settings – including further education, apprenticeships, adult learning, schools, youth programmes and staff mobility
The government has indicated that UK-specific schemes may continue alongside Erasmus+, particularly for global (non-European) destinations, but how the two will sit together is still being clarified.
What this means for students
For UK students, Erasmus+ offers more than a semester abroad. For EU students, this broadens the opportunities to study in the UK.
Academic experience
Studying or training in another country exposes students to different teaching styles, academic cultures and facilities. In some subjects, this can mean access to specialist modules, labs or placements that are not available at home.
Skills that carry into work
International mobility consistently helps students develop:
· Confidence and independence
· Language skills
· Cultural awareness
These are qualities employers often value – particularly in sectors that work across borders or with international clients.
What this means for universities and colleges
Erasmus+ is not just about sending students abroad. It is also a framework for long-term collaboration. Institutions can use the programme to:
· Develop joint courses and joint degrees
· Share teaching practice and innovate in curriculum design
· Support staff exchanges and professional development
· Strengthen international partnerships that often lead to wider collaboration
For many institutions, Erasmus+ provides stability and structure in international engagement -something that has been harder to achieve in recent years.
Benefits for international students and partners
Rejoining Erasmus+ also matters for those coming to the UK. Funded exchange routes will:
· Increase opportunities for European students to study or train in the UK
· Improve classroom diversity and peer learning
· Reinforce the UK’s role as a collaborative education partner, not just a destination market
Some practical details – particularly around tuition arrangements for incoming students – will be confirmed once the National Agency guidance is published.
What we’re still waiting to learn
There are still open questions, including:
· Final grant rates and cost-of-living adjustments
· How Erasmus+ and the Turing Scheme will work together
· Long-term UK funding beyond the first year
· How visa processes will operate in practice
Most of this detail is expected to emerge during 2026.
In summary
The UK’s return to Erasmus+ is more than a policy change. It represents a renewed commitment to international exchange, collaboration and opportunity.
For students, it reopens a supported route to study and train abroad. For institutions, it restores a framework that underpins partnerships and innovation. For international partners, it reconnects the UK to Europe’s largest education mobility network. As the practical details come into focus, early planning – particularly for students and institutions targeting 2027 and beyond – will be key.
If you are considering studying abroad, we can advise on choosing a UK university, FE college or training provider with international exchange partnerships that align with your goals. Please contact us find out how we can support you throughout your education journey, from planning to application.
