Table of Contents
- Background: Why Erasmus Matters
- UK Will Rejoin Erasmus Student Scheme in 2027
- How Erasmus Will Work for UK Students
- What Happens to the Turing Scheme?
- Political Reaction and Student Response
- What This Means for Universities and the Economy
- Conclusion: What Comes Next
Background: Why Erasmus Matters
The announcement that the UK will rejoin Erasmus student scheme in 2027 marks a major shift in post-Brexit education policy. Erasmus has long been regarded as one of Europe’s most successful exchange programmes, allowing students to live, study, and train abroad while remaining enrolled at their home institutions.
Before Brexit, tens of thousands of British students took part in Erasmus every year, gaining international experience, language skills, and academic exposure without paying additional tuition fees. Universities across the UK also benefited from the steady flow of European students, research partnerships, and funding.
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The scheme was scrapped in December 2020 when the UK formally left the European Union. At the time, the government argued that Erasmus did not represent value for money and that more EU students came to the UK than British students went abroad.
Its removal, however, was met with strong opposition from universities, student unions, and education experts who warned of long-term damage to international mobility and academic collaboration.
UK Will Rejoin Erasmus Student Scheme in 2027
Six years after leaving the programme, the UK will rejoin Erasmus student scheme in 2027 as part of a renewed partnership agreement with the European Union.
Under the deal, the UK will pay £570 million to join an expanded Erasmus+ scheme. The government says this represents a 30% discount compared with full membership costs, making the arrangement financially viable.
EU relations minister Nick Thomas-Symonds described the agreement as proof that the government’s new approach to Europe is delivering results.
“This is about more than just travel,” he said. “It’s about future skills, academic success, and giving the next generation access to the best possible opportunities.”
The move follows renewed talks opened by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer earlier this year, with youth mobility and education cooperation high on the agenda.
How Erasmus Will Work for UK Students
When the UK will rejoin Erasmus student scheme in 2027, British students will once again be able to study at European universities as part of their UK degree courses.
Key benefits include:
- No extra tuition fees for studying abroad
- Grants to help with living and travel costs
- Recognition of study credits across institutions
- Opportunities for work placements and traineeships
European students will also be able to study in the UK under the same framework, restoring two-way academic exchange that many universities say is vital to campus life and financial stability.
Erasmus is named after the Dutch Renaissance scholar Desiderius Erasmus and is designed to promote cultural exchange, language learning, and international cooperation.
What Happens to the Turing Scheme?
The UK replaced Erasmus with the Turing scheme in 2021, named after British mathematician and codebreaker Alan Turing.
The Turing scheme funds study and work placements worldwide, including destinations outside Europe such as the US, Canada, Australia, and Asia.
In the last academic year, Turing received £105 million in funding and supported around 43,200 placements across:
- Higher education
- Further education
- Schools
Ministers previously argued that Turing offered better support for students from disadvantaged backgrounds and greater flexibility than Erasmus.
However, critics said it lacked the reciprocity of Erasmus, meaning fewer international students came to the UK, reducing cultural exchange and university income.
The government has not confirmed whether Turing will continue alongside Erasmus or be scaled back once the UK rejoins the European scheme.
Political Reaction and Student Response
The announcement that the UK will rejoin Erasmus student scheme in 2027 has been welcomed across much of the education sector.
Alex Stanley from the National Union of Students said it was “fantastic” news and described the decision as a “huge win for the student movement.”
“Students have been campaigning to rejoin Erasmus from the day we left,” he said.
Liberal Democrat universities spokesman Ian Sollom called the move “a moment of real opportunity” and a step toward repairing the damage caused by Brexit.
Supporters argue that Erasmus boosts employability, improves language skills, and strengthens international understanding among young people.
What This Means for Universities and the Economy
Universities have consistently argued that Erasmus brings economic as well as educational benefits.
In 2020, the last year of UK participation, Erasmus provided €144 million in EU fund
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