UK Set to Rejoin European Student Exchange Program in 2027

The United Kingdom is finalizing a deal to rejoin the European Union’s flagship Erasmus+ student exchange programme, with participation set to begin in 2027. This marks a significant policy shift, restoring a major avenue for international education that was lost after Brexit.

The UK left the Erasmus+ scheme in 2020 following its departure from the European Union, replacing it with the domestic Turing scheme [27800]. The return to Erasmus+ would allow UK university students to once again easily study abroad across Europe, while also facilitating the return of EU students to British institutions [28021]. Officials confirm that a full agreement is expected later this year, solidifying the 2027 start date for the UK’s renewed participation [28632].

The move is seen as part of a broader effort to reset and improve cooperation between the UK and the EU [27800]. While formal negotiations are pending the outcome of the UK’s general election, the plan has strong momentum [27800]. Rejoining will likely require the UK to make a financial contribution to the EU-run programme [27800].

The Erasmus+ programme funds university exchanges, college placements, and youth projects across participating nations [27800]. For students, it means reduced bureaucratic hurdles and access to a vast network of European academic institutions [28632]. The decision to rejoin has been widely reported as a reversal of the post-Brexit position, aiming to rebuild important educational and cultural links [28632].

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