Young people will be able to apply to study, train or gain work experience in the European Union under the UK’s return to the Erasmus+ scheme.
Main Development
The UK government has confirmed it will rejoin the Erasmus+ programme starting 1 January 2027.
Who Can Apply?
- Undergraduate university students
- Further education students
- Apprentices
- Adult learners
- School groups
- Sports coaches
- Education staff
Participants can take part in study exchanges, work placements, job shadowing, and training abroad.
How the Scheme Works
Erasmus+ is a European Union programme that supports education, training, youth and sport activities.
Under the new UK participation, institutions of all kinds—universities, colleges, vocational schools—can apply to offer or take part in exchanges.
Students and staff will be able to spend time in EU countries, gaining practical experience and cultural exposure.
Government Response
He stated the scheme is not limited to university students, and that all types of educational institutions are eligible.
Falconer urged members of Parliament to work with the British Council to engage institutions and promote participation.
Political Context
Labour MP Dr Rosena Allin-Khan said young people had been ‘deprived of opportunity’ since Brexit.
She questioned how the UK is improving ties with the EU to benefit young people and the economy.
Falconer responded by confirming the UK’s reassociation with Erasmus+ from 1 January 2027.
Expected Impact
The government expects over 100,000 people to benefit from the scheme.
Disadvantaged students are likely to gain significant benefits from the programme, according to official statements.
Limitations and Open Questions
There is no public data on how many institutions will apply or how many participants will be selected.
It is unclear how funding will be distributed or whether costs will be shared between the UK and EU.
Participants may face administrative hurdles or language barriers when engaging with EU institutions.
The UK’s return to Erasmus+ marks a shift in post-Brexit education policy, reflecting a renewed focus on international youth engagement.
It follows a 2025 agreement between former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and EU counterparts.
For more on the Erasmus+ programme, see the original article at Independent.
Sources & further reading
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