The Erasmus+ programme is one of the most successful initiatives of the European Union in the fields of education and mobility. It also plays an important role in fostering international cooperation. The programme is named after Erasmus of Rotterdam, a Renaissance thinker who studied and taught in various European countries. This very mobility became a symbol of intellectual exchange that underpins the modern idea of Erasmus.
Today, Erasmus+ covers education, vocational training, youth policy, and sport. The programme aims to expand citizens’ academic and professional opportunities. At the same time, it promotes closer cooperation among organisations from different countries. Structurally, Erasmus+ is implemented through three key strands: individual mobility, cooperation among organisations, and support for education policy and innovation. In the current budgetary framework for 2021–2027, the programme has one of the largest budgets among EU education instruments.
Over the decades, Erasmus+ has become a crucial driver of the internationalisation of European education. Millions of students, doctoral candidates, academic staff, and young professionals have benefited from opportunities to study or work abroad. As a result, sustainable academic networks and institutional partnerships have been established among universities. Moreover, the programme has played a significant role in shaping a shared European identity.
The United Kingdom’s withdrawal from Erasmus+
However, the United Kingdom’s participation in Erasmus+ underwent major changes following Brexit. After leaving the European Union in 2020, the UK decided not to continue its participation in the programme as an associated country. This decision was driven by both political and financial considerations. In particular, the British government pointed to an imbalance between the country’s financial contributions and the number of outgoing mobility participants from the UK.
Instead, the national Turing Scheme was introduced. It had a broader global focus and supported mobility beyond Europe. At the same time, this scheme could not fully compensate for the loss of access to well-established European partnerships. As a result, many British universities experienced a decline in exchanges and joint projects.
In the years following Brexit, the UK academic community repeatedly called for a return to Erasmus+. Universities and student organisations emphasised that the programme has not only educational but also strategic value. It contributes to improving the quality of education and enhances the international competitiveness of graduates. Similar arguments were voiced by European partners, who viewed the absence of the UK as a loss for the common European education area.
Plans to return to the programme
It is within this context that the decision for the United Kingdom to return to Erasmus+ takes on particular significance. In 2025, following the first-ever EU–UK Summit, the parties agreed on a new strategic partnership. Within this framework, negotiations were concluded on the association of the United Kingdom with the Erasmus+ programme from 2027. This agreement was formalised in an official joint statement by the European Commission and the UK government.
“Following the Summit, the European Commission and the United Kingdom have concluded negotiations on the association of the United Kingdom with the Erasmus+ programme from 2027. The United Kingdom’s association with Erasmus+ from 2027 will offer significant opportunities in the fields of education, training, sport, and youth for citizens of the United Kingdom and the European Union, particularly for the younger generation. The European Commission and the United Kingdom look forward to these opportunities becoming available. They welcome the fact that the specific terms of this association, including mutually agreed financial arrangements, ensure a fair balance between the United Kingdom’s contributions and the benefits offered by the programme and pave the way for the United Kingdom’s participation in the programme from 2027.”
It is expected that participation in the programme from 2027 will open new opportunities for British students, young people, and educational institutions. They will once again be able to fully engage in mobility activities, traineeships, and partnership projects under Erasmus+. At the same time, for European organisations this means the return of a strong and experienced partner to joint initiatives.
The significance of this decision should be considered at several levels. First, for the United Kingdom, it represents renewed access to a key European education instrument. Second, for the European Union, it signals readiness for pragmatic cooperation despite political differences of recent years. Third, for programme participants on both sides, it expands opportunities for intercultural dialogue and professional development.
In conclusion, the United Kingdom’s return to Erasmus+ is not merely a technical decision. It carries symbolic importance for the future of European educational cooperation. It represents a step towards restoring trust, strengthening stable partnerships, and reaffirming a shared vision of the role of education in building an open and interconnected European space.