UK to rejoin EU’s Erasmus student exchange scheme in 2027

Britain has announced it will rejoin the European Union’s Erasmus student exchange program from 2027, six years after withdrawing during Brexit negotiations. The government described the move as a step toward rebuilding ties with the EU and expanding opportunities for young people.

The scheme enables students to study or train abroad while paying the same fees as domestic students in their host country. The UK government said rejoining Erasmus was a “huge win” for young Britons and would ensure that “everyone, from every background, has the opportunity to study and train abroad," CNN writes. 

The decision also allows Prime Minister Keir Starmer to demonstrate progress in his effort to reset relations with the EU. Since taking office, Starmer has emphasised closer cooperation after years of strained relations following Brexit.

However, the return comes at a significant cost. Britain will contribute £570 million for the 2027–28 academic year—around twice what it paid while an EU member, despite representing a 30% discount on standard terms under the current UK-EU trade deal.

The expense has revived debate over the long-term impact of Brexit, which was voted for in 2016 and implemented in 2020. While discussion of Brexit remains politically sensitive, recent polls suggest public attitudes toward the EU are softening, with fewer Britons able to identify clear benefits from leaving.

Britain withdrew from Erasmus in 2020 under then–Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who argued the program did not offer value for money. But a 2021 report by the London-based think tank Chatham House found that the UK had made a net profit of £243 million per year from participation, driven by spending from incoming students in higher education, services and hospitality.

Beyond economics, the program has had broad social and cultural effects. A European Commission report in 2019 estimated that more than 1 million “Erasmus babies” have been born since the scheme began in the 1980s.

Irene Tracey, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford, highlighted the program’s role in enhancing Britain’s global influence.

“Even a brief visit to the UK – people love their time here,” she told the BBC. “Many of these people are going to go on and become leaders of the public and private sector – or leaders of their countries – and that’s a good thing. We service that swirl of global talent. That’s soft power, and soft diplomacy.”

Nick Thomas-Symonds, Britain’s minister for EU relations, said the agreement is “about more than just travel: it’s about future skills, academic success, and giving the next generation access to the best possible opportunities.”

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who studied in Britain, welcomed the decision, saying it would open the door “to new shared experiences and lasting friendships” between British and European students.

By Sabina Mammadli