For many young Britons, their country’s decision to withdraw from Erasmus – the successful European exchange program launched in 1987 for student mobility and cooperation between European universities – was one of the most unpleasant, if not painful, consequences of the 2016 referendum in which Britain left the EU.
That is why the young Britons enthusiastically welcomed yesterday’s announcement by the Labor government for its reintegration into the specific European program, starting from 2027.
100,000 people will benefit from 2027
The initiative marks Britain’s rapprochement with the EU, a promise that Starmer had made during the election campaign, almost ten years after Brexit. Britain’s return to Erasmus is expected to offer mobility and exchange opportunities to students, apprentices, adult learners, as well as educational institution staff and professionals active in the youth and sports sectors.
The British side estimates that up to 100,000 people could benefit from the program’s first year of implementation.
According to the BBC, in addition to the 27 EU countries, six more non-EU countries will participate in the program: Iceland, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia and Turkey. In 2019, the last year before the coronavirus pandemic in which the UK was still participating in Erasmus, the most popular destinations for British students were Spain, France and Germany. Also Italy and the Netherlands have traditionally welcomed large numbers of British students.
Starmer “yielded” to the demands of Brussels
However, Britain’s re-integration into the European program caused political controversy as the opposition Conservatives claim that Keir Starmer “came in” to “a big demand from Brussels” and, moreover, without receiving anything in return.
With the cost of the program amounting to 570 million pounds (650 million euros), Erasmus is “much more expensive” than the British Turing program, which, from 2021, had replaced Erasmus.
The Starmer government, however, said it had secured more “balanced” terms for Britain’s participation in the programme, including a 30% discount on the basic terms of participation. He has not, however, specified what will happen to the Turing program, which was introduced in 2021 by the Conservatives.
Tim Bradshaw, head of the Russell Group, the group that represents 24 of the best British universities, including Oxford, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Glasgow, LSE, King’s College and Imperial College London, expressed to the BBC his satisfaction with the British government’s decision because it will provide amazing opportunities for both students and adult learners.
When the scheme reopens in 2027, applicants will be able to apply for Erasmus through their school or university, as long as the institution is participating in the scheme. University or college students, apprentices in vocational training, school students as part of a class or group, adult learners through an adult education organisation, teaching staff (in order to move for training or teaching abroad) and volunteers in youth organizations (for training or workshops) can apply.
UK Government funding covers travel costs, living expenses, tuition fees, visa and entry fees, organizational costs as well as participant preparatory visits. Additional funding will be available for people with disabilities, with additional learning needs and those from socially or economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
By the summer of 2026, the Starmer government will launch a website with more information on British participation in Erasmus.
Restarting UK-EU relations
Although Erasmus was particularly popular with university students, previous British governments had argued that the program did not benefit Britons, with twice as many EU students coming to the UK as Britons going to European countries.
However, the political climate has now changed and the strategy of “rebooting” relations between Britain and Europe promoted by Keir Starmer prioritizes restoring ties with the EU.
