The UK and the European Union have formally signed the legal agreements enabling Britain to rejoin the Erasmus student exchange programme, marking its return five years after Brexit led to its exit.
Both sides had already confirmed in December that terms had been agreed for the UK to participate again from next year, as part of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s widely promoted effort to reset relations with the EU. ALSO READ: UK looks set to rejoin the EU’s Erasmus student exchange programme from 2027.
According to the British government, more than 100,000 participants are expected to benefit in the first year alone. ALSO READ: UK chancellor in Madrid to sign visa waiver with Spain and strengthen post-Brexit ties.
The UK has agreed to contribute £570 million towards the programme’s costs in 2027, a figure ministers say represents a 30% reduction on the standard contribution rate and ensures ´a fair deal for taxpayers while guaranteeing full participation in the programme’. ALSO READ: Pedro Sánchez and Keir Starmer meet to sign deal to bolster post-Brexit ties.
The scheme will be open to students, apprentices and young people, offering opportunities ranging from placements with leading European companies to cultural exchanges and other cross-border initiatives.
‘From learning a language to building confidence and work experience, Erasmus+ offers transformative opportunities to enhance young people’s life chances,’ UK skills minister Jacqui Smith said in a statement.
London also confirmed that the British Council will resume its role as the UK’s national agency, assisting organisations and participants in navigating the programme, as it did between 2014 and 2020. The European Commission is expected to formally approve this appointment later this year.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen highlighted the long-standing educational links between the UK and Europe.
‘Strengthening those ties further makes perfect sense on both sides — for our students, teachers, educational systems, economies and societies as a whole,’ she added in a statement.
‘I look forward to seeing the immense potential of this development being realised as soon as possible.’
ALSO READ: EU and UK ‘reset’ post-Brexit relations with new agreements at mini-summit.
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The UK and the EU have today completed the final step for the UK’s association to Erasmus+ in 2027 🤝
— UK Mission to the EU 🇬🇧🇪🇺 (@UKMisBrussels) April 15, 2026
Good news for students, apprentices, educators and young people across Europe.
🇬🇧 The @BritishCouncil has been appointed as the UK’s National Agency for Erasmus+ pic.twitter.com/Htv1d0THHd
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