UK Washington Insider) - UK to rejoin Erasmus+, boosting student exchanges and skills. Russell Group chief Tim Bradshaw says links with EU education and research will grow, with association confirmed for 2027.
As Russell Group News reported, the UK government has confirmed that the United Kingdom will rejoin Erasmus+, Europe’s flagship programme for education, training, youth, and sport. They mentioned that Erasmus+ supports student and staff exchanges, vocational training, apprenticeships, adult learning, and youth projects across many countries. The current programme is larger than earlier schemes and comes with stronger funding.
What will the UK's rejoining Erasmus+ mean for students and universities?
Responding to the announcement, Dr Tim Bradshaw, Chief Executive of the Russell Group, said universities welcomed confirmation of the UK’s association with Erasmus+. He said the programme creates valuable opportunities for students, adult learners, and young people to benefit from study and training overseas.
Dr Bradshaw also said the return to Erasmus+ would restore the strong contribution made by EU students and staff to life on UK campuses, supporting teaching, research links, and cultural exchange.
University groups have long said the programme strengthens the UK’s international standing. The decision is seen across the sector as a significant step toward closer cooperation with European partners and sustained investment in skills and education.
"Today's educational exchanges can create tomorrow's research and innovation partnerships. New cross-border collaborations will build on our long-term relationship with the EU alongside successful Horizon projects. With association confirmed for 2027, there's a lot of work to be done to make sure the sector is ready - but our universities are set to work with the government to ensure the UK makes the most of this important step,"
Dr Tim Bradshaw said.
The Erasmus program began in 1987 to promote student exchanges and cooperation among European educational institutions. Later, it expanded to include staff exchanges, vocational education, youth projects, and adult education within the Erasmus+ program. The UK remained a member of Erasmus+ until it left the European Union on January 31, 2020, with its full withdrawal on December 31, 2020, concluding the transition period.
The UK did not take part in Erasmus+ starting from January 2021 and instead introduced its alternative program, the Turing Scheme, for studies outside its borders. There were concerns raised throughout 2021 and 2022 regarding less access to European collaborations and a lower number of new student arrivals by universities.