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.
