The UK is set to rejoin the Erasmus student exchange programme, marking one of the most significant steps yet in the government’s efforts to rebuild relations with the European Union following Brexit.
An agreement is expected to be announced on Wednesday, with UK and EU negotiators finalising plans that would allow British students to re-enter the Erasmus+ scheme from January 2027 without paying additional participation fees.
UK-EU breakthrough on Erasmus
Sources familiar with the talks said final details have now been agreed, clearing the way for UK students to once again take part in EU-wide study, training and exchange opportunities.
The move is expected to be presented as a major diplomatic breakthrough, demonstrating tangible progress in Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s push for a closer working relationship with Brussels.
Starmer said last month that the UK “does need to get closer” to the EU, reflecting a shift in tone as public opinion continues to soften towards cooperation with the bloc.
What UK students will gain
Under the deal, British students would be able to participate in Erasmus+ exchanges across the EU, including university study programmes, further education college placements, vocational training and sports exchanges.
Ministers are keen to ensure the scheme benefits a broader range of young people beyond traditional undergraduates, including those in vocational education and leave-voting regions.
UK students would continue to pay their standard domestic tuition fees to their home university while studying abroad, rather than higher international rates. They would also be eligible for grants to help cover the additional cost of living in Europe.
Fee changes for EU students in the UK
As part of the agreement, EU students studying at UK universities through Erasmus would benefit from an international fee waiver.
This would mean they pay fees equivalent to UK domestic rates, which are currently capped at £9,535 per year, rather than international fees that can reach £38,000 annually.
Students from the UK or EU studying outside the Erasmus framework would continue to face higher international tuition fees.
Talks led by UK and EU officials
The final breakthrough follows a meeting last week in Brussels between UK EU relations minister Nick Thomas-Symonds and European Commission vice-president Maroš Šefčovič.
The two sides reviewed the state of UK-EU negotiations and are understood to have resolved outstanding issues on Erasmus participation during the talks.
The UK withdrew from Erasmus after Brexit, with former prime minister Boris Johnson arguing that the scheme did not represent value for money. In practice, the UK had been a net contributor before leaving, as more EU students studied in Britain than UK students went abroad.
A flagship EU programme
Launched in 1987, Erasmus began as a university exchange initiative but has since expanded to include work placements, training schemes and youth mobility programmes.
It is widely regarded as a key tool for educational cooperation, cultural exchange and European soft power, as well as supporting research collaboration and workforce skills development.
Rejoining the £23bn Erasmus programme has been a longstanding demand from EU capitals during talks on resetting UK-EU relations.
Part of a wider UK-EU reset
The Erasmus agreement comes amid broader negotiations covering trade, energy cooperation, food exports and youth mobility.
It follows a setback last month when talks on joining the EU’s £131bn defence fund collapsed after France demanded a £5.7bn contribution to EU budgets.
Despite delays in other areas, sources on both sides say confidence is growing that key elements of the reset agenda will be agreed over the coming year.
Youth mobility talks continue
Alongside Erasmus, the UK is negotiating a separate youth mobility scheme with the EU.
Under the proposed arrangement, tens of thousands of young Britons and Europeans would be given the right to live and work in each other’s countries for several years.
Ministers aim to finalise a youth mobility deal by the end of 2026, seeing it as politically beneficial and increasingly popular with voters.
Student groups welcome move
Alex Stanley, vice-president for higher education at the National Union of Students, said rejoining Erasmus would be a major victory for students.
She said students have campaigned to return to the programme since the UK left, adding that the announcement would allow a new generation to benefit from international study and exchange opportunities.
Political shift on Brexit
Labour strategists believe there is growing support for a more open reassessment of Brexit, with ministers increasingly willing to argue that closer ties with Europe require compromise.
Government sources say Starmer is pursuing an incremental approach to EU relations, with further announcements expected at the next UK-EU reset summit, due to take place in the spring.
Both the Cabinet Office and the European Commission declined to comment ahead of the formal announcement, but EU officials indicated privately that Brussels is pleased the Erasmus deal has been agreed.
