The EU’s Erasmus+ funding program is poised to reopen for UK students for the first time since Brexit. Starting from the 2027–28 academic year, students in universities and further education, along with apprentices, adult learners, and youth workers in the UK, will be able to access grants for studying, training, teaching, or volunteering abroad. Erasmus+ offers opportunities in education, training, youth, culture, and sports, aimed at minimizing financial obstacles for studying overseas.
The program grants funding for travel and living expenses, tuition fees, visas, entry charges, and language acquisition. It also offers extra financial assistance for individuals with disabilities, additional learning requirements, or from marginalized backgrounds. The UK government intends to partner with institutions and youth to enhance participation, especially among underprivileged groups.
EU Relations Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds remarked, “Joining Erasmus+ is a tremendous advantage for our youth, dismantling barriers and expanding opportunities to ensure everyone, irrespective of their background, can study and train abroad.” In the initial year, around 100,000 people across the UK could benefit, with the UK contributing approximately £570 million, a 30% reduction from the standard rate for non-EU nations engaged in the program.
Following its withdrawal from Erasmus+ after Brexit, the UK had established the Turing scheme as an alternative, claiming it would provide wider and more economical support for global student exchanges. Nevertheless, critics indicated it offered limited assistance compared to Erasmus+. It is still uncertain whether the Turing scheme will persist alongside Erasmus+ after 2027.
A UK agency will oversee Erasmus+, with a specialized website and guidance to be available prior to the 2027 funding announcement.