UK to rejoin Erasmus+ from 2027

The United Kingdom will rejoin the Erasmus+ programme from the 2027–28 academic year, restoring access to Europe’s main framework for student and staff mobility after several years outside the scheme.

The agreement between the UK and the European Union will reopen Erasmus+ opportunities across higher education, further education, apprenticeships, adult learning, youth and sport. From 2027, students and staff based in the UK will once again be able to take part in study periods, work placements, training and exchange activities across Europe, while European institutions will regain structured access to UK partners.

The UK’s contribution for 2027 will be approximately £570 million, reflecting a 30% reduction compared with the default terms under the post-Brexit Trade and Cooperation Agreement. Participation currently covers the 2027–28 academic year, with future involvement subject to further negotiations.

Erasmus+ has expanded significantly since the UK last participated, with a stronger focus on inclusion, long-term mobility and institutional cooperation. The programme supports not only student exchange, but also staff mobility, joint master’s programmes and transnational partnerships. A UK National Agency will be appointed to administer the scheme, with guidance provided to institutions ahead of the 2027 funding calls.

For EUTOPIA, the announcement is particularly significant. The University of Warwick, a founding member of EUTOPIA and one of only three UK universities funded in the first wave of the European Universities initiative, has welcomed the UK’s return to Erasmus+ as a major step forward for international collaboration and mobility.

Professor Stuart Croft, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Warwick, welcomed the announcement:

“This is a landmark moment for UK Higher Education. Erasmus+ opens doors to transformative experiences for our students and staff and strengthens our ties with European partners.

“Warwick has a proud history of international partnerships and leadership, and through our founding role of the EUTOPIA European University Alliance, we have pioneered new models of international collaboration for our staff. Reassociation with Erasmus+ allows us to build on this momentum and extend our global reach.”

The UK’s return to Erasmus+ restores a shared mobility framework that underpins EUTOPIA’s ambition to build long-term, inclusive and connected higher education collaboration across Europe. From 2027, Erasmus+ will once again provide a common platform for strengthening academic partnerships and advancing joint educational initiatives within the alliance.