UK to rejoin Erasmus mobility scheme in 2027

The UK and EU have finally agreed terms to allow the UK to rejoin the Erasmus+ mobility scheme, ending a long post-Brexit hiatus in which the country refused to join.

It’s a further sign that the UK is repairing the damage to research and education relations with the EU, having associated to the Horizon Europe research and innovation scheme in 2024. 

In a joint statement on December 17, the two sides said that they had struck “mutually agreed financial terms” that represent “a fair balance between the UK's contributions and the benefits the programme offers and pave the way for United Kingdom participation in the programme in 2027.”

In negotiations over Brexit in 2019, the then Conservative-led UK government of Boris Johnson rejected Erasmus+, even as British public opinion supported continued association. 

At the time, the UK government argued Erasmus+ association was too expensive, because far more EU youngsters came to the UK than vice versa, partly due to poor British language skills. One UK government estimate claimed that London would have paid £2 billion more than it got back, had it joined in 2020. 

However, following the election victory of the more EU-friendly UK Labour party in 2024, a European diplomatic push got underway to convince London to rejoin.

That bore fruit in May this year, when after a UK-EU summit, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said a deal would happen. 

Since then, the sides have been haggling over London’s financial contribution. Today, the UK government announced that it would pay approximately £570 million to join for the 2027-8

It claims this is 30% discount compared to the amount envisaged for association in the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, the deal between London and Brussels that sets out post-Brexit relations. 

While the European Commission’s statement on the announcement does not mention specific financial details, the UK statement says the deal “ensures value for UK taxpayers while guaranteeing full participation benefits.”

Science|Business has asked the Commission for more specific information on the financial details. 

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Just one year agreed

As it stands, the deal covers only the academic year of 2027-28, because the next iteration of Erasmus+ is still to be hammered out by the EU as part of negotiations over the next Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028-34. 

That means UK participation beyond 2027-28 is still not a certainty, and will have to be negotiated again. “Any participation in Erasmus+ into the next Multiannual Financial Framework will need to be agreed in the future and be based on a fair and balanced contribution,” the UK statement says. 

In addition, there are no details in today’s announcements over what visas students, apprentices, education staff and sports coaches will need when the travel to the UK or EU. Experts warned last year that visa specifics would be a key complexity holding up talks. 

The future of the UK’s Turing Scheme, set up as an Erasmus+ alternative by the Johnson government, is also unclear. 

“We will work closely with institutions and our young people to maximise take-up – particularly among disadvantaged groups – and provide certainty on complementary UK schemes so providers can plan confidently,” the UK government said in its statement. 

Despite the time limitations and other uncertainties, the university sector on both sides of the Channel have welcomed the deal. 

Vivienne Stern, chief executive of Universities UK said the agreement is “a huge step forward in our relationship with the EU and will offer life changing opportunities for thousands of students.”

Josep Garrell, president of the European University Association said the deal will help “restore bridges between our universities” and boost cooperation, “including through the European Universities alliances.”