The United Kingdom has signed an agreement to return to the Erasmus+ academic mobility program after a six-year hiatus caused by Brexit. British students, teachers, and pupils will be able to study and intern in Europe again starting in the 2027/28 academic year. Find out more about the terms of the agreement, the amount of funding, and the steps to take to prepare for participation in the program

The United Kingdom is officially returning to the European academic mobility program Erasmus+. British students will be able to participate starting in the 2027/28 academic year, six years after the country left the program due to Brexit. The agreement provides for significant government investment, broad coverage of participants, and new opportunities for young people on both sides of the English Channel.

Details of the agreement, who will be able to take advantage of the program, and how to prepare for it are discussed further in this article.

Are you planning to study abroad and want to avoid legal problems during the admission process or while staying in another country?

An education lawyer on the Visit World portal will help you choose an educational institution, prepare documents, obtain a student visa, and protect your rights in any difficult situation.

How much will the UK pay for participation in Erasmus+ and how was the discount agreed upon?

The financial side of the UK's return to Erasmus+ was one of the key points of the negotiations. The country's contribution for the 2027/28 academic year will be £570 million (approximately $760 million). The government emphasizes that this amount includes a 30% discount compared to the standard terms of the trade agreement between the EU and the UK. These terms were achieved thanks to negotiations between Cabinet Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds and European Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič in Brussels.

According to government forecasts, more than 100,000 people in the UK will be able to take advantage of the program within the first year after their return. This figure includes students, teachers, schoolchildren, and other participants. The groundwork for the agreement was laid during the summit of UK and EU leaders in May, where both sides confirmed their intention to deepen people-to-people ties, particularly among the younger generation.

By the way, in our previous article, we reported that from February 2026, citizens of 85 countries will need an ETA to enter the UK.

Why did the UK leave Erasmus+ after Brexit and what has changed?

The decision to leave the Erasmus+ program in 2020 was made by then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson. The main argument was economic disadvantage: Johnson's government estimated the net cost of participating in the EU program at £2 billion over seven years. Instead, an internal alternative was launched — the Turing program, which was supposed to ensure the international mobility of students without being tied to EU structures.

However, this cost estimate has been repeatedly challenged. In particular, the London-based think tank Chatham House calculated that Erasmus+ brought the UK a net profit of £243 million annually. According to analysts, the program attracted foreign students with high levels of funding for a limited period, creating a flow of customers for the higher education, services, and hospitality sectors. The return to Erasmus+ was part of Prime Minister Keir Starmer's broader strategy to restore ties with the European Union.

About the new UK visa rules in 2026— read here.

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Who will be eligible to participate in the Erasmus+ program from the UK?

Erasmus+ covers a much wider range of participants than just university students. The program provides opportunities for school pupils, college students, adult learners, sports coaches, and teaching staff. University students will be able to study for up to one year at European universities as part of their British program without additional tuition fees. In addition, participants will be eligible for a grant to cover the cost of living abroad.

College students and pupils will be able to undertake internships in European companies, and teachers will have access to professional development and training programs abroad. The government is paying particular attention to involving socially vulnerable groups. Ministers plan to work with educational institutions and youth organizations to maximize access to the program. A separate UK national agency will be set up to coordinate all processes related to Erasmus+.

How to move to the UK as a foreigner — we explain here.

How to prepare for Erasmus+ now?

Applications for funding will open in 2027, and the program itself will start in January 2027 for the 2027/28 academic year. By then, the government should have appointed a national agency and published detailed recommendations for educational institutions and potential participants. It is through this agency that universities, colleges, and schools will apply for funding.

It is worth contacting your university's international office or college student support service now to express your interest in participating. Educational institutions will need time to establish partnerships with European colleagues and prepare applications, so early contact will give you an advantage when opportunities open up. For those who previously found the cost of studying abroad prohibitive, Erasmus+ offers additional funding to cover living expenses, significantly lowering the financial barrier.

The UK's return to Erasmus+ opens up new horizons for thousands of students, but studying abroad always involves legal and administrative nuances, from preparing documents and obtaining a visa to resolving academic conflicts. Students often encounter cultural and legal differences that can have serious consequences: expulsion, legal liability, or even deportation.

The Visit World portal offers the services of an education lawyer — a specialist who accompanies you at all stages: from choosing an educational institution and country to preparing a complete package of documents for a student visa, assistance with academic differences, consultations in crisis situations, and representation in court.

Professional legal support will help you avoid common mistakes and protect your rights in the educational environment of any country.

Book a consultation with an education lawyer at Visit World to prepare for studying abroad without unnecessary risks!

Reminder! Migrants who live or plan to move to the UK should know the basics of the local tax system. What taxes do expats pay in the UK — find out at the link.

Photo: Freepik

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