In a significant reversal of post-Brexit policy, the United Kingdom has confirmed it will re-associate with the European Union's flagship Erasmus+ exchange programme starting in 2027. The announcement has been widely welcomed by educators, cultural organisations, and advocates for international cooperation, who hail the programme's proven role in transforming lives and fostering global citizenship.
A Proven Track Record of Enriching Lives
The Erasmus+ scheme, which began in 1987, is far more than just a university student exchange. As Maddalaine Ansell, Director of Education at the British Council, emphasises, the programme has a proven track record in changing lives. It opens up new learning experiences, provides deep insight into different cultures, and nurtures the concept of global citizenship. Its reach extends beyond higher education to include schools, youth groups, vocational and adult education, and even sports.
The British Council, a lead partner in the Erasmus+ UK National Agency from 2014 to 2020, reports the programme's substantial impact during that period. It funded 4,846 projects, engaged 128,000 UK participants, and awarded more than €679 million to UK organisations. This funding was crucial for minimising costs for participants and enabling a wide array of collaborative projects.
Tangible Benefits Lost and Regained
The loss of Erasmus+ after Brexit severed a vital artery for educational and professional exchange. Graham Walters from Walthamstow, London, provides a concrete example, detailing a 12-year environmental field course consortium that ran seamlessly from 1997. Funded almost entirely by Erasmus, it enabled students from six European countries to study in diverse environments from the Mediterranean to the far north each year.
"Lasting international friendships developed that in many cases endured long after the end of the course, and everyone enjoyed the experience, including staff, who developed working collaborations across Europe," Walters notes. He stresses that such rich, cross-cultural opportunities were only possible through the Erasmus scheme and its reinstatement will allow future generations to enjoy similar life-enhancing experiences.
Broader Implications for Education and UK Soft Power
Ray Kirtley, Chair of the UK Global Learning Association for Schools, points out that the media often overlooks the "+" in Erasmus+. The programme's revival means the reinstatement of crucial tools for schools like eTwinning, teacher job shadowing, and in-service training programmes, all of which were lost to the UK in 2020. He reveals that there is already pent-up demand, with schools in Spain, Denmark, and France actively seeking UK partner schools in anticipation of the return.
From a strategic perspective, rejoining Erasmus+ is seen as essential for building a globally skilled UK workforce. In an increasingly interconnected world, the ability to negotiate, connect, and engage internationally is paramount. Student and educator mobility, facilitated by programmes like Erasmus+, is a cornerstone of developing these skills and the UK's broader cultural relations.
The decision to rejoin in 2027 marks a pivotal step in rebuilding educational bridges with Europe. It is celebrated not just as a win for university students, but as a comprehensive boost for lifelong learning, professional development, and the UK's future on the world stage.
