In a significant policy shift, the UK government is poised to announce its return to the European Union's flagship Erasmus+ student exchange programme. The agreement, expected to be confirmed on Wednesday, will reportedly allow British students back into the £23 billion scheme from January 2027, ending a post-Brexit exclusion that has lasted for years.
A Bittersweet Victory for a Generation
For many in Generation Z, the news is a cause for celebration tinged with regret. Students and recent graduates have expressed joy that future cohorts will regain easy access to life-changing experiences across Europe, but frustration that they themselves were shut out. The announcement has sparked what many describe as a 'bittersweet' moment, particularly for those who faced financial and bureaucratic hurdles under the UK's replacement scheme.
Joe Cogan, a political science student who studied in Germany after Brexit, told Metro his year abroad was transformative, making him 'a completely different person.' However, his experience was marred by funding struggles. 'Had I not spent the previous two years working every hour I wasn't in uni, there was no way I could have afforded it,' he said, highlighting the lack of support from both his university and the government at the time.
The Turing Scheme's Troubles and the Erasmus Advantage
After leaving the EU, the UK government launched the Turing scheme to fund international placements. However, it has been criticised for its complexity and inadequacy. A 2024 analysis found that 79% of universities encountered difficulties with the Turing application process. Will Milne, a 20-year-old currently on an Erasmus year in Paris, received no Turing funding from his university.
Milne, who is 'having the best time of my entire life,' voiced concerns that such funding issues likely excluded students from more disadvantaged backgrounds. He welcomed the return to Erasmus, stating it ensures students across Europe 'benefit from equal opportunities.' The Erasmus programme also facilitates staff exchanges, institutional partnerships, and cross-European projects promoting innovation and cultural exchange.
Political Divides and a Symbolic 'Reset'
The decision to rejoin was reportedly finalised when EU Relations Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds met the European Commission's Maroš Šefčovič in Brussels last Wednesday. Rejoining Erasmus was a key demand from EU member states to allow broader 'reset' talks with the UK to progress.
The move has reignited political debate. Arch-Brexiteer MP John Redwood warned it fails to target British tax money on 'our own young people,' who may face more competition for jobs and housing. Former Boris Johnson communications director Guto Harri criticised it as a 'desperate attempt' to reconnect with the EU, arguing for a more global focus for student exchanges.
Conversely, Brendan Donnelly, a former Conservative MEP, called the original decision to leave Erasmus 'ridiculous,' saying it damaged academic relationships. Leigh Middleton OBE, CEO of the National Youth Agency, stated that leaving the programme 'closed off vital opportunities for many, especially those from vulnerable and disadvantaged backgrounds.' She hailed the return as a 'commitment to equity and ambition.'
For recent graduates like James Bamford from Durham University, the announcement comes too late. Brexit and the exit from Erasmus prevented him from a planned year abroad. 'I would have loved to go abroad but it just wasn't feasible with prices and visas,' he said, while expressing happiness for future students who will now have that choice.
