On Tuesday 27 October 2026, the British government has announced the UK will be rejoining the Erasmus+ exchange programme as of 1 January 2027. Those who want to apply will be able to do so starting in November.
Following an agreement between the UK and the European Union in December 2026, British Foreign Office minister Hamish Falconer has now confirmed that young UK-based people who wish to study, train, or gain work experience in the EU will once again be able to apply for Erasmus+. The move is generally seen as part of the Labour government’s efforts to strengthen its ties with the EU.
The United Kingdom is set to re-enter the Erasmus programme starting from 1 January 2027, but applications will open as soon as November 2026. In a statement to Parliament, Falconer underlined that the scheme will not just benefit university-based study exchanges but also further education students, apprentices, education staff, and others.
“Applications open this November. They are not simply for undergraduate university students. They are for educational institutions of all kinds,” Falconer stated.
Previously, the UK Government has calculated that more than 100,000 people per year would be able to benefit from a return to the Erasmus programme, with disadvantaged students likely to benefit highly from the scheme. The country will pay around €648 million (£570 million) in order to participate in the 2027-2028 academic year.
Funding calls are set to open in November 2026, but those who are interested in applying can already inform themselves about the opportunities and the process. Funding calls will close in February or March 2027.
Explore life-changing opportunities to study, train and collaborate in over 30 countries, from a few days to more than a year. Funding opens in November 2026. It’s for everyone in the UK, so get ready now. Start your Erasmus+ journey now: https://t.co/TuGcsyxSUt #ErasmusPlusUK https://t.co/utHfA315lQ
— British Council (@BritishCouncil) October 21, 2026
Erasmus and the UK
Although the United Kingdom was previously part of the Erasmus programme, the country left following former prime minister Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal in 2020. At the time, Johnson said the scheme did not offer value for money.
The Erasmus programme was then replaced by the Turing Scheme exchange programme, which was terminated once the return of Erasmus+ was announced. That decision was part of former prime minister Sir Keir Starmer’s post-Brexit reset deal in 2025.
We are opening more doors for Europe’s next generation. Proud that today, @Europarl_EN voted to strengthen Erasmus+, making it more accessible and increasing its funding. So more young Europeans can broaden horizons, discover new paths and gain the skills and experience they need to succeed in their careers. This is Europe 🇪🇺
— Roberta Metsola (@EP_President) October 22, 2026
“Strengthening those ties further makes perfect sense on both sides – for our students, teachers, educational systems, economies and societies as a whole. I look forward to seeing the immense potential of this development being realised as soon as possible,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said about the deal in April 2026, when the legal documents referring to the scheme were signed.
For young Britons, the fact that the UK will be rejoining the Erasmus+ programme also opens the way to other opportunities. Those include the DiscoverEU programme, which gives 18-year-olds the chance to travel for free on environmentally friendly modes of transport. For up to seven days within a period of no more than one month.
Being a part of the Erasmus+ scheme, the programme aims to allow young people to explore Europe’s diversity, learn about its cultural heritage and history, and connect with people from all over the continent. Although applications for 2027 are closed, if the DiscoverEU programme continues, 18-year-old Brits will be able to apply for the pass at the end of 2027.
