The UK government has officially confirmed its return to Erasmus+ from 2027, and education leaders are calling it a game-changing moment for British universities and European partnerships.
At the Global Mobility Conference 2026, the Department for Education (DfE) described the upcoming Erasmus+ cycle as a “colossal investment” and urged institutions to prepare for major funding and collaboration opportunities.
💰 What Makes Erasmus+ 2027 Different?
According to DfE officials:
- The 2027/28 Erasmus+ program is bigger and broader than the version the UK left in 2020.
- It is no longer just a student exchange scheme.
- It now supports:
- Joint research programs
- Dual degrees
- Faculty-led mobility
- Strategic international partnerships
- Projects beyond Europe
The European Commission has allocated a €1 billion funding pot for joint projects that UK universities can access in partnership with European institutions.
Success will be measured by:
- How much funding UK institutions absorb
- How actively UK universities participate in European-led projects
🎓 Student Exchange Is Back – But It’s Bigger Than That
While Erasmus+ is widely known for student exchange, policymakers stressed that:
- The program has shifted from a simple undergraduate exchange scheme
- It is now a strategic internationalisation tool for universities
- Up to 20% of funding can be used for partnerships outside Europe
- Blended mobility and short-term programs are increasing inclusion
German officials even stated:
“We want our British students back.”
However, student mobility between Germany and the UK has dropped by nearly 50% since Brexit, mainly due to visa barriers and higher costs.
🔄 What Happens to Turing and Taith?
After Brexit, Erasmus+ was replaced by:
- Turing Scheme (UK-wide)
- Taith (Wales)
Key updates:
- Turing funding has been approved for 2026/27
- Future funding beyond that is uncertain
- Universities are advised to “make the most” of all schemes running simultaneously
Unlike Turing, Erasmus+ will:
- Fund both outbound AND inbound mobility
- Bring European students back to UK campuses
This is seen as highly beneficial for:
- Peer learning
- Intercultural exposure
- Language development
- Wider participation
⚠ Why 2027 Is Critical
The UK is rejoining during the final year of the current Erasmus+ cycle.
A new version of Erasmus+ will run from 2028–2034, and the UK’s continued participation depends on:
- Political negotiations
- How successfully UK institutions use 2027 funding
European officials have made it clear:
If the UK doesn’t fully utilise the 2027 budget, it may be harder to justify long-term inclusion.
There is also discussion of increasing the future Erasmus+ budget to €40 billion, but strong UK participation is essential to secure that opportunity.
🌍 Challenges Ahead
Despite the excitement, concerns remain:
- Decline in language students in UK universities
- Need to rebuild European partnerships from scratch
- Universities must move quickly to secure funding
- Visa barriers still affect European student mobility
European national agencies in Germany and the Netherlands are already organisingmatchmaking events to help UK institutions form new partnerships.
The message from Europe is clear:
“Partnerships are not built overnight – we have to move fast.”
📌 Why This Matters Globally
This move signals:
- A political reset in UK–EU education relations
- Stronger research collaboration
- More exchange opportunities for students
- Increased funding access
For international education stakeholders, this development could reshape mobility flows across Europe and potentially influence global student movement trends.
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