UK to re-join Erasmus+ – here are six benefits of the European exchange scheme

The government has announced that the UK will be re-joining the Erasmus+ programme. Young people will be able to participate in the scheme again from January 2027.

Erasmus+ is a European Union programme that offers opportunities for students, teachers, and young people to study, train, volunteer or gain work experience abroad. The scheme aims to improve skills, promote cultural exchange, foster inclusion and strengthen cooperation between educational institutions and organisations.

When the UK left the European Union in 2020, it also decided to withdraw from Erasmus+. The Turing scheme, the government’s replacement, has faced a lot of criticism due to its limited scope and difficult processes.

The news about the UK re-joining Erasmus+ will feel like an early Christmas present to many who have been campaigning for this over the past few years. Indeed, international mobility programmes offer a range of benefits to young people (and not so young people). They can play a major part in an educational journey.

Here are six benefits that the UK will be regaining when it becomes a member of Erasmus+ again.

1. Being part of a long established network

The Erasmus programme was founded in 1987. Thanks to its 38-year-old history, the scheme benefits from tried-and-tested processes and a wide-ranging infrastructure. Having funded and supported over 16 million people over the years, Erasmus+ is built on a wealth of experience and firmly established international partnerships. It’s an accessible and well-supported programme.

2. Generous support for people from all walks of life

Participants in the Erasmus+ scheme are exempt from oversees tuition and examination fees. They also receive scholarships to subsidise their travel and living costs, which makes the experience more affordable.

We often associate Erasmus+ with students spending a term or more at an overseas university. But its focus is actually much broader. It includes opportunities to study, work, train, volunteer and even develop careers in sports coaching abroad.

3. Cultural and personal growth

For students, trainees and educators alike, international mobility programmes provide opportunities to experience other cultural contexts and gain different perspectives. They enable young people to develop their adaptability and cultural awareness, and, not least, their language skills.

They are also an a opportunity to make lifelong international friends, and potentially even more. A survey of over 55,000 students found that a quarter of those that had taken part in Erasmus+ met their life partner during their time abroad.

4. Reciprocal benefits

A major advantage of the Erasmus+ scheme is that it is a reciprocal programme. Member countries both send and receive participants. UK educational institutions and the wider community gain a lot by welcoming exchange students from other countries.

For higher education, for example, having students from different parts of the world on campus gives local students the chance to learn about other cultures right on their doorstep. Everyday interactions in classrooms, group work and social activities help build understanding, curiosity and respect for different ways of thinking and living.

International exchange students also contribute fresh ideas, skills and life experiences shaped by their home countries and education systems. Beyond campuses, local communities and economies benefit from increased cultural diversity and global connections.

5. Improved academic outcomes and employability

Taking part in international mobility programmes is not just beneficial for personal growth, but might also improve academic outcomes and chances on the job market.

Some research studies suggest that undergraduate students who have participated in Erasmus+ achieve better results on average. In any case, employers value international experiences and the agility and open-mindedness that participants in international mobility programmes have often developed.

6. Closer relationships with international partners

There are a lot of educational benefits of rejoining Erasmus+, but there may also be wider political and economic ones.

While having more graduates with intercultural experiences will be beneficial in itself, today’s news may also be a significant step towards a renewed relationship with the EU. And building bridges is never a bad thing.

Sascha Stollhans does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.