Britain to rejoin EU’s Erasmus student exchange program in Brexit reversal

In a shift from its previous Brexit stance, Britain has announced it will rejoin the European Union's Erasmus student exchange program in 2027. The UK had ended its participation in Erasmus six years ago during Brexit negotiations.

Government officials are calling the reinstatement a major victory for young people in Britain, asserting that it will provide opportunities for students from all backgrounds to study and receive training abroad. The Erasmus program enables students to study at foreign universities for a year while paying their normal domestic tuition fees.

The agreement also gives Prime Minister Keir Starmer an opportunity to demonstrate the benefits of improved relations with the EU to the British public. That said, the reality is a bit more complicated. rejoining the program comes with a financial commitment. Britain will contribute £570 million ($760 million) for the 2027/28 academic year. While this represents a 30% reduction compared to standard terms under the current trade agreement with the EU, it is still roughly double the amount Britain paid when it was an EU member.

The reintroduction of this pre-Brexit benefit at a significant cost could spark debate about the overall impact of leaving the EU, a decision made in 2016 and implemented in 2020. Although Brexit remains a sensitive topic in British politics, especially on the right, recent surveys indicate a softening of public opinion towards the EU, with few Britons identifying tangible benefits from leaving.

The foundation for this announcement was established during a summit in May between British and EU leaders, where both parties committed to strengthening ties between their citizens, especially younger generations. Since assuming office last year, Starmer has emphasized the importance of closer relations with the EU after years of tension during Brexit negotiations.

The Erasmus program's cancellation in 2020 was initiated by then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who argued it was not a cost-effective program. That said, the reality is a bit more complicated. a 2021 report by Chatham House, a London-based think tank, contradicted this view, stating that Erasmus generated a net profit of £243 million ($324 million) annually for Britain by attracting well-funded students who supported the higher education, services, and hospitality sectors.

Beyond the financial aspects, a 2019 European Commission report highlighted that over one million children, dubbed "Erasmus babies," have been born to parents who met through the program since its inception in the 1980s.

Oxford University's Vice-Chancellor, Irene Tracey, emphasized the broader benefits of the program, including its contribution to Britain's global standing. Tracey told the BBC that even short visits to the UK are valued by participants, many of whom go on to become leaders in various sectors and countries. She added, “We service that swirl of global talent. That’s soft power, and soft diplomacy.”

Nick Thomas-Symonds, Britain’s minister for EU relations, described the agreement as “about more than just travel,” highlighting its importance for “future skills, academic success, and giving the next generation access to the best possible opportunities.”

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who herself studied in Britain, expressed her belief that reviving the Erasmus program in Britain would foster “new shared experiences and lasting friendships” between British and European students.