UCL welcomes news that UK is to rejoin the Erasmus student exchange scheme

In December 2025 it was announced that the UK would be rejoining the Erasmus student exchange scheme. Find out more about UCL’s plans to apply for participation in the programme.

UK & Europe from space

The UK Government have announced plans to rejoin the Erasmus scheme in 2027, six years after withdrawing from the programme following the UK’s exit from the EU.

UCL will be applying to participate in the programme for the academic year 2027/8. UCL will first apply for the Erasmus Charter and then for Erasmus funding once the funding call opens. Should these applications be successful, eligible students studying abroad in 2027/2028 will be able to apply for Erasmus funding in Spring 2027.

We will keep staff and students updated with developments and let you know when more information is available.

Professor Jennie Shaw, Vice-Provost (Education & Student Experience) said:

Erasmus+ will provide opportunities for UCL students to gain valuable international study experiences in Europe. The government’s focus on opening up Erasmus+ opportunities for all students, including those from disadvantaged groups, is a welcome direction.

Denise Long, Director of Student Support & Wellbeing Services, said:

We welcome the significant benefits that rejoining Erasmus+ would offer, notably in fostering closer relationships with our European partners, supporting staff mobility, and engaging with broader actions outside of student mobility. At the same time, we acknowledge the important contributions that the UK government’s Turing Scheme has made over the past few years, in particular its support of students from widening participation backgrounds, and its facilitation of shorter-term international placements – successfully adopted by many UCL departments. No decision has yet been made by government on the future of this scheme.

Professor Geraint Rees, Vice-Provost (Research, Innovation & Global Engagement) said:

We warmly welcome the UK Government’s decision to rejoin the Erasmus scheme. This move reflects a shared commitment to openness, collaboration, and opportunity in higher education. For UCL, Erasmus is much more than a mobility scheme – it is a gateway to deep partnerships across Europe that enrich our students’ experiences and strengthen our research and innovation networks. We look forward to playing a leading role in shaping these connections as the programme resumes.