UK to rejoin EU student exchange scheme as ministers roll back Brexit withdrawal
Talks are set to resume next week with hopes a deal could soon be reached
A "Brexit reset" deal allowing the UK to rejoin the EU's Erasmus student exchange programme is close to completion according to reports.
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The scheme lets young people in the UK and EU study abroad for up to a year and provides funding for students to participate in education, training or sport in another country for between two and 12 months.
A deal could now be possible before Christmas, which would open up the scheme to students from January 2027, the I Paper reports. The news follows foreign secretary David Lammy appearing to reopen the Brexit debate last week, not ruling out a potential return for the UK.
Crunch talks are expected to take place on Monday with an announcement possible next week following increasing optimism.
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The EU has quietly extended the deadline for universities that want to take part in 2027 to apply for an Erasmus Charter for Higher Education (ECHE) – a prerequisite to joining the scheme – from this coming January to March.
Brexit reset minister Nick Thomas-Symonds and his EU counterpart Maros Sefcovic are meeting in Brussels on Wednesday to take stock of overall negotiations so far.
During negotiations, the UK Government has been focused on ensuring any deal works financially, given the programme has been criticised for costing Britain money in the past.
When the UK exited the EU, then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson withdrew from Erasmus+ as it was deemed too expensive as more Europeans came to Britain to study than went the other way, with students continuing to pay their home tuition fees rather than at their exchange institution.
Jamie Arrowsmith, director at Universities UK International said: “We have long supported the UK’s association to Erasmus, subject to an appropriate financial contribution.
“It would offer fantastic opportunities for mobility and exchange and mark another step forward in the relationship between the UK and EU.
“It would take time to foster the partnerships we need to make the most of participation, but we stand ready to do everything we can to make the most of the opportunity, if and when a deal is agreed.”
A UK Government spokesperson said: “We are committed to a broad and constructive relationship with the EU, and are working together to implement the package agreed at the UK-EU Summit.
“We will not give a running commentary on ongoing talks.”