Young Brits can apply to work or study in the EU from next month as UK rejoins Erasmus

Young Brits can apply to work or study in the EU from next month as UK rejoins Erasmus The Government confirmed the UK will rejoin the Erasmus plus scheme from 1 January 2027 - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Already a member? Log in Young people will be able to apply from next month to study, train or gain work experience in the European Union under the UK's return to the Erasmus plus scheme. Foreign Office minister Hamish Falconer said the opportunities would be open to “educational institutions of all kinds”. The Government further confirmed that the UK will rejoin the student exchange scheme from 1 January 2027. Mr Falconer said: "Applications open this November. They are not simply for undergraduate university students. They are for educational institutions of all kinds.” The scheme is not limited to university-based study exchanges. Further education students and apprentices can also take up work placements in European firms through Erasmus plus. Adult learners, school groups and sports coaches will also have exchange opportunities, while education staff will be able to do job shadowing and training abroad. The Government has previously said it expects more than 100,000 people to be able to benefit. It has also said previously that disadvantaged students tend to benefit highly from taking part in the scheme. Mr Falconer urged “members right across the House to work with the British Council, get their institutions engaged”. “That is one of the concrete ways we will be helping young people through closer relationship.” Work on the UK joining the Erasmus programme was announced as part of former prime minister Sir Keir Starmer's post-Brexit reset deal with Brussels in 2025. The UK had left the scheme under Boris Johnson's Brexit deal in 2020. The then-prime minister argued it did not offer value for money. It was replaced by the Turing Scheme, which was ended when the Government announced the new deal over Erasmus plus. In the Commons, Labour MP Dr Rosena Allin-Khan (Tooting) said young people had been “deprived of opportunity” since Brexit. She asked: “What work is being done with EU counterparts to improve ties with the EU so it benefits our economy and our young people?” Mr Falconer replied: "I would like to inform the House that the UK will reassociate with Erasmus plus from January 1 2027.” Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments