The UK is officially returning to Erasmus+ in 2027, giving students new opportunities to study, train and gain work experience abroad. The UK and EU signed the legal agreement confirming the country’s return on 15 April 2026.
However, placements will not begin at the start of 2027. The first individual opportunities are expected during the 2027/28 academic year, starting in the second half of 2027 at the earliest.
The UK government expects more than 100,000 people to benefit during the first year, including students, apprentices, school pupils, educators and young people taking part in exchanges.
What opportunities will university students have?
Students at participating UK universities may be able to:
- study at an overseas university;
- complete a work placement or traineeship;
- combine a study period with professional experience;
- take part in a shorter programme combining online and in-person learning;
- complete a short or longer doctoral study period.
Standard university study periods and traineeships can last between two and 12 months. Doctoral mobility can last between five and 30 days or between two and 12 months.
Where can you go?
UK students will be able to travel to EU member states and other countries associated with Erasmus+, including Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, North Macedonia, Serbia and Türkiye.
Higher education projects can also allocate up to 20% of their funding to placements in countries outside the main Erasmus+ area. However, these wider destinations will depend on the opportunities offered by each university.
Can European students study in the UK?
Erasmus+ supports two-way exchanges. UK universities will be able to send students abroad and welcome participants from EU countries and other countries associated with the programme.
This is an important difference from the Turing Scheme, which focused on students leaving the UK rather than reciprocal exchanges.
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What funding will be available?
Erasmus+ funding is awarded to universities and other organisations rather than directly to students. Depending on the project and your circumstances, funding can contribute towards travel, living costs, visa and entry costs, language preparation and other eligible expenses.
Additional funding can be available for students with disabilities, additional learning needs or disadvantaged backgrounds. Exact grant amounts will depend on the funded project and your university’s rules.
An Erasmus+ grant may not cover every expense, so you should still prepare a realistic budget for accommodation, transport and daily living costs.
What will happen to Turing and Taith?
The Turing Scheme will operate for the final time during the 2026/27 academic year. It will not continue in 2027/28, when UK education providers will instead be able to seek international mobility funding through Erasmus+ ().
Wales’s separate Taith programme is also ending. Its 2026 funding call is the final one, and all funded projects must finish by 31 August 2027.
Students planning to go abroad before Erasmus+ placements begin should continue checking available Turing or Taith opportunities for 2026/27.
How can you apply?
You cannot apply directly to Erasmus+. Applications are made through participating universities, which must have the required Erasmus Charter and agreements with international partners.
Not every UK university or degree will offer Erasmus+ placements immediately. Check your university’s international or study-abroad office for participating destinations, funding, selection requirements and application deadlines.
Sources used:
- UK and EU finalise agreement to bring UK into Erasmus+ in 2027 (UK Government)
- Erasmus+ programme guidance for higher education (UK Government)
- Turing Scheme guidance for higher education providers, 2026/27 (UK Government)
- Taith Pathway 1 programme guidance for 2026 (Taith)
