UK to Rejoin Erasmus Scheme

UK and EU Students to Reap Benefits of Erasmus Scheme

The UK is set to rejoin the EU’s Erasmus scheme for students after having previously left the scheme as a result of Brexit in 2021.

Known formally as Erasmus+, the UK’s participation in the scheme is set to cost around £570 million.

From 2027, students in the UK and the EU will be able to benefit from international study courses or work experience via the scheme, which covers a variety of area such as higher and further education, culture, sport and professional training.

The scheme will allow UK students to study for up to a year in participating European institutions as part of their degree without having to pay additional fees, while also benefiting from a variety of grants and support networks. European students will also be able to do the same at participating UK universities.

The Erasmus scheme was previously replaced with the Turing scheme in the UK in 2021. However, the scheme was generally seen as a less-popular alternative to Erasmus as students could not benefit from subsidised tuition or travel costs.

Skills Minister, Jacqui Smith, stated that: “The chances this opens for many young people makes this a very, very good day, and it demonstrates the benefits to the UK people of the government’s commitment to its reset with the EU.”

What Are the Immigration Requirements for International Students Studying Abroad?

The re-introduction of the Erasmus scheme means that the UK is likely to see an uptick in foreign students travelling to and from the country from 2027.

Before students start considering applying for Erasmus, it is worth considering what will need to be completed in terms of immigration requirements before travelling abroad.

For Students Coming to the UK

For foreign students planning to study in the UK, what type of immigration permission will be needed depends on the length of study being undertaken and what nationality the student is.

For study periods in the UK longer than 6 months, a standard Student visa will be required.

Student visas can be applied for up to 6 months prior to the course start date, with a typical turnaround time for applications being 8 weeks. You will typically have to demonstrate active and genuine involvement in the Erasmus scheme, including a valid Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) if necessary.

For study periods in the UK shorter than 6 months, either a Standard Visitor visa or an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) will be required.

You will require a Standard Visitor visa if you are a citizen of a visa-required country. However, as most European countries are visa-exempt for the UK, an ETA will normally be the only permission required in order to enter the country to undertake short courses of study.

More information on how to apply for UK immigration permission via the Erasmus scheme will be released closer to the scheme’s commencement in 2027, so be sure to check back with IAS for more up-to-date information and developments as they happen.

For UK Students Travelling to Europe

For UK students planning to study in Europe, what type of immigration permission will be needed depends on the destination country and the type of study, training or placement being undertaken.

Each country will have their own specific rules and guidelines for foreign students based on individual circumstances. However, generally speaking, UK students looking to study in Europe will likely need to apply for a dedicated study visa, study permit or short-term work or placement visa if wishing to undertake long-term study courses or placements.

If your period of study is less than 90 days, it may be possible for you to travel to your destination country without a dedicated visa as long as the country is in the Schengen Area and you meet all necessary eligibility requirements as set out by that country.

Note that as of October 2025, you will need to have your biometric information taken when first entering or leaving any country in the Schengen Area.

How Can IAS Help With Your UK Visa Application?

IAS have a team of immigration advisers and caseworkers experienced in the field of UK immigration law.

Regardless of where you’re coming from or what your chosen immigration pathway is, we can help you with almost all UK immigration and visa cases, using our years of experience and compassionate customer service to help get you to where you need to go.

We also offer fast-track and urgent application packages if you need to submit your application to a deadline.

Don’t hesitate to reach out for help on your situation today. Call us on +44 (0)333 414 9244 or reach out to us online.