The UK government has announced its plans to rejoin the Erasmus scheme from 2027— a European Union (EU) programme supporting education and training in Europe.
This comes six years after the scheme was abandoned as part of Brexit.
The scheme seeks to make studying abroad accessible by providing grants to students at participating universities.
Since 2020, the University of Edinburgh has participated in the Turing Scheme instead, a plan that financially supports outbound students with study and work abroad opportunities.
The Turing Scheme, however, is limited to students with mandatory international placements (such as language students) or Widening Participation students on courses with both optional or mandatory year abroads.
A return to the Erasmus scheme will now provide students from various other degrees with funding to cover the cost of travel and living abroad, as well as “pre-financing” for visas and preparatory visits.
By reintroducing an exchange system, studying in the UK will also become more accessible for EU students.
One first year student told The Student, “I’m glad there will now be an opportunity to be financed overseas and I feel it will make a big difference when considering taking a year abroad.”
With the Erasmus Scheme now underway, the future of the Turing Scheme remains uncertain.
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