The uncertain future of Erasmus+

For the past 30 years, the Erasmus+ programme has given students from all over Europe the opportunity to discover and learn about new cultures and languages. However, with the decision taken by the UK to leave the EU, many are legitimately concerned about what will happen to our participation in the Erasmus+ scheme. Responses from the Government are uncertain and vague as the fate of schemes like Erasmus+ will be decided in the second round of talks. However, there is reason for hope.

The House of Commons commented that “continued membership of Erasmus+ would be the best outcome for the UK”. Theresa May has also said in September that she wants to continue to take part in programmes “such as those that promote science, education and culture”, seeming to view keeping the UK in the Erasmus+ programme as an advantage.

Over 16,000 UK students take part in the programme annually and can study or work in one or two of the 32 countries participating in Erasmus+. The programme includes adult learners, vocational students, and work placements.

Erasmus+ is a programme in which all EU countries may participate. It follows that it is uncertain whether the UK can or will retain membership to the programme if it is not an EU member state. However, there are other ways the UK could remain a participating country because by authority of Article 24 of the Erasmus Regulation non-EU countries can be part of Erasmus+.

For example, Iceland, Serbia, Lichtenstein and even Turkey pay a fee, which allows them to take part. The article could theoretically allow the UK to remain an Erasmus+ participant in the future. However, the UK would be responsible for financing the programme, without having an influence in its development.

The collaboration between the British Council and Ecorys UK is called the National Agency for Erasmus+ and they fund UK participants. In their report, they have said that the Treasury will underwrite grant agreements that are confirmed before March 2019; the date set for the UK’s departure from the EU. The Agency also strongly supports that the UK remain part of the programme up until 2020; the set end-date for the duration of the current Erasmus policy, which was implemented in 2014.

Unfortunately, nothing is certain, so we must wait until March 2019 to hear the verdict. Nevertheless, if we take other non-EU member states that participate in Erasmus+ as an example, Brexit may not necessarily mean the loss of Erasmus+ for future generations of UK students.