The UK is to rejoin the European Union’s Erasmus student exchange scheme, according to reports.
The popular programme, which allowed Britons to spend a year studying at European universities as part of their degree without paying extra fees and vice versa for their European counterparts, ended for British students after Brexit on 1 January 2021.
But ministers could announce the UK will rejoin Erasmus from January 2027 as soon as Wednesday, The Times and The Guardian have reported.
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Sir Keir Starmer promised a post-Brexit reset deal with Brussels and announced the government was working on rejoining the programme in May.
Negotiations have included work on “mutually agreed financial terms” for the UK and the EU.
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The UK had pushed for a discount on membership fees, which are calculated on the basis of a country’s gross domestic product (GDP), The Times reported.
It said the EU is understood to have offered the government a 30% reduction of fees in the first year of membership.
Labour MP Darren Frith told Sky News’ Politics Hub he would “welcome” such a move.
The Guardian reported that as well as university-based study exchanges, British students will be able to participate in vocational training placements under the scheme.
Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds held talks with Maros Sefcovic, the European Commission’s trade lead, in Brussels last week.
A Cabinet Office spokesman said: “We are not commenting on ongoing talks.”
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But the UK’s universities welcomed the apparent breakthrough.
Tim Bradshaw, chief executive of the Russell Group of leading universities, said: “We’re delighted at the UK’s association to Erasmus+.
“With an even greater scope than previous programmes, Erasmus+ opens up fantastic opportunities for students, adult learners and young people to all benefit from new experiences and learning.
“It will also renew the huge contributions that EU students and staff make to life on our university campuses.”
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The Lib Dems, who have been campaigning to rejoin Erasmus, welcomed the news.
Leader Sir Ed Davey said: “This is a moment of real opportunity and a clear step towards repairing the disastrous Conservative Brexit deal.”
