Higher education leaders have called on the Government to make a stronger commitment to secure the UK’s continued participation in the Erasmus programme.
The Erasmus programme is a student exchange scheme established by the European Union (EU) in 1987, allowing UK students to gain international experience either by studying part of their degree or undertaking a work experience placement abroad.
Under the scheme, exchange students don’t have to pay any fees towards their overseas studies and grants are also available to assist with living costs.
But with the UK now having left the EU, university leaders have called on the Government to push harder for continued participation in the scheme.
Vivienne Stern, Director at Universities UK International, said: “It is in the UK’s interest to fully associate to the next Erasmus+ programme.
“The opportunities it affords and benefits it brings are numerous, far-reaching and backed up by hard facts.”
The UK is currently in a transition period where it has officially left the EU but its relationship with the organisation will remain the same until the end of trade talks – currently scheduled to conclude by the 31st December this year.
That means the UK is still a full participant in the Erasmus programme until the end of the current EU budget period later this year.
But every aspect of the UK’s current relationship with the EU including participation in programmes such as Erasmus is up for negotiation.
In a recently published document outlining its approach to the trade talks, which officially started last week, the UK Government says: “The UK will consider options for participation in elements of Erasmus+ on a time-limited basis, provided the terms are in the UK’s interests.”
And during a session of Prime Minister’s Questions earlier this year, Boris Johnson told MPs: “There is no threat to the Erasmus scheme.
“UK students will continue to be able to enjoy the benefits of exchanges with our European friends and partners.”
But Vivienne Stern added that aside from the brief mention of Erasmus in the Government’s trade document, there needed to be a stronger commitment to the scheme.
She said: “Students learn new and in-demand skills when they study overseas, bringing in hundreds of millions of pounds in revenue to the UK economy. Those studying abroad are likely to earn more and find employment sooner after they graduate. We know that disadvantaged and disabled students have the most to gain from an international experience. They will be the students who will lose the most if Erasmus+ falls by the wayside.
“Yet, I am worried that government isn’t committed to keeping the UK in Erasmus. Now is the time to commit to this unique programme that boosts not only students’ prospects, but those of businesses and the economy.”
In a statement yesterday, the Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove said that the Government will publish a draft trade agreement with further details on the future relationship with the EU before the next round of trade talks begin in London on March 18th.
Well done, this is an enormously important scheme that has helped many young people in the UK.