Key changes to Erasmus+ from 2021

The UK National Agency would like to provide the latest statement from the Department for Education:

The UK government has published a statement regarding the Turing Scheme, a new programme to replace the UK’s participation in Erasmus+, which will provide funding for placements and exchanges starting in September 2021. The Turing Scheme will support students to study and work abroad; youth and sport placements will not be a part of the scheme. The new scheme will be administered by the same partnership of British Council and Ecorys which has been delivering Erasmus+ in the UK for a number of years.

This does not affect the UK’s participation in the Erasmus+ and ESC programmes (2014-2020). Under the Withdrawal Agreement negotiated with the EU, the UK will continue to participate fully in the Erasmus+ and ESC programmes (2014-2020). This means that the projects successfully bid for during the 2014-2020 programmes will continue to receive EU funding for the full duration of the project, including those where funding runs beyond 2020 and the end of the transition period. 

Participants who study, train, volunteer or spend time abroad through Erasmus+ and ESC exchanges that were successfully bid for during the Erasmus+ and ESC programmes (2014-2020) will be able to participate fully and for the full duration of their exchange. This covers UK participants going abroad, as well as international participants coming to the UK. 

The government remains committed to international education exchanges, both with the EU and beyond.” 

For any questions, you can contact:

  • Email for enquiries about higher education
  • Email for enquiries about schools under Key Actions 1 and 2 or youth projects under Key Actions 2 and 3
  • Email for enquiries about vocational education and training (VET) and adult education under Key Actions 1 and 2, or youth projects under Key Action 1
  • Email for enquiries about the European Solidarity Corps
  • Department for Education contact form for enquiries about Erasmus+ and the Turing Scheme
  • Email for enquiries about European Solidarity Corps and Erasmus+ youth

Please continue to monitor our website with regard to information about the transition period following the UK’s departure from the EU. Further information provided by the UK Government can also be found on the GOV.UK website. For example in some cases the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) may no longer be valid for UK Nationals travelling to other European countries after 31 December 2020.

For those travelling to the UK after 31 December 2020 please be aware that you may need to meet specific requirements in respect of your visit. Erasmus+ participants travelling to the UK must refer their queries to the sending organisation responsible for organising their placement. You can also check if you need a visa. A healthcare surcharge may be part of the visa application process.

The UK National Agency is unable to provide information or respond to queries relating to the changes to the immigration rules that come into effect on 1 January 2021. As such you must refer to the UK Government guidance.  


Please note: This page was last updated on 21 January 2021.