Statement on the UK rejoining Erasmus+
As one of Europe’s leading research-intensive universities, and UKCISA Institution of the Year 2025, the University of Warwick warmly welcomes the agreement for the UK to rejoin the European Union’s Erasmus+ programme. This is a transformative step forward for international education, collaboration, and mobility.
Rejoining Erasmus+ will allow Warwick to further develop international education opportunities for both our students and staff and aligns closely with Warwick’s core values of thriving on difference and creating connections.
We particularly welcome the enhanced opportunities Erasmus+ offers for:
- Student exchange and staff mobility, enabling longer-term planning and broader participation.
- Support for joint master’s programmes, fostering deeper academic collaboration.
- Transnational partnerships, including our leadership role in the EUTOPIA European University Alliance, where Warwick is a founding member and one of only three UK universities funded in the first wave of ‘European Universities’.
Professor Stuart Croft, Vice-Chancellor and President, University of Warwick, welcomed the announcement:
“This is a landmark moment for UK Higher Education. Erasmus+ opens doors to transformative experiences for our students and staff and strengthens our ties with European partners.
“Warwick has a proud history of international partnerships and leadership, and through our founding role of the EUTOPIA European University Alliance, we have pioneered new models of international collaboration for our staff. Reassociation with Erasmus+ allows us to build on this momentum and extend our global reach.”
During a challenging time for Higher Education globally, rejoining Erasmus+ - which has a proposed budget for the 2028–2034 programme of €40.8 billion – reflects the vital role of universities in driving forward innovation, research, and high-impact mobility for the benefit of wider society.
Professor Michael Scott, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International), welcomed the news:
“Warwick is renowned for its dynamic international outlook, reflected in our popular One World Warwick annual global community celebration and being awarded UKCISA Institution of the Year in 2025. Rejoining Erasmus+ not only provides more opportunities for Warwick students to study across Europe, but also for European students to come to Warwick—enriching our campus community and fostering mutual understanding.
“In addition to mobility, Erasmus+ also provides an important range of partnership and engagement tools with which to grow collaboration, and we look forward to seizing the opportunities re-association will provide.
“Warwick looks forward to working with national agencies and European partners to ensure a smooth and impactful reintegration into Erasmus+. We remain committed to championing inclusive, high-quality international education for all.”
During the UK’s absence from Erasmus+, Warwick remained committed to outward mobility and international exchange. Through the Turing Scheme and our own Warwick Mobility Bursary, we ensured students could continue to access global opportunities.
The Warwick Mobility Bursary has supported students from all backgrounds to study abroad. In the 2023-24 academic year, 179 mobilities were provided, which increased to 420 mobilities for the most recent year – empowering students to explore new cultures, exchange knowledge and ideas, and collaborate with international partners.
Warwick also welcomes the planned global expansion of Erasmus+ from 2028, which will further enhance our international engagement, building on our One World Warwick programme and our International Strategy.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
For more information please contact:
Dom Barker, Media & Communications Officer
Dom.Barker@warwick.ac.uk / 07824 540727
About the University of Warwick
Founded in 1965, the University of Warwick is a world-leading institution known for its commitment to era-defining innovation across research and education. A connected ecosystem of staff, students and alumni, the University fosters transformative learning, interdisciplinary collaboration and bold industry partnerships across state-of-the-art facilities in the UK and global satellite hubs. Here, spirited thinkers push boundaries, experiment and challenge convention to create a better world.
About Erasmus+
The UK Government’s announcement on rejoining the Erasmus+ scheme is available online.
17 December 2025