Erasmus+ is returning: a new opportunity for UK schools
From 2027, UK schools will once again be able to access Erasmus+ — opening new possibilities for pupils, teachers and school leaders to learn, collaborate and build partnerships across Europe.
For schools across the UK, international education is about to enter an exciting new chapter.
The UK will participate in Erasmus+ from 2027, reopening opportunities for schools to access funding for international learning, training and collaboration.
For pupils, that could mean experiencing school life in another country, developing language skills, building confidence and forming friendships with young people from different cultures. For teachers and school leaders, Erasmus+ can provide opportunities for professional learning, job shadowing and sharing practice with colleagues internationally.
At Global School Exchanges, we believe this has the potential to make meaningful international experiences accessible to many more schools and young people.
INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION
More than a trip abroad
The value of international exchange goes far beyond visiting another country.
When young people spend time in another school, learn alongside local pupils and experience everyday life in another culture, something changes.
Languages have a purpose. Different ways of living and learning become real. Young people are challenged to communicate, adapt and see the world from another perspective.
That is why we believe international experiences should not simply be an optional extra in education.
They can be part of education itself.
PUPILS AND EDUCATORS
Opportunities for pupils — and for educators
One of the particularly exciting aspects of Erasmus+ is its breadth.
The programme creates opportunities for both pupils and staff. For pupils, international mobility can develop confidence, independence and understanding of other cultures and languages. Teachers, school leaders and other staff can undertake international professional development and learn from practice in partner schools and organisations.
That creates the possibility of international partnerships which involve the whole school community rather than a single overseas visit.
A relationship might begin with a group of pupils spending time in a partner school, but develop into teacher collaboration, leadership visits, curriculum projects and reciprocal exchanges over a number of years.
WIDENING PARTICIPATION
Making international opportunity more accessible
Perhaps most importantly, Erasmus+ offers an opportunity to think differently about who gets to take part in international education.
Cost can be one of the biggest barriers preventing young people from participating in overseas experiences. The return of grant-funded mobility creates an opportunity for schools to widen participation and enable pupils from a broader range of backgrounds to benefit.
For GSE, that principle matters enormously.
International experiences should broaden horizons — and those opportunities should reach young people who might otherwise never imagine themselves learning in another country.
GSE’S AMBITION
A GSE Erasmus+ consortium
As the new UK arrangements develop, Global School Exchanges intends to apply to become an Erasmus+ mobility consortium coordinator for schools.
The consortium model is particularly interesting because it can enable a coordinating organisation to bring together eligible organisations under a shared Erasmus plan.
For GSE, our ambition would be to bring together a network of partner schools interested in developing meaningful international opportunities for their pupils and staff.
We envisage opportunities including:
- pupil exchanges and international school experiences;
- staff job shadowing and professional learning;
- opportunities for teachers to learn and work alongside colleagues overseas;
- school leadership collaboration;
- long-term partnerships between UK and European schools; and
- a particular commitment to widening participation, including opportunities for disadvantaged pupils and young people with SEND.
General guidance for schools is already available. We will update our partner schools as further information about UK applications, eligibility and funding for 2027 is published.
START THE CONVERSATION
Could your school be part of it?
We are already beginning conversations with schools that would like to explore what Erasmus+ could mean for their pupils and staff.
At this stage, schools do not need to commit to a particular trip or programme. We want to bring together a group of schools with a shared interest in international education and begin shaping what a future GSE Erasmus+ consortium could look like.
If your school would be interested in being part of those conversations, we would love to hear from you.
Sophie Rosenberg
European Director
Global School Exchanges