ERASMUS+ HUB • YOUR QUESTIONS
Erasmus+ FAQs
Where we answer common questions about the Erasmus+ opportunities for UK schools, funding, the proposed GSE consortium and how your school can get involved.
UNDERSTANDING ERASMUS+
Select a question to reveal the answer.
What is Erasmus+?
Erasmus+ is the European Union programme supporting international learning and cooperation in education, training, youth and sport. UK participation is set to return from Autumn 2027, opening opportunities for schools to apply for mobility and partnership funding.
What is the difference between KA1, KA2 and KA3?
KA = Key Action
KA1 supports learning mobility, such as overseas student visits and staff development trips in Europe.
KA2 supports organisations and schools from different countries working within a collaborative partnership, around a shared educational goal.
KA3 supports projects which develop or improve education and wider EU training policy; it is not the standard school exchange route.
Can our school apply directly? What about a teacher, student or parent?
Yes - an eligible UK school can apply independently through the UK National Agency, the British Council.
Joining GSE’s consortium is an alternative, not a requirement. We invite UK schools to help shape a shared plan and pool their mobility needs together via our consortium application.
Individual teachers, students and parents cannot apply directly for a school-mobility grant. They take part through an eligible school or organisation. A student’s ‘individual mobility’ means an individual placement arranged through their school; it does not mean a personal grant application.
FUNDING & COSTS
What can the grant help pay for?
KA1 school-mobility grants combine defined funding categories rather than reimbursing every invoice. These include travel, individual support (daily subsistence towards accommodation and meals, based on destination, duration and participant type), and organisational support (preparation, mentoring, monitoring and delivery). Eligible activities may also receive course fees, preparatory-visit support, linguistic support, inclusion support and specified exceptional costs.
For example, the published Programme Guide lists organisational support of €100 per student on group mobility and €350 per staff participant on job shadowing (reducing to €200 after the first 100 participants in that activity type). These are organisational contributions, separate from travel and daily subsistence.
Will all costs be covered?
Full coverage of every actual cost is not guaranteed. Most categories use fixed unit contributions calculated from participants, distance and days, so the award may differ from actual expenditure.
The National Agency (British Council) will set the exact daily support rates within Programme Guide ranges, once this document has been published.
We will give each school a clear activity budget showing the grant allocation, what the programme includes and any remaining contribution before it commits.
Funding explained in our presentation
From our October 2026 school presentation. The applicable Programme Guide, UK National Agency rates and grant agreement govern each award.
When will applications and activities start?
Current UK information expects applications to open in November 2026, with deadlines varying by action in early 2027. Most initial grants are expected in summer 2027, with school project activity expected from autumn 2027 onwards. Check the published call for exact dates.
Does completing GSE’s form guarantee funding?
No. The form helps us build the proposed consortium plan. GSE’s accreditation, application and grant funding remain subject to eligibility and approval.
Are Erasmus+ grants the same as GSE hosting credits?
No. Hosting credits are a separate GSE arrangement with our UK partner schools. A school does not have to host a visiting group before applying to take part in the proposed Erasmus+ consortium. GSE hosting credits cannot be used in conjunction with Erasmus funding.
OUR PROPOSED CONSORTIUM
How do we apply to become part of the consortium?
Complete our existing online school planning form. Share your objectives, likely participants, proposed activities and the areas where you need support. Early ideas are welcome and the form takes around 10 minutes.
We will then invite you to join our online session on 1st December, where we will outline the proposed priorities and mobility activities within our consortium application and gather your feedback before refining and submitting our application in the new year.
How much of the work would GSE take on?
Our proposed role includes coordinating the shared funding application, developing partner connections and programme arrangements in Europe, and managing grant administration and reporting.
Your School Lead would provide school information, contribute to planning and coordinate internally.
What would our school still be responsible for?
Your school would lead its educational priorities, participant selection, internal approvals, consent and student supervision. Safeguarding, insurance and the precise responsibilities of each organisation would be agreed in writing before a programme is confirmed.
Do we need an Organisation ID?
Each UK school needs an Organisation ID (OID) to apply for Erasmus+ funding through the UK's National Agency. Your school or trust should check whether it already has an Erasmus+ Organisation ID (OID).
Does applying commit us to every activity?
No. The application form is part of the planning process. GSE will follow up about relevant opportunities, and your school can review the arrangements before confirming participation.
Can an overseas school join the UK consortium?
No. Our proposed consortium is UK-based, so overseas schools cannot join it as member organisations.
An eligible overseas school should apply independently through its own country’s National Agency or join a consortium in its country.
Overseas schools can still be valued partners in our network. They can apply for funding in their own country for eligible UK school-immersion programmes and other learning mobility with GSE and our UK partner schools, subject to their National Agency’s rules and approval.
If your school would like to host a partner group or visit a UK school, tell us about your plans using our interest form.
ACTIVITIES & PARTNERSHIPS
Which activities does GSE intend to include in the application?
We are developing proposals for school trips to Europe, teacher job shadowing and a teacher delegation to Montpellier in October 2027. Online collaborative projects would help build and sustain these partnerships. The final eligible activities depend on the application and award.
Is the Montpellier delegation confirmed?
It is a proposed opportunity for October 2027. Schools are invited to express interest and help shape the programme. Exact dates, format, places, costs and funding are not yet confirmed.
Can we find a European partner and begin online sessions in 2026/27?
Yes - we are currently facilitating online exchanges between our UK and European partner schools, ahead of planned in-person visits in 2027/2028.
Apply for partner matching through our enquiry form. Choose ‘Other’ and write ‘European partner school and online sessions — 2026/27’, with your age groups, project interests and preferred start date.
SOURCES & LINKS
Erasmus+ UK — official FAQs
Erasmus+ UK — applications
DfE — guidance for schools
European Commission — Programme Guide
Information checked on 28 October 2026.
The relevant official call and grant agreement determine eligibility, dates and funding conditions.
Have a question we haven’t answered?
Send us your question and our team will email you with a response. Include your school and the opportunity you are interested in so we can give you a useful answer.