British universities urge the government to find a way to revive the inflow of EU students to the UK post-Brexit, potentially by rejoining the Erasmus exchange programme. As Keir Starmer prepares to meet European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen for the first time on Wednesday, university leaders have adopted a cautious stance, determined to avoid rekindling contentious Brexit debates on migration.
“We deeply regret the loss of talented European students coming to the UK,” said Vivienne Stern, chief executive of Universities UK. However, she acknowledged the sensitive nature of domestic politics around the return of EU citizens for educational purposes. “We don’t want the government caught in a divisive debate over immigration, as that could have adverse effects on higher education if it leads to stricter policies,” she added.
During his visit to New York on Friday, Starmer hinted at a possible shift in his stance regarding a youth mobility scheme, which would permit under-30s to visit the EU for working holidays. Although he stated there were “no plans” for such a scheme, he emphasized the significance of Wednesday’s meeting.
EU sources suggest the meeting aims to establish a political roadmap, addressing topics such as defense, security, and a potential veterinary agreement, as part of a broader effort to reset EU-UK relations. Over the next six months, both sides would explore short-term and long-term negotiation strategies, leading up to an EU-UK summit in the spring of next year.
Discussions on re-establishing opportunities for young people post-Brexit have so far centered around a youth mobility scheme proposed by the EU in April, which would enable under-30s to study or work abroad for a limited period. However, little attention has been given to Erasmus, a programme through which around 15,000 British students studied in EU universities annually before Brexit.
While the UK had urge associate membership in Erasmus, the financial costs were deemed too high, as British universities would have had to absorb a larger share of the expenses for incoming students. According to EU data from 2020, 17,795 EU students came to the UK in 2018/2019, nearly double the 9,908 British students who went to the EU.
Stern suggests revisiting the “correction mechanism” that was part of the UK’s associate membership in the EU’s Horizon science programme as a potential solution. In 2019, Lord Frost secured a deal allowing the UK to reclaim funds if it contributed more to Horizon than it received.
Universities UK also sees potential in the Turing scheme, the UK’s replacement for Erasmus, which offers some unique benefits. Turing provides four-week placements and supports vocational and summer school programs, which could increase participation among disadvantaged groups.
Stern urge that universities are “holding back” on specific demands regarding Erasmus to monitor how discussions progress. She noted that it’s “fantastic” to see youth and students at the forefront of resetting EU-UK relations, but stressed the need to avoid making education a bargaining chip in broader political negotiations.
