Following a major trade and defence agreement with the EU, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has confirmed that negotiations are underway for a new student mobility agreement between the UK and the EU.

Key Points:

• The UK is considering rejoining the Erasmus+ programme or establishing a similar initiative.

• The new scheme is being described as a “balanced youth experience scheme”, meant to ensure a fair flow of students between the UK and Europe.

• There’s no confirmation yet on whether EU students will receive reduced tuition fees like they did before Brexit.

• The UK government wants time-limited participation, no access to benefits, and no dependents for students coming under the scheme.

• The UK is only willing to rejoin Erasmus+ if the financial terms are improved compared to the previous arrangement.

Why It Matters:

• The move signals a reset in UK–EU relations after Brexit.

• Before Brexit, many EU students studied in the UK at low cost, while fewer British students studied in Europe.

• Universities are cautious, as welcoming more EU students again could affect funding and domestic student places.

Public Opinion:

• Most Britons now believe Brexit was a mistake, especially among young people.

• 64% of people support closer ties with the EU, though opinions differ on rejoining fully.

Next Steps:

• Detailed negotiations are ongoing.

• Final terms will determine how many students can participate, who qualifies, and what financial support is available.