The Department for Education has announced that the British Council has been nominated to take on the role of national agency for Erasmus+.
On 17 Dec 2025, the UK and EU arrived at a political agreement that the UK would rejoin the Erasmus+ scheme in 2027. That agreement has now been legally formalised under the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement.
Scott McDonald, Chief Executive, British Council, said: “As the National Agency for Erasmus+, the British Council will work closely with the Department for Education, the Devolved Governments and the European Commission to make the most of the opportunities of the programme for the UK.
“Erasmus+ has a proven track record in changing lives, opening up learning experiences, providing insight into cultures, and nurturing global citizenship, not only among higher education students and staff, but across non-formal education, schools, technical and vocational education and training, and sport.
“The programme will be of enormous benefit to a range of people from different backgrounds throughout the UK, giving them a global outlook and a whole range of skills of value both to themselves and to the UK.”
The British Council has a longstanding commitment to supporting international exchange. It was a lead partner in the Erasmus+ UK National Agency from 2014-20, where Erasmus+ made a significant contribution to the UK's cultural relations activities, funding 8,091 projects, engaging 583,757 UK participants, and awarding around €1.1 million to UK organisations.