Erasmus+ is returning: what could it mean for your school?

More than a trip abroad 

Erasmus+ is designed to support learning and collaboration across borders, with opportunities for both students and education staff. 

This could include: 

• Student mobility, giving young people the opportunity to learn alongside peers at a partner school overseas.
• Individual mobility, supporting shorter or longer periods of learning abroad.
• Staff mobility, including job shadowing, teaching assignments and training courses.
• International partnerships, allowing organisations to collaborate on shared educational projects. 

The programme can support projects across a wide range of subjects and themes, from language learning and sustainability to the arts, digital learning, inclusion and cultural heritage. 

The important distinction is that Erasmus+ is not simply a source of funding for a conventional school trip. Activities need to have a clear educational purpose, with the international experience contributing to the wider objectives of the project.

What does the return to Erasmus+ mean? 

The 2027 Call for Proposals will set out the specific activities and funding opportunities available. For schools and organisations involved in education, there are three main types of Erasmus+ funding to be aware of, as outlined in the UK Government’s Erasmus+ programme guidance for schools.

UK organisations will be able to apply for funding through the 2027 programme. For individuals, opportunities will become available through participating education, training, youth or sport organisations once funded projects begin, with activities expected to become available from the second half of 2027 at the earliest. More information is available in the European Commission’s UK Erasmus+ overview. 

The best place to begin, however, is not with the destination, but with the educational purpose. 

Start with the learning 

When planning an international experience, it is natural to begin by thinking about where you would like to go. With Erasmus+, however, it can be more useful to start with a different question: 

What do you want students to gain from the experience? 

Perhaps the aim is to: 

• develop language skills through time spent at a partner school; 
• collaborate with international peers on a sustainability project; 
• explore a subject from a different cultural perspective; 
• develop confidence, independence and communication skills; or 
• investigate themes such as inclusion, digital transformation or democratic participation. 

Once the objectives are clear, the destination, partnership and travel arrangements can be shaped around them. 

What do you want students to gain from the experience? 

Perhaps the aim is to: 

• develop language skills through time spent at a partner school; 
• collaborate with international peers on a sustainability project; 
• explore a subject from a different cultural perspective; 
• develop confidence, independence and communication skills; or investigate themes such as inclusion, digital transformation or democratic participation. 

Once the objectives are clear, the destination, partnership and travel arrangements can be shaped around them.

Finding the right international partner 

A successful Erasmus+ project depends on meaningful collaboration, so finding the right partner will be an important part of the process. 

Existing international connections are a natural starting point. An MFL department may already have links with a school overseas, a colleague may have professional contacts abroad, or a trust may have established relationships with organisations in Europe. 

There are also dedicated resources that can help identify potential partners, including the European School Education Platform and the Erasmus+ project database. 

When approaching a potential partner, consider: 

• the age of the students involved; 
• the subject or theme of the project; 
• proposed dates and duration; 
• language requirements; 
• accessibility considerations; and 
• what each organisation can contribute. 

The most valuable partnerships are likely to be those where both sides have a clear reason for working together and students have a genuine opportunity to share experiences and perspectives. 

Why start planning now? 

Although applications for 2027 funding will follow the publication of the Call for Proposals in November 2026, there is value in starting the conversation early. 

Developing an international partnership takes time, while exploring the practicalities of travel can help establish what is realistic in terms of dates, group size, accommodation and budget. 

At this stage, consider: 

• Who could you partner with?
• What would you like students to learn?
• How could international experience complement your existing curriculum? 

Answering these questions now can help turn an initial idea into a well-developed project when funding opportunities open. The UK Erasmus+ National Agency website also provides guidance and updates for organisations preparing to apply.