What Does Erasmus+ Include for UK Schools?

For schools, academy trusts and education providers, international learning has the power to transform the experiences of both young people and staff. It can build confidence, improve language and communication skills, develop independence and create a greater understanding of different cultures and communities.

The exciting news is that the UK is set to associate with the Erasmus+ programme from 2027, opening up a wide range of opportunities for UK schools to once again take part in European learning exchanges, staff development and international partnerships.

At Global Horizons, we believe that international experiences should be accessible, meaningful and connected to the learning and development needs of every school and student.

So, what exactly will Erasmus+ include for UK schools?

One of the most exciting elements of Erasmus+ is the opportunity for pupils to take part in learning experiences abroad.

Through Key Action 1 (KA1) mobility projects, schools can develop structured international programmes that enable students to visit partner schools and organisations in other participating countries.

These experiences are much more than simply school trips. Erasmus+ mobility activities must have clear educational objectives and learning outcomes.

A student mobility programme could include:

• Learning alongside students in a partner school
• Taking part in joint classroom projects
• Developing language and communication skills
• Exploring another country's culture and history
• Participating in environmental or sustainability activities
• Developing digital skills
• Taking part in community-based learning
• Exploring European citizenship and shared values
• Building confidence, independence and resilience

International mobility gives young people the opportunity to step outside their normal environment, experience different ways of learning and develop skills that will benefit them throughout their education and future careers.

Erasmus+ is not only for students.

Teachers, school leaders and other education staff can also benefit from international mobility and professional development opportunities.

Staff mobility can include activities such as:

Teachers and education professionals can spend time observing colleagues in schools or education organisations in another country.

This allows staff to:

• Discover different teaching approaches
• Learn about other education systems
• Observe innovative classroom practice
• Share professional knowledge
• Develop international networks

Erasmus+ can support education staff to take part in international training and professional development courses.

These could focus on areas such as:

• Inclusion and special educational needs
• Digital education
• Artificial intelligence and technology
• Mental wellbeing
• Sustainability
• Leadership
• Language development
• Innovative teaching methods

Education staff may also have opportunities to teach or deliver training in partner organisations abroad, allowing them to develop professionally while sharing their own knowledge and experience.

When staff return to their schools, the benefits can extend far beyond the individual participant, with new ideas, approaches and international connections being shared across the wider organisation.

Erasmus+ also supports schools to work together on longer-term international projects.

Through Key Action 2 (KA2), schools and other organisations can form partnerships with organisations in different countries to address shared challenges and develop innovative ideas.

Projects can focus on a huge range of themes, including:

• Digital transformation
• Inclusion and diversity
• Sustainability and climate change
• Student wellbeing
• Innovative teaching
• Language learning
• Employability and future skills
• Community engagement
• Citizenship and democratic participation

Partnership projects allow schools to move beyond one-off international visits and instead develop long-term relationships with organisations across Europe.

Together, partners can share good practice, develop resources, test new approaches and create lasting outcomes that benefit students, staff and communities.

One of the great strengths of Erasmus+ is that opportunities are not limited to large or highly experienced organisations.

Small-scale partnerships are designed to make international cooperation more accessible, particularly for smaller organisations and those that are new to Erasmus+.

These projects can provide an excellent starting point for schools that want to begin building international experience and partnerships.

For schools taking their first steps into Erasmus+, working with an experienced organisation can also help them to develop confidence, find suitable partners and create meaningful international programmes.

Inclusion is one of the central priorities of Erasmus+.

The programme aims to ensure that international opportunities are accessible to people from a wide range of backgrounds, including those who may face social, economic, geographical, cultural or educational barriers.

For UK schools, this creates an important opportunity to ensure that international mobility is not only available to a small group of students.

Erasmus+ encourages organisations to think carefully about how they can involve learners with fewer opportunities and create international experiences that are inclusive and accessible.

This means that Erasmus+ can support schools in their wider ambitions around:

• Equality of opportunity
• Social inclusion
• Supporting disadvantaged learners
• Supporting learners with additional needs
• Building confidence and aspiration
• Widening access to international experiences

At Global Horizons, we believe that every young person should have the opportunity to experience the benefits of international learning.

Digital transformation is another major priority within Erasmus+.

Schools can develop projects that explore how technology can improve teaching, learning and international cooperation.

This could include:

• Digital learning platforms
• Virtual collaboration between schools
• Online international projects
• Digital skills development
• Artificial intelligence in education
• Creating innovative educational resources

Digital tools can also complement physical mobility, allowing students and staff to work together before, during and after an international visit.

This means that the learning experience does not begin when students board a plane and end when they return home. International collaboration can become part of everyday school life.

Erasmus+ also places significant importance on environmental awareness and sustainable practices.

Schools can develop projects and mobility programmes that encourage young people to think about:

• Climate change
• Sustainability
• Environmental responsibility
• Green skills
• Sustainable lifestyles
• Protecting local and global environments

International projects can bring young people together to explore environmental challenges that affect communities across Europe.

This creates opportunities for students to develop their understanding of global issues while working collaboratively with young people from other countries.

Erasmus+ encourages young people to become active, engaged and informed citizens.

International experiences can help students develop a greater understanding of:

• European cultures
• Democracy
• Civic participation
• Equality and human rights
• Shared values
• Community engagement

For young people, meeting students from different countries can challenge assumptions, build friendships and develop a stronger understanding of the wider world.

These experiences can be particularly valuable in helping students understand that, while cultures and education systems may differ, young people across Europe often share similar hopes, challenges and ambitions.

Depending on the type of project and activity, Erasmus+ funding can contribute towards a range of costs associated with international mobility and cooperation.

For mobility projects, this can include support towards areas such as:

• Travel
• Living costs
• Accommodation-related costs
• Organisational support
• Training or course fees
• Language learning
• Preparatory visits
• Visa and entry requirements where applicable

Additional support may also be available to help ensure that people with disabilities, additional learning needs or fewer opportunities can participate.

The exact funding rules and available amounts will depend on the activity and the Erasmus+ programme requirements.

The UK's association with Erasmus+ from 2027 represents an exciting opportunity for schools to strengthen their international outlook.

Schools will have the opportunity to develop projects that support their own priorities while giving students and staff access to valuable international experiences.

Whether the goal is to:

• Give students their first international learning experience
• Develop staff skills
• Build partnerships with European schools
• Improve inclusion
• Develop innovative teaching approaches
• Strengthen digital education
• Explore sustainability
• Build student confidence and independence

Erasmus+ can provide a framework for turning these ambitions into meaningful international projects.

At Global Horizons, we specialise in creating meaningful international learning experiences.

We understand that planning an international mobility project can feel complex. Finding suitable partners, arranging programmes, organising accommodation, developing educational activities and managing the logistics all require time and expertise.

Global Horizons can support schools in creating high-quality international experiences that connect directly to their learning objectives.

We can help with areas such as:

• Developing international mobility programmes
• Finding suitable partner organisations
• Organising work and learning activities
• Supporting accommodation arrangements
• Creating cultural and educational programmes
• Planning language and communication activities
• Developing inclusive mobility experiences
• Organising local visits and community activities
• Supporting schools throughout the mobility journey

Our aim is simple: to help schools create international experiences that are not only memorable, but genuinely transformative.

Erasmus+ offers UK schools the opportunity to open the classroom to the world.

For students, it can mean greater confidence, independence, cultural understanding and ambition.

For teachers and school staff, it can mean access to new ideas, professional development and international networks.

For schools, it can mean stronger partnerships, innovation and a truly international approach to education.

As the UK prepares to return to Erasmus+ from 2027, now is the perfect time for schools to start thinking about how international learning could become part of their future.

Interested in finding out how Erasmus+ could support your school? Get in touch with Global Horizons to start exploring international opportunities for your students and staff.

The UK government states that UK association to Erasmus+ is planned from 2027, with schools able to access opportunities including Key Action 1 mobility, Key Action 2 partnerships and Jean Monnet activities.

For schools, the most important next step is to begin considering their international priorities now — particularly which students and staff could benefit, what themes the school wants to develop, and which European partnerships would best support those goals.

• Erasmus+ programme guidance for schools (GOV.UK)
• Erasmus+ Programme Guide (European Commission)