British Universities Push for EU Student Return Amidst Political Sensitivity
British universities are calling on the government to find methods to re-establish the influx of EU students to the UK following Brexit. A significant proposal is the potential revival of the Erasmus student exchange programme. However, as Labour leader Keir Starmer prepares for his initial bilateral meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, these universities are taking a cautious stance to avoid reigniting the contentious immigration debates that have marred Brexit discussions.
Vivienne Stern, the chief executive of Universities UK, expressed deep regret over the loss of many talented European students who contributed to the diversity and quality of UK higher education. Nevertheless, Stern acknowledged the fraught political landscape surrounding the return of EU citizens to the UK, suggesting that any aggressive push for these initiatives could jeopardize the progress already made on immigration policy.
Stern highlighted, "It’s not in our interest for the government to end up caught in a kind of toxic debate about immigration domestically because in the end that is going to hurt us badly if it drives the government to be clamping down on immigration in other ways."
Starmer appeared to soften his stance on youth mobility while speaking in New York, although he maintained that there are no immediate plans for a specific scheme to facilitate working holidays for under-30s in Europe. He remarked on the significance of his upcoming meeting with von der Leyen, indicating a potential shift toward fostering constructive relations between the UK and EU.
The discussions are expected to explore a range of collaborative initiatives, including work programs related to defense, security, and a potential veterinary agreement, as part of a broader effort to reset UK-EU relations. The UK and EU aim to work together over the next six months to delineate both short-term and long-term negotiation pathways, culminating in an anticipated EU-UK summit in spring next year.
The previous focus of reviving post-Brexit opportunities for young people has centered around an EU proposal for a youth mobility scheme launched in April, which would permit young adults to study or work abroad for a specified period. However, the discussion surrounding the Erasmus programme, once pivotal for thousands of British students seeking education in Europe, has remained low-key.
Before Brexit, approximately 15,000 British students participated in the Erasmus exchange program annually, while the UK saw nearly double that number of EU students enrolling in its universities. Data from 2020 indicate that 17,795 EU students came to the UK during the 2018-2019 academic year compared to 9,908 British students studying in the EU. This disparity illustrates the significant impact of the loss of EU students on British higher education.
Stern suggested revisiting the correction mechanism that was part of the deal negotiated by Lord Frost in 2019, which allowed the UK to recover funds spent on the Horizon science programme to ensure a more balanced participation.
In light of these challenges, the Turing scheme, which is the UK's replacement for Erasmus, is expected to engage about 23,000 students this year. Unlike Erasmus, which facilitates longer exchanges of two to twelve months, the Turing program focuses on shorter four-week placements, allowing for summer schooling and vocational experiences that might broaden accessibility for disadvantaged students.
Stern emphasized the importance of maintaining a balanced approach in discussions about student mobility and exchange programs, signaling that while universities have substantial stakes in these conversations, they do not want to be perceived as a bargaining chip in the broader political discourse.
While the re-establishment of connections with Europe remains a priority, there is a collective understanding among university leaders to observe and adapt to the evolving political landscape rather than pushing aggressively at this moment. Universities UK hopes to open dialogue in a constructive manner, highlighting the significance of youth and educational exchanges as essential components of the future UK-EU relationship.
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