Universities UK, an advocacy organisation for universities across the country, has launched a national campaign urging the UK government to ensure that funding for studying abroad will continue even if the UK cannot negotiate continued participation in the Erasmus+ programme as a result of Brexit.
#SupportStudyAbroad has been launched in response to the uncertain future of the UK’s membership of the Erasmus+ programme in the event of a no-deal Brexit. On 28th of January, The Department for Education published a notice of guidance outlining the plans for the UK’s anticipated participation in the current Erasmus+ programme and the European Solidarity Corps in the event of a no deal Brexit.
The government has declared it would like to continue involvement in the Erasmus+ programme, nevertheless, if it cannot negotiate continued membership, students in the UK are left with no national alternative to enable their studies abroad. It is estimated that without continued funding, 17,000 UK students will be denied the opportunities to study abroad next year.
Alistair Jarvis, Universities UK Chief Executive, said: “The benefits of study abroad are well documented. Not only does study abroad have clear employability benefits for students, it helps them to develop the language, communication and intercultural skills that will be so essential to building a truly global Britain.”
“An investment in international experience for our students now is an investment in the future of our economy. Without the international opportunities offered through schemes like Erasmus, the UK’s workforce will not be equipped to meet the changing needs of the economy post-Brexit.”
“In the case of a no-deal Brexit, I strongly urge the government to commit to continue funding study abroad opportunities for UK students, even if the UK cannot negotiate continued participation in Erasmus+ programme.”
Scott Morgan, a third-year student from Solent University said, “It’s a bit sad that options could become restricted, since not enough people seem to do it in the first place. Studying a year abroad has a rather maturing experience; getting to grips with international travel, being so far away from home, and adapting to a new culture all come with their own challenges, but after breaking those ‘barriers’ it has been very fun and very enriching to be in Canada.”
“Being given an opportunity to live in another country for a year is not something that comes about often, and so denying UK students from being able to experience this would be an overwhelmingly negative thing.”
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