The United Kingdom is set to rejoin the European Union's Erasmus program in 2027, following its Brexit departure in 2021, a joint UK-EU statement confirmed on Wednesday.

The exchange program has long been popular among university students, allowing them to study for a semester or year abroad in another European country.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer had pledged to rejoin the program as part of his government's reset deal with Brussels.

Some 9 million people have participated in the Erasmus scheme since its launch in 1987. It is credited for having created a generation of pro-EU Brits.

Why did the UK leave the Erasmus program?

"The UK has successfully agreed terms to join the Erasmus+ programme in 2027, widening opportunities for young people from all backgrounds, learners, educational, youth and sport staff to study and train abroad," a UK government statement said.

Erasmus+ would allow people in further education and apprenticeships to also take advantage of the arrangement.

The UK government said some 100,000 people could benefit in just the first year.

It added that the cost for the UK would be around 570 million pounds (€650 million, $760 million).

Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who presided over the finalization of Brexit at the beginning of 2021, had rejected the option of staying in the Erasmus program, saying the costs were too high.

UK and EU welcome return to Erasmus scheme

The UK's EU Relations Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds said the deal to return marked a "huge win for our young people."

"This is about more than just travel: it's about future skills, academic success, and giving the next generation access to the best possible opportunities," he added.

EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic also welcomed the agreement as a "big step forward" for UK ties. The EU would like the two sides to go further, allowing for 18-to-30-year-olds to study and work in the UK and EU.

UK universities also expressed "delight" at the news.

"With an even greater scope than previous programs, Erasmus+ opens up fantastic opportunities for students, adult learners and young people to all benefit from new experiences and learning," Tim Bradshaw, head of the Russel Group of leading UK universities, said.

"It will also renew the huge contributions that EU students and staff make to life on our university campuses," he added.

Edited by: Elizabeth Schumacher