The Centre of European Law was delighted to host this important meeting. Ever since we were founded in 1974 we have been receiving students from the European Union Member States at all levels of study, including on our Diploma programmes. Our partnerships with EU law schools on research and teaching have been strong over the years, including after Brexit, and we are excited to welcome new opportunities following the reassociation with Erasmus+
Professor Oana Stefan, Chair of European Law and Director of the Centre of European Law
18 March 2026
King's welcomes delegation from EU Parliament Committee to discuss the UK's reassociation to Erasmus+
On Monday 16 February, delegates from the EU Parliament’s Committee on Culture and Education convened a roundtable of key stakeholders at King’s to discuss the UK’s reassociation to the Erasmus+ programme.
The visit followed the announcement from the UK Government and the European Union in December 2025 that the UK will reassociate with Erasmus+ from 2027. The UK was previously associated with the programme during its time as a member state of the European Union, with its formal participation ending at the end of the Brexit transition period in December 2020.
The Centre of European Law welcomed Laurence Farreng MEP, Loucas Fourlas MEP, Hannes Heide MEP, Annamária Vicsek MEP, and Ivalyo Valchev MEP from the Committee on Culture and Education, in addition to Sandro Gozi MEP, Chair of the Delegation to the EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly.
Professor 'Funmi Olonisakin, Vice President (International, Engagement and Service), Professor Oana Stefan, Chair of European Law and Director of the Centre of European Law and Tom Atterson, Associate Director, Global Mobility participated on behalf of King’s.
The roundtable also brought together key stakeholders:
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Professor Amelia Hadfield, Regional Policy Lead, Universities UK International
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Emma Meredith, Director of Skills Policy and Global Engagement, Association of Colleges
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Leigh Middleton, Chief Executive Officer, National Youth Agency
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Jude Waites, Western European Platform Regional Coordinator, Erasmus Student Network
All the participants welcomed the UK’s reassociation in 2027 and highlighted the advantages of the programme compared to similar around the world. It was noted that Erasmus has seen positive developments, including more opportunities for young people and sports.
It was a pleasure to be part of such a full and frank conversation. The merits and opportunities of Erasmus+ reassociation for King’s specifically – and the UK more widely – were considered from multiple angles, but the roundtable also addressed some of the concerns different sectors have with important elements such as inclusion and access. I predominantly get to talk about Erasmus+ and mobility with King’s staff, academic and professional services, as well as colleagues at partner universities around the world, so to hear how it was described and endorsed by MEPs in the context of the UK’s ever-evolving relationship with the EU was particularly enlightening. It was equally sobering having expert input from the National Youth Agency and Association of Colleges – as well as the Erasmus Student Network, which I hope has a future at King’s – on a subject close to my heart. The single resounding matter that came up for me was the need to look beyond just 2027 reassociation, and push for involvement in the next Erasmus+ programme, 2028-2034, which is expected to have a budget in excess of €40 billion.
Tom Atterson, Associate Director (Global Mobility)
Find a selection of photos from the roundtable below. You can read the press release summarising the delegation’s trip on their website.
