I just received an email from the administrator of the Erasmus programme at a major university in France. Over many years, this institution has built up exchanges with top tier universities in Britain. Students from the French university swap places with their British counterparts, allowing them to learn or perfect each others’ languages and increase their opportunities to build their future.
This year, the future of that programme is unclear.
The forwarded email announces, with great sadness, that Brexit has thrown its future into uncertainty. Students currently applying for exchanges that would start in September do not know whether they will receive the usual grant, which is enough to cover travel and some rent costs. This puts the exchange out of reach of many. It means some will have to cancel their applications now, irrespective of how Brexit is ultimately resolved. And when it comes to UK universities, the future of the agreement under which students pay only the fees of their home university is uncertain.
The fact I might not get a Erasmus Grant (which adjusts for the cost of living) to study at @CBScph is so disheartening. This does not only affect me but for all students across the uk who plan to study in Europe and this is why we need to #SupportStudyAbroad post Brexit
— Cuin (@CuinlanMD) February 7, 2019
Erasmus exchanges are being shifted out of Derry into Letterkenny and Donegal as a result:
Naomi. I have hosted over 500+ Erasmus (Leonardo Da Vinci Prog before that) in Derry for over 20 yrs. My University/School partners were advised this by their National Agencies last year and last month. Its very sad. Shifting as many as possible to Letterkenny Donegal.
— John Mc Gowan (@johnfmcgowan) February 22, 2019
If there is a No Deal Brexit, that funding will certainly be lost; if a deal is reached in the nick of time, it’s uncertain what will happen — funding for exchange students is just one tiny detail in a vortex of Brexit unknowns.
I'm a university lecturer at a campus with a huge number of EU students. All here on erasmus. I am genuinly concerned over the health and viability of my uni following #Brexit
— Dr Mark D'Arcy (@markoftheD) February 22, 2019
https://twitter.com/cregbongreft1/status/1097557733673443329
The EU is proposing a special regulation to ensure that in the case of a No Deal Brexit, students who have already begun programmes can finish them without disruption. But the links between university students in the UK and across the rest of Europe are already being severed.
So, my son just warned by university that he won't get his #Erasmus grant for his year abroad – the reason he chose too study his course – if #NoDeal #Brexit Because UK Government won't underright: 'current applicants will not receive' funding'.
— Andrew Williams (@AWilliamswriter) February 8, 2019
Students in other situations face even greater uncertainty: British students at Dutch universities have been warned of astronomic fee hikes, depending on their situation. Students moving between Ireland and the UK have certainty for the coming academic year, but face the same currency and border risks that face all of us.
Irish journalist and host of The Irish Passport podcast on Irish culture, history and politics.