Exclusive: University plans for Erasmus students’ return

URY News has learned that the University of York has asked departments taking part in the Erasmus exchange programme to prepare contingency plans for a possible situation where there is no Brexit deal, and some outgoing Erasmus students may have to return to York. If funding for the Erasmus programme stops, European universities may end their participation in these exchanges, leading to uncertainty for students abroad.

While the Centre for Global Programmes is working to mitigate this risk by establishing bilateral exchange agreements with Erasmus partner universities, these are not yet in place for all students affected, and we are now only two weeks away from the 31st October, when the UK is scheduled to leave the EU.

If students return immediately after the 31st, they would be able to be what was described as ‘folded back into’ their year at York, as they will have missed under 4 weeks of teaching, however if this takes longer, the university or departments may have to request special dispensation for students to return and avoid a Leave of Absence, and this is not guaranteed, which could force students to take a full year out of university.

The University of York will enable any Erasmus students currently at the university to continue in York, although at least one person involved in this planning believes there is a possibility that some students will be asked by their home universities to return in a scenario where the programme has broken down.

This worst-case scenario is seen by departments and the university as unlikely, and the UK government has offered to fund the programme for this academic year. However, it could be concerning to students, both on exchange abroad and in York, that it is a possible scenario being planned for by departments, and with only two weeks to a possible Brexit, they have no certainty over their studying arrangements for the next year.

A spokesperson for the university responded to our report saying: “We are looking at many possible scenarios for contingency planning across the university. The Centre for Global Programmes is working to minimise this risk by establishing replacement bilateral exchange agreements with European partner universities so that students can continue their studies at our partner institutions, and receive financial support through the government or university. Should this not be possible, the university will do its best to accommodate the students’ return.

There is no intention to change the status of any student who is on campus. We recognise the uncertainty around Brexit in a wide range of areas, including Erasmus+ and we are working with departments and students to provide as much support and guidance as possible. We will continue to lobby directly and through the Russell Group and Universities UK for as favourable as possible a level of future access to EU funding schemes for research and student and staff mobility.

We continue to provide information on the EU advice pages on the University website, including on travel to and from the EU should we leave the EU on 31 October. We will update these pages as and when new information is available.

We support the Universities UK #SupportStudyAbroad campaign which calls for the UK government to commit to continue funding study abroad opportunities for UK students, even if the UK cannot negotiate continued participation in Erasmus+ programme.”