Students in north can still access Erasmus European Union programme via Irish government

Erasmus ensures third level students can study or do work placements in another EU state with all fees covered.

Deputy Richmond said: “When the UK left the EU, they lost access to the Erasmus programme through which thousands of students travel throughout the EU. Unfortunately, the British Government refused the opportunity to continue to participate, despite it being offered the opportunity to by the EU.”

Dep. Richmond said Minister Simon Harris has confirmed that students in NI will be given access to the Erasmus programme through the Irish Government and that this will be in place for the 2021/2022 academic year.

He added: “With 649 students from NI participating in Erasmus in the 2019/2020, this move will benefit many and also showcase the effective all island approach to higher education. Work is also underway by Minister Harris to extend this initiative to Further Education students. By extending access to Erasmus to student in NI, we are showing our solidarity with all students on this island and upholding the rights of Northern Irish residents to citizenship of both the EU, Ireland and the UK. The Irish Government promised they would never leave Irish citizens of the North behind again; this is further evidence of this.”

All NI students, regardless of citizenship, can access Erasmus by temporarily registering with Irish higher education institutions.