Erasmus+ Student Visa Rules: What UK Universities Need to Know

New Erasmus+ student visa rules took effect in the UK on 8 October 2026. They come from the Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules HC 584, laid before Parliament on 3 September 2026. The changes adjust the Student route so that UK sponsors taking part in Erasmus+ can host participants on courses that would not otherwise qualify.

This matters most to universities, colleges and schools that hold a student sponsor licence and plan to take part in Erasmus+ when the UK's association begins in 2027. Below is a plain summary of what the rules now say, and what they do not.

Why the Erasmus+ student visa rules have changed

In April 2026, the European Union and the UK took the formal step enabling the UK to associate to Erasmus+ in 2027. The European Commission says UK organisations will be able to apply to take part in any kind of Erasmus+ project funded in 2027. Opportunities for individual learners and staff are expected from the second half of 2027 at the earliest, once selected projects begin.

Until now, some Erasmus+ activity did not fit the Student route. The Student route usually requires a course to lead to an approved qualification. The Home Office's explanatory memorandum notes that Erasmus+ programmes "do not always lead to an approved qualification". The new rules close that gap.

What changed on 8 October 2026

Each change below applies only when two conditions are met: the student is an Erasmus+ participant, and the sponsor is taking part in the Erasmus+ programme.

• Courses without an approved qualification. A participating sponsor can now sponsor an Erasmus+ student on a course that does not lead to an approved qualification.
• Lower course levels. Erasmus+ participants can study at Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) level 2 or above in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, or at Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) level 5 or above in Scotland. RQF and SCQF are the official scales used to compare qualification levels.
• Work placements from the start. Erasmus+ courses with work placements are exempt from the probationary sponsor restriction and from the approved qualification requirement. A probationary sponsor holds a more limited form of student sponsor licence, which carries extra restrictions.
• Longer placements. Erasmus+ participants are exempt from the usual limits on how much of a course can be a work placement.
• State-funded schools and academies. Where a state-funded school or academy holds a sponsor licence, it can now host Student or Child Student visa holders on an Erasmus+ programme. Appendix Child Student has been amended to match.

What has not changed

Outside these Erasmus+ exemptions, the other Student route requirements still apply. The same statement also raises the Student maintenance requirement from 30 November 2026, to £1,570 a month in London and £1,203 a month elsewhere. This is the amount of money a student must show for living costs.

The explanatory memorandum lists no changes to the Graduate route or to English language requirements in this statement. Sponsors should read the full rules and the current Student and Child Student caseworker guidance on GOV.UK, rather than rely on a summary.

What UK universities and sponsors can do now

• Read the source documents. Review HC 584 and its explanatory memorandum with your compliance and admissions teams.
• Check your Erasmus+ plans. The European Commission expected the 2027 Call for Proposals in autumn 2026. Decide whether, and how, your institution will take part.
• Update internal checks. Make sure course-approval and CAS processes can flag Erasmus+ courses. A CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) is the reference number a licensed sponsor issues for a Student visa application.
• Confirm your licence status. You can see which institutions hold a student sponsor licence on the register of licensed sponsors.

Students with questions about their own visa should check GOV.UK or speak to a regulated adviser. EduQuantica does not give immigration advice. UK Student visa applications for our students are handled by our partner, Internations Legal LLP, a solicitor firm regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

Working with EduQuantica

EduQuantica is a London-based admissions agency. We are UCAS registered, a British Council certified agent and ICEF accredited, and we support students applying to study in the UK from Africa, South Asia, the Middle East and beyond. If your university or college is preparing for its next international intake, we would welcome a conversation. Find out how to partner with EduQuantica, or Book a free 30-minute consultation.