Which French universities participate in the Erasmus programme?

The UK will officially join the Erasmus programme in 2027, following talks between the UK and the EU. This means that students at most major British universities will be able to study at European universities - and vice versa - without additional fees for the academic year 2027-2028, with British participation in subsequent years being negotiated too.

The Erasmus programme (also known as Erasmus + since 2014) is a scheme that funds educational, and sometimes sports and training, exchanges between European countries. It was created in 1987, and is open to university and vocational students, apprentices and staff. Schools can also apply for funding. Exchanges can happen at an individual level or for entire classes. For more details on how funding works, check out the UK government website.

Currently all 27 countries in the European Union take part in the scheme, plus Iceland, Norway, Serbia, Turkey, North Macedonia and Liechtenstein. Other countries around the world, such as Japan, Canada and the USA, are able to participate in certain Erasmus + projects, though not always as full members.

The UK left the Erasmus programme in 2020, as the country left the European Union.

The Erasmus Programme is a fantastic way for students in non-francophone countries to immerse themselves in a French-speaking environment and put their French skills into practice alongside their studies. Most major French universities participate in the scheme, including:

• PSL University
• Paris-Saclay University
• Sorbonne University
• Paris Cité University
• Aix-Marseille University
• Grenoble Alpes University
• University of Strasbourg
• University of Montpellier
• University of Bordeaux
• University of Lorraine
• University of Lille

Other French-language universities in Erasmus include:

Belgium

• University of Liège
• Université catholique de Louvain
• Université libre de Bruxelles

Switzerland

• University of Bern
• University of Neuchâtel
• University of Geneva
• University of Lausanne

While Switzerland is not in the Erasmus Programme, Erasmus students can study at Swiss universities as part of the Swiss-European Mobility Programme (SEMP).

Some of these universities, such as Université libre de Bruxelles and the University of Geneva, offer certain courses in English. However it’s still recommended that exchange students have a strong knowledge of French to be able to get around more easily and converse with other students.

That said, even if your French isn't perfect, joining an exchange programme is one of the best ways to fully immerse yourself in a francophone environment and get used to speaking and listening to French.