The Wonkhe Show Erasmus+, student loans, Rhineland study tour
Jan 8, 2026
Abi Taylor, President of Durham Students' Union, Gary Hughes, CEO of Durham SU, and Mack Marshall, Wonkhe's Community and Policy Officer, dive into the exciting return of the UK to Erasmus+. They discuss the potential impacts on student mobility and equity concerns, highlighting how the program could favor wealthier students. The guests also explore the implications of a new bill on student loan payments, advocating for better financial support for students. Lastly, they share insights from their Rhineland study tour, emphasizing the importance of student engagement and learning from international peers.
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Erasmus+ Reassociation Is Only The Start
- Rejoining Erasmus+ isn't just a luxury; it can rebuild educational and research ties with Europe.
- Mack Marshall warns details like fee rules and credit transfer will determine whether benefits reach all students.
Funding Gap Risks Middle‑Class Capture
- European sector bodies argue current Erasmus funding plans will not cover inflation or growth.
- They call for much larger budgets to avoid the scheme becoming middle-class focused and inaccessible.
Mobility Can Slow Degrees — And Create Optics Risk
- Erasmus can slow down intense UK degrees by offering a lower‑stakes abroad semester that improves wellbeing and employability.
- But optics matter: large Erasmus spending while students face living-cost crises risks public backlash.