Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the financial and administrative barriers faced by UK modern languages students required to undertake a year abroad as part of their degree, including the costs and delays associated with obtaining student visas for EU countries; what assessment she has made of the potential impact of those barriers on students from lower-income backgrounds; and whether she has had discussions with universities and relevant European governments on reducing visa costs, simplifying application processes and improving support for students undertaking compulsory periods of study abroad.

The government is committed to supporting the study of modern foreign languages.

The UK has taken the positive step to join Erasmus+ in 2027. This will increase opportunities for students to study, train and undertake work placements abroad, enabling more young people to gain valuable international experience and develop their language skills.

Erasmus+ also includes measures to make international mobility more accessible, providing additional funding and practical support to help people with fewer opportunities take part, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The British Council, which is set to become the National Agency for Erasmus+, will be able to provide practical support to students wishing to take part, along with the participating university.