Post Brexit university life
The UK is leaving the European Union on 31st December 2020. What does post Brexit university mean for EU students studying in the UK?
For international students coming from outside the EU, Brexit has no impact whatsoever.
For European students coming from EU countries, Brexit will affect their studies in the UK. How, it does, we outline below. EU students cannot access UK student loans for studying in the UK from August 1st 2021. There are many nationalities where students can still access loans in their home country to help them study in the UK, for example, students from Sweden can use their CSN loan to study in the UK. This remains unchanged.
What will happen to UK post Brexit university tuition fees in the UK for EU students?
After Brexit university tuition fees will increase to international status from August 1st 2021. However, although not yet formally announced many universities we have spoken to are planning on offering scholarships to EU students to allow them to study in the UK at a similar tuition fee level to 2020.
Below are some key points on post Brexit university fees:
- EU students who start their degree in 2020, will not be affected at all, regarding tuition fee level for the duration of their degree, immigration status or access to UK student loans.
- EU students who start their degree in January 2021 or spring 2021, as long as they start before July 31st, their tuition fee status will remain unchanged and at home/EU level.
- After August 1st 2021, tuition fees will go up to international status.
Any starts from EU students in 2021 will require a visa. Please contact us and discuss this, as this process is quite straightforward.
To summarise:
We encourage EU students to get in touch with us and discuss options with us.
Post Brexit university student loans
After Brexit university loans no longer available to EU students starting after August 1st 2021. Before July 31st 2021, EU students can still access UK student loans. As we mentioned above, some student loans are in home countries and we can help you find universities that are offering scholarships to reduce your tuition fees.
There may well be other opportunities for EU students to access financial support for studying in the UK. Universities are working hard to ensure EU students can access discounted tuition fees after August 1st 2021.
What next?
EU students will always be welcome in the UK to study. We can help you navigate the changes and advise on all aspects of post Brexit university life including visa implications and finance. In 2020, the UK government introduced two year post-study work permits for international students, allowing them to stay and work for two years in the UK after their studies. This will apply to EU students after the Brexit transition. There are opportunities to remain in the UK after this time period as students can apply for a Tier 2 work visa. Eligibility to stay and work then depends on your salary level.
From a research perspective, the UK will still partner EU universities in collaborative university research projects. UK universities will remain at the forefront of global research excellence and this will continue post-Brexit.
Coronavirus update
Providing students with a brief update on Coronavirus and how it is effecting teaching from September 2020 at UK universities, 97 % of UK universities who participated in a survey stated that they will provide face-to-face teaching from September. 87 % will provide in-person social activities. Alistaij Jarvis the Chief Executive of Universities UK said “Universities across the UK are well advanced in their planning to welcome students this autumn and ensure they can benefit from a high quality, full and exciting university experience”. Coronavirus rates have fallen a lot across the UK and integrating hybrid teaching methods will ensure students get a great experience with in-person teaching whilst staying safe.
Finally if you are wondering how to apply to university in the UK we have just published this really useful infographic.
If you would like to find out more about post Brexit university life please don’t hesitate to contact us.
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