Brexit Guide for Eu Students After Brexit
Find out UK Universities Minister’s Latest Announcement about Student Fees, Support and Visa for EU Students After Brexit
On 31 December 2020, the UK will come to the end of the transition period, which started on 31 January 2020 when the UK officially left the European Union.
Much of the uncertainty produced by the Brexit referendum in 2017 has continued during the transition period, increasing the confusion among EU and EEA students willing to study in the UK in 2020 and beyond.
UK Universities minister Michelle Donelan finally made an announcement on 30 October 2020 and confirmed new regulations for Higher Education.
In this article, find out more about student fees, Student Finance support and new requirements for EU students after Brexit as announced by the UK Universities minister.
Student fees for EU students after Brexit
As stated by the UK Universities minister, EU student fees as well, as eligibility for Student Finance tuition and maintenance loans will depend upon a few factors such as when they arrived in the UK and the course start date.
Student fees for the Academic year 2020/21
Student fees for EU and EEA students starting a course between September 2020 and July 2021, can be categorised as:
- Students arrived in the UK before 31 December 2020: student fees will stay unchanged. These students will be charged the same fees as home students.
- Students arriving in the UK after 31 December 2020: They are still eligible for home fees and tuition fee loans, but they will need to apply for a student visa and NHS surcharge.
Student fees for the Academic year 2021/22
On the other hand, students fees for EU and EEA citizens starting a course between September 2021 and July 2022, are divided into the following main categories:
- Students who arrived in the UK before 31 December 2020: are eligible for home student fees and student loans for the academic year 2021/22 and onwards.
- Students arriving in the UK after 31 December 2020: They won’t be eligible for home fees and student loans from the government. Therefore, these students will need to pay International fees but will still be able to study in the UK when applying for a student visa.
Do I need pre-settled status?
EU Citizens living in the UK or arriving in the UK before 31 December 2020 are eligible to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme before 30 June 2021.
Whether a student applies for a pre-settled status or a settled status (if living in the UK for over 5 years), application for the Settlement Scheme will allow EU students to:
- be eligible for home fees and Student Finance loans
- apply for University courses in the UK even after the end of the transition period
- remain in the UK after the end of their studies
Students failing to apply for pre-settled status before 30 June 2021, will have to apply for a working visa to remain in the UK after the completion of their studies.
Do I need a student visa?
Any EU citizen arriving in the UK after 31 December 2020 must apply for a student visa. This is true for students enrolling in study courses in 2021/22 as well, as those starting in the academic year 2020/21.
This will allow students to study an academic course for more than 6 months and remain in the UK for the duration of their studies. Click here to find out more information or to directly apply for a Student visa.
Can I remain in the UK after graduation?
Students with pre-settled status are allowed to remain in the UK after the end of their studies.
After 5 years in the UK, EU citizens with pre-settled status are eligible for settled status and therefore, have the right for permanent residence in the UK and can also apply for British citizenship.
EU citizens arriving in the UK after 31 December 2020, who applied for a student visa, can live in the UK until the end of their studies. If wishing to remain in the country, they will need to apply for the graduate route, which will enable graduates to extend their visas.
Conclusion
As confirmed by the latest announcement, Brexit will have several implications for EU and EEA students.
On one hand, there won’t be particular changes for those living in the UK before the end of the Brexit transition period if applying for pre-settled status.
On the other hand, EU citizens arriving in the UK in 2021 may want to hurry up and apply for a University course starting before the end of July 2021. In this way, they will need to apply for a student visa but they will still be eligible for home student fees and Student Finance support.
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