Status of EU/EEA students attending UK universities after Brexit

Subject: Status of EU/EEA students attending UK universities after Brexit

As we know, after Brexit there will be no change to the tuition fee status of EU/EEA students currently attending UK universities or those applying for courses starting in 2018–19. The fees that EU/EEA students are required to pay after the UK has formally left the EU (i.e. from the 2019-2020 academic year onwards) will depend on what is agreed as part of the UK’s exit negotiations. Recently, the Scottish Government extended its pledge of free university tuition for European Union students to the cohort arriving in 2019-2020, covering the period immediately after the UK’s exit from the bloc. This announcement gives some clarity and assurance to universities in Scotland, but most importantly demonstrates to EU students that they continue to have full residency rights and to be welcome in Scotland. Unfortunately, there is no such clarity about the implications for EU students during the post- Brexit transition period in England, Northern Ireland and Wales.

1) What implications will Brexit have for EU students who are studying in England, Northern Ireland and Wales in terms of fees, loans and access to medical services?

2) Will they have access to European research networks and funding, or student and staff mobility programmes after Brexit?