Information for EU students

We know that EU, EEA and Swiss students who want to study in the UK in future may be concerned about issues such as fees and immigration.

This page contains the latest information and we will continue to update it regularly. 

Starting a course in 2021/22

Tuition fees

Following the UK's decision to withdraw from the European Union, the UK Government has confirmed that EU students, will no longer have access to financial support such as student loans from Student Finance England. As a result of this EU students starting a course from the academic year 2021/22 onwards will be charged fees at the international tuition fee rate.

This tuition fee change doesn’t affect EU, EEA and Swiss nationals benefiting from UK citizens’ rights under the respective withdrawal agreements. It also does not apply to Irish nationals living in the UK or Ireland, whose right to study and to access benefits and services will remain. Apply to the EU Settlement Scheme (settled and pre-settled status.

Visas and immigration

From 1 January 2021 all EU and EEA students arriving in the UK will need to apply for a student visa under a new immigration system. For more information about visas and immigration visit the Gov.uk website.

This information doesn't apply to Irish citizens: you will have the right to enter and live in the UK under Common Travel Area Arrangements.

The British Council has provided guidance regarding visas for EU students from 1 January 2021.

Staying in the UK after graduation

If you arrived in the UK before 1 January 2021, you will be able to apply for pre-settled or settled status. It's free, and you have until 30 June 2021 to apply. This allows you to stay in the UK.

The UK is also introducing a new Graduate Route. This will let all international students (including EU students) stay in the UK for two years after finishing a degree course (three years after completing a PhD) to work or look for work.

The Graduate Route will be available from summer 2021.