Eu Students: University Fees And Their Payment Obligations

The UK's exit from the European Union has resulted in changes to the tuition fees that EU students pay to study in the UK. EU students now pay the same fees as international students, which can be two to four times higher than the fees paid by UK students. This has led to concerns about a potential drop in the number of EU students choosing to study in the UK. However, there are some exceptions to the fee changes, such as for EU nationals with settled status in the UK, who may still be eligible for 'home fee status'. Universities in the UK also offer scholarships and bursaries to help EU students with their financial needs.

EU students charged the same fees as non-EU international students

Since the 2021/22 academic year, EU students have been charged the same fees as non-EU international students in the UK. This is due to the loss of their home fee status following Brexit. The UK Student Finance system is also no longer accessible to EU students to help pay for their tuition.

However, there are exceptions for EU students with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme who started their course in 2021/22 or later. If they have lived in the UK for three years prior to starting their course, they are generally eligible for home fee status, tuition fee loans, and maintenance loans.

EU students who started their degree in the 2020/21 academic year or earlier also qualify for home fee status and will continue to do so until the end of their degree. This includes EU nationals with (pre-)settled status who have lived in the UK for more than three years before starting their course.

While universities in the UK can set their own fees for EU students, most charge the same fees as other international students, which are typically much higher than home student fees.

The change in fee status for EU students has caused concern among higher education leaders and opposition parties, who worry that it will deter EU students from studying in the UK and negatively impact the ability of English universities to recruit the best students from the EU.

EU students no longer have access to UK Student Finance

EU students have had their access to UK student finance affected by Brexit. Since the 2021/22 academic year, EU students have lost their home fee status and are now charged the same fees as other non-EU international students. They also no longer have access to the UK Student Finance system.

However, there are some exceptions to this. EU students with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme can still be considered as home students and are eligible for the same funding as UK students, including Tuition and Maintenance Loans. This is provided that they have been living in the UK for at least three years prior to the start of their course. Irish citizens living in the UK or the Republic of Ireland may also be eligible for home fee status and a Tuition Fee Loan if they meet the necessary criteria.

Universities in the UK do not have standardised tuition fees for overseas students. EU-resident students are no longer eligible for home fee status, but some universities are offering extra support to help with the transition to overseas fees. This includes EU fees or EU scholarships for students starting a course in 2023/24.

EU students can get a government-funded student loan

To be eligible for a UK student loan as an EU student, you must meet the following criteria:

• You must have started your course in the 2020/21 academic year or earlier.
• You must be an EU national or the family member of an EU national.
• You must have been living permanently in the EEA or Switzerland for at least three years before the start of your course.
• You must be studying an eligible course.

If you are an EU national with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may be considered a home student. This means you will be eligible for the same funding as UK students, including both tuition and maintenance loans.

It is important to note that the financial support for EU students in the UK changed following Brexit. Since the 2021/22 academic year, EU students no longer have home fee status and are charged the same higher fees as other non-EU international students. They also lost access to the UK Student Finance system.

However, there are exceptions for EU students who were already living in the UK and registered with the EU Settlement Scheme before this change. These students can generally qualify for home fee status, tuition fee loans, and maintenance loans.

In Scotland, the Student Finance system is slightly different. EU students (from outside the UK) who started their course in 2020/21 or earlier qualify for home fee status, meaning they do not pay any tuition fees at all, not even as a loan. The full amount is covered by the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for first degrees and PGDE courses.

Additionally, EU students can also explore other options for financial assistance, such as scholarships and bursaries, which are offered by organisations, individual universities, or companies.

For EU students interested in studying in any country in Europe, including the UK and Switzerland, the FINS loan scheme is available. This scheme is supported by the European Union and the European Investment Fund and offers loans of up to €25,000 for undergraduate and postgraduate studies.

EU students can apply for a tuition fee loan and maintenance loan

EU students who started their degree in the 2020/21 academic year or earlier can get a government-funded student loan to cover the cost of their tuition fees while studying at a university in the UK. This is paid directly to the university and paid back in instalments after graduation.

To be eligible for a student loan as an EU student, you must meet the following criteria:

• You must have started your course in the 2020/21 academic year or earlier.
• You must be an EU national or the family member of an EU national.
• You must have been living permanently in the EEA or Switzerland for at least three years before the start of your course.
• You must be studying an eligible course.

If you are an EU student with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may be considered a home student. This means you will be eligible for the same funding as UK students, including tuition and maintenance loans.

Maintenance loans are available to help with living costs such as rent and food during your studies. This loan is paid directly to the student's bank account in three instalments throughout the year. The average maintenance loan is around £6,800 per year, with a maximum of £13,022 per year.

It is important to note that since the 2021/22 academic year, EU students no longer have home fee status and are charged the same higher fees as other non-EU international students. They also no longer have access to the UK Student Finance system. However, if you have pre-settled or settled status and started your course in 2021/22 or later, you will generally be eligible for home fee status, tuition fee loans, and maintenance loans.

EU students can apply for scholarships and bursaries

Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees

The Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree is an international study programme delivered by a consortium of higher education institutions. These scholarships cover the cost of participation in the programme, travel, and provide a living allowance.

Erasmus+ Programme

Through the Erasmus+ programme, international students can study in one of 33 European countries for between 3 and 12 months as part of their study programme. Erasmus+ students do not have to pay tuition fees for their time abroad and may also be eligible for a grant contributing to living costs and travel expenses.

University Scholarships and Bursaries

Universities offer scholarships and bursaries to attract students from overseas and to help with the substantial cost of moving far from home to study. Scholarships are the most common form of funding available for EU and international students, with students usually applying on the basis of academic ability or potential, or talent in another area such as sports or music.

Academic, Merit, and Excellence Scholarships

These scholarships are awarded to students with a strong academic background, including achieving strong grades in their school exams. International students at one university may automatically receive an international merit scholarship worth between £1,000 and £2,000 if they get CCC or above (or the equivalent).

Subject-Specific Scholarships

These scholarships are similar to academic scholarships but are for students studying a specific course or subject. They are usually administered by the relevant school or department at a university and may be donated by an external organisation or in memory of a former professor.

Performance-Based Scholarships

Performance-based scholarships are awarded to those with exceptional ability in an extracurricular activity, such as sports, music, or performing arts like dance or drama. While these scholarships might reduce tuition fees or contribute towards general living costs, they are often created with the purpose of helping students develop their skill or talent.

Equal Access or Sanctuary Scholarships

Equal access or sanctuary scholarships are available for refugees and asylum seekers who have fled persecution in their home country. This can take the form of a tuition fee reduction or waiver, or a maintenance award.

Disability Scholarships

Disability scholarships support international disabled students, including those with physical impairments, long-term health conditions, learning differences, and mental health conditions. These scholarships may contribute towards any extra costs incurred because of the student's condition or impairment.

Bursaries

Bursaries are one-off payments based on students' personal circumstances, such as coming from a low-income household or experiencing some other form of disadvantage.

Frequently asked questions