Students from the European Union wishing to study in Britain from the 2021 academic year will have to pay higher fees because of Brexit, the UK government has confirmed. “Following our decision to leave the EU, EU, other EEA [European Economic Area] and Swiss nationals will no longer be eligible for home fee status, undergraduate, postgraduate and advanced learner financial support from Student Finance England for courses starting in academic year 2021/22,” universities minister Michelle Donelan said in a written statement to parliament on Tuesday.
Until now, EU students shared the same status as their British counterparts and as such paid the same fees. They could also access UK government loans to pay those fees. Currently, British and EU nationals pay fees of up to £9,250 (€10,210) per year for an undergraduate degree. The fees for international students vary from between £10,000 (€11,040) and £38,000 (€41,945) depending on the university and the degree.
In her statement, Donelan said Irish nationals are exempted from the change as are EU, EEA and Swiss nationals already in the UK or those who start their university education in the 2020/2021 academic year because of protection offered by the Withdrawal Agreement. The UK officially exited the EU on January 31 but entered into a transition period until the end of December during which citizens’ rights are unchanged.
Universities UK, which represents 137 higher education institutions across Great Britain, said “universities would have preferred the certainty of current arrangements for EU students in England being extended for those starting courses in 2021/2022”. “Overseas students — from the EU and beyond — should be able to study in the UK with minimal barriers. International students enhance the educational environment in our universities, benefitting all students, and are an integral part of our society and culture,” it added.
Source: Euro News
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