Government confirms funding for EU students for 2018-2019 despite Brexit

Emma Finamore
30 May 2017

The decision means EU students applying for a course at an English university or further education institution in the 2018-2019 academic year will continue to have access to student loans and grants, even if the course concludes after the UK’s exit from the EU.

Placeholder — The migration status of EU nationals in the UK is being discussed as part of wider discussions with the EU.

EU students applying for university places in the 2018-2019 academic year will remain eligible for financial support.

The government has confirmed that EU students will continue to remain eligible for undergraduate, master’s, postgraduate and advanced learner financial support in academic year 2018 to 2019.

The decision means EU students applying for an undergraduate or master’s course at an English university or further education institution in the 2018 to 2019 academic year will continue to have access to student loans and grants, even if the course concludes after the UK’s exit from the EU.

EU students are eligible for home fee status, which means they are charged the same tuition fees as UK students. Other non-EU, international students do not have their tuition fees capped in this way.

EU nationals will also remain eligible to apply for Research Council PhD studentships at UK institutions for 2018-2019 to help cover costs for the duration of their study.

Universities and Science Minister Jo Johnson said: “We have been clear about our commitment to the UK’s world-class higher education sector. Through our modern industrial strategy and the additional £4.7 billion committed for research and innovation over the next five years, we are ensuring the UK has the skills and environment it needs to continue leading the way in academia and research.

“A key part of our success is attracting talent from across the globe. This will provide reassurance to the brightest minds from across Europe to continue applying to study in the UK, safe in the knowledge financial assistance is available if needed.”

Student loans and grants: funding rules for EU nationals, or their family members, who are applying for a place at university from August 2018 to study a course that attracts student support will remain unchanged.

Under current student finance rules, EU students are eligible to receive undergraduate tuition fee loans and master’s loans if they have resided in the European Economic Area for at least three years prior to study. EU nationals who have resided in the UK for over five years are also able to apply for undergraduate maintenance support.

Research Council studentships: EU nationals are eligible for a fees-only award. EU nationals who have been resident in the UK for three years prior to the studentship may be eligible for both a fees award and a stipend to help cover the cost of their training.

The migration status of EU nationals in the UK is being discussed as part of wider discussions with the EU. The Prime Minister was clear in her letter to the President of the European Council that that we should seek an early agreement on the rights of UK nationals in the EU and EU nationals in the UK, on a reciprocal basis.

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