EU withdrawal guidance for students
We understand the UK's departure from the EU may cause some concern among our EU students, so we have put together this page to help address some of these concerns. Here, we answer your frequently asked questions and walk you through any steps you need to take before or after arriving to the UK.
Student finance
Are you a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland that started a course in 2020/21 or earlier? You will pay the same fees and be eligible for the same financial support that you received before the UK left the EU.
Since 1 August 2021, EU/EEA/Swiss students studying in England will lose 'home fee status', and will be subject to fees charged to international students. EU/EEA/Swiss students will no longer be able to access student loans from Student Finance England.
EU/EEA/Swiss students will also be subject to the UKs new points-based immigration system, which came into force on 1 January 2021.
There are two exceptions to these changes:
- Irish nationals resident in the UK or Republic of Ireland
- EU/EEA/Swiss nationals who have successfully applied to the EU Settlement Scheme (for 'settled' or 'pre-settled' status).
In both cases, these students will be eligible for 'home fee status' and to apply for student loans from Student Finance England.
There is more information on the UK Government website.
Travel to Europe
Travel to the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein changed on 1 January 2021.
Things you may need to do before you go include:
- check your passport
- get travel insurance that covers your healthcare
- check you have the right driving documents.
You may need a visa or permit to stay for longer in order to work or study. Check each country's travel advice page for information on how to get a visa or permit.
If you’re a UK national and wish to travel to the EU for a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period, you won’t require a visa.
Please note that the 90 day limit is accumulative and includes all types of travel (business and holiday) during the 180-day period within the Schengen Area. Exceptions to this are Bulgaria, Croatia. Cyprus, and Romania – which are all outside of the Schengen area – and who have their own 90-day limits.
The other exception is between the UK and Ireland, where there is free movement for UK and Irish citizens without restrictions.
Visit the UK Government website for more information on:
- UK nationals living in the EU, EEA, Switzerland and Ireland
- residency
- healthcare
- the Withdrawal Agreement.
EU Settlement Scheme
The EU Settlement Scheme provides EU/EEA/Swiss nationals with a secured immigration status so they can continue to live, work and study in the UK, after the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.
Please note that the deadline to apply under the EU Settlement Scheme for most cases has passed (30 June 2021). There are some exceptions, such as applications for children or to join family members. For further information on who can still apply, visit the UK Government website.
Erasmus+ and the Turing Scheme
Erasmus+ (2014-2020 programme)
The UK continues to remain fully eligible to participate in the current (2014-2020) Erasmus+ programme and European Solidarity Corps (ESC) programmes. Projects under these programmes will continue to receive EU funding for the full duration of the project. Further information is available on the European Commission website
Please note, since 1 January 2021, the UK's new immigration rules system came into force, and this will impact all EU/EEA/Swiss students travelling to the UK, with the exception of:
- Irish nationals resident in the UK or Republic of Ireland
- EU/EEA/Swiss nationals that have successfully applied under the EU Settlement Scheme. They will need to comply with the new provisions concerning any periods of study in the UK.
Turing Scheme
The UK Government decided not to associate with the new Erasmus programme (2021-2027). It is instead, introducing a new UK international mobility programme called the Turing Scheme.
The Turing Scheme is global programme that funds for international opportunities in education and training across the world. This funding allows organisations to provide students with the chance to develop new skills, gain vital international experience and boost their employability. The Turing Scheme is:
- international in coverage
- will support mobility for remaining Erasmus+ funding, but cannot be used to double fund mobilities
- will not provide financial support for inward mobility of international students to the UK
- will not support strategic partnerships (and similar types of projects supported under the Erasmus+ programme).
Coventry University has received £3m for the academic year 2022/23 to support international study abroad and work placements, which is managed by the Global Mobility team.
To keep up to date with the latest developments with the Turing Scheme, you can visit the UK Government website.
