EU university students warn of UK withdrawals after Brexit

Fees top the list of concerns for students travelling from 27 EU states

The strong academic reputation of Oxford University, where scientists invented a Covid-19 vaccine, and Cambridge have attracted EU students despite their comparative high cost. AFP/University of OxforShow more

EU students said that Britain’s most prestigious universities will be less attractive after Brexit with fees expected to soar and cuts to course subsidies from 2021.

The biggest hurdle for future students from the EU will be money once Britain is no longer bound by the bloc's rules from January 1.

EU students will no longer qualify for UK student loans and higher costs will hit poorer EU countries harder.

International tuition fees exceed £40,000 ($54,000) for degrees such as medicine. The fee for a student visa is about £350 and about £500 to use the state-run National Health Service.

There has already been a drop in EU students applying, to 5,220 this year from 6,480 last year, according to the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (Ucas).

Daniel Haid, 27, a German student at Sheffield Hallam University in northern England, said he had asked other EU students whether they would apply again now.

"The answer is usually straight-up 'no'," said Mr Haid, who is in the second year of a doctorate in sports engineering and is a student ambassador for the UK Council for International Student Affairs, an advisory body.

"We have the luxury of being EU citizens. We have so many good options instead.”

In his view, Britain's new regime is "not really a competitive offer".

Laura Langone, 31, who is in the third year of a philosophy doctorate at the University of Cambridge, said the number of EU students was bound to decline.

Ms Langone, from Basilicata, southern Italy, won a prestigious scholarship that covers her costs at Cambridge. Her fear is that "people like me, after Brexit, will not be able to get this kind of support".

Dominik Frej, 22, an aerospace engineering undergraduate at Queen Mary University of London who heads a federation of Polish students, said he expected the number of Poles to decrease by three quarters from the 8,000 currently in the UK.

"From now on, not your academic potential and knowledge will decide whether you study in the UK but your financial background," said Mr Frej, who is studying remotely from Warsaw to save money.

Some EU countries charge no tuition fees.

Mr Haid said he chose Sheffield Hallam after a semester through Erasmus+, an EU-wide student exchange scheme. But it remains unclear whether Britain will still participate.

Universities UK told AFP the UK government should prioritise full association with Erasmus+ and if not, commit to full funding of a domestic alternative.

Students and advocacy groups are pressing the government to clarify confusing rules and unanswered questions that could affect whether EU students apply to UK institutions from 2021.

One anomaly is universities usually require three years' UK residency for students to pay home rather than international tuition fees, which can be three or four times higher.

To apply for "pre-settled" status in the UK, however, EU citizens need visit for only one day by December 31.

"The government must urgently provide clarity," the Universities UK spokesman said.

This potentially affects current applicants – unsure whether a brief visit now would be enough to qualify them for home or reduced fees.

Admissions officers are telling applicants they "don't know" and will have information in January, Mr Frej said.