EU students applying for a place at an English university in the 2017 to 2018 academic year will continue to be eligible for student loans and grants - and will be for the duration of their course, the government has confirmed this week.

No change to EU student visa policy

Jo Johnson, Universities Minister, gave his assurances immediately after the Brexit vote that there would be no immediate changes to EU student visa policy, but this new announcement provides greater clarity on the academic year ahead.“We know that the result of the referendum brought with it some uncertainties for our higher education sector,” said Mr Johnson. “That is why in June we acted quickly to provide immediate funding guarantees for existing students and those applying to study this year.”

British business supports continued EU student movement

UK businsses have warned of the consequences of 'closing the drawbridge' to EU students in the UK. In a speech in London, Carolyn Fairbairn, director-general of the Confederation of British Industry warned of a UK 'brain-drain' and stated firmly that, "EU students should be free to study here." Today's decision means that students applying to study from 2017 to 2018 will continue to be eligible for the same funding and support as they are now and their eligibility will continue throughout their course, even if the UK exits the European Union during that period.

EU students welcome at UK universities

The move helps to provide universities and colleges certainty over future funding, while assuring prospective students applying to study at a UK universities that they will not have the terms of their funding changed if the UK leaves the EU during their studies. The same assurance will be available for EU students studying in further education.Dame Julia Goodfellow, President of Universities UK, welcomed the news. “European and international students are a valuable part of cultural and academic life on British university campuses,” she said, “and play an important role in UK towns and cities, creating jobs and supporting local businesses.“Looking ahead, as the government develops plans for post-Brexit Britain, a commitment is needed to ensure that students, from Europe and beyond, are able to continue to come to the UK to study without unnecessary bureaucratic burdens. The UK should be an attractive destination for all qualified international students that would benefit from UK universities and can support themselves to study.“This announcement provides much needed clarity for EU students applying to start courses at English universities in autumn 2017. Over recent weeks the university sector has made very clear to government the urgent need to address this issue. It is good to see the government has recognised the value of EU students and acted positively to guarantee their access to financial support.”Students from EU countries will now be able to apply for places on undergraduate courses starting in autumn 2017 in the knowledge that that they will not have to pay up-front tuition fees and will have the backing of government loans to cover tuition fees.

Tuition fee guarantees for EU students

According to the announcement, EU students starting courses in autumn 2017 will continue to pay the same tuition fees as UK students for the period of their studies of their courses, even if the UK exits the EU.Following Home Secretary, Amber Rudd’s controversial conference speech last week, in which she appeared to suggest a future crack-down on EU student visas, the government appeared keen to clarify the rules. According to today’s announcement, EU nationals, or their family members, who are applying to study a course which starts in the 2017 to 2018 academic year and which attracts student support, will remain unchanged.

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