EU student fees to remain unchanged next academic year

The government has announced that EU students applying to study at UK universities for the 2017/18 academic year will continue to have access to student funding support with no changes made to the cost of their university fees.

The announcement was made on 11 October.

EU students applying for the 2017/18 year will be eligible under this payment scheme for the duration of their course, irrespective of what happens regarding Brexit in the coming years.

This announcement has come as a relief to universities across the country after the months of uncertainty following the Brexit vote.

The UK’s higher education system relies heavily on the high number of EU students who come to England to study. Whilst the population of 18-year-olds in Britain decreases, EU students are currently the fastest growing proportion of undergraduates in UK universities, according to The Guardian.

A similar government announcement was made in June shortly after the Brexit vote to assure EU students applying for a place this year that they would still be eligible for student funding.

Jo Johnson, Universities Minister, said: “International students make an important contribution to our world-class universities, and we want that to continue.

“This latest assurance that students applying to study next year will not only be eligible to apply for student funding under current terms, but will have their eligibility maintained throughout the duration of their course, will provide important stability for both universities and students.”

Peter Dunn, Director of Press and Policy at the University of Warwick, said: “Warwick attracts a significant number of overseas students from a great number of countries. We expect to continue to be an attractive choice for overseas students, including all those from EU countries, post Brexit.”