Advice for EU nationals studying in the UK
This page provides information for students from the European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) studying an undergraduate or postgraduate course in the UK.
Update, December 2020: The government is making changes to student visas and immigration. For more information, see:
- Student visas
- EU Settlement Scheme: Apply to the EU Settlement Scheme (settled and pre-settled status)
- Points-based immigration scheme: The UK’s points-based immigration system: information for EU citizens
See the government’s guidance for higher education providers
Information from your university or college
In the first instance, you should speak to your university or college if you have a question about the impact of the UK's departure from the EU on your studies.
Your university or college will have received advice from the government about the impact of the UK's departure from the EU. They should update you on topics such as:
- the EU Settlement Scheme (if you plan on staying in the UK after 2020)
- eligibility for student finance.
We expect all English higher education providers that are registered with us to keep you informed about any developments that may impact your studies.
Information from government
Please follow the links at the top of this page for more information.
The government has written to higher education providers summarising the changes.
An excerpt is here:
You will need to apply for a student visa through the new points-based immigration system. You can apply up to six months in advance of your course starting. Read further guidance for EU, EEA and Swiss students.
If you arrive in the UK by 31 December 2020, apply to the EU Settlement Scheme by 30 June 2021 to continue living in the UK. Read more information on the EU Settlement Scheme.
If you have commenced your course online in your home country due to COVID-19, and you would otherwise be studying in the UK, you will be eligible to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme as long as you arrive in the UK by 31 December 2020.
If you are unable to arrive in the UK by 31 December 2020, you will be required to apply to the Student route under the points-based immigration system, to commence studying in the UK.
Read more information on the EU Settlement Scheme and the UK’s new points-based immigration system.
If you are unable to enter the UK by 31 December 2020 and will arrive in the UK from 1 January 2021, you will need to apply for a Student visa through the new points-based immigration system before you travel to the UK. Read further guidance for EU, EEA and Swiss students.
If you were studying in the UK and have returned home during the pandemic and are continuing with your course online in your home country (when you would otherwise be studying in the UK), you are able to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme from outside the UK, so long as you are able to prove that you are still continuously resident in the UK.
This means that you must not have been absent from the UK for more than six months in any 12-month period, except for a single absence of no more than 12 months for an important reason, for example due to studying outside the UK because of COVID-19. You will still be continuously resident in the UK for the purposes of the scheme.
Further information
- The British Council – frequently asked questions and links
- Universities UK
- UK Council for International Student Affairs
Guidance and help for students
15 March 2021 - Title updated
17 December 2020 - Link to government guidance added.
31 January 2020 - Content update
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