Impact of Brexit on Fee Status

[Last updated: Tuesday, 12 January 2021]

The UK government confirmed on 23 June 2020 that EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals will no longer be eligible for home fees or Student Finance England support for courses starting in the academic year 2021/22.  EU, EEA and Swiss nationals commencing their studies in the 2021/22 academic year will therefore be charged the international rate of fee unless you fall into certain categories which we have outlined below.  You may also wish to read the guidance published by the Department for Education and their set of FAQs.

Irish Nationals living in the UK or Ireland

The UK Government confirmed that Irish nationals living in the UK or Ireland are not affected by the changes to Home fee status eligibility.  You will therefore be eligible for home fees if:

• you have been ordinarily resident in the UK or Ireland for the three years before the first day of the first academic year of the course and
• the main purpose of your residence in the UK or Ireland was not to receive full-time education during any part of the three-year period

Settled Status

If you have been granted settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme you will be eligible for home fee status provided you have also been resident in the UK and Islands for three years before the first day of the first academic year of the course.  The main purpose for your residence in the UK and Islands must not have been to receive full-time education during any part of that three-year period.

You will need to provide evidence of your settled status such as a copy of your biometric residence card or your digital share code. 

Pre-settled Status

If you have pre-settled status you will be eligible for home fee status provided:

EU Nationals

• You have been resident in the UK, EEA UK, EEA, Gibraltar, Switzerland or any British/EU overseas territory for 3 years before the first day of the first academic year of the course and your residency was not wholly or mainly for the purpose of education.

EEA and Swiss Nationals

• You are resident in the UK as a worker or the relevant family member of an EEA/Swiss worker
• You have been resident in the UK, Gibraltar, EEA and Switzerland for 3 years before the first day of the first academic year of the course

Child of a former EEA or Swiss Migrant worker

• You have been resident in the UK, Gibraltar, EEA and Switzerland for 3 years before the first day of the first academic year of the course.

You will also need to provide evidence of your pre-settled status such as a copy of your biometric residence card or your digital share code. 

Children of Swiss Nationals

You will be eligible for home fee status provided you have been resident in the UK, Gibraltar, EEA and Switzerland and your residency was not wholly or mainly for the purpose of education.

Children of Turkish Workers

You will be eligible for home fee status provided:

• You and your parent(s) were living in the UK by 31 December 2020
• Your parent(s)’s period of leave to remain continues to be valid
• You have been resident in the UK, Gibraltar, EEA, Switzerland and Turkey for 3 years before the first day of the first academic year of the course.

UK nationals returning to the UK from the EU/EEA/Switzerland

For courses starting from 1 August 2021, UK nationals and their family members living in the EU, EEA, Switzerland or Gibraltar will continue to be eligible for home fee status providing you meet the following criteria:

• you are living in the EEA or Switzerland on 31 December 2020 (or have moved back to the UK immediately after living in the EEA or Switzerland)
• you have lived in the EEA, Switzerland, the UK or Gibraltar for at least the last three years
• you have lived continuously in the EEA, Switzerland, the UK or Gibraltar between 31 December 2020 and the start of your course

UK and EU Nationals resident in Gibraltar

You will be eligible for home fee status provided you have been resident in the UK, Gibraltar, EEA and Switzerland for 3 years before the first day of the first academic year of the course.  This also applies to family members of EU nationals who have a right to reside in Gibraltar from the Withdrawal Agreement.

UK Nationals resident in the other British Overseas Territories

You will be eligible for home fee status provided you have been resident in the British/EU overseas territories, UK, EEA and Switzerland for 3 years before the first day of the first academic year of the course.  The main purpose for your residence in the British/EU overseas territories, UK, EEA and Switzerland must not have been to receive full-time education during any part of that three-year period.