EU student advice

Welcome to the UK: a home for European students

The UK is one of the world’s most trusted and popular study destinations, drawing over 750,000 international students each year (HESA), including over 120,000 from the EU. As a European student, you’ll join a thriving global community in the birthplace of the English language, gaining access to world-class education and unparalleled opportunities for personal and professional growth.

The benefits of studying in the UK are immense, from improving your English in a native-speaking setting to saving time and money with one-year master’s programmes. With unique courses, generous scholarships, and the chance to explore your future without time pressure through the Graduate route visa, the UK offers an education that’s both enriching and practical.

According to Italian student Maria, despite policy changes on fees, student finance and visas, ‘the benefits far outweigh the costs’.

Discover what makes the UK an exceptional destination for EU students, from academic excellence to comprehensive support throughout your studies, in our dedicated blog article.

Hear from European students

'So many global artists come to the UK to perform. And, despite what some people think, the food in the UK is good, and there are great restaurants everywhere'.
Stella, France
'The research environment is really stimulating. Studying [in the UK] has helped me get my foot in the door for my PhD, and I’m building great professional networks'.
Lioba, Germany
‘The English language gives the UK one of the biggest advantages [as a study destination] over other European cities'.
Sara, Slovakia

Key information for EU students

1. Fees and funding

International fees

Students from the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland now pay the same fees as international students in the UK.

There are a few exceptions to this, including:

EU nationals with settled status may still be eligible for ‘home fee status’ and pay the same as UK nationals.
Irish nationals living in the UK or the Republic of Ireland are treated like UK students for fees and funding due to the UK-Ireland Common Travel Area agreement.
UK nationals living in the EU, EEA and Switzerland may continue to be eligible for ‘home fee status’, subject to eligibility criteria.

Please be aware that universities can set their fees for EU students, so always check individual universities’ funding pages to see how much you’ll pay as an EU student. Some universities offer discounts to students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland. If you are unsure of what fees you should pay, please get in touch with your university for advice.

Learn more about the cost of studying in the UK as an international student, including tuition fees, typical costs for rent, travel and daily expenses and read our top money-saving tips.

The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) also offer additional information on fees on their website and a free independent student advice line for questions.

Funding

Visit our scholarships page to learn more about the options available to fund your studies in the UK.

2. Visa requirements

Most EU students now need a student visa to study in the UK. Visit our student visas page to learn everything you need to know about applying for a student visa, with some specific information for European students.

Please note: if you arrived in the UK before 31 December 2020 and you have settled status, you do not need a visa to study in the UK.

If you are a UK citizen living in the EU, EEA or Switzerland and, for example, you have a UK passport or dual nationality, the rules may be slightly different for you.

If you are a UK citizen, you will not need a visa to study or work in the UK, although you must prove your citizenship (for example, with your UK passport). It’s also important to note that there are different types of ‘British nationality’ – check whether your status means you need a visa to live, study and work in the UK on the UK government’s page ‘Types of British nationality’.
If you’re a UK citizen, you will continue to be eligible for home fee status and be able to access UK student finance, subject to eligibility criteria, as long as your course starts before 1 January 2028. Find out more on the UK government’s guidance page for UK nationals in the EEA and Switzerland.
The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) offer guidance on eligibility and requirements for student visas on their website and a free independent student advice line for questions.

3. Health coverage: Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)

If you are a student from the EU or Switzerland coming to study in the UK for longer than six months, you will need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). However, as a European student, you may be eligible for a full or partial reimbursement (refund) of the surcharge.

Read the guidance on the UK government website to learn more and check your eligibility for reimbursement. You must meet a few conditions, including studying full-time, having a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) issued from the EU, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein, and not working or intending to work in the UK during your studies.

For further information and frequently asked questions, you can also download this student information pack provided by the UK government: ‘Immigration Health Surcharge Reimbursement Scheme for EU and Swiss Students’.

4. Life after graduation

Stay and work in the UK

Many options are available to you if you want to stay and work in the UK after you graduate. The length of your student visa will depend on the duration of your course but will usually end within a few months of finishing your course, so it is likely you will need to apply for a different visa to remain in the UK.

On our ‘stay in the UK after you graduate’ page, we outline the UK government's Graduate route visa and the Skilled worker route. However, we recommend you also explore the GOV.UK website to determine which visa best suits your current situation.

The UK’s Graduate route visa welcomes international students to apply to stay in the UK and work, or look for work, upon graduation. International students who have successfully completed an undergraduate or master’s degree can apply to stay in the UK for up to two years after their studies. PhD graduates can apply to stay for up to three years.
The Graduate visa is unsponsored, meaning you can use the time after you graduate to work, or look for work, at any skill level. You will have the flexibility to gain work experience, undertake an internship or work as a freelancer in the UK.
A Skilled worker visa allows you to stay in the UK with an approved employer and eligible job. You must fulfil specific requirements to apply for this type of visa - including having a job offer with a minimum salary of at least £20,960, at least £10.75 per hour, or the 'going rate' for the type of work you'll be doing, whatever is higher. Additionally, your job needs to meet the minimum levels of skill requirements. The UK government provides a list of eligible jobs on their website that meets this requirement.

As a reminder, if you arrived in the UK before 31 December 2020, and have settled status, you have the right to live and work in the UK as part of your status and will not require a visa.

Erasmus+

The UK no longer participates in Erasmus+. Read more about the UK's withdrawal from Erasmus+.

5. Additional resources

Sign up for our student newsletter for our latest updates
Read the UK government’s guidance on what citizens of the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland studying, or planning to study in the UK should consider
Check out Universities UK’s guidance and frequently asked questions for EU students
The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) offer information and advice on fees, visas and studying in the UK on their website and a free, independent student advice line for questions.

EU students: you are welcome in the UK

A UK education offers top-quality, prestige and global job prospects. Find out why more than 120,000 EU students still choose to study in the UK each year.

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