British teens residing in the EU might be priced out of UK universities in two years’ time as a Brexit rule change implies they face the double whammy of paying costlier global fees, while losing access to trainee finance.British passport
holders living in the EU still qualify for “home fee” status at UK universities. But this will no longer be the case when the grace period ends in 2028, indicating the very first wave to be affected are beginning their A-levels, or comparable, this autumn.While domestic charges for UK universities are topped– at ₤ 9,790 for the 2026 consumption– universities can set their own rates for overseas trainees, and these are often at least three times as much.For example, overseas trainees studying economics at the University of
Warwick will pay ₤ 35,530 a year in 2026, while studying law at Leeds University costs ₤ 26,750 a year.” This is basically the end of the post-Brexit’grace period’and indicates that UK nationals and their families residing in the EU, however wanting to study in the UK, will be classified as global students,”states Julie Moktadir, a partner and head of immigration law at Stone King. “They will likewise no longer be qualified for UK federal government student loans to help towards the expense of tuition fees and upkeep, which is something on which numerous depend.”Fees for UK universities are capped however they can set their own rates for abroad trainees. Photo: Kumar Sriskandan/Alamy For courses
that start in 2028, trainees must have been generally resident in the UK for three years before the very first day of their degree course, to get approved for home fees.The changes will apply across the whole of the UK, but eligibility requirements may be different in the each of the 4 nations, says Moktadir:”There are distinctions in how costs are set, and how strictly guidelines are applied in the degenerated nations. For instance, Scotland has a more complicated cost structure.” Individual universities can use some discretion, too, suggesting that, in many cases, students returning from the EU might be considered qualified for home costs. Crucially, though, student loan companies are bound by the rules
, so these people will not be able to borrow to money their course.For some households, this has resulted in some difficult decisions. Studying where they live may be difficult, and even difficult, depending on the subject, regional eligibility rules and language levels. “Short of relocating to the UK
a minimum of 3 years before the start of their selected university course, there is little that moms and dads and potential trainees can do apart from familiarise themselves with the new guidelines,”Moktadir states.
She includes that, while some organizations might use scholarships and awards to reduce a few of the cost, for many that won’t be enough.This is the case for James and Amy Thompson and their children, Isla and Bertie, who relocated to Germany in 2021, on a two-year agreement with James’s company, BMW. The family loved it so much they extended their stay, and have now been there for five years.They might have remained longer,
but now Isla is 16, they have actually realised that extending the stay would indicate she would qualify for worldwide tuition fees. “We at first moved for 2 years for work, and the kids were 9 and 11, so higher education didn’t come into it,”says Amy.”Now we’ve understood the fee
circumstance makes it really hard. Isla won’t struggle to enter a good British university, however if we have to pay global charges we simply can’t manage it. “Some families face tough choices over a university education. Picture: Ajdin Kamber/Shutterstock As it’s too late for Isla to qualify for home fees, she may be required to take a year out before using to a university. Her dream is to study natural sciences at Cambridge University. The tuition fees for the course are ₤ 9,250 for home students, but worldwide students pay ₤ 44,214, plus college fees which begin at ₤ 11,500 and vary by college.Universities UK says:
“The post-Brexit home cost provision was constantly a temporary stipulation offering transitionary protections for UK expats in the EU. “The modifications bring this group into positioning with the rules that apply to UK nationals residing in other parts of the world.It is technically possible for somebody to be”normally resident “in more than one country, however, states Moktadir, they should be”able to demonstrate, through physical proof such as bank declarations, utility bills and tax contributions”. She includes:”As such, whether a person will still be qualified for home costs beyond
2028 at a UK university will be extremely dependent on their individual scenarios. “Strategies to allow under-30s to work and study in each other’s territories, and a go back to pre-Brexit rules that entitled EU students to UK home costs– which need to restore the same rules for British passport holders– were amongst areas due to be discussed at a summit between EU and UK leaders this month. Nevertheless, it was delayed after Keir Starmer revealed his decision to step down as prime minister.For the Thompsons, the transfer to Germany was always temporary– but they didn’t expect their return date to be determined by university charges.”
How is that reasonable to a young adult who moved with their moms and dads for a task?”Thompson states.