Studying in the UK: guidance for EU students
What citizens of the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland studying, or planning to study in the UK should consider.
Check whether you can still apply to the EU Settlement Scheme
The EU Settlement Scheme allows citizens of the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland to stay in the UK and continue to work, study and access benefits and services such as NHS healthcare without applying for a visa.
The deadline for most people to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme was 30 June 2021.
If you or your family are from the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland, you can still apply if you or a family member were living in the UK by 31 December 2020.
You must also either:
- meet one of the criteria for a later deadline to apply
- have ‘reasonable grounds’ for not applying by 30 June 2021
More information is available about the eligibility criteria for later applications to the EU Settlement Scheme.
EU students starting a course in the UK from 1 January 2021
You will need to check if you need a UK visa if you’re planning to study in the UK from 1 January 2021 as you will not be eligible to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme unless you were living in the UK before 31 December 2020.
You can apply for a Student visa if you are over 16 and plan to start a course with a provider who can act as a licensed student sponsor.
You may be eligible for a Child Student visa instead if you’re 16 or 17 and want to study at an independent school in UK.
You do not need a visa to study in the UK for courses up to 6 months, as long as you are studying at an accredited institution. This includes English language courses.
You can apply for a Short-term study visa if you’re studying on an English language course which lasts up to 11 months.
Erasmus+ placements in the UK in the 2021 to 2022 and 2022 to 2023 academic years
Your placement as part of the current Erasmus+ programme should continue as normal. Contact your college or university in the EU if you need more information.
Course fees and funding to study in the UK in the 2020 to 2021 academic year
You will be able to access student finance if your course in England starts in the 2020 to 2021 academic year, provided you meet the residency requirements. This will be available for the duration of your course.
If you secure a place in the 2020 to 2021 academic year, but subsequently defer the start of your course until the following academic year, or if you wish to undertake a separate follow-on course in 2021 to 2022, then the rules governing student support for 2021 to 2022 entry will apply to you.
Changes to funding from the 2021 to 2022 academic year
For courses starting on or after the 1 August 2021, you will be eligible for student finance if you have citizens’ rights (or if you are an Irish citizen covered by the Common Travel Area arrangement).
Student Finance England will ask you to provide evidence in order to be awarded undergraduate, postgraduate and further education financial support.
Irish citizens living in the UK or the Republic of Ireland
You’ll need:
- evidence of your Irish nationality
- evidence that you have lived in the UK, Islands or Ireland for at least the last 3 years before your course starts
Someone with settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme
You’ll need:
- evidence of your settled status
- evidence that you have lived in the UK or Islands for at least the last 3 years before your course starts
EU nationals with pre-settled status
You’ll need:
- evidence of your pre-settled status
- evidence of your identity
- evidence that you have lived in the UK, Gibraltar, EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland for at least the last 3 years before your course starts
Family members of EU nationals who have pre-settled status
You’ll need:
- evidence of your pre-settled status
- evidence of your identity
- evidence of your family member’s identity
- evidence of your relationship with your family member
- evidence that you have lived in the UK, Gibraltar, EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland for at least the last 3 years before your course starts
Migrant or frontier workers from the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland with pre-settled status or a frontier worker permit
You’ll need:
- evidence of pre-settled status or permit
- evidence of your identity
- evidence that you are a frontier or migrant worker
- evidence that you have lived in the UK, Gibraltar, EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland for at least the last 3 years before your course starts
Family members of migrant or frontier workers from the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland with pre-settled status
You’ll need:
- evidence of your pre-settled status
- evidence of your identity
- evidence of your family member’s identity
- evidence of your relationship with your family member
- evidence that they are a frontier or migrant worker
- evidence that you have lived in the UK, Gibraltar, EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland for at least the last 3 years before your course starts
We have also published more detailed information about student finance eligibility for the 2021 to 2022 academic year which includes greater detail on specific groups of people.
You should ask the relevant student funding body if you’re eligible for any support if you’re studying in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
Updates to this page
Last updated 22 March 2022 + show all updates
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Updated to reflect the changes to guidance on travel to the UK and removal of the red list.
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Updated with additional information about late applications to the EU Settlement Scheme and travelling to and entering the UK (the red, amber and green list).
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Added information about student visa options and links to guidance for students returning or coming to the UK in January 2021.
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Updated with information about eligibility for student finance in the 2021 to 2022 academic year.
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Updated with information about changes to funding from the start of the 2021 to 2022 academic year.
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First published.