fbpx
Market intelligence for international student recruitment from ICEF
4th Jul 2018

UK confirms funding and fees for EU commencements in 2019/20

For the third consecutive year – following similar announcements for 2017/18 and 2018/19 – the British government has confirmed that European Union students will remain eligible for student loans and “home fee status” through 2019/20. This means that EU students will continue to have access to the same financial supports and tuition rates as domestic students in the UK. The policy applies for the duration of studies for any students commencing in the 2019/20 academic year, meaning that EU students will continue their programmes with greater financial certainty even after the UK leaves the European Union on 29 March 2019. Education Secretary for England Damian Hinds made the announcement on 2 July, the same day that the Welsh Education Secretary Kirsty Williams offered similar assurances for EU nationals planning to study in Wales. (Scotland had set its policy, also guaranteeing funding and tuition rates for 2019/20 commencements, some five months earlier.) “Students from the EU make an important contribution to the universities sector and it is a testament to our system that so many students from abroad choose to come and study here,” said Mr Hinds this week. “Today we are providing clarity and certainty on their fees for the duration of their courses.” The decision comes amid mounting pressure from British educators and student groups that had urged the government to remove any uncertainty for visiting EU students. As recently as 14 June, Universities UK pointed out in an official statement that, “Although universities are already receiving enquiries from EU students about courses starting next year…most EU students and universities are still in the dark about the fee status and financial support for EU students.” The urgency of the situation derives in part from the fact that there are currently more than 130,000 EU nationals enrolled in UK universities. This amounts to a little more than 30% of all international students in British higher education that come from other EU member states. In the wake of the announcements this week, Universities UK Chief Executive Alistair Jarvis said, “This announcement on fees and financial support provides much needed clarity for EU students and for universities…[It] means that EU students commencing courses in autumn 2019 will continue to pay the same tuition fees as UK students for the full duration of their courses." Russell Group Chief Executive Dr Tim Bradshaw added, “Today’s announcement could not have come a moment too soon. Applications open in a just a few months and many prospective students are already attending open days and making their decisions. Russell Group universities receive over 100,000 applications from EU students each year. They enrich campus life and provide a welcome boost to the UK economy.” For additional background, please see:

Most Recent

  • US warns of expanded travel ban that could affect key African markets Read More
  • Breaking: US resumes student visa processing Read More
  • Is Canada valued more as a “pathway to immigration” or as a destination for education? Read More

Most Popular

  • Which countries will contribute the most to global student mobility in 2030? Read More
  • Research shows link between study abroad and poverty alleviation  Read More
  • Beyond the Big Four: How demand for study abroad is shifting to destinations in Asia and Europe Read More

Because you found this article interesting

US warns of expanded travel ban that could affect key African markets “The United States is considering restricting entry to citizens of an additional 36 countries in what would be...
Read more
Breaking: US resumes student visa processing On 18 June, the US State Department sent a cable to all US diplomatic posts abroad instructing them...
Read more
Is Canada valued more as a “pathway to immigration” or as a destination for education? During a 12 June 2025 webinar presented by the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) and IDP, IDP...
Read more
Japanese outbound numbers reached 90% of pre-pandemic levels in 2024 An annual survey of Japanese education agents finds that outbound student numbers from this key sending market are...
Read more
UK: Study visa applications up by nearly a third year to date The early data we are seeing so far this year makes a couple of things clear. First, there...
Read more
Real-time insights on shifting international student interest in the US ICEF and NAFSA co-hosted a featured webinar on 11 June, and the session showcased some important data reflecting...
Read more
What are the latest developments for international students in the United States? An update like this needs a time stamp as the events reported are unfolding quickly. It was first...
Read more
ICEF Podcast: Live from NAFSA 2025 Listen in as ICEF’s Craig Riggs and Martijn van de Veen recap a busy week at the annual...
Read more
What are you looking for?
Quick Links