By the Flying Dutchman,
December 25th, 2017
[aesop_content color=”#000000″ background=”#ffffff” component_width=”600px” columns=”1″ position=”none” imgrepeat=”no-repeat” disable_bgshading=”off” floaterposition=”left” floaterdirection=”up” revealfx=”off” overlay_revealfx=”off”]As Brexit negotiations progress, The Flying Dutchman provides answers to the two questions that worry most UWC students dreaming of attending a university in the United Kingdom.
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Will tuition fees for European Students rise?
Well, in August this year, the British Government confirmed that EU students applying to enroll at English universities in 2018 will remain eligible for the same loan and grants as domestic students, and that their tuition would continue to be the same as domestic students. Aside from that, much is still to be decided and is therefore uncertain. If the EU funding is removed, tuition fees will surge from around 9000 pounds to approx. 19000-20000 pounds, which is the current price for non-EU international students.
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On a brighter note, the pound’s depreciation means that is has become more affordable to study in the United Kingdom following the announcement of Brexit. Still, even if it further depreciates, it would do little to lessen the financial burden that comes with attending a British university without EU support.
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Will applying for student visa be an issue in the Post-Brexit world?
With immigration controls so central to the Brexit debate, it is likely that new regulations will be introduced. If the UK withdraws from existing agreements on freedom of movement, which exempts EU students from needing a student visa, future EU students may need to apply for a Tier 4 student visa or a short-term student visa if they wish to study in the UK. Moreover, ‘tougher rules and requirements’ may be imposed on students wanting to enroll in ‘lower quality courses’ according to British Home Secretary Amber Rudd.
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What about Scotland?
Good ol’ Scotland. Scottish Universities stand ready to welcome all the European intellectual firepower as they have already announced their commitment to ensuring continued financial support for EU citizens post-Brexit. This, however, does not exempt EU citizens from having to go through the tedious process of acquiring a student visa.
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Five days ago, Theresa May wrote an open letter to EU citizens living in the UK stating that “I know our country would be poorer if you left and I want you to stay.” Well, in that case, the Premier may also have an interest in ensuring the continued influx of EU students into higher education. As of now, however, while it may not look like EU students will have to face a physical wall, it seems likely that they will have to climb a wall of bureaucracy to gain entrance in the post-Brexit world.
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