Guidance
UK students in the EU: continuing your studies
Contact your higher education provider to check if there are any changes to your situation from 1 January 2021.
Applies to England
Completing your studies in the EU from 1 January 2021
All UK students studying in the EU
- Ask your higher education provider whether there are any changes to your situation.
- Read the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) living in guide for the latest information on the country you’re studying in.
- Make sure that you hold a valid Student European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or Student Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) and read the guidance on accessing healthcare in EU member states.
- Before starting your course you should take out comprehensive travel insurance while in the UK. It’s important to make sure all your health needs are covered. Check with your provider if you have any queries.
- Make sure you meet all visa requirements for your destination or you may not be allowed to stay.
When you return home, make sure you follow the rules on international travel. You should not travel to countries or territories on the red list.
UK students studying their whole course at a higher education provider in the EU
You have the same right to access education as citizens from the EU member state you are studying in, as long as you were living there and lawfully resident before 1 January 2021. Read more specific information on living in your EU country.
The fees you are charged should be the same as fees charged for citizens of your host country. You may not be entitled to maintenance grants or loans from the host country unless you have permanent residency or are a worker in that country.
British citizens studying in the Republic of Ireland will continue to be covered by the Common Travel Area arrangements.
Erasmus+ students already studying in the EU from 1 January 2021
You should be able to continue with your placement as part of the current programme. Speak to your home provider to confirm:
- your placement will continue
- if anything will change including whether there will be any additional fees or visa requirements
You should make sure both your home provider and host agree that it is safe to proceed as planned during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
You may need to make changes to your plans, or start your placement at a later date, if the situation changes.
Contact your provider to let them know of your plans if you need to return early from your placement.
The UK will not be taking part in the future Erasmus+ programme. We are developing the new Turing Scheme to support thousands of students to study and work abroad.
Some Erasmus+ projects from the 2014 to 2020 programme are still ongoing and placements will take place under both the Turing Scheme and Erasmus+ during the 2021 to 2022 academic year.
Starting a new course in the EU from 1 January 2021
Read the guidance on starting a full degree course in the EU from 1 January 2021 if you’re considering your higher education options.
Travelling abroad
If you are able to travel under current UK COVID-19 restrictions you should follow the guidance for travelling abroad during the coronavirus pandemic.
Support when you’re abroad
During the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic you:
- should be ready to comply with the host nation’s travel requirements including having documents that you will need to present at border controls
- should be ready to comply with local isolation, testing or quarantine requirements
- will need to rely on the local healthcare system
Read guidance on what you can do if you need financial help when abroad and who you can contact for support when abroad.
You can contact the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission or the FCDO in London on 020 7008 1500 for help or advice if you need emergency help from the UK government while overseas because:
- the country you are in will not allow you to travel back to the UK
- there are no commercial travel options available
Returning to the UK
When you come back, you must follow the rules on international travel. You should not travel to countries or territories on the red list. You should also read the specific information for new and returning students travelling from overseas.
Find out what to do if you’re:
Last updated 28 May 2021 + show all updates
Guidance
Study in the European Union
What you need to do if you’re planning to start higher education in the EU.
Applies to England
International travel – You must follow the rules on international travel. You should not travel to countries or territories on the red list.
Make sure that you:
- review all visa requirements when you are considering studying in the EU
- meet all visa and residency conditions for your destination or you may not be allowed to stay
Doing part of your course in the EU
Talk to your UK higher education provider or visit the UCAS website if you’re thinking about studying part of your course in the EU. Your higher education provider will be able to talk you through your options.
Before starting your course you should take out comprehensive travel insurance while in the UK. It’s important to make sure all your health needs are covered. Talk to your provider if you have any queries.
You can also check:
- the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) living in guides which include residency rules and visa requirements for the country you want to study in
- healthcare advice for UK nationals
- that you hold a valid Student European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or Student Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)
Financial support
You may be eligible for financial support from Student Finance England if you’re enrolled on a course in England and want to do part of your course in the EU.
Contact your relevant student funding body if you’re from Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
International placements
You should enquire about international placements through your home institution which will be able to talk you through what options are available and any schemes you might be eligible for.
If you have a placement already organised, you should make sure both your home provider and your host agree that it is safe to proceed as planned during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
You may need to make changes to your plans or start your placement at a later date if the situation changes.
The UK will not be taking part in the future Erasmus+ programme. We are developing the new Turing Scheme to support thousands of students to study and work abroad.
Some Erasmus+ projects from the 2014 to 2020 programme are still ongoing and placements will take place under both the Turing Scheme and Erasmus+ during the 2021 to 2022 academic year.
Doing your whole course at a higher education provider in the EU
The student support you may be eligible for, and the fees you need to pay, will depend on where in the EU you’re planning to study and when you move there.
If you were already living in the EU by 31 December 2020
You have the same right to access education as citizens from the EU member state where you are studying as long as you were living there and lawfully resident before 1 January 2021. Read more specific information on living in your EU country.
The fees you are charged should be the same as fees charged to citizens of your host country. You may not be entitled to maintenance grants or loans from the host country unless you have permanent residency or are a worker in that country.
Talk to your HE provider in the relevant EU member state to check the details of your entitlements.
British citizens planning to study in the Republic of Ireland will continue to be covered by the Common Travel Area arrangements.
You should also:
- check the FCDO living in guides which include residency rules and visa requirements for the country you want to study in
- check healthcare advice for UK nationals
- make sure that you hold a valid Student European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or Student Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)
- purchase comprehensive travel insurance while in the UK
- make sure all your health needs are covered by your insurance policy and talk to your provider if you have any queries
You will not be eligible for financial support from Student Finance England if you’re enrolled on a course substantially provided abroad.
Contact your relevant funding body if you’re from Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
Moving to the EU to start a course from 1 January 2021
You may need to pay different fee rates as a non-EU third-country national if you’re planning to study your whole degree course at a university in an EU member state.
You should contact the relevant HE provider in the EU member state you are going to, so that you can check:
- what fees you may have to pay
- if there is any financial support available for students from the UK
- if there are any funding schemes, bursaries or scholarships you can apply for
British citizens studying in the Republic of Ireland will continue to be covered by the Common Travel Area (CTA) arrangements.
You should also:
- check the FCDO living in guides which include residency rules and visa requirements for the country you want to study in
- check healthcare advice for UK nationals
- make sure that you hold a valid Student European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or Student Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)
- purchase comprehensive travel insurance while in the UK
- make sure all your health needs are covered by your insurance policy and talk to your provider if you have any queries
You will not be eligible for financial support from Student Finance England if you’re enrolled on a course substantially provided abroad.
Contact your relevant funding body if you’re from Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
Travelling abroad
If you are able to travel under current UK COVID-19 restrictions, you should follow the guidance for travelling abroad during the coronavirus pandemic.
Support when you’re abroad
During the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic you:
- should be ready to comply with the host nation’s travel requirements including having documents that you will need to present at border controls
- should be ready to comply with local isolation, testing or quarantine requirements
- will need to rely on the local healthcare system
Read guidance on what you can do if you need financial help when abroad and who you can contact for support when abroad.
You can contact the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission or the FCDO in London on 020 7008 1500 for help or advice if you need emergency help from the UK government while overseas because:
- the country you are in will not allow you to travel back to the UK
- there are no commercial travel options available
Returning to the UK
When you come back you must follow the travel rules on international travel if you’re returning to England. You should not travel to countries or territories on the red list. You should also read the specific information for new and returning students travelling from overseas.
Find out what to do if you’re:
Last updated 28 May 2021 + show all updates
