Key facts
- British teenagers residing in the EU will face international student fees for UK universities from 2028.
- This change follows the end of a post-Brexit grace period.
- Students will also lose access to UK government student loans.
- Home fees are capped at £9,790, while international fees can be at least three times higher.
- To qualify for home fees from 2028, students must have been ordinarily resident in the UK for three years prior to their degree.
- Eligibility rules may vary across the UK's devolved nations.
British teenagers living in the European Union are set to face significantly higher tuition fees for UK universities as a post-Brexit rule change ends a grace period. Starting in 2028, these students will be classified as international students, incurring costs often three times the capped domestic fees.
This change also means they will no longer be eligible for UK government student loans, a crucial source of funding for many. The current domestic fee is capped at £9,790 for the 2026 intake, while international fees can exceed £35,000 annually for some courses. For instance, economics at the University of Warwick will cost £35,530 a year in 2026 for overseas students, and law at Leeds University will be £26,750.
According to Julie Moktadir, a partner at Stone King, this marks the end of the transitional protections for UK nationals living in the EU. To qualify for home fees from 2028, students must have been ordinarily resident in the UK for three years before their degree begins. While eligibility rules might differ slightly across Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the core requirement remains.
Some universities might offer scholarships, but these may not fully offset the increased costs. For families like the Thompsons, who moved to Germany and extended their stay, the fee implications are forcing difficult decisions. Their daughter Isla, now 16, will likely face international fees if she wishes to attend a UK university, making her dream of studying natural sciences at Cambridge unaffordable, as international fees are £44,214 plus college fees, compared to £9,250 for home students.
Universities UK stated that the provision was always temporary, aligning UK expats in the EU with rules for UK nationals living elsewhere. Proving ordinary residence in the UK through evidence like bank statements and utility bills will be key for those seeking home fee status. Plans to discuss reinstating pre-Brexit rules, which would have entitled EU students to UK home fees and potentially restored similar rights for British passport holders in the EU, were postponed following Keir Starmer's resignation as prime minister.