Student funding
Despite the UK leaving the European Union, the Scottish Government has confirmed that for EU domiciled students who commence their studies in Scotland in Academic Year 2020/21 (e.g. September 2020), existing funding arrangements will apply during the intended length of the students' studies.
However, for EU domiciled students who commence their studies in Scotland in the Academic Year 2021/22 (e.g. September 2021 onwards), the Scottish Government announced that those students will be required to pay tuition fees.
For undergraduate applicants this means:
- Nationals from the EU27 member states starting in September 2020 or January 2021 may still (subject to eligibility criteria) apply to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland to have the cost of their tuition fees paid on their behalf for each year of their studies.
- Nationals from EU countries (except RoI) who begin their studies after 1 August 2021 will no longer be able to apply for SAAS funding and will be required to pay the overseas tution fee rate.
Please note:
- EU Nationals with Settled or Pre-Settled Status who are current students will continue to be eligible for Home fee status and associated financial support. New students with settled or pre-settled status will be eligible for Home Fee status provided they also meet the relevant residency requirements outlined by the Student Awards Agency for Scotland.
- EU Nationals who are starting an undergraduate course in 2021/22 may be eligible for home tuition fees, if they are progressing from a Higher National qualification.
For postgraduate applicants this means:
- Nationals from the EU27 member states starting any time up to 31 July 2021 inclusive (subject to eligibility criteria) will continue to pay the same tuition fee rate as Scottish domiciled students during the intended length of their studies and for taught Masters level courses may be eligible for a tuition fee loan of up to £5,500. They will also continue to pay the same tuition fee rate as Scottish domiciled students during the intended length of their studies.
- As of 1 August 2021, nationals from the EU will no longer be able to apply for tuition fee loans and will be required to pay the overseas tution fee rate.
Find out more about undergraduate and postgraduate fees for EU students.
Immigration
EU Settlement Scheme
The Withdrawal Agreement which facilitates the UK’s departure from the European Union on 31 January 2020 includes an agreement on citizens' rights during the transitional/implementation period which will be in place until 31 December 2020. During this time, EU, non-EU EEA and Swiss citizens can come to, or remain in, the UK on the same basis as they were able to prior to the UK’s departure from the EU.
If your studies will end after the end of any transition period (i.e. 31 December 2020) or you wish to remain in the UK beyond this point for any other reason you will need to apply by 30 June 2021 for immigration permission in the UK under a scheme designed by the UK government known as the EU Settlement Scheme. You will need to do this if you wish to remain in the UK after the end of the transitional/implementation period, or otherwise apply under another category of the immigration rules.
Republic of Ireland citizens will continue to benefit from their rights under the Common Travel Area and, as a consequence, their status does not change as a result of the UK leaving the EU.
Student route - the new Student visa
The UK Government introduced in October 2020 a new student visa, the Student Route, which will apply to new overseas students, including EU citizens, as of 1 January 2021, replacing the current Tier 4 visa route.
EU students arriving to the UK on or after 1 January 2021 will be required to apply for the Student Route in order to study in the UK. The UK Government has also confirmed that, from 1 January 2021, new EU/EEA students coming to the UK on the Student Route will be required to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge surcharge set at £470 per year.
The above will not apply to Republic of Ireland Citizens or EU citizens who already have permanent resident status or reside in the UK and hold or have applied for Pre-Settled or Settled Status by this date.
You can find more information about the new visa process and what you need to do on these pages.
Should you require any guidance or have any questions our Visa and International Support team is here to help. Please email internationalsupport@napier.ac.uk