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Planning for Brexit: Information for University of Greenwich students

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The University of Greenwich is proud to be an international university. We are proud to be a home to students and staff from across the UK, the European Union, and beyond.

 Updates to this page are shown below:

12 April
1 February
23 January
  • In Parliament, Chris Skidmore (Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation) responded to a written question confirming the eligibility of EU students for home fee status in 2019/20 in the event of a 'no deal' Brexit.
22 January
  • The Prime Minister announced on 21 January that the £65 fee for the Settlement Scheme will be scrapped.  The text below has been updated to reflect this. 

The UK's imminent departure from the European Union has, unfortunately, created uncertainty for our many students and staff who come from the EU and the wider European Economic Area (including Switzerland).

The bullet points below address the most frequently asked questions at this time. The remainder of this page provides more detailed information that the university is currently aware of.

  • The UK currently remains a full member of the European Union until 29 March 2019. There will not be any change to the status or rights of our EU/EEA nationals until that time.
  • Whatever the outcome of the ongoing negotiations about the UK's departure from the European Union, EU/EEA nationals living in the UK will be able to apply for permission to stay here after Brexit.

During the last few days there has been a great deal of activity in and press coverage of the UK Parliament. The government has agreed a withdrawal arrangement with the European Commission and Council. However, this deal is yet to be approved by the UK Parliament, where it faces substantial opposition. We are continuing to track events in Parliament, at present, there are three possible scenarios for Brexit:

  • The UK may leave the EU on 29 March 2019 under the terms of the withdrawal agreement and enter a 'transition phase' until 31 December 2020.
  • The UK may leave the EU on 29 March 2019, but no withdrawal agreement is finalised.
  • The UK may not leave the EU on 29 March 2019, and instead postpone or even cancel its departure.

This page represents our best current interpretation of the government's announcements and intentions regarding EU students in the UK, in order to provide some information to our students who may be concerned about their status in the UK beyond 29 March 2019. It is based upon advice provided by Universities UK (UUK), and the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA).

If a government deal with the EU is approved:

  • EU citizens in the UK will see no change in their immigration status on 29 March.
  • The proposed transition arrangement means there will be no changes to visa requirements or entitlements for EU/EEA nationals and their family members from 29 March 2019 until 31st December 2020.
  • The Home Office has launched the EU Settlement Scheme under which EU students who wish to remain in the UK beyond 2020, either for study or for work, can apply for 'settled or pre-settled status' with the government. This will enable EU nationals to remain, work, and study in the UK beyond the end of the transition phase
  • Registration for settled status will open as a trial to students on 21 January 2019. It will be fully launched on 30 March 2019 and close on 30th June 2021.  More details can be found here.
  • EU students currently studying in the UK, as well as those starting their courses in the 2019-2020 academic year, will continue to have access to UK student loan and maintenance funding for the duration of their studies. Tuition fees will remain at the equivalent level to UK students.

If no government deal is approved ('No Deal Brexit')

  • The government has stated that "the UK will continue to run the EU Settlement Scheme for those resident in the UK by 29 March 2019 in a 'no deal' scenario".
  • Any EU citizen resident in the UK by 29 March, including students, will be eligible to apply for settled status until at least 31 December 2020.
  • There will be no changes to visa requirements for EU/EEA nationals and their family members from 29 March 2019 until 31 December 2020 and the principles of 'freedom of movement' will continue to apply. However, it is currently unclear if those arriving after 29 March will be able to stay beyond the end of the transition period
  • The government has indicated to Universities UK that it will honour its commitment to allow EU students to access UK student loan and maintenance funding for the duration of their studies, including those starting their courses in 2019-2020.
  • The University expects that there could be disruption to various aspects of ordinary life, including road travel in Kent and South East England, air, boat and rail travel between the UK and the EU, in the event of a 'No Deal Brexit'. These are currently difficult to anticipate, and we will closely monitor developments and advise students as and when they might arise.

Rights of Irish nationals

The status of Irish nationals in the UK is enshrined in bi-lateral treaties between the UK and Ireland. This will not be affected by any Brexit event. Irish nationals will therefore not be required to apply under the EU Settlement Scheme, although can do so should they wish.

Rights of EFTA and Swiss nationals

The government has indicated that nationals of Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland will be eligible to register for settled status by 29 March 2019, in both a deal and 'no deal' Brexit scenario. However, it has not yet issued any further details of when registration might open for these nationals.

Further queries

As more information becomes known, the university's International Student Advice Service will publish detailed information on its webpages about the immigration status of our EU/EEA students. This will include up-to-date guidance on applying under the EU Settlement Scheme. We aim to have this information available as soon as possible, and will update our webpage www.gre.ac.uk/visa

If you have any concerns or queries we recommend you speak to the Students' Union advice service in the first instance, please note while they can provide wellbeing advice, they are unable to provide immigration advice. You can contact them at suadvice@gre.ac.uk  or advice@gkunions.co.uk

More detailed guidance can be found from the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA): Advice for students on post-Brexit rules and entitlements and on Gov.uk EU exit: no deal preparations for higher education institutions.

Full details regarding the government's EU settlement scheme can be found here: Settled and pre-settled status for EU citizens and their families