EU Student Visa Advice | British Council

The UK is one of the most trusted and popular study destinations in the world. Every year, over 500,000 international students choose to study in the UK over other destinations, so as a student there, you will meet people from all over the world.

This page offers information and advice specific to European students about studying in the UK, following the UK’s exit from the European Union (EU).

Student Route.

Unless you have settled status, it is most likely you will need a visa to study in the UK.

If you are 16 or over and want to study a course at higher education level in the UK lasting longer than six months, it is most likely that you will need to apply for a student visa through the Student Route.

Once you have your Certificate of Acceptance of Studies (CAS), you can begin the visa application process. You can apply for your visa up to six months before your course starts. You will need to pay an application fee (£490 for students) and have a current passport.

European students: If you’re from an EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland, you can use the UK Immigration: ID Check app on a smartphone to complete the identity stage of your application.

As part of your application, you will need to pay a fee called an Immigration Health Surcharge. This gives you access to the UK’s National Health Service. Students receive a 25 per cent discount on the usual cost, so the rate for student visa holders is £776 per year.

If you have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), you may be able to apply for a refund of the cost of the Immigration Health Surcharge. Check the GOV.UK website to find out if you are eligible to apply for a refund.

Visitor Route

If you’re studying in the UK at an accredited institution for less than six months, you can do this as a visitor. Many students (including those from the European Union and other eligible countries) won’t need a visa for courses lasting less than six months.

Students from some countries will need to apply for a standard visitor visa to do a short course in the UK. Check if you need a visa to study in the UK.

If someone you know is coming to visit you on holiday to the UK, they may need to apply for a visitor visa. Find out more about a visitor visa.

Short-term Student Route

Short-term student visas are available to students who want to study English language courses that are between six and 11 months long. Find out more about the short-term study visa.

Working in the UK on a student visa.

Many international students in the UK take a part-time job, work placement or internship alongside their studies. For most courses, you will be allowed to work for up to 20 hours per week during term time. Before you consider looking for work, check your visa and biometric residence permit and check your university’s rules to see if there are any restrictions to the type of work or number of hours you can do.

European students: If you do decide to do part-time work in the UK, this could impact your eligibility for a refund on your Immigration Health Surcharge payment, so make sure you consider all of this when thinking about if you need to work alongside your studies in the UK.

Find out more about the hours and types of work you can do on the UKCISA website.

Can I stay in the UK after I graduate?

There are lots of options available to you if you want to stay and work in the UK after you graduate.

The Graduate Route welcomes international students to apply to stay in the UK and work, or look for work, upon graduation. International students who have successfully completed an undergraduate or master’s degree can apply to stay in the UK for up to two years after their studies. PhD graduates can apply to stay for up to three years.

Further information.

The UK government’s guidance for European students has the latest information and advice.

Visit Universities UK’s guidance for EU students.

Visit UKCISA’s guidance for EU students.

Email us with specific questions or queries

We are here for you if you have a question or query about UK study. Please email us at studyuk.germany@britishcouncil.org

Frequently Asked Questions:

I am an EU student already studying in the UK – what does this mean for my student support arrangements?

EU citizens and their family members who started courses in the UK in the 2020/21 academic year or before remain eligible for undergraduate and postgraduate financial support for the full duration of their course provided they meet the residency requirements.

EU citizens and their family members who started courses in the UK in the 21/22 academic year will be subject to international fees and will not be eligible for undergraduate and postgraduate financial support. For information about financing your studies in the UK, see our dedicated pages.

I am an EU national living in Germany, and want to study in the UK in academic year 2021/22 or after, how much will this cost?

EU nationals will no longer be eligible for home-fee status or student support in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Higher Education Providers set their own fee rate for international students, and you should check with the individual provider that you wish to study at for their course-fee.

I am an EU national who was living in the UK before the end of 2021 and I have successfully applied for the EU settlement scheme. What does this mean for my student support arrangements?

As an EU national covered by citizens’ rights, you will retain access to home fee status and student support for courses starting in 2021/22 and beyond, provided you meet the residency requirements.

I am a UK National living in the EU. If I want to commence studies in the UK will I be eligible for home fee status and access to finance?

Yes, the UK Government has extended this right for seven years after the end of the transition period (1 Jan 2021), UK nationals living in the EEA or Switzerland and who return to England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland to study will continue to be eligible for student support, home fee status, Further Education 19+ and apprenticeship funding provided they meet the existing published eligibility requirements.

The devolved administrations have made similar commitments. Education and skills funding is devolved and the exact entitlements and eligibility may vary between the separate parts of the UK.

We are UK nationals resident in the EU for six years, with a young child who may wish to attend an English University in the future. Will our child be eligible for home tuition fees or will they be subject to overseas student fees?

UK nationals living in the EEA or Switzerland and who return to England, Scotland, Wales or NI to study will continue to be eligible for student support, home fee status, Further Education 19+ and apprenticeship funding, providing they meet the published eligibility requirements for courses in starting within seven years of the end of the transition period.

The devolved administrations have made similar commitments. Education is devolved and the exact entitlements and eligibility may vary between the separate parts of the UK.

I will be studying in the UK for less than six months. Do I need a visa?

EU students who are coming to study in the UK for less than 6 months do not require a visa and will not be required to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge – they can access medically necessary healthcare in the UK using their EU-issued EHIC. Please be aware that during your stay you are not allowed to undertake paid or unpaid work.

How many students are currently studying in the UK?

There are currently over 500,000 international students from over 80 countries studying in the UK. We recognise that these students make a significant contribution to the diversity and intellectual vitality of UK education, making a critical contribution to UK research capacity and standing in the globalised knowledge economy.

Last updated: May 2023