European Economic Area (EEA) / Swiss nationals
If you are from an EU national country, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and you are coming to study in the UK or are currently a student in the UK, please read the following information carefully.
Students resident in the UK before 31 December 2020
If you were resident in the UK before 31 December 2020 you need to apply under the EU Settlement Scheme to be granted either ‘Settled’ or ‘Pre-Settled’ status. You must apply for the Scheme before 30 June 2021.
You should apply under this scheme if:
You were living in the UK before 31 December 2020 AND
- You’re an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen
- You’re not an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen but your family member is.
You do not need to apply if you have
- ‘Indefinite leave to enter’ the UK
- ‘Indefinite leave to remain’ in the UK
- British citizenship
- Irish citizenship
The College’s central source for information about Brexit can be found here and is regularly updated with the latest news and information, including full information about applying under the EU Settlement Scheme.
Students NOT resident in the UK before 31 December 2020
If you have not been living in the UK before 31 December 2020 then you may need a visa in order to study in the UK.
If your course is longer than 6 months please read our guidance here
If your course is for less than 6 months please read our guidance here
See also the GOV.UK website for an Introduction to the Points Based System for EU students.
EU FAQs
I am intending to come to the UK after 1 January 2021 to commence face-to-face teaching. Does this mean I will need a visa?
Yes. If you are on a course that is longer than 6 months and you are coming to the UK after 1 January, you will need to apply for a Student Route visa. You should aim to apply at least one month in advance of your intended travel date. You will need to request a CAS from the relevant Admissions Team at the College for this purpose. You have to apply for this visa from outside the UK – you cannot travel to the UK and apply from here.
If your course is for less than 6 months (for example, you are an exchange student coming for one term only) you can obtain your entry clearance on arrival in the UK when you pass through the Border.
Will I be covered for healthcare in the UK?
Students who hold pre-settled or settled status
If you were living in the UK before 31 December 2020 and apply to stay in the UK under the EU Settlement Scheme, you will have access to the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK. If you were living in the UK before 31 December 2020 and haven’t yet made an application under the EU Settlement Scheme, or you are awaiting an outcome, you should ensure you have some form of Comprehensive Sickness Insurance whilst you are in the UK as a student in order to be in the UK in line with current EU law and have access to healthcare.
Click here for more information.
Students coming to the UK after 1 January 2021
If you are coming for a course of longer than 6 months, you will need to apply for a Student Route visa. As part of this application you will be required to pay an Immigration Health Surcharge which will then give you access to the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK. See our guidance on the Student Route for more information about the Immigration Health Surcharge.
If you are coming for a course of less than 6 months, you need to ensure you have in place appropriate health insurance before you travel.
Will I still be able to work in the UK after my studies?
Students who are resident in the UK before 31 December 2020
You will be able to remain in the UK to work after your studies, but you must ensure that you apply for the EU Settlement Scheme by the 30 June 2021 to protect your residency status. If you have not applied by this date you will have no status in the UK.
Students arriving from 1 January 2021
If you arrive in the UK from 1 January 2021 and are not eligible for the EU Settlement Scheme, you will require immigration permission to study and work in the UK. To continue working in the UK after your studies you would either need to find an employer to sponsor you under the Skilled Worker route or you will need to apply under the Graduate Worker route.
Further information
The International Student Support Team will be running a series of webinars on the EU Settlement Scheme before the end of the year. Please look out for notifications of these coming soon.
The latest update from UKCISA is available here:
Brexit: immigration, fees and student support for when you arrive
UKCISA advice for students on post-Brexit rules and entitlements
The UK government has information for UK and EU nationals on how to prepare for Brexit:
We also recommend that you sign up for email alerts from the UKVI on the following web page: