EU students applying for places in the 2017 to 2018 academic year continue to get funding support

12 October 2016

European Union students applying for university places in the 2017 and 2018 academic year will be able to get student loans, complete their degrees at Buckingham and graduate before the UK leaves the EU, the Government has announced.

The decision will mean that students applying to study from 2017 to 2018 will not only be eligible for the same funding as now, but their eligibility will continue throughout their course, even if the UK exits the European Union during that period.

University of Buckingham Director of Admissions, James Seymour, said: “It is great to have this certainty over future funding and to be able to assure students that they can apply to study at Buckingham without having to worry that they will have their terms of funding changed if the UK leaves the EU during their studies. The same applies to EU students studying in further education.”

Undergraduate Filip Noren, studying International Studies with Spanish, from Sweden, and a former SU President, said: “This is fantastic news for students studying at Buckingham currently and those starting next year. They can take advantage of access to student funding in the same way that students always have, without having to worry that anything will change during their time at Buckingham.”

The announcement follows assurances given by the government in June shortly after the EU referendum result. This included immediate guarantees that students currently in higher or further education, and those applying for a place this year (2016 to 2017) would continue to be able to access student funding support under the current eligibility criteria.

University Minister Jo Johnson said: “International students make an important contribution to our world-class universities, and we want that to continue. This latest assurance that students applying to study next year will not only be eligible to apply for student funding under current terms, but will have their eligibility maintained throughout the duration of their course, will provide important stability for both universities and students.”

Responding to the Government announcement, Dame Julia Goodfellow, President of Universities UK, said: “This announcement provides much needed clarity for EU students applying to start courses at English universities in autumn 2017. It is good to see the Government has recognised the value of EU students and acted positively to guarantee their access to financial support.”

“European and international students are a valuable part of cultural and academic life on British university campuses and play an important role in UK towns and cities, creating jobs and supporting local businesses. The UK should be an attractive destination for all qualified international students that would benefit from UK universities and can support themselves to study.”

Full details of the Government statement: www.gov.uk/government/news/funding-support-for-eu-students