Financial support for EU students

Some continuing EU students studying in the UK may be able to continue to get funding from the UK Student Finance System. This covers fees, but no loan for living costs. Students whose programme started after 1st January 2021 will normally be treated as international students and will pay higher fees and cannot receive any funding.

This page outlines the changes https://www.gov.uk/guidance/studying-in-the-uk-guidance-for-eu-students

For those able to obtain support from the UK system the next section describes what you can get:

Financial Support

The financial support you are eligible for varies on where you are studying.

In England

  • If you’re an EU national or a family member of an EU national, you may get support for tuition fees on a similar basis to UK nationals domiciled in England.
  • For the 2024/25 academic year at a university in England you can be charged up to £9,250 per year in tuition fees.
  • You can apply for a non-income assessed student loan for fees only, for the first four years of your course.
  • You may also be eligible to apply for living cost support if you meet the residence conditions for UK nationals. You can confirm this with the relevant student finance organisation if you are unsure. If this applies to you, check the related articles at the bottom of the page to find out what you might be entitled to receive.
  • You may also be eligible to apply for a  University Bursary. These are provided by the university, and have different names. Make sure you agree to the “consent to share” section on the application form for tuition fee assistance, so that your university can consider you for extra financial help. For EU students these may be in the form of a fee discount.
  • In the fifth year of your course onward you may be eligible for payment of your tuition fees in full through the NHS Bursaries Unit.

More information: GOV.UK

In Northern Ireland

  • If you are a student at a university in Northern Ireland you can be charged up to £4,710 per year in tuition fees.
  • You can apply for a non-income assessed student loan for fees (only) for the first four years of your course.
  • You may also be eligible to apply for The Queen’s Bursary. Make sure you agree to the “consent to share” section on the application form for tuition fee assistance, so that your university can consider you for extra financial help.
  • In the fifth year of your course onward, you may be eligible for payment of your tuition fees in full through the DHSPSS Bursary.
  • You may also be eligible to apply for living cost support if you meet the residence conditions for UK nationals. You can confirm this with the relevant student finance organisation if you are unsure. If this applies to you, check the related articles at the bottom of the page to find out what you might be entitled to receive.

More information: Student Finance NI

In Wales

  • If you’re an EU national or a family member of and EU national, you may get support for tuition fees on a similar basis to UK nationals domiciled in Wales.
  • Universities in Wales can charge you up to £9,000 per year. To pay the fee you’ll be able to apply for a non income-assessed tuition fee loan of up to £9,000 depending on the actual fee you are charged.
  • In your fifth and later years your fees will be paid in full by the NHS Wales Student Awards Unit.
  • You may also be eligible to apply for a bursary from your University under the Welsh Bursary Scheme – make sure you agree to the ‘consent to share’ section on the application form for financial assistance.
  • You may also be eligible to apply for living cost support if you meet the residence conditions for UK nationals. Check with the relevant student support provider if you are not sure. If this applies to you, check the related articles at the bottom of the page to find out what you might be entitled to receive.
  • In the fifth year of your course onward, you may be eligible for payment of your tuition fees in full by the NHS Wales Student Awards Unit.

More information: Student Finance Wales

In Scotland

  • If you’re an EU national or a family member of an EU national, you may be entitled to apply for the payment of your tuition fees of £1,820 in full from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for all years of your course.
  • You may also be eligible to apply for living cost support if you meet the residence conditions for UK nationals. If this applies to you, check the related articles at the bottom of the page to find out what you might be entitled to receive.

More information: SAAS

How to apply

The organisation you need to apply for tuition fee assistance depends on which country you are studying in.

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland

  • Apply to the Student Finance Services European Team. If you apply through UCAS, you should be sent an application form when you are offered a place. See the related Student Finance websites for full information and to download the application form (EU12N) if necessary.
  • If you are a continuing student you should be sent an application form automatically (EUPR1a).

From your fifth year of study onwards you apply for payment of your tuition fees to either:

In Scotland

Apply to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland throughout your course.

Related articles