British passport holders living in the European Union will no longer qualify for “home fee” status at UK universities when the post-Brexit grace period ends in 2028, according to immigration experts. This change means students will face soaring international tuition fees and lose access to UK government student loans.
End of Post-Brexit Grace Period
Currently, UK nationals residing in the EU can still pay the lower home fee rate at British universities. However, this transitional protection expires in 2028. Julie Moktadir, a partner and head of immigration law at Stone King, explained: “This is essentially the end of the post-Brexit ‘grace period’ and means that UK nationals and their families living in the EU, but wanting to study in the UK, will be classed as international students.”
Moktadir added that affected students “will also no longer be eligible for UK government student loans to help towards the cost of tuition fees and maintenance, which is something on which many depend.”
Impact on Fees and Finance
International tuition fees at UK universities are significantly higher than home fees. For example, undergraduate fees for international students can range from £10,000 to £38,000 per year, compared to the home fee cap of £9,250 in England. The loss of student loans further compounds the financial burden.
Universities UK stated: “The post-Brexit home fee provision was always a temporary clause providing transitionary protections for UK expats in the EU.”
Devolved Nations Differences
Moktadir noted variations across the UK: “There are differences in how fees are set, and how strictly rules are applied in the devolved nations. For example, Scotland has a more complex fee structure.” Scottish universities may have separate arrangements for EU students, but the general trend is toward international classification.
Limited Options for Families
“Short of relocating to the UK at least three years before the start of their chosen university course, there is little that parents and prospective students can do apart from familiarise themselves with the new rules,” Moktadir said. She emphasized that while it is technically possible to be “ordinarily resident” in more than one country, individuals must “demonstrate, through physical evidence such as bank statements, utility bills and tax contributions” to maintain home fee eligibility.
Moktadir concluded: “As such, whether an individual will still be eligible for home fees beyond 2028 at a UK university will be highly dependent on their personal circumstances.”
