Amy Smith
Amy Smith
9th April 2019

Brexit. It’s the number one topic that everyone is talking about. From how it will affect our holidays to trade deals to currency and so much more – we can’t get enough of it.

But for something we talk about so much, nobody actually knows anything about it. For international students planning to come and study in the UK, it’s understandably a concerning topic of interest.

Although there are no concrete plans for it yet, there are still a few things that we can glean from the impact of Brexit on international students. Let’s discuss the pros and cons of how Brexit will impact international students.

Pro:

Tuition Is Currently Cheaper

Before the UK even held the 2016 referendum on leaving the European Union, the pound had already begun to fall in value. It has since recovered a little, but it’s still not as strong as it once was.

This means that currently, tuition for international students will be much cheaper as a result. Considering the fact that the UK has some of the highest tuition fees for international students, the fall of the pound will favour outside currencies. You could get much more bang for your buck by studying in the UK now.

Con:

EU Students May Miss Out

If you’re a student from the EU looking to come to the UK, it’s unsurprising that you may be put off coming after Brexit goes through. We don’t yet know what kind of deal – if any – will go through, and this could steer EU students away from the UK.

If the UK does manage to remain in the single market after Brexit, EU students would likely be treated the same as they are now and retain lower tuition fees. But if there is a hard Brexit – or no deal at all – EU students would be treated like those outside of the EU and be subjected to higher fees. This would also apply to British students wanting to study in Europe.

Pro:

Non-EU Students May Benefit

If you’re planning to study in the UK after Brexit and you’re not from the EU, you may, in fact, benefit from the effects of Brexit. Did you know that international students contribute £25 billion to the UK economy each year? The UK will likely ramp up efforts to encourage non-EU students to study here to maintain this income.


Students from Middle Eastern, African and Asian countries such as  Indonesia, Pakistan, Uganda, Sudan, and Ethiopia, might be more likely to choose the UK as their place of study prior to Brexit. Due to the fact that other currencies will compare favourably to the falling pound, it may become more affordable for non-EU students to study there.

Con:

No More Erasmus+ Scheme

The Erasmus+ scheme is one that sends EU students from all member states to other universities for a semester or a year. It’s an exchange programme that many students take part in and offers a great cultural and educational experience.

After Brexit, the UK will not replace the scheme with something similar and it’s very probable that it will end altogether. This means students from both the UK and EU will no longer be able to go on exchange programmes to each others’ countries.

Pro:

Nothing Will Change Immediately for EU Students

The good news for EU students wanting to study in the UK is that as it currently stands, nothing will change. The UK government has agreed that for students from the EU, tuition fees and financial aid will remain exactly as it was as a member state, regardless of the outcome of Brexit.

This applies to the 2019/2020 academic year, but after that, it is uncertain of what may happen. That means if you’re planning to come to the UK within that time, nothing will change.

Con:

There Is No Certainty Whatsoever

The biggest con of all here is that overall, there is absolutely no certainty about what may happen following Brexit. We simply do not know at this stage what the overall impact of Brexit will have on universities and students in the UK – both domestic and international.

Brexit Is Sure to Impact International Students

If your heart is set on studying in the UK, you will still be more than welcome to study here – there just might be a few more obstacles than before. Keep up to date with Brexit news and see what funding from your home university may be available to help you make your UK study abroad dream come true.

Need to find student accommodation in the UK? Get in touch and we can help you find somewhere great to live.

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