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Brexit rule change will raise UK tuition for Britons living in EU

newsJul 4, 202622244

The UK will end the post-Brexit 'home fee' grace period for British nationals living in EU countries from 2028, meaning those students will be classed as international for tuition and will not be eligible for UK government student loans. The change affects young people who begin A-levels or equivalent this autumn and applies across the whole UK, though devolved nations may apply fee rules differently and universities have limited discretion. Domestic tuition is capped at £9,790 for the 2026 intake, while overseas fees are typically far higher; for 2026 examples, economics at the University of Warwick is listed at £35,530 a year and law at Leeds University at £26,750. To qualify for home fees for courses starting in 2028, students must have been ordinarily resident in the UK for three years before their course start date. Student loan providers are bound by the new residency rules, so affected students cannot borrow to fund tuition or maintenance even if an individual university treats them as a home student. Families facing the rule say relocation at least three years before university is the main practical option, while scholarships or institutional awards may help some but are unlikely to cover the gap for many.

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