What you need to know about studying in the UK after Brexit

PTE Author
PTE Author
EU flag 1080 px
Reading time: 5 minutes

Before Brexit, EU students enjoyed the freedom of movement to study, work and live across the European Union. The United Kingdom was a popular study destination for thousands of EU students, who were able to study at UK universities under the same conditions as British students.  

But after Brexit, the rules have changed. Students now need visas, university fees have changed. There are also additional considerations for EU students to think about, like healthcare, and employment while studying. Let’s take a look at what it’s like for EU students to study in the UK after Brexit.  

How to apply for a UK student visa   

The good news is that it is still very possible for EU students to study in the UK. However, there is more paperwork involved than there was previously. In order to take up your place at a UK university, you’ll need to apply for a student visa.  

It will cost you £348 to apply for a student visa if you’re outside the UK. That rises to £475 to apply if you’re in the UK already.  

In order to apply, you’ll need to show that you have been offered a place at a UK university. You can show this with a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) document from your institution.  

You’ll also need to show on your visa application that you speak English at the level you’ll need in order to live and study in the UK. To do so, you’ll need a score of at least 59 in PTE Academic.  

Find out about using PTE Academic for your UK student visa. 

The other consideration when applying for a UK student visa? You’ll need to show that you have sufficient funds to pay your course fees for at least the first year of your studies.  

Many international students also need to show that they have enough money to cover their living expenses while studying, but EU students are exempt from this requirement.  

Learn how to budget for student life in the UK.

You will also need to pay the immigration health surcharge which is £470 per year, for every year of your degree. This charge allows you to use the National Health Service (NHS) during your time in the country.  

The Graduate Route  

If you complete your degree in the UK and you’d like to stay longer, you’ll be eligible for the Graduate route. It allows international students to stay in the UK for an additional two years after being awarded their degrees, to start their careers in the UK. If you are a doctorate-level graduate, you may apply to stay in the country for up to three years.  

You’ll be able to look for employment, change workplace, do internships and gain valuable experience in the UK job market after graduation.  

Student fees for EU nationals  

Previously, EU students paid the same course fees as UK students. Post-Brexit, that is no longer the case. Now, all international students pay the same fees.  

The amount you’ll pay for university in the UK will vary from course to course, and institution to institution. Studying English at the University of Oxford costs £32,480 per year, on average  

But, if you choose to study English at Durham University (also a highly ranked institution) the fees are significantly lower, at £22,900 per year on average.   

That being said, some universities are offering EU Student Scholarships: 

  • Royal Holloway University of London is offering a fee reduction scholarship, which could reduce the cost of a year’s fees from £18,100 to £12,790.  

  • The University of South Wales is also offering scholarships for EU students which reduce the cost of the fee so that EU students pay the same as British students for their courses.  

In Scotland, there is a scholarship program specifically for EU students at Master’s level. The Saltire Scholarship will support EU students to study at Scottish universities. There are 272 scholarships available which cover a proportion of your student fees.  

The fee for a Master’s in Gender Studies at the University of Glasgow is £20,400, for example. But, if you are awarded a Saltire Scholarship, your bursary of £8000 would reduce that fee to £4,400. You can learn more about the Saltire Scholarship here.  

Many universities throughout the UK are offering similar bursaries, grants and other forms of support for EU students. Once you’ve created a shortlist of UK universities you’d like to study at, make sure to ask what support is available for EU students.  

Working in the UK as an EU student  

You might wish to support yourself by working while you’re studying at a UK university, as many students do. With a student visa, you’ll be able to work up to 20 hours a week during term time, and full time (up to 40 hours a week) during the university holidays. Note that students who study full-time below a degree level can only work 10 hours a week. This information will be clearly stated on your visa once it’s approved. 

Typical student jobs are jobs that fit around classes. This includes jobs in hospitality, courier, or tutoring jobs, among others. You could even work online, doing proofreading or translation.  

There is a website called Student Jobs where you can have a look at the kind of jobs that students in the UK do – and see what’s available in your destination city.  

Learn more 

PTE Academic is accepted by the UK government for visa purposes, as well as by 99% of UK universities as proof of your English language abilities. Find out more about how PTE Academic can help you to study in the UK.

Related Content

  • Image- calculator-800px x451px
    Living expenses in the UK for international students
    By PTE Author
    Reading time: 3 minutes

    Studying abroad in the UK can be expensive. International students need to budget for flights, tuition, textbooks, accommodation, and don’t forget the visa application.

    Of course, living costs in the UK for international students can vary depending on your lifestyle and where you live. So, in this blog, we’ll look at how much students in the UK spend on average each month – and explore how much it cost to live in a large city, compared to a smaller city.  

    Average student living expenses in the UK

  • Image- UK, 1080px
    Applying for the EU Settlement Scheme: what you need to know to get British citizenship
    By PTE Author
    Reading time: 6 minutes

    At the beginning of this year, new Brexit-related rules went into effect in the UK and the EU.  They’ll have a big impact on immigration and travel – including on how people will be able to move to the UK to live, work and study. 

    If you’re an EU citizen—and started living in the UK before 2021—immigration rules won’t change for you until June. But after that, you might have to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme to stay in the country. 

    More than 4.3 million people have been approved for the scheme already. And, they’re on the path to receiving a British passport. With the EU Settlement Scheme, EU citizens can apply for British citizenship after 12 months. 

    In this blog, we’ll explore more about the scheme and how to apply for citizenship. We will also look at the English language requirements you’ll need to keep in mind as an EU citizen. 

    Keep in mind: We aren’t immigration agents. For the latest information and official updates, please visit the GOV UK website. 

    First, what is the EU Settlement Scheme?

    The EU Settlement Scheme is a program set up by the UK government. It allows EU, Swiss, and EEA citizens to keep living in the UK after June 2021. It’s free to apply, and once you do, you’ll be granted either: 

    • Settled status – You’ll get this if you’ve lived in the UK continuously for five years. You will be able to stay in the UK indefinitely provided you don’t leave the UK for 5 years consecutively.

    • Pre-settled status – You’ll get this if you’ve lived in the UK for less than five years. With pre-settled status, you’ll only be able to stay in the UK for another five years but can always apply for settled status later if you want to settle permanently. 

    With settled status, as we mentioned, you’ll also have the opportunity to apply for British citizenship. Although, many people have decided to apply for citizenship right away instead of going through the scheme – for example, if they have a British parent or spouse. 

    With citizenship, you’ll have the right to live permanently in the UK with a British passport, which means you’ll no longer be subject to immigration controls. You’ll also be able to work and study in the UK, sponsor your family members to migrate, access NHS healthcare, access public benefits and pensions  – and of course, vote in elections. 

    The Mayor of London’s website has a comprehensive FAQ on the EU Settlement Scheme. You can also find out more information on the official GOV UK page.

    How to apply for British citizenship 

    If you’re interested in applying for British citizenship, there are a few ways to do so. For example, you could be eligible if you: 

    • have a British civil partner or spouse;

    • were born in the UK;

    • have a British parent;

    • have settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme. 

    The requirements for citizenship are often different, depending on why you’re applying and how you’re eligible. But if you’re applying under the EU Settlement Scheme, in most circumstances you’ll have to show you: 

    • have been living in the UK for more than five years and will continue to do so;

    • are of good character;

    • have passed the Life in the UK Test, which consists of 24 questions on British traditions;

    • are knowledgeable in English, Welsh, or Gaelic. You will also need to take an approved English test for UK citizenship.

    Learn more about how to apply for British citizenship with the scheme here. 

  • Image- Singapore, 800px x 451px
    How to study in Singapore
    By PTE Author
    Reading time: 5 minutes

    Asian students have long been drawn to Western universities. In fact, in 2018 and 2019, China sent more students to study in the UK than any other country. But now as Asian countries seek to attract more international students themselves, many learners are choosing to study closer to home instead.  

    After all, studying within the region offers plenty of benefits. Not only do Asian universities provide a world-class education at a more affordable price. But they are also “among the world’s best at enhancing their alumni’s job market prospects,” states the QS Graduate Employability Rankings. This is a big draw, considering a recent report found that 81% of respondents from eight Asian countries wanted to study at a foreign university to improve employment. 

    So, what are some of the top study abroad locations for Asian students? And what do learners need to keep in mind when choosing a destination? In this guide, we’ll focus on Singapore: 

    Singapore at a glance 

    Singapore is modern, sustainable, and multicultural. This makes it an attractive place to study for students from around the region. Malay, Mandarin, Tamil, and English are all recognized as official languages, although English is most commonly spoken. In fact, almost 40% of the population in Singapore speaks English at home.  

    Singapore invests heavily in human capital. For example, it spends more than 20% of its budget on education each year. It comes as no surprise, then, that Singapore’s education system is listed as one of the best in the world by OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). 

    Universities in Singapore 

    There are dozens of universities and colleges in Singapore. The two most popular universities are the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU). Both universities are ranked among the top 20 in the world. According to QS World University Rankings 2021, NUS holds the spot for 11. NTU is ranked number 13. About a quarter of learners at both universities are international students.  

    Even more, according to QS, NUS ranks number 24 for graduate employability.  

    To study at a Singaporean institution, you must apply directly through the admissions office. This is usually done at the beginning of the year. 

    If you’re a second language speaker or haven’t studied full-time at an English institution, you will also need to prove your English proficiency. PTE Academic is a computer-based language test that provides unbiased and secure results and can help you qualify for studying and migrating abroad.  

    Students wanting to attend a college in Singapore – including the Singapore Institute of Management Global Education (SIM GE), the East Asia Institute of Management, and LASALLE College of the Arts – will need a PTE Academic score of 42. In general, universities look for a minimum PTE Academic score between 55 and 62. Here’s a more detailed breakdown of what some popular universities require: 

    • National University of Singapore–62 

    • Nanyang Technological University– 55 

    • Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) – 62 

    However, students are strongly advised to always check with their own university or college to see exactly what PTE Academic score is needed.  

    Getting your visa 

    If you want to study in Singapore, you will need to have a Student Pass. To apply, you must already be accepted as a full-time student at an academic institution. With a Student Pass, you’ll be able to work up to 16 hours a week during the school term. However, you can only do this if you go to an approved institution.  

    Find out exactly how to apply for a Student Pass here.  

    Cost of living 

    Singapore is considered one of the best student cities in the world; it has great weather, a vibrant mix of cultures, and an excellent food scene. However, compared to other Asian countries, it is on the expensive side. International student tuition fees sit at about $18,700 USD a year. To get an idea about how much it costs to live in Singapore, check out the government’s cost of living calculator.  

    Financial aid 

    It’s important to keep in mind that Singapore does offer financial aid for citizens, permanent residents, and international students. The Ministry of Education provides these grants under The Tuition Grant Scheme.  

    The amount of money offered depends on the area of study and the status of each student in Singapore. This table is a good resource, showing what was available to students studying at NTU in 2020. You can see that for international students, the grants start at about $7,700 USD.   

    To accept a Tuition Grant, students who aren’t citizens must sign a Tuition Grant Agreement. This states that they will work in Singapore for a minimum of three years after graduation.  

    For more grant information, visit the Ministry of Education website.  

    Want to study in Singapore?

    With PTE Academic you can achieve your dreams.  

    Our unbiased English tests are trusted as proof of English proficiency by universities in Singapore –  and results are typically ready within 2 days. 

    Find out where you can take PTE Academic now.