EU referendum 2016
On 23 June 2016 the UK electorate voted in a national referendum to leave the European Union.
At this moment, there is no immediate, material change for our EU staff, current EU students, potential EU students and EU-funded programmes.
More information relating to working and studying at UWS post-Brexit (i.e travel arrangements in and around the EU and the EU settlement scheme) can be found in our UWS and Europe page.
Tuition fees
EU students commencing their studies in 2020/21
The Scottish Government has confirmed that EU students, studying full time for their first degree and enrolling in the 2020/21 academic sessions, will be eligible to have their tuition fees paid by the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) for their full period of study. Students will be admitted as Scottish/EU fee status students, will retain that status for the duration of their studies, and are eligible for tuition fee support from SAAS.
Please visit the SAAS website for more information:
SAAS Funding for EU Nationals 2019-20 (pdf)
Current UWS Undergraduate and postgraduate students
There is no change to your status as a direct result of the 2016 EU Referendum vote on leaving the EU as long as:
- your immigration status has not changed
- tuition fee levels that you are currently charged have not changed
- your access to any support you receive from the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) has not changed
This above advice also holds true for students with dual nationality, i.e. domiciled outside the EU but holding an EU passport.
Update on the recognition of teaching qualifications in the EEA
As a result of the UK leaving the European Union the automatic recognition of UK teaching and nursing qualifications in the EEA will no longer apply for qualifications obtained after 31 December 2020. This means that UK nationals wishing to work in the EEA and EEA citizens with a UK qualification will require to have their qualification recognised in the EEA country in which they intend to work.
The rules and process for this recognition of third country qualifications/third-country nationals will vary and any applicant interested in working in the EEA after qualifying should check the relevant requirements in each member state.
The Scottish Government has confirmed, following the referendum, that "there has been no change in current funding arrangements and that eligible EU students already studying in Scotland or commencing their studies in the coming months will continue to benefit from free tuition and, for those who meet the residency requirement, associated living cost support."
This above advice also holds true for students with dual nationality, i.e. domiciled outside the EU but holding an EU passport.
Erasmus+ students
Scottish and EU students will continue to be able to take part in the Erasmus programme until the end of the current cycle in 2020. This means staff and students can complete mobility periods, and receive funding, through the Erasmus+ programme until December 2020.
There is not yet agreement on the UK’s relationship with Erasmus from 2021, but we will be working with the government to ensure this is clear as soon as possible.
UWS students currently studying at an Erasmus+ partner institution overseas
If you are a current UWS student and are studying, or planning to study with an Erasmus+ partner institution, your immigration status in your host country has not changed as a result of the 2016 EU referendum and you will continue to be eligible for your Erasmus+ grant funding.
Erasmus+ partner students currently studying, or planning to study at UWS
If you are currently an Erasmus+ student at UWS, your immigration status in the UK has not changed as a result of the 2016 EU referendum and you will continue to be eligible for your Erasmus+ grant funding.
Last updated: 26/11/2020