Brexit Q&As for Students

As Brexit becomes a part of our everyday operations, please find signposting to where on our website or to Government Guidance on the following queries/contacts.

If you are unable to find a response below, have any further queries or wish to communicate to us about Brexit and how Ulster University can better support you, please email brexit@ulster.ac.uk.

Please note that the answers will be updated on a regular basis and a number of queries are currently in the process of being researched and will be added once confirmation received.

• As an EU national Student, what do I have to do to study at Ulster University? 

  At Ulster University there is a warm welcome for you, as we value our staff and students from the EU and the contribution that they make.

  Check out relevant information for your country, using our online tool below which sets out what you will require specific to where you live, useful contacts and events happening near you by clicking below:

  https://www.ulster.ac.uk/global/apply/country

• I am a student from the Republic of Ireland, what additional measures will I have to take when the UK leaves the EU?

  According to Government Guidance from both the UK and Irish Governments, Irish citizens will continue to have the right to enter and live in the UK as under Common Travel Area arrangements.

  The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade have also issued Guidance for those living in the Republic of Ireland.

• Are there future plans for student mobility when the UK leaves the EU?

  Check out relevant information for your country, including entry requirements, useful contacts and events happening near you by clicking here: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/global/apply/country

  Our Global Engagement Office is responsible for overseeing all aspects of International student’s life at Ulster as well as the experience of Ulster students who partake in placements across the world.

• As an EU national student, will there be a change to my fees following Brexit?

  Details on Student Fees across our programmes are available here

  Click here for fees for admission for 2021/22 academic year and click for details for fees for 2022/23 academic year will be published here when available.

• Will EU national students continue to be eligible to receive loans and grants?

  If you’re an EU student starting a course on or after 1 August 2021, you must have settled or pre-settled status in the UK under the EU Settlement Scheme to get student finance. This does not apply to students who are Irish citizens.

  The application deadline for the EU Settlement Scheme is 30 June 2021, but you must have started living in the UK by 31 December 2020.

  It’s important that you’re aware of this requirement before applying for student finance, otherwise you will not be eligible for funding from Student Finance NI

• After the UK leaves the EU, will professional qualifications I have be recognised?

  According to UK Government Guidance:  The UK and the EU have agreed a comprehensive free trade agreement. As part of this deal, authorities responsible for professional qualifications in the UK and EU member states can submit joint recommendations to the UK-EU Partnership Council for profession-specific arrangements.

  Once approved, these mutual recognition agreements would provide routes for UK professionals to have their qualifications recognised in the jurisdiction of an EU member state, and vice versa.

  You’ll need to have your UK professional qualification officially recognised if you want to work in a profession that is regulated in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. It will need to be recognised by the appropriate regulator for your profession in each country where you intend to work. You’ll need to do this even if you’re providing temporary or occasional professional services.

  Until mutual recognition agreements have been put in place, UK-qualified professionals should continue following GOV.UK advice on using their qualifications in an EU member state.

  The UK Government has also published guidance on getting EU Professional Qualifications recognised in the UK

• Where can I get further information on the impact of Brexit on EU National students?

  If you would like more information on what is currently known about Brexit and how it may affect European students, the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) provide useful guides which can be found at the following links:

  • Brexit - Fees and Student Support
  • Brexit - Immigration
  • Brexit - EU Settlement Scheme
  • Healthcare in the UK for EU, EEA and Swiss students
  • Entering and living in the UK
  • Staying in the UK as a student
  • Family members of EEA nationals
• Will collaborative teaching and student exchange programmes with EU Universities continue after Brexit?

  Collaboration across world-class research, innovation and teaching makes an impact on organisations, local economies and student and staff opportunities.  In the context of Brexit, these links remain vital, fostering a dynamic exchange of talent and ideas through staff and student mobility.  Ulster University enjoys longstanding, mutually beneficial partnerships providing rich student exchanges, innovation or research partnerships.

  Ulster University's Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Bartholomew is continually lobbying at the highest level on issues affecting the university, including the recruitment of EU staff and students, research and impact funding and student mobility opportunities and has written to over 300 of our EU partners directly on our desire to continue to build on these well-established and successful relationships.

  We echo the calls across higher education for sufficient funding and the minimising of regulatory barriers post Brexit in order that we can sustain our existing links and seek new ways to work in partnership in the future for the benefit of students, our universities and wider society.

• What is the position of fees for ROI students wanting to study at Ulster? 

  ROI students will pay Home fees as under Common Travel Area arrangement.

  Details on Student Fees across our programmes are available here

  Click here for fees for admission for 2021/22 academic year and click for details for fees for 2022/23 academic year will be published here when available.

• If have settled status, what is position with fees? 

  Universities UK, states that in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, and who meet the relevant eligibility requirements in force at the time of course commencement, will have access to home fee status and student financial support in the 2021-22 academic year. Broadly, this applies to students with settled or pre-settled status and three years’ residence in the UK, EEA, or Switzerland. Further details can be found here for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

• I have experienced problems obtaining Settled Status/Pre-Settled Status - is specialist legal advice on my immigration status available?

  Yes, in the first instance, please direct any enquiries to the Students' Union who will liaise with the Office of University Secretary on your behalf and discuss your concerns with you and explore the next steps available to you.

• As an EU/EEA national, I currently use a non-UK issued driving licence, will this be valid following Brexit?

  According to NI Direct Guidance: If you hold a community licence issued in a member state of the European Economic Area (EEA) and are visiting Northern Ireland, you can drive any vehicle provided your licence is valid and it shows the suitable full entitlement for the vehicle you wish to drive.

  All drivers must satisfy Northern Ireland's minimum age requirements. These are 17 years for cars and motorcycles, 18 years for medium sized vehicles and 24 years for large lorries and buses.

  Community licences are issued by the following EEA member states:

  • United Kingdom (including Jersey, Guernsey and Isle Of Man)
  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Bulgaria
  • Croatia
  • Cyprus
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Ireland
  • Italy
  • Latvia
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Malta
  • Netherlands
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Romania
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Spain
  • Sweden
• I am an EU national applying for Settled or Pre-Settled Status, however I have travelled home and have plans to go on holiday post-Brexit, what impact will this have on my application?

  This will depend on the duration of your stay.

  To be eligible for settled status, UK Government's Guidance outlines that this requires that you lived in the UK for at least six months in any 12 month period for five consecutive years prior to exit day (30 December 2020) You’ll need to provide proof of this when you apply.  If you have not lived in the UK for five consecutive years you may still be eligible for pre-settled status.

• As a UK passport holder, where can I find further information on travelling to EU countries after the date the UK leaves the EU, if there is no deal?

  The UK Government’s current guidance on travelling under UK passports to EU countries is that UK nationals will need a minimum of six months remaining on their existing passport prior to travelling to Europe.  A passport checking service has been provided on the gov.uk website.

  • Passport rules for travel to Europe after Brexit
  • UK nationals travelling to the EU: Essential Information – Published 30 January 2019
• What are the additional measures required for driving between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland as an UK or a Republic of Ireland driving licence holder?

  If you hold an NI/ UK driving licence you will not need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive in the Republic of Ireland.  You will, however, need to carry your NI/ UK driving licence.

  NI drivers (private and commercial) however, will need to carry a physical Green Card when travelling across the border into the Republic of Ireland to prove they have valid insurance cover for their vehicle. A Green Card will also be required to drive your vehicle in the rest of the EU and EEA.

• Will there be access to healthcare for EU students while at Ulster University?

  If you are an EEA Citizen (not including Irish Citizens), access to healthcare is through the EU Settlement Scheme. The EU Settlement Scheme is open to all eligible EEA citizens and their family members. You will have until 30 June 2021 to apply.

  • If you are already registered with a GP you will not need to do anything further.
  • If you are not already registered with a GP you will need to be able to demonstrate that you were in the UK before 1 January 2021 and are intending to live here and not just on a visit.
  • To register with a GP after 30 June 2020 you will need to show you have registered with the EU Settlement Scheme.

  https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families(external link opens in a new window / tab)(external link opens in a new window / tab)

  https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/staying-northern-ireland-if-youre-eu-citizen(external link opens in a new window / tab)

• Where can I find advice on healthcare access for UK travellers to EU National States?

  According to UK Government Guidance, when you travel to an EU country you should have either:

  • a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
  • a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)
  • travel insurance with healthcare cover

  If your EHIC is still in date, you do not need to apply for a new GHIC.

  An EHIC or GHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance. Make sure you have both before you travel

  You can use a UK passport to get medically necessary healthcare in Norway.  GHICs and most UK EHICs are not valid in Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland. Make sure you take out travel insurance with medical cover for your trip.

• What arrangements will I have to make before driving in other EU countries (except NI) if I have a UK driving licence?

  NI Direct states:  Drivers (both commercial and private) may need one or more IDPs, in addition to their NI/UK driving licence, to drive in other EU and EEA countries.

  A Green Card will also be required to drive your vehicle in ROI as well as the rest of the EU and EEA.

  You must renew your licence before you can drive abroad.

  The UK government has issued guidance at this link:  Visit Europe from 1 January 2021

• As an Irish passport holder, where can I find further guidance?

  The Irish Government has published guidance online for Irish citizens living in Northern Ireland on a range of issues including access to healthcare, cross-border travel and rights which can be accessed at the following link:  https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/060fdf-northern-ireland/

• What do I need to do as an EU national to visit the UK after Brexit?

  On 12 September 2019, the UK updated it's guidance on what will be needed to enter the UK for a visit in both a deal and no deal scenarios.

  To check if you require a Visa to visit the UK, please click here

  Irish citizens will be able to enter, work and study in the UK without a visa, as they can now.

  You can still enter the UK using a passport which expires in less than 6 months.

  Find out how to get through border checks as quickly as possible.