Pressure is mounting on UK university leaders to reconsider tuition fees for EU students as part of a broader post-Brexit trade deal with the European Union. The upcoming UK-EU summit in Brussels on November 20 is expected to address this issue, among others. Despite opposition from some British university leaders, there is growing pressure to agree to a compromise on tuition fees to secure a new post-Brexit trade deal.
A compromise on tuition fees
Since the Brexit withdrawal agreement in 2020, EU students have faced the same tuition fees as other international students in the UK. These fees can be significantly higher than those for domestic students, sometimes doubling for certain courses at prestigious institutions. The Europeans are demanding a youth mobility scheme to enable under-30s to live, work, study, and travel on both sides of the English Channel, along with a cut in tuition fees for EU students, in return for concessions on food exports, energy links, and immigration cooperation.
For instance, the annual fee for Law at Sunderland University is £17,500 for international students entering in 2026-27, while at University College London, it’s £35,400. In contrast, domestic students pay a maximum of £9,790 per year.
The impact of Brexit on EU student numbers
In return, the UK seeks reduced red tape for food exporters, energy system links, and deeper immigration cooperation. A compromise proposed by the EU would see EU students pay the average cost of a three-year undergraduate course in the UK, approximately £13,000 per year. This is £3,000 more than domestic students but significantly less than other international students, who can pay up to £36,000.
The number of EU students in UK universities has dropped sharply since Brexit. Dr. Janet Ilieva, an international higher education consultant, notes a decline from 106,515 in 2020-21 to just 37,710 in 2024-25. Ilieva suggests that a £13,000 tuition fee could attract EU students back, especially with the UK rejoining the Erasmus+ program and the proposed youth mobility scheme. This could also help UK universities meet their Basic Compliance Assessment targets, reducing reliance on countries with higher visa refusal rates. These targets require universities to maintain visa refusal rates under 5%, achieve at least 95% enrollment for international applicants, and increase course completion rates from 85% to 90% by next June.
Related Post: UK student visa rejections rise to 4.9%
However, Anne-Marie Graham, a higher education consultant, warns that reduced fees for EU students might be seen as unfair by students from other countries, potentially impacting the UK’s reputation and recruitment in those markets.
Financial implications for UK universities
The Russell Group estimates that granting home fee status to EU students would cost UK universities around £580 million. However, this calculation is based on current EU student numbers and doesn’t account for potential increases if fees are reduced. According to a KPMG study for the Department for Education, the average cost of delivering an undergraduate degree in the UK was £12,317 per student in 2023-24. This varies by subject, with social sciences averaging £10,340 and engineering and technology at £14,083.
International student fees, including those from the EU, currently subsidize the lower fees charged to domestic students. This subsidy is key, as the Office for Students estimates that 45% of English universities will face a deficit in 2025-26. Many UK universities are already cutting jobs and degree programs to reduce costs, highlighting the financial pressures they face.
Broader implications and reactions
The summit, attended by UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, European Council President António Costa, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, is set to take place in Brussels on November 20, marking a critical moment in post-Brexit relations. The outcome of these negotiations will have significant implications for the future of higher education in the UK and its relationship with Europe.
