Student finance arrangements for the 2018 to 2019 academic year (including Erasmus+ students) in a no deal scenario.

If you are currently studying in the UK and you are not part of the Erasmus+ programme, then your student finance arrangements will not be affected if the UK leaves the EU without a deal, and you do not need to take any action.

If you are from a UK higher education provider and on an Erasmus+ placement when the UK leaves the EU, it is unlikely that your placement will be affected even in the event of the UK leaving the EU without a deal.

Where you are able to continue with your Erasmus+ placement as normal after the UK leaves the EU, your student finance arrangements will not be affected in a no deal scenario. Detailed guidance on student finance in different scenarios can found in the relevant sections below.

Undergraduate Erasmus+ students from UK higher education providers on an overseas placement

In a no deal scenario, the government underwrite guarantee made on 13 August 2016 means that successful Erasmus+ bids that are submitted and approved prior to the UK’s withdrawal from the EU will continue beyond exit day.

If you are able to continue with your Erasmus+ placement overseas when the UK leaves the EU, then your student finance arrangements will not be affected.

Please contact your home provider in the first instance if you require further information on your Erasmus+ placement.

If your circumstances change, for example if you do not continue with your overseas placement, you should contact Student Finance England as you would normally do if your circumstances change.

Students from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland should contact their relevant student funding body as listed at the bottom of this guide.

Students from UK higher education providers on overseas study placements or sandwich placements

If you are a student that is not participating in the Erasmus+ scheme, and you are able to continue with your placement overseas should the UK leave the EU in a no deal scenario, then your student finance arrangements should not change. You should speak to your higher education provider in the first instance about completing your placement.

If you are funded by Student Finance England and you need to return to the UK after EU exit to complete your year of study, you should contact your higher education provider for information about your tuition fee.

If there is any increase in your tuition fee, you should be able to apply for an additional fee loan to cover it, providing you meet the relevant eligibility criteria.

Once you have returned to the UK, you should inform Student Finance England of your change of address. The amount of maintenance loan that you will receive for the rest of the year will be reassessed based on where you are now living and studying.

Students from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland should contact their student funding body as listed at the bottom of this guide.

Erasmus+ students from EU higher education providers currently on placements at UK higher education providers

If you are an Erasmus+ student from an EU higher education provider currently on a placement at a UK higher education provider, please speak to your UK provider in the first instance about arrangements relating to your placement following EU exit. As is currently the case, if you are a student at an English higher education provider you will not be eligible for support from Student Finance England to complete your Erasmus+ placement.

Students on placements in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland should contact the relevant student funding body as listed at the bottom of this guide.

UK nationals studying in the EU

If you are a UK national currently studying in the EU, we recommend that you complete your study at your current EU higher education provider if possible.

If you want to come back to the UK to complete your studies, you can find out whether you would be eligible for student finance support by contacting the relevant student funding body in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales where you resided prior to your study at an EU institution.

If you have never resided in the UK, contact the relevant student funding body where you wish to study.

Published 15 March 2019 Contents