One of the most damaging consequences of Brexit is the loss of freedom of movement. UK citizens could previously study and work in Europe indefinitely, visa-free. The mobility of UK citizens in the EU is now restricted.

This loss, as well as decisions made by politicians pandering to anti-European attitudes, has made life more difficult for UK students looking to study in the EU. For those from less fortunate backgrounds, these challenges could prohibit studying abroad.

Loss of access after Brexit

Under free movement, study abroad was more accessible to UK citizens in the EU than in other areas of the world. Erasmus+ funding meant there was a lower barrier to entry for these European opportunities compared to elsewhere.

Free movement also meant that preparing to study abroad in Europe was not as time-consuming for UK citizens as it was for countries not in the Schengen zone. Because of the (so-called) Trade and Cooperation Agreement, longer periods of study in the EU now require a lengthy visa process. So since Brexit, the barriers for UK students are similar for both European and non-European options.

Erasmus+ vs Turing

Johnson’s government chose to reject the offer available to them of continued Erasmus+ membership. They opted instead to create the Turing Scheme, claiming it would increase access to international opportunities for students from poorer backgrounds. In fact, the Turing Scheme does the opposite.

This article focuses on the legal processes and the issue of funding for UK students in the EU. Note, however, that further barriers are created for students thanks to Brexit and to anti-European ideology.

Visas: an uncertain process

As EU citizens, UK citizens did not need a visa to study in EU countries. The local authority had to be notified of a stay exceeding 90 days, but this happened after arrival.

Now, staying in the EU for longer than a total of 90 days within a 180-day rolling window requires a visa. Most students study abroad for a semester or a year, so visas are now necessary. Applying for a visa is time-consuming and costly. In my case, applying for a Polish visa cost £112. I had to demonstrate that I had insurance cover, had made accommodation arrangements and had sufficient financial means.

I had to wait for an available appointment to submit a visa application on the online system. In the case of Poland, submission has to be done at the London consulate – not easy without good public transport links to the city. Even then, the application could be rejected, with another £112 fee to be paid for the decision to be reconsidered.

For students who split a year abroad between two different European countries, a national visa will now be required for each one.

Extra hurdles

Some students may find they have missed out on better insurance and accommodation options that become available later, after they have begun applying for a visa. The host university’s accommodation is often cheaper than private options, but may not be confirmed in time.

For students in paid employment, frequent checks for appointments are difficult. For the appointment itself, they may need time off work, forfeiting income. Those from poorer backgrounds may struggle to prove in advance sufficient financial means for their entire period of study. This problem is exacerbated by the loss of Erasmus+ pre-financing and real-terms maintenance loan cuts since 2021. The cost of the visa and travel to the relevant consulate could be prohibitive for some students.

Residence permits

Since Brexit, UK citizens staying in Poland for longer than 90 days have to apply for a temporary residence permit within 90 days of arrival. This is in addition to the visa process in the UK, and more formal than what is required of EU citizens.

Shorter options

Summer schools in Europe can be a simpler way to gain international experience, since they fit within the 90-day rule. However, these opportunities often only appear at the last minute, and less reliably. The shorter stay is different from living and studying away from home for several months, and arguably a poor substitute as international experience.

The Turing Scheme

The UK left the Erasmus+ scheme on 31 December 2020, Johnson’s ideologically anti-European government having turned down the offer to stay in. In 2021, they introduced the Turing Scheme as a way to support less well-off students studying abroad. It would, they claimed, help more students from disadvantaged backgrounds than Erasmus+.

The scheme, however, did not perform as described. It has a one-year project cycle, so funding is unreliable, and rules for allocation vary between institutions. My uni cohort were clearly told that we could not rely on receiving Turing funding. For many, this closes the option of opportunities abroad.

Erasmus+ funding model

Erasmus+ on the other hand, offered pre-financing to UK educational institutions arranging periods abroad: some of the funding was available prior to placements being confirmed. This allowed less well-off students to pay for the initial costs of travel. Turing only approves applications once placements are confirmed, so students have to pay initial costs themselves, and may not receive any funding until after their placement has started. Not good news for students from deprived backgrounds.

Conclusion

As a result of the anti-European ideology that motivated not only the choice to leave the EU but also the nature of post-Brexit arrangements, some students, especially the less well-off, miss out on the opportunity to study abroad. Yet studying abroad can help with social mobility. International experience enables students to stand out in an increasingly competitive employment market.

Data from Queen Mary University of London suggests that the wages of students who have studied abroad are slightly higher following graduation. Prior to Brexit, pursuing these opportunities within the EU and Schengen area could be seen as a more accessible way to reap the benefits of international study compared to options outside of Europe.

However, since Brexit, study seems no more accessible in the EU than further overseas.

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