With the end of the transition getting closer and the UK still in need to agree on the terms and conditions for future relationships with the EU, Erasmus participation in Brexit Britain is certainly considered to be in danger.

As reported by ThepieNews  a survey shows that 84% of EU students will “definitely” not study in the UK if they are charged with international students fees: The UK government confirmed in June that students from the EU, EEA (European Economic Area) and Swiss nationals would, from August 2021, be charged a different tuition rate from the one paid by domestic students. 

The full Survey can be found here.

Predictions now seem confirmed as in a survey from StudyPortals in March 2019 63.7% of students already considered that the UK would become a less attractive study destination following Brexit. Hence, that policy is clearly viewed as “bad news” for universities as said by Nick Hillman, director of the Higher education policy institute : “To date, EU students have benefited from lower fees and access to student loans that are subsidised by UK taxpayers. Together, these have lowered the financial obstacles to studying in the UK” he said “My message to any EU citizen wishing to benefit from the current arrangements is that it is not too late to apply for entry in 2020, before the new rules come into force next year.”

Scotland appears in turn torn between Brexit and the EU (initially, ministers had announced a continuation of the free tuition for EU citizens, but had to backpedal the announcement). Richard Lochhead, minister for further education, higher education and science added however that if Scotland were to re-join the EU, the tuition measures would be reverted back to what they were before Brexit. However, it could very well be that students will flock to Scottish universities before free tuitions end.

Scottish universities have been told to expect a surge in applications before the changes in tuition are made. There is likely to be a short-term spike in applications, followed however by an inevitable fall once tuition fees change.