Following the result of the UK EU referendum on 23 June to leave the European Union, you may have questions about what this means for you and your studies at Bournemouth University in September 2016.
Negotiations between the UK and EU member states are likely to take at least two years from the time the UK formally notifies the EU member states that it plans to leave. Currently the position of the UK Government is that this notification will not happen until October 2016 at the earliest, so the UK may not actually leave the EU until late in 2018 or even later than that.
So what does this mean for students?
John Vinney, Vice-Chancellor, in his most recent statement said, "I want to reassure all staff and students that we take very seriously our position as one of the Times Higher Education’s Top 200 most international universities in the world. We will continue to focus on excellent research, linked to professional practice and education. The cultural and academic contribution of our international colleagues, students and partners is a vital part of this, and we are determined that this will continue."
We will communicate with all staff and students when information becomes available but for now here are a few general points to provide some reassurance.
EU students with a place to start in September 2016
You are an EU student paying EU level fees, and these fees are fixed for the duration of your programme. BU commits not to change fees for students once you start your programme of study.
If you are eligible for access to a UK Government loan and maintenance scheme, you will have access to those schemes for the duration of your programme.
You will not need a work permit to work while studying while the UK is still an EU member state.
You will not need a visa for your studies while the UK is still an EU member state.
The Student Loans Company, the company that administers the student loans and maintenance schemes in England have confirmed that your access to loans and maintenance grants will not change for the duration of your programme.
Current EU students
You are an EU student paying EU level fees, and these fees were fixed for the duration of your programme. BU committed not to change fees for students once you started your programme of study.
If you are eligible for access to a UK Government loan and maintenance scheme, you will continue to have access to those schemes for the duration of your programme.
You will not need a work permit to work while studying while the UK is still an EU member state.
You will not need a visa for your studies while the UK is still an EU member state.
The Student Loans Company, the company that administers the student loans and maintenance schemes in England have confirmed that your access to loans and maintenance grants will not change for the duration of your programme.
EU students studying in the UK under the Erasmus programme
Your immigration status has not changed, and you will continue to be eligible for your Erasmus grant until at least as long as we remain a member of the EU. This will remain the case until the Government decides otherwise. Jo Johnson, UK Minister of State for Universities and Science released a statement saying “The referendum result does not affect students studying in the EU, beneficiaries of Erasmus+ or those considering applying in 2017. The UK’s future access to the Erasmus+ programme will be determined as a part of wider discussions with the EU.
UK students studying in the EU and elsewhere under the Erasmus programme
Your immigration status has not changed, and you will continue to be eligible for your Erasmus grant until at least as long as we remain a member of the EU. Jo Johnson, UK Minister of State for Universities and Science released a statement saying, “The referendum result does not affect students studying in the EU, beneficiaries of Erasmus+ or those considering applying in 2017. The UK’s future access to the Erasmus+ programme will be determined as a part of wider discussions with the EU. More broadly, existing UK students studying in the EU, and those looking to start in the next academic year, will continue to be subject to current arrangements.”
All staff currently undertaking EU funded projects
The UK’s status as a full participating member of the Horizon 2020 programme has not changed as a result of the referendum vote. Jo Johnson, UK Minister of State for Universities and Science released a statement saying “The referendum result has no immediate effect on those applying to or participating in Horizon 2020. UK participants can continue to apply to the programme in the usual way. The future of UK access to European science funding will be a matter for future discussions. Government is determined to ensure that the UK continues to play a leading role in European and international research.”
Read the full statement made by BU Vice-Chancellor, Professor John Vinney, in response to the EU Referendum result and contact AskBU for further guidance.
