Words by Arianna Bonazzi
Every year, over 750,000 international students pack their bags, grab their passports, and head to the UK for university — a dream for some, a pricey gamble for others. According to government statistics for 2022-23, 95,505 of these students from EU countries, while 663,355 came from non-EU nations, in total EU students make up a hefty 26% of the UK’s university student body. But here’s the kicker: Brexit — that little constitutional shake-up — has completely flipped the script for EU students, turning what was once a seamless journey into an expensive and bureaucratic maze.
Brexit has completely altered the higher education game for EU students. Once upon a time, EU nationals paid the same fees as UK students, at around £9,500 a year. Fast forward to today, and they’re hit with international rates averaging a jaw-dropping £19,500, putting them in the same boat as non-EU students.
Unsurprisingly, this has scared off a lot of EU hopefuls. According to the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), EU enrolments climbed steadily through the 2010s, only to nosedive by 53% post-Brexit. To compensate, universities are working overtime to attract students from elsewhere, particularly from China and India. It’s a whole new playing field, and EU students are definitely feeling the pinch.
For international students, costs extend far beyond tuition fees. EU students now have to jump through the hoops of obtaining a Tier 4 student visa, which brings extra headaches and a serious dent in the wallet. Between visa fees, NHS health surcharges, and endless paperwork, the process is as exhausting as it is expensive. And sure, the visa lets students work up to 20 hours a week, but let’s be real—a part-time paycheck barely puts a dent in sky-high living costs, especially in cities like Manchester where rent and household bills are through the roof.
As if that wasn’t enough, January 2024 brought us shiny new visa restrictions. The UK Government says they’re cracking down on “net migration” while still keeping the cash flow from international students alive and well. One big change? Students can’t switch to a work visa until they finish their studies, meaning that they can no longer secure formal employment offers until they’ve completed their course. The Government’s pitch is all about protecting public services and making migration “fairer”—but for students, it feels like an additional hurdle on an already steep climb.
Despite all these roadblocks, UK universities still have a glowing reputation. Schools like the University of Manchester and other Russell Group institutions are magnets for students chasing prestige. A UK degree is like a golden ticket, opening doors to career opportunities around the world. This global respect comes partly from historical clout — yes, British imperialism still casts a long shadow — and partly from the genuinely high standards of education that these institutions maintain. But is all that prestige worth the stress, cash, and bureaucratic headache? Families have to crunch the numbers and decide if the bragging rights of a UK degree balance out the costs. Sure, living and studying in an English-speaking country is a vibe, but that vibe comes with a hefty price tag.
At the end of the day, whether to study in the UK is a personal choice. For some, the global recognition of a UK degree makes all the sacrifices worthwhile. For others, the price and red tape are deal-breakers, especially with top-notch universities elsewhere in Europe offering a more affordable, hassle-free ride.
What’s clear is that accessibility is taking a hit. Education should be about merit and opportunity, not about who can survive the paperwork marathon and shell out the most cash. With Brexit and its fallout, the UK risks pricing out a chunk of the international student crowd—especially EU students who used to find studying here affordable and straightforward.
