Press release

EU nationals remain eligible for postgraduate support from UK’s Research Councils

The government has reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining the UK’s status as a world-leader in science and research.

  • Research Council studentships remain open to EU students starting courses in academic year 2017 to 2018
  • the funding support will cover the duration of their course, even if the course concludes after the UK has left the EU
  • reaffirms government commitment to maintaining the UK’s status as a world-leader in science and research

The government will continue to support the UK’s world leading science and research sector by continuing to welcome the best minds from across Europe to study in the UK. The importance of international science and research collaboration was reaffirmed today (1 December 2016) with the announcement that EU nationals beginning courses in academic year 2017 to 2018 remain eligible for postgraduate training support from the UK’s Research Councils on the current basis.

As home to some of the world’s best universities and research facilities, the UK attracts students from across Europe and beyond to study in the UK. Today’s clarification means EU nationals starting courses in the next academic year will continue to have access to Research Council PhD studentships to help fund their study in the UK.

Universities and Science Minister Jo Johnson said:

The UK is a world leader in science and research and a key part of that is attracting the brightest talent from across the world to contribute to the pioneering work being done in our universities and research centres.

Today’s clarification on postgraduate support for EU students starting courses in 2017 to 2018 is further evidence of our commitment to ensuring the UK remains at the forefront of global science.

Chair of Research Councils UK (RCUK) Professor Philip Nelson said:

Supporting the most talented students at the start of their research career is something which RCUK takes very seriously. We are very pleased that both students and higher education institutions can now feel confident in moving ahead with recruitment for the next academic year. We will continue to work with government to provide as much clarity and assurance for the future as possible.

The news follows the Department for Education’s announcement in October 2016 that EU nationals applying for undergraduate and masters’ courses starting in academic year 2017 to 2018 will remain eligible for student loans and grants for the duration of their courses.

Further information on RCUK funding for research training.

Published 1 December 2016