Study in the European Union
What you need to do if you're planning to start higher education in the EU.
Applies to England
Make sure that you:
- review all visa requirements when you are considering studying in the EU
- meet all visa and residency conditions for your destination or you may not be allowed to stay
Doing part of your course in the EU
Talk to your UK higher education provider or visit the UCAS website if you’re thinking about studying part of your course in the EU. Your education provider will be able to talk you through your options.
Before starting your course you should take out comprehensive travel insurance while in the UK. It’s important to make sure all your health needs are covered. Talk to your provider if you have any queries.
You can also check:
- the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) living in guides which include residency rules and visa requirements for the country you want to study in
- healthcare advice for UK nationals
- that you hold a valid Student European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or Student Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)
Financial support
You may be eligible for financial support from Student Finance England if you’re enrolled on a course in England and want to do part of your course in the EU.
Contact your relevant student funding body if you’re from Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
International placements
You should enquire about international placements through your UK higher education provider. They can talk you through what options are available and any schemes you might be eligible for.
The UK and EU have agreed in principle that the UK will join the Erasmus+ programme in 2027. Students will be able to go on an Erasmus+ placement in the academic year 2027 to 2028.
If you are an individual student, you will not be able to apply directly for Erasmus+ funding. You should apply through your UK higher education provider.
The Turing Scheme is the UK Government’s global programme for students to study and work abroad.
Students can develop new skills, gain international experience and boost their employability.
Turing Scheme funded placements are currently underway for the current 2025 to 2026 academic year. Details and guidance for future years will be shared in due course.
Doing your whole course at a higher education provider in the EU
The student support you may be eligible for, and the fees you need to pay, will depend on where in the EU you’re planning to study and when you move there.
You should:
- check the FCDO living in guides which include residency rules and visa requirements for the country you want to study in
- check healthcare advice for UK nationals
- make sure that you hold a valid Student European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or Student Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)
- purchase comprehensive travel insurance while in the UK
- make sure all your health needs are covered by your insurance policy and talk to your provider if you have any queries
You will not be eligible for financial support from Student Finance England if you’re enrolled on a course substantially provided abroad.
Contact your relevant funding body if you’re from Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
British citizens studying in the Republic of Ireland will continue to be covered by the Common Travel Area (CTA) arrangements.
If you were already living in the EU by 31 December 2020
You have the same right to access education as citizens from the EU member state where you are studying as long as you were living there and lawfully resident before 1 January 2021. Read more specific information on living in your EU country.
The fees you are charged should be the same as fees charged to citizens of your host country. You may not be entitled to maintenance grants or loans from the host country unless you have permanent residency or are a worker in that country.
Talk to your HE provider in the relevant EU member state to check the details of your entitlements.
Moving to the EU to start a course after 1 January 2021
You may need to pay different fee rates as a non-EU national if you’re planning to study your whole degree course at a university in an EU member state.
You should contact the relevant HE provider in the EU member state you are going to, so that you can check:
- what fees you may have to pay
- if there is any financial support available for students from the UK
- if there are any funding schemes, bursaries or scholarships you can apply for
Travelling abroad
You should be ready to comply with the host nation’s travel requirements, including having documents that you will need to present at border controls.
Support when you’re abroad
There is guidance available on:
Contact the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission or the FCDO in London on 020 7008 1500 if you need emergency help from the UK government while overseas because:
- the country you are in will not allow you to travel back to the UK
- there are no commercial travel options available
Updates to this page
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Updated the information on Erasmus+ and the Turing Scheme.
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Updated to reflect the changes to guidance on travel to the UK and removal of the red list.
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Updated with further information about returning to the UK and links to guidance on travel, testing and quarantine (the red, amber, green list).
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Updated with additional information about healthcare, access to student support and travel advice.
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Updated to provide further details that you should consider if you're planning to study in the EU.
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Updated information on international exchanges and added information about the Turing scheme to support students to study and work abroad.
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Added information about travel insurance, making changes to Erasmus+ placements and support when you're abroad.
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First published.