How Brexit will affect education in the UK and international students

On June 23, 2016, in a referendum held in the UK, 52% of voters voted for the country's exit from the EU. Brexit (from the English British Exit - "British exit") caused a violent reaction from the public. Experts and ordinary citizens argue about how Britain's exit from the EU will affect the country's economy, relations with other countries, and education. For UK universities and students from the European Union, Brexit could have serious consequences. What are the main issues on the agenda?

Will tuition fees for EU students increase?

The main question being asked today by EU students studying in the UK or planning to go there is - will the cost of education increase? While the price for a year of study at the best British universities for EU citizens is on average £ 9,000. But for non-EU students, the cost is much higher: for humanitarian and creative specialties - from £ 13,000 per year of study, and for medical students - £32 000.

Since 2012, the number of foreign students began to decline due to a threefold increase in tuition fees from £ 3375 per year to £ 9000 and the tightening of the country's visa policy, first of all, expressed in the impossibility of staying in the country after graduation for a year in order to find a job.Uncertainty about the UK's exit from the EU could exacerbate the situation. Of the 2.3 million students admitted to British universities in 2014-2015, 436.585 or 19% came to study from the EU and other countries. Of the number of foreign students , 124.575 or 28.5% of students are from EU countries.

By American standards, the cost of education in the UK is not high, while in the European Union, British universities are the most expensive. With higher tuition fees, students may start looking for a more affordable education option in Europe. For example, higher education in Germany at state universities in the country is mostly free.

Michael Arthur, Rector of University College London, predicts a 70-80% decrease in the number of EU students in the near future .The data of a survey published in Hobsons confirm this .According to the study, 82% of EU students will consider the UK universities less attractive if it leaves the European Union.

What do representatives of British universities say about the increase in tuition fees? Earlier this yearSimon Gaskell, rector of Queen Mary University, said that tuition fees for promising students from the European Union will remain the standard £ 9,000 regardless of the outcome of the June 23 vote. University College London has assured that they will not increase the cost of university tuition for students from EU countries who entered here in 2016/17.

Will the UK remain without EU funding?

The EU actively funds research in the UK. Due to Brexit, education in the country will be left without financial EU support. Representatives of the National Union of students were disappointed with the results of the referendum and especially with the high proportion of young voters who voted to leavefrom ES. They say that students are concerned that they may be left without financial support for their projects. And due to financial problems, UK universities may end up increasing tuition fees in order to compensate.

Supporters of Brexit, oddly enough, believe that the country's exit from the EU, on the contrary, will entail additional funding.In addition, the UK will be left without financial commitments to the EU and will be in a better position because it will be able to finance its own research.

But heads of 103 UK universities disagree with this point of view. They signed an open letter published in the Sunday Times of London, in which they expressed their concern about the consequences of Britain's exit from the EU. In the letter, they noted that every year, university injections into the country's economy amount to 73 million pounds, of which 3.7 million come from students from EU countries.

Will the UK be eligible for Erasmus+?

Erasmus+ is an EU program designed to support education, training, youth and sports in Europe. A budget of € 14.7 billion provides an opportunity for more than 4 million Europeans to study, gain professional experience, as well as study, live, do scientific research and take part in volunteer projects abroad.

Due to the UK's exit from the EU, the country may stop participating in this program. Students will not be able to use the Erasmus+ program, which is so popular at British universities.However, some non-EU countries such as Norway, Switzerland and Turkey neverthelessparticipate in the Erasmus+ program. A spokesperson for the program commented on the situation: "We are working with colleagues in government and beyond to assess our next steps and will continue to communicate with them further. "Therefore, the future of the popular program is questionable. Change won't happen overnight; it will take years. Time will tell if Erasmus+ will be active in the UK.

What do representatives of universities and educational organizations in Europe and the UK say?

In addition to an open letter signed by 103 heads of British universities against Britain's withdrawal from the union of European states, representatives of Cambridge posted a statement in which they noted that “they will continue to work withour partners in business, as well as in research and academic fields, in order to understand the implications of these results. "They expect Cambridge to remain a global player in education.

Employees of another leading British university - Oxford University recalled that the process of leaving the union will take at least 2 years. "The Democratic decision has been made and Oxford will continue to operate as one of the best universities in the world and will play a leading role in shaping the future of the UK."

Representatives from University College London and Queen Mary University said that tuition fees for EU students will remain the same for now. According to the opinion of the European Students' Association, British universities have always been and remain part of the family of European universities that transcends EU borders.

Representatives of the National Union of Students also expressed regret about the decision of the referendum, they were disappointed by the particularly high proportion of young voters who voted to leavefrom the EU. Representativesof the organization added that the EU is actively funding universities, therefore students are concerned that they may be left without financial support for their projects.

The British University Association reported its disappointment with the results of the referendum. Association President Julia Goodfellow noted that the Association will focus on supporting the global policy of universities. “Our top priority is to convince the UK government to allow EU students and staff to continue to study and work at UK universities, and to help attract the best minds from different countries to the UK. They make a significant contributioninto British university research. "

The British Council, which provides assistance and advice to international students wishing to study in the UK, says: “As the UK's international organization for cultural relations and educational opportunities, the British Council works withour European neighbors for over 80 years and will continue to do so to strengthen ties. "

Will the UK lose its reputation as a world leader in education?

It is believed that the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union could undermine the country's position as a world leader in science, art and innovation. After all, the UK will be left without EU funding, and this may lead to a deterioration in the quality of research.

There are also speculations that the UK will become less attractive to international students.Michael Arthur, president and rector of University College London, says the number of EU students could decrease by several times. If Britain does secede from the European Union, EU students may have to pay more tuition fees. Plus, they can be cut off from accessing UK student loans. They will also have to obtain a visa before starting their studies.

From Michael Arthur's point of view, leaving the European Union could affect the reputation of British education, because it is known as free, cosmopolitan and liberal.But because of the referendum, it could gain an isolationist reputation.

Jamie Martin, a former special adviser to the UK Department of Education, believes that the current system of charging different tuition fees for international students based on their nationality is "unforgivable. "The creation of a single payment system for all students would be a godsend for universities. Universities will have access to a "broader pool of talent where all nationalities are equal. "He criticized the visa policy, according to which the worst German student gets automatic access to education, while this is not impossible for a brilliant Indian scholar.

The Guardian posteda surveyon its website to find out how students feel about this decision, in which you too can participate.

Thus, the future of Great Britain and its formation is still unclear. The process of leaving the EU will be gradual and will takeat least two years.Universities and educational organizations assure that they will work with their partners as usual and will not increase the cost of education. Time will tell how it will be in practice.

Author: Anna Valieva