Applying to Essex from October 2021
Our academic courses and student services will continue to be available to European students as before, but you should be aware of a few changes to student funding and immigration requirements after the UK has left the European Union. Please note that these changes do not apply to Irish nationals living in the UK or Ireland.
Funding your studies
If you'll be coming to study in the UK for the first time from October 2021 you are likely to be classified as an international student for tuition fee purposes. This means that you will be required to pay international tuition fees, and will not have access to tuition fee loans from the UK government. In recognition of the changed funding, we have introduced EU scholarships for new undergraduate, masters and research students. The £5,000 undergraduate scholarships are available for the duration of your degree so you'll receive the scholarship for each year of studies in your undergraduate degree. There are additional scholarships and funding sources available for some countries, please check the webpage for your country for further information.
Coming to the UK to study
Please note that from the 1 October 2021 you will require a valid passport to enter the UK that should be valid for the duration of your stay. It will not be possible to use an EEA or Swiss national identity card to enter the UK unless you have obtained settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, in this case you may be able to use a valid identity card or passport which is registered on your UK Visas and Immigration account. Read the government website for more information.
If you arrived in the UK prior to the end of the transition period (31 December 2020) you should have applied for settlement via the EU Settlement Scheme by 30 June 2021, it may still be possible to apply if you have a ‘reasonable excuse’ for why you couldn’t apply by the deadline. Read the government website for more information and the UKCISA guidance.
If you're arriving in the UK after 31 December 2020, you're likely to require a Student visa to study with us in the UK. Find out if you need a visa and read our Immigration webpages for guidance about applying for your Student visa.
Do not travel to the UK before you have the outcome to your visa or EU Settlement application and have been issued with your visa or settled/pre-settled status (EUSS). If you are issued with a Student visa, when it is granted it will have a date it is valid from, you must not attempt to enter the UK before this date. Read our arriving in the UK webpage for more information.
Part-time courses
Please note that if you are an EU or EEA national, you'll only be able to study a part-time course if you hold Settled Status in the UK. If you will need a Student visa to study in the UK then you will not be able to study part-time.
Working in the UK after your studies
If you have a Student visa to study with us, it may be possible for you to stay in the UK to work after you’ve been awarded an eligible qualification, through the new Graduate route. Our courses prepare you for the world of work, and our Student Development Team are on hand to support you in making the most of your time outside of your studies, with careers advice and preparation, and part-time work opportunities to gain real-world work experience (subject to your immigration conditions).
