EU referendum response

Here at Canterbury Christ Church University our staff and our students from across the EU are, and will continue to be, extremely important members of our diverse and multi-cultural University community. They make a significant contribution to who we are, what we stand for, and our long-term commitment to internationalisation.

Christ Church is at the forefront of analysis of the local impact of our exit from the EU across different sectors, including business and commerce, agriculture, healthcare, local government, and policing and security. More details are available on the CEFEUS webpages.

Here you can find the latest statements on the UK's exit from the EU, from our University and other organisations.

Government statements and information about Brexit

UK NATIONALS TRAVELLING TO THE EU: ESSENTIAL INFORMATION

On 19 February 2019, the Government updated its Brexit travel advice to UK nationals travelling to the European Union, European Economic Area (EEA) and European Free Trade Area (EFTA), and Switzerland.

The Government's travel advice pages are regularly updated.

GOVERNMENT OUTLINES NO DEAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR EU CITIZENS

On 28 January 2019, the Government announced 'no deal' Brexit arrangements for EU citizens.

In the event of no deal, EU citizens will be able to enter the UK to visit, work or study after 31 October 2019. For stays longer than 3 months, European Temporary Leave to Remain will be required.

Non-UK EU citizens residing in the UK on 31 October 2019 will need to apply for settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme by 30 June 2021.

GOVERNMENT EU SETTLEMENT SCHEME

The Government's EU Settlement Scheme enables EU citizens and their family members living in the UK to continue living here after the UK withdraws from the EU, with the same rights as they have now.

The deadline for applying for settled status is 30 June 2021. In January 2019, the Government announced that it would abolish the fee for applying for settled status.

More information about eligibility and the application process can be found on the GOV.UK website.

EU STUDENTS TO RETAIN HOME FEE STATUS FOR 2020/21

In May 2019, the Government announced that students from the European Union starting courses in England in the 2020/21 academic year will continue to be treated as UK students, in terms of fees and financial support, for the duration of their studies.

previous government statements

Frequently asked questions

Current students

WILL I BE ABLE TO WORK IN THE UK WHILE A STUDENT?

In the event of a no deal Brexit, EU, EEA and Swiss citizens citizens will be able to enter the UK to work but will require European Temporary Leave to Remain for stays longer than three months. Citizens given European Temporary Leave to Remain will be able to stay in the UK for 36 months from the date it is granted.

EU citizens living in the UK on or before 31 October, 2019 will continue to be able to work in the UK, without settled status, until 31 December 2020.

Will brexit affect me travelling IN THE eu?

If the UK leaves the EU without a deal on 31 October, 2019, you should keep up-to-date with information on the Government website and news and consider that there might be some delays at entry points into the UK.

For UK citizens travelling in Europe, the European Council has confirmed that, in the event of no deal, it will allow visa-free travel to all EU/EEA and Swiss countries, including those not in the Schengen zone, for a period of up to 90 days (across any 180 day period). This will remain the case provided the UK reciprocates on the same basis.

The Government’s current passport advice is that under no deal UK nationals will need a minimum of six months remaining on their existing passport prior to travelling to Europe. In the event of no deal, the Home Office has advised EU nationals to ensure that they have six months’ validity on their passports before travelling after 31 October 2019.

A passport checking service has been provided on the gov.uk website. The gov.uk website also provides specific guidance for UK passport holders wishing to travel after 31 October, 2019, in the event of a no deal, as new rules will apply depending on the country that you are visiting. There is also additional guidance to cover travel to the EU by land, sea or rail.

In the event of a no deal Brexit, travel arrangements for non-UK EU citizens will not change until the end of 2020. EU citizens will still be able to enter the UK using a passport or ID card and can continue to use the ePassport gates at UK airports.

WILL THIS AFFECT MY TUITION FEES OR FINANCIAL SUPPORT?

Current non-UK EU students and those starting their course in 2020/21 will continue to receive funding for the duration of their course and will remain eligible for 'home fee status'.

In the event of a no deal Brexit, EU nationals, and their family members, starting courses in England in the 2020/21 academic year, will remain eligible for undergraduate and postgraduate financial support from Student Finance England / Wales / NI for the duration of their course, provided they meet the existing residency requirements. For further information and guidance click here.

will my European Health Insurance Card be valid after brexit?

If the UK leaves the EU without a deal on 31 October 2019, your European Health Insurance Card might not be valid anymore. The Government is advising UK citizens travelling to the EU after 31 October to buy travel insurance that comes with healthcare cover before they travel.

More information is available on GOV.UK.

I am planning to drive in the EU after 31 October. What should I do?

Drivers from the UK may need a different international driving permit (IDP) to drive abroad.

If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, UK drivers may also need an IDP and extra documentation to drive in the EU and EEA.

More information is available on GOV.UK.

WHERE CAN I FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HOW BREXIT WILL AFFECT ME

Further information is available on the UKCISA website for students including Brexit FAQs for EU students.

staff

AS A MEMBER OF STAFF FROM THE EU, how WILL THIS AFFECT ME?

To enable you to continue living here after the UK withdraws from the EU, with the same rights as you have now, you will need to apply for settled status under the Government's EU Settlement Scheme.

The deadline for applying for settled status is 30 June 2021. More information about eligibility and the application process can be found on the GOV.UK website.

At its meeting on 8 November 2016 SMT approved a proposal to provide short-term loans to members of staff who may wish to apply for residency, citizenship or settlement in the UK. While it is anticipated that the loan scheme will be of most interest to colleagues from other EU countries following the result of the year’s EU Referendum, it will also be available to those who are in the UK under Tier 2 sponsorship by the University.
Full details of the scheme, and how to apply, can be found at: https://cccu.canterbury.ac.uk/hr-and-od/policies-and-procedures/short-life-loan-policy.aspx (internal only page).

SHOULD STAFF STILL APPLY FOR EU RESEARCH FUNDING?

The government has committed to guarantee funding for all successful competitive UK bids to Horizon 2020 that are submitted before we leave the EU, if there’s a no-deal Brexit.

The guarantee also covers all successful competitive UK bids to Horizon 2020 calls open to third-country participation submitted between Brexit and the end of 2020. Both the guarantee and extension commit funding to UK Horizon 2020 participants for the lifetime of projects.

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) will also manage the independent assessment of UK applications to European Research Council (ERC), Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) and SMEi grants that have been submitted before Brexit, if they are not assessed by the European Commission. Successful applications will be funded for the lifetime of the project.

More information can be found on the GOV.UK website.

Will this affect me travelling?

If the UK leaves the EU without a deal on 31 October, you should keep up-to-date with information on the Government website and news and consider that there might be some delays at entry points into the UK.

The Government’s current passport advice is that under no deal UK nationals will need a minimum of six months remaining on their existing passport prior to travelling to Europe. The Home Office has advised EU nationals to ensure that they have six months’ validity on their passports before travelling after 31 October, should there be a no-deal Brexit.

Information on this page is accurate to the best of the University's knowledge and based on advice from the UK government and national bodies for universities. However, we reserve the right to update and amend information as we seek further clarification on questions arising from the referendum.

Destination Canterbury

Our world-famous city warmly welcomes thousands of visitors and students from across the globe every year.

Research

Expert comments

External statements

- A ‘no deal’ Brexit: implications for universities and minimising risk (Universities UK, April 2019)
- Government announcement on EU students' fee status

Find out more

Government EU Settlement Scheme

Brexit and UK universities

Contact us

If you have any question or queries, please get in touch: eu@canterbury.ac.uk