EU Settlement Scheme to Study in the UK

On December 31st 2020 the UK formally left the European Union, meaning major changes to how EU students pay their fees and enroll at UK universities.

To help ease the transition, the UK Government introduced the EU Settlement Scheme. The EU Settlement Scheme was designed to protect your residence in the UK after the transition period ended on 31 December 2020, granting either settled or pre-settled status.

Learn more about the EU Settlement Scheme below and if you have any questions, please arrange a free consultation with SI-UK London today.

EU Settlement Scheme FAQ

– What is the difference between settled and pre-settled status?

EU citizens will have been granted settled status through the EU Settlement Scheme if they started living in the UK by 31st December 2020 and lived in the UK for a continuous 5-year period (known as ‘continuous residence’).

If EU citizens did not have 5-years’ continuous residence, then pre-settled status was applied, but they must have started living in the UK by 31st December 2020.

– Why use the EU Settlement Scheme?

If you applied to the EU Settlement Scheme successfully as settled or pre-settled, you’ll be able to continue living, studying and working in the UK. You’ll be given either:

Settled status, lasting 5 years in the UK
Pre-settled status, less than 5 years in the UK

– What rights do I have with EU settled or pre-settled status?

Under the EU settlement scheme you will be able to enroll in education or continue studying. You will also be able to:

Work in the UK
Use the NHS for free

– Can I apply for settled or pre-settled status?

The deadline for most people to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme was 30th June 2021. There are minor exceptions to this, please speak to an SI-UK consultant to learn more.

UK Study Visa Application for EU Students

EU students who arrived in the UK after 11pm on 31st December 2020, who have not previously been resident in the UK, must apply for an appropriate visa.

If you are studying in the UK for more than six months, then you will need a regular Student Visa. If you are studying a short course for six months or less, then a Standard Visitor Visa is required.