EU / EEA / Swiss nationals

If you have not qualified for pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme then yes you will need a visa to study in the UK.  If you are on a course that is longer than 6 months you will need to apply for a Student Route visa. When you have met all of the conditions of your offer the Admissions Team will issue a CAS to you so that you can apply for the visa.   You must apply for this visa from outside the UK – you cannot travel to the UK and apply from here.  You should aim to apply at least one month in advance of your intended travel date. 

If you use the 'UK Immigration: ID Check' app for your Student Visa application and are successful in your application, you will receive written notification by email.  The email will include details of how to sign in to the View and Prove service on GOV.UK, where you can check your immigration status and its conditions at any time.  Your visa will be in the form of an online digital status.

Immigration Health Surcharge as part of the visa application you will need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) so that you can use NHS services. 

See also the GOV.UK website for an Introduction to the Points Based System for EU students

If your course is for less than 6 months (for example, you are an exchange student coming for one term only) you can obtain your entry clearance on arrival in the UK when you pass through the Border.

IMPORTANT

If you apply for your Student visa outside the UK, you must wait until your digital status is issued, before you can travel to the UK. Do not travel to the UK as a Visitor before receiving your Student visa, or before the start date of the Student visa

You must enter the UK

• on the correct visa and
• on or after the start date of that visa

Students who hold pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme

If you hold pre-settled or settled status in the UK then you will have full access to the National Health Service (NHS) .

Students who do not hold pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme

If you are coming to the UK to study a course which is longer than 6 months, you will need to apply for a Student Route visa. As part of this application you will be required to pay an Immigration Health Surcharge which will then give you access to the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK. Please see our guidance on the Student Route for more information about the Immigration Health Surcharge.

Immigration Health Surcharge reimbursement scheme

Full time EU students with an EHIC issued by a European Country will be able to claim a reimbursement of the Immigration Health Surcharge you paid for during your student visa application but only if you do not work or intend to work in the UK. If you are planning to work at any stage or are working in the UK you are not entitled to a refund.
Unpaid work does not count in this instance.

You should think very carefully before requesting a reimbursement of this fee.

Even if you hold an EHIC, this only covers ‘medically necessary’ treatment in the UK. ‘Medically necessary’ treatment is defined by the UK Government as follows:

Medically necessary healthcare can include:

• emergency treatment and visits to A&E
• treatment for a long-term or pre-existing medical condition
• routine medical care for pre-existing conditions that need monitoring
• routine maternity care, as long as you’re not going abroad to give birth
• oxygen therapy and kidney dialysis

It is important that you carefully research whether it is sensible for you to apply for a reimbursement of the IHS carefully before taking any action, especially if you have long-term health conditions. You should read the UK Government guidance on this here. You should also check with the authorities in your home country that your EHIC remains valid if you have previously paid the UK IHS.  

You may also at a later stage decide that you would like to work during your studies and it is not possible to reverse the decision to apply for the IHS refund .   

Coming to the UK for less than 6 months

If you are coming to the UK to study a course of less than 6 months, please ensure you have in place appropriate health insurance before you travel.

Read the UK Council for International Student Affairs' guidance

Students who hold pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme

As long as you maintain your pre-settled or settled status you will continue to be able to live, study and work in the UK.   Therefore you will be able to remain in the UK to work after your studies.  There ia also no restriction on work during your studies.

Students who do not hold pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme

If you arrived in the UK after 1 January 2021 and are not eligible for the EU Settlement Scheme, you will require immigration permission to study and work in the UK. To continue working in the UK after your studies you would either need to find an employer to sponsor you under the Skilled Worker route or you will need to apply under the Graduate Worker route. 

As a Student Visa holder you will be restricted to 20 hours work per week during term time.   

The EU Settlement Scheme

An introduction for EU Students on the UK Immigration System and Student Visa applications