<p><strong>What is Brexit?</strong><br /></p> <p>Brexit refers to the act of the UK leaving the European Union (EU), which was decided in a public referendum on Thursday 23 June 2016. The UK left the EU at 11pm GMT on 31 January 2020, and is now in a <a href="https://www.gov.uk/transition">transitionary period of withdrawal</a>, currently in effect until December 2020.</p><h4>What does Brexit mean for EU students in the UK now or considering studying with us?</h4> <p>The UK government has confirmed that <strong>EU students who begin their degrees in or before the academic year 2020/2021 will still be eligible for home student fees and financial support, and that this will remain the case throughout their full degree</strong>. This will be the case whether the UK leaves the EU with a deal or under a no deal scenario. There is no decision yet on the level of tuition fees or availability of any financial support for new students from the EU starting from 2021 onwards.</p> <p>If there is a withdrawal agreement, you will not need a visa if you are arriving before 1 January 2021. However, you should apply for settled or pre-settled status if you would like to stay in the UK beyond 31 December 2020 (including being able to complete your course of study).</p> <p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/staying-uk-eu-citizen">Find out more about living and studying in the UK post Brexit</a>.<br /></p>

<h4>EU Settlement Scheme</h4> <p>The immigration status of all current EU, EEA and Swiss students, along with fee status and access to student loans, has not changed as a result of the UK’s decision to leave the EU. This will remain the case until the UK government decides otherwise.</p> <p>If you’re an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, you and your family will be able to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to continue living in the UK after 30 June 2021. Settled status gives you the right to live and work in the UK and gives you access to public services including medical care under the National Health Service (NHS).</p> <p>The deadline to apply is 30 June 2021 if a withdrawal agreement is reached or 31 December 2020 is the UK exits the EU without a deal.</p> <p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families/applying-for-settled-status">Find out more information about the EU Settlement Scheme</a></p><h4>Will Brexit affect fees and funding for students from the UK and the EU?</h4> <p>Students with ‘home/EU’ fee status when enrolling at Plymouth College of Art this academic year (2019/2020) are expected to pay the same tuition fees and will not see any changes to loan eligibility because of Brexit.</p> <p>Current university students from the EU and those who applied to courses starting in 2019/2020 will not see changes to their loan eligibility or fee status. Students applying to start courses in England and Scotland in 2020/2021 are also guaranteed the same fee status. <strong>This guarantee will apply for the full duration of the course</strong>, even if the course finishes after the UK has left the EU.</p> <p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/studying-in-the-uk-guidance-for-eu-students#course-fees-and-funding-to-study-in-the-uk">Find out more information about student finance for EU students</a></p>

<h4>What does Brexit mean for UK Plymouth College of Art students currently studying in the EU under an Erasmus+ placement, or considering going on an Erasmus+ placement next semester?</h4> <p>UK universities will be able to continue to take part in the Erasmus+ exchange programme until it ends. This should allow students to complete mobility periods and receive funding through the Erasmus+ programme until the end of the academic year 2020/2021. The UK government has committed to negotiating access to the Erasmus+ successor programme due to start in 2021.</p> <p><a href="https://www.erasmusplus.org.uk/brexit-update">Find out more about Erasmus+ and Brexit here</a></p><h4>More information:</h4><ul><li>UK government Brexit information: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/brexit">https://www.gov.uk/brexit</a></li><li>Our international partnerships: <a href="https://cms.plymouthart.ac.uk/courses/ba-hons-illustration/">https://www.plymouthart.ac.uk/international-students/international-partnerships/</a></li><li>British Council's EU student link: <a href="https://study-uk.britishcouncil.org/moving-uk/eu-students">https://study-uk.britishcouncil.org/moving-uk/eu-students</a></li><li>UK council for international student affairs Brexit link: <a href="https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/Information--Advice/EU-EEA--Swiss-Students/Brexit-immigration-fees-and-student-support-for-when-you-arrive">https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/Information--Advice/EU-EEA--Swiss-Students/Brexit-immigration-fees-and-student-support-for-when-you-arrive</a></li><li>Office for Students: <a href="https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/for-students/brexit-advice-for-students/">https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/for-students/brexit-advice-for-students/</a></li><li>GuildHE: <a href="https://guildhe.ac.uk/international-brexit/">https://guildhe.ac.uk/international-brexit/</a></li></ul>