EU referendum – advice for students

After a long and sometimes painful period of campaigning, the referendum on UK membership of the EU has resulted in a majority ‘leave’ vote by a narrow margin.

I would like to reassure you that, as current students of our University, this outcome will not affect you. Your rights are unchanged from the day you joined the University. Be assured that we will continue to do everything we can to minimise any uncertainty, as we value the immense contribution that our students from all parts of the world, including the EU, make to the University.

The formal process for leaving the EU is unlikely to start until October, once a new Prime Minister is in place. The period of negotiation to leave the EU will take at least two years. Indeed, by the time the UK does eventually leave, the students joining Portsmouth this autumn may well have graduated!

EU students who are currently registered at our University will continue to be charged the UK students’ rate for tuition fees for the duration of their programme.

The vote to leave the EU will not create any immediate change to UK universities’ participation in EU programmes, including Erasmus+, nor to the immigration status of current and prospective EU students.

We will, of course, keep you updated as further information emerges and the picture becomes clearer.

If you are concerned about your status as an EU student, please read our advice below:

Current EU students
There is no change to your immigration status, fee level or access to student loans as a result of the vote.

EU and UK students studying under the Erasmus programme
All current students will continue to be eligible for Erasmus exchange programme grants.

If you are worried about any aspect of this news please contact the University’s International Office:

E: international.office@port.ac.uk
T: +44 23 9284 3488

 – Message from the Vice Chancellor