EEA and Swiss students

• What level of tuition fees will I pay?
• Can I get financial support during my degree course?
• Where can I find out more about being an EEA or Swiss national in the UK?
• I want to challenge the UK Government's interpretation of EC law

What level of tuition fees will I pay?

Your college or university should check your nationality, where you have been living for at least three years before your course starts, whether you are working in the UK and the nationality of your family members. They will use that information to decide whether you are a home fee payer or an overseas fee payer. The categories of student who must be considered 'home' fee payers are decided by the devolved governments of the UK and made legally binding through regulations. Your institution must apply these regulations when making a decision about your fee status. We have explained these regulations in Tuition fees: will I pay the 'home' or 'overseas' rate?.

Can I get financial support during my degree course?

If you are an EU national and you have been living in the European Economic Area (EEA) and/or Switzerland for three years before your course begins, you are probably eligible for a loan to help you pay your tuition fees. You repay the loan when your studies are over and when you are earning above a certain amount (£15,000 if you work in the UK after your studies). In Scotland, you will not have to pay tuition fees. You will qualify in Scotland if you have been living in the EEA, Switzerland and/or specified EU overseas territories. The same applies if you are not an EU national yourself but you are in the UK with an EU national family member (usually your spouse, civil partner, or parent if you are under 21 or dependent on your parent).

You can also apply for a loan to help you with your living costs, and any grants you might be entitled to, for example, Disabled Students' Allowances, if you are:

• an EU national and you have lived in the UK and/or the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for three years before your course begins or
• working in the UK, and you have lived in the EEA and/or Switzerland for three years before your course begins or
• with an EEA national or Swiss family member (your spouse, civil partner, parent, or child on whom you depend) who is working in the UK and you have lived in the EEA and/or Switzerland for three years before your course begins.

You can also apply for help with your living costs if you are:

• the child of a Swiss national and you have lived in the EEA and/or Switzerland for three years before your course begins or
• the child of a Turkish worker in the UK and you have lived in the EEA and/or Switzerland and/or Turkey for three years before your course begins.

Other eligibility criteria apply, for example, you might need to be resident in the UK by a particular date before your course starts, or your main reason for being in the EEA/Switzerland must not have been to receive full-time education. Find out more, and how to apply, in our Information Sheets about Student Support.

Where can I find out more about being an EEA or Swiss national in the UK?

On the UK Border Agency website, you can find general information, application forms and instructions for immmigration caseworkers.

There is more detailed guidance for employers and employees about the Worker Registration Scheme for nationals of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia, and the Worker Authorisation Scheme for Bulgarian and Romanian nationals.

If you want information about bringing your family to the UK, go to the UKBA visa services website for general information, application forms and guidance for entry clearance officers.

I want to challenge the UK Government's interpretation of EC law

If you think the UK Government has not interpreted or implemented European Community law correctly, for example, in relation to bringing non-EEA family members to the UK, acquiring the right of permanent residence, or your eligibility for home fees and Student Support, you can seek advice from the following:

• SOLVIT - the European Commission coordinates this network of Solvit centres (there is one in every EEA member state) which aim to resolve problems in a wide range of areas covered by EC law without having to take legal proceedings. You can submit a case to SOLVIT online free of charge. If you are complaining about the UK Government's application of EC law, you should apply to the UK office
• Solicitors who specialise in EC law - select EU law as the area of law and enter your postcode or town name or the country of the UK where you live or study, that is England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland
• Aire Centre - this centre specialises in EC law and can provide advice free of charge, but only to other advisers. If you have advisers at your college or university, they might agree to contact the Aire Centre for you if they feel it is appropriate.

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