The University of Westminster is a global university and has a strong and historic commitment to promoting equality and embracing diversity. As a place to work or to study, we strive to strengthen our reputation as a welcoming and inclusive organisation. We are committed to our European partners and to supporting our European staff and students.
In this section we provide information about immigration-related rights for European students studying at the University of Westminster.
Different immigration and related rights in the UK exist for European nationals who can benefit from the Brexit Withdrawal Agreements (known as the EU Settlement Scheme) and those who are not able to benefit.
EU Settlement Scheme
The information below is correct at the time of writing.
For detailed information about Brexit and the EU Settlement Scheme visit:
What is the EU Settlement Scheme?
As part of the UK Withdrawal Agreement with the European Union (and similar agreements with Iceland, Norway (EEA) and Switzerland) following Brexit, the UK government created a scheme to protect the rights of EU, EEA & Swiss nationals and their family members who were resident in the UK before the end of the Brexit transition period (31 December 2020).
This is known as the EU Settlement Scheme (or EUSS).
EU, EEA & Swiss nationals and their family members who were resident in the UK prior to 31 December 2020 could apply to the EU Settlement scheme in order to retain their rights to reside in the UK.
In some cases, family members (for example, child or partner) of someone with status under the EU Settlement Scheme, may be able to join family members in the UK and obtain status under the EU Settlement Scheme themselves.
Note: The rights of Irish nationals already living in, or coming to the UK are protected under the UK-Ireland Common Travel Area arrangements. This means that Irish citizens do not need to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme or other types of immigration permission in the UK.
The deadline for applying to the scheme was 30 June 2021 for those already resident in the UK. However, there is some provision to make an application after this deadline, if you can show that you have 'reasonable grounds' for making a late application.
For further information on making a late application please see the Settled Website.
Different deadlines apply for joining family members.
Difference between Settled Status and Pre-Settled Status
Under the EU Settlement Scheme, two types of residence status are issued. Settled and Pre-Settled Status. There is some difference between Settled and Pre Settled Status
Settled Status
Settled Status allows the holder to remain in the UK indefinitely and is normally granted to those who have been resident in the UK for 5 years continuously.
Settled status is indefinite and can only normally be lost if you spend 5 years continuously outside of the UK without returning or in certain other restricted circumstances such as criminality.
Pre-Settled Status
Pre-Settled Status is initially granted for a period of 5 years where someone has not already lived in the UK for 5 continuous years.
Someone with Pre-Settled status can lose this status if they are absent from the UK for a total of 6 months in any 12 month period. It is, therefore, important to keep track of any absences from the UK to avoid this possibility.
Once someone with Pre-Settled status has lived in the UK for 5 continuous years, they can apply for Settled status.
In May 2023 the UK Government announced automatic extensions to the 5 year Pre-Settled Status for an additional 2 year period. Again, in May 2024 the government announced a further automatic extension of Pre-Settled Status for an additional 5 year period.
Please see the Settled.org.uk website for more information on the government announcements on extensions to Pre-Settled Status.
Fee status and student funding
For more information about the EU Settlement Scheme visit the UKCISA EU Settlement Scheme or the GOV.UK EU Settlement Scheme pages.
After the end of the Brexit transition period, EU, EEA & Swiss nationals and their family members who were not already resident in the UK are mainly liable to pay “international” rate tuition fees and ineligible for UK government(s) student support.
EU nationals and their family members who started their course prior to the September 2021 academic year, remain eligible to pay ‘Home’ rate fees and remain eligible for financial support for the duration of their course.
You can find more information about fee status and funding options on our Funding pages.
If you are an EU/EEA national and have Pre-Settled Status or Settled Status under the EU settlement Scheme, you may qualify for the 'Home' rate fee and student finance if you started.
The type of support you may receive will depend on how long you have lived in the UK or EEA, and/or whether you or a family member have been working in the UK.
More information is on our Funding for EU, EEA and Swiss students page.
For the latest information on which EU/EEA nationals may qualify for the ‘Home’ fee rate and Student Finance, please read up-to-date information on the GOV.UK and UKCISA websites.
EU Qualifications Welcome Award Scheme
If you are an international student and you have been accepted on an undergraduate programme starting from September 2022 on the basis of having an eligible EU qualification, you'll be awarded a tuition fee reduction which will align your fee more closely to that of UK students. For more information, see the EU Qualifications Welcome Award Scheme.
Do I need a visa to come to the UK?
If you do not qualify for the EU Settlement Scheme (see above), and you are coming to the UK to study on a degree course which is longer than 6 months, you will normally need to apply for a Student Visa. For further information about this visa please see our Visitor pages.
Please note: The UK government is introducing an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) requirement for all non-visa nationals coming to the UK for visits of less than 6 months.
From 2 April 2025, all nationals of European Union member states, Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino and Switzerland will be required to obtain an ETA prior to travelling to the UK. Applications for an ETA open for European nationals from 5 March 2025.
For further information about the ETA, please see our Visitor pages.
What documents will I need for enrolment?
You’ll need to provide:
- Your online status. You can show/share this by providing your share code (you can get a share code via Gov.uk)
- Original copies of your academic qualifications
- Proof of any fee payments made or scholarship/funding letters
- Evidence of your Student Finance Tuition Fee Loan, if you’ve applied for this
You’ll also need to provide evidence of the date you entered the UK:
If you received a visa entry stamp in your passport on entry to the UK, you’ll need to provide a copy of this stamp
- If you did not receive a visa entry stamp, you’ll need to show other evidence of your arrival date, such as your boarding pass or flight tickets
You’ll need to provide:
- Your vignette (visa sticker in your passport – see examples on Gov.uk)
- Your BRP (Biometric Residence Permit) card
- If you need help with your BRP, please contact Student Advice
- If you have not been able to collect your BRP in time for enrolment, you can enrol temporarily with your vignette and provide your BRP at a later date
- Original copies of your academic qualifications
- Proof of any fee payments made or scholarship/funding letters
- Evidence of your Student Finance Tuition Fee Loan, if you’ve applied for this
You’ll also need to provide evidence of the date you entered the UK:
If you received a visa entry stamp in your passport on entry to the UK, you’ll need to provide a copy of this stamp
- If you did not receive a visa entry stamp, you’ll need to show other evidence of your arrival date, such as your boarding pass or flight tickets
You’ll need to provide:
- Your online status. You can show/share this by providing your share code (you can get a share code via Gov.uk)
- Original copies of your academic qualifications
- Proof of any fee payments made or scholarship/funding letters
- Evidence of your Student Finance Tuition Fee Loan, if you’ve applied for this
If you made a late application to the EU Settlement Scheme or you are still waiting for a decision, and you are unable to obtain a share code, you can provide your COA (Certificate Of Application) to enrol. If you have not received a COA, please contact Student Advice.
If you’re studying on a course lasting more than six months, you will not be able to enrol with a Standard Visitor Visa. You should contact Student Advice as soon as possible as you may be required to leave the UK to apply for an appropriate visa for your studies.
If you’re studying on a course lasting less than six months, you’ll need to provide evidence of the date you entered the UK:
- If you received a visa entry stamp in your passport on entry to the UK, you’ll need to provide a copy of this stamp
- If you did not receive a visa entry stamp, you’ll need to show other evidence of your arrival date, such as your boarding pass or flight tickets
Full details about enrolment, including the deadline you need to enrol by, can be found on our Enrolment for new students page.
You can also find additional information on our Enrolment for new international students page.
Can I work in the UK?
All EU, EEA and Swiss nationals resident in the UK before 31 December 2020 could work in the UK without restriction. To retain these rights, EU nationals must have applied for, and obtained UK immigration status under the EU Settlement Scheme (see above).
If you have status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you can share your digital status work rights to your employer by using the View and Prove your Immigration Status system on Gov.uk.
If you do not qualify for the EU Settlement Scheme and are in the UK on a different study or work visa, you'll be subject to the work rules attached to your visa.
See our Student Visa pages for more information on working with a Student Visa.
If you enter the UK as a Standard Visitor, you are not permitted to work.
If you have not worked in the UK previously, you must apply for a National Insurance number, if you want to start work. Students pay income tax in the same way as other workers, but often do not earn enough to pay tax. The tax-free allowance for a single person in 2024–25 is £12,570 (April to April). You can find out more on the Low Incomes Tax Reform Group website.
Can I get medical treatment in the UK?
Rights and access to medical treatment in the UK is different depending if you have UK immigration status under the EU Settlement Scheme, if you have a Student Visa or if you are in the UK as a visitor.
For information on your rights to free healthcare visit the GOV.UK healthcare page or the UK Council for International Student Affairs website.
What do I need to know if I am travelling to the UK?
If you are travelling to the UK, you may not be able to use your ID card to enter the UK and will be required to present your passport (unless you have status under the EU Settlement Scheme and were resident in the UK before 31 December 2020).
Please see the Gov.uk website for information on entering the UK.
If you are studying on a course of more than 6 months, you will need to obtain the correct Study visa unless you hold another immigration status that allows you to study in the UK.Please see our information for studying with a Student Visa.
If you are studying on a course of less than 6 months, you may be able to enter the UK as a visitor. You will need to meet the requirements for entry as a visitor. Please see our information for study as a visitor.
You cannot study on a course that lasts longer than 6 months on a Standard Visitor visa. You will not be able to apply for a Student visa in the UK if you arrive as a visitor. In such cases, you will normally need to apply for the required Study visa in your home country and only travel to the UK once your visa has been granted.
For up to date information on entering the UK, please see the links below: