The British government is considering letting European Union citizens pay the same university tuition fees as British students, as part of talks to reset relations with Brussels ahead of a UK-EU summit on November 20.
EU citizens have paid higher fees since Brexit took effect, exceeding 30,000 pounds a year at some institutions, while British students in England pay just over 9,000 pounds. In both cases, the exact amount depends on the university and the course.
In return, Andy Burnham’s government would seek a significant economic concession from Brussels: access for British businesses to the EU’s planned ‘Made in Europe’ programme, which gives priority to products made in Europe in sectors including the car industry, steel and clean energy technologies. The government is concerned that being excluded would hurt British industry, exports and investment.
The government appears willing to give universities up to 450 million pounds a year to make up for lost income, according to media reports. Treasury sources stressed that the figure was indicative. It was calculated on the possibility of a sharp rise in EU students, so the final cost could be much lower, they said.
Universities have already voiced reservations, warning that equalising fees without enough state funding could worsen their financial problems. The Russell Group, made up of 24 leading research universities, estimates the cost could exceed 500 million pounds.
(Information from Athens News Agency)
