Studying in the UK as a European student

Which rules apply to you depends on your status in the UK:

• Irish citizens can live and study in the UK without a visa under the Common Travel Area, and usually pay the same fees as UK students.
• EU, EEA and Swiss citizens with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme do not need a visa and may qualify for UK (home) fees and student finance, depending on how long they have lived in the UK.
• Other EU, EEA and Swiss citizens usually pay international fees and need a Student visa for any course longer than six months. For a short course of up to six months, you can usually study as a visitor with an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).

For a Student visa you will need a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your university, your passport or national identity card where accepted, and proof of English unless you are exempt. As an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, you don't usually need to upload bank statements, but you must still have enough money for your tuition and living costs. You will also pay the visa fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge, which gives you access to the NHS. Most EU nationals do not need a tuberculosis (TB) test.

For Student visa applications submitted on or after 30 November 2026, you need to show £1,570 a month for living costs if you study in London, or £1,203 a month elsewhere in the UK, for up to nine months, plus any first-year tuition you have not yet paid. The visa application fee is £558 from outside the UK, and the Immigration Health Surcharge is £776 per year. Our UK cost guide has tuition ranges, living-cost budgets and worked examples.

Check the full, current requirements on the GOV.UK Student visa page before you apply.

Citizens of every EU and EEA country and Switzerland don't usually need to submit bank statements with a Student visa application. Most still need to prove their English, except Irish and Maltese nationals.

• "Not usually" for bank statements means your nationality is on the UK's differential evidence list. You don't need to upload bank statements with your visa application, but you must still have the money for your tuition and living costs, and UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) may ask you for evidence after you apply.
• Already in the UK? If you have held a valid UK visa for at least 12 months when you apply, you don't need to prove your funds, whatever your nationality.
• English for your university is separate from the visa. For degree-level courses, your university assesses your English to at least CEFR level B2 and may still ask for a test such as IELTS, even if the visa doesn't.
• Other ways to prove English include an English GCSE or A-level, a UK degree, or a degree taught in English that Ecctis confirms is equivalent to a UK bachelor's degree.

Check the official lists on GOV.UK: money you need for a Student visa and knowledge of English.

Many UK universities offer scholarships and fee discounts to international students, including students from the EU. Some are awarded automatically with your offer for strong grades, while others need a short application. Some universities also offer specific awards for EU students to help bridge the gap between home and international fees.

Your counsellor will show you every scholarship you qualify for at your shortlisted universities, and help you apply before the deadlines.

Unless you are Irish or Maltese, most universities ask European students to prove their English with a test such as IELTS or PTE Academic, or accept an English qualification from school, such as English in the International Baccalaureate or a strong grade in your national exams. Requirements vary by university and course, so we check the options that apply to you.

If you are weighing up the UK against other English-speaking countries, we also work with partner universities in Canada, the USA and Australia. We help you compare tuition, living costs, visas and post-study work options so you can choose with confidence.

For a bachelor's degree, you apply through UCAS with your school-leaving qualification, such as the Abitur, Baccalauréat, Maturità, Bachillerato or International Baccalaureate, choosing up to five courses with one personal statement. For a master's degree, you apply directly to each university with your bachelor's transcript, a personal statement and references. Your counsellor tracks every deadline and keeps you updated through the student portal.

Most students on a degree-level course can work up to 20 hours a week during term time and full-time in official vacations. After you graduate, the Graduate route lets you stay and work in the UK for at least 18 months. Check the current rules on the GOV.UK Graduate visa page.