Brexit: What changes for British students in 2021?

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Since the effective withdrawal of the UK from the European Union on January 1st, 2021, British students are considered as nationals from third-country. What are the changes to be expected for candidates to studies in France?

The 1st of January 2021 marks the end of the transitional period during which European Union law continued to apply to the United Kingdom. The Trade and Cooperation Agreement of 30 December 2020 sets out new rules applicable to the relations between the European Union and the United Kingdom. There are changes to be expected for British students who want to come and study in France.

Campus France Agency takes action to maintain the bridges between French and British institutions and to promote student mobility between France and the UK.

The impact on entry and stay in France

The rules that apply to British students are the same as for non-EU nationals. British students who want to come to France for more than 3 months must now apply for a long-stay visa.

All information is on France visas, the official website for visas for France

The impact on admission to studies in France

The admission conditions to studies in France do not change for the start of the 2021/2022 academic year. British students who want to apply for a course in 1st year in Licence (Bachelor’s degree) must do so on the Parcoursup platform. For other Licence, Master and Doctorate programmes, British students can continue to apply directly to the institution of their choice.

British students and students from non-EU countries will then have to follow the Etudes en France (Study in France) procedure before applying for a long-stay visa.

How to apply if you are a European student?

Impact on registration fees

From the start of the 2021 academic year, British students will be subject to differentiated tuition fees in public higher education institutions under the responsibility of the Ministry of Higher Education, like students from other non-EU countries. As a result, they will be able to benefit from the same exemption arrangements set up by the host institutions and the French Embassy in the United Kingdom.

More information on the cost of studying in France

Campus France UK supports British students

The Campus France Office in London is located within the Higher Education, Research and Innovation Department of the French Embassy. The Office assists students and researchers in their study projects in France and supports British institutions in the development of their mobility projects with France.