EU student applications to Kingston University rising again after Brexit dip

The number of EU students enrolling at Kingston University is set to rise for the 2023/24 academic year in spite of complications primarily caused by Brexit.

EU students enrolling on UK undergraduate or postgraduate courses was at 66,680 in 2020, the year before Brexit, but dropped to 31,000 in 2021.

A Kingston University spokesperson said: “The University recorded a slight drop in the number of students from the EU enrolling for the 2020/21 academic year, however applications are now rising again, with an increase in undergraduate applications from EU students recorded for the upcoming 2023/24 academic year.

“There have also been increases in the numbers of international students enrolling at the University from countries outside the EU, including China, India and Nigeria, in recent years.”

The number of Chinese students studying in the UK has risen from 107,000 in 2017-18 to 151,000 in 2021-22.

EU students are no longer eligible for domestic fees that UK students are entitled to and student finance is not available to them.

In England, EU students used to pay £9,250 a year but the cost has now risen to between £11,400 to £38,000 a year.

Non-Irish European students must get visas and show proof they can financially support themselves on £1,334 a month for London courses and £1,024 a month outside London.

A Department of Education spokesperson said EU students remain “an important part” of their international education strategy, despite the challenges they now face.