Brexit Impact: Spanish Govt Releases Important Information for EU Students in the UK

Ever since the United Kingdom decided to withdraw from the European Union, British students, as well as students from overseas wishing to study in the country, have been left uncertain with questions about the impact that Brexit might have on their studies.

For British students, Brexit has had an immediate impact regarding the EU’s Erasmus Exchange program. The latter will no longer be able to participate in the program as the UK did not reach a deal over its post-Brexit membership, Erudera reports.

Yet, after the failure to reach an agreement over Erasmus+ program, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that the UK would replace Erasmus+ with its own scheme with the best universities worldwide, named the Turing scheme, a £100m-worth programme.

Following students’ fears about the Brexit impact, the Spanish government has published information for EU students who are already in the UK and those planning to pursue further studies in the country.

Initially, it clarifies that despite Brexit, the UK will continue to be part of the European Higher Education Area even after January 2021, meaning that the official university degrees in the United Kingdom will have the same quality standards as in Spain.

Spanish students who became part of the British university system prior to December 31, 2020, will continue to have the same enrollment rights.

Regarding Erasmus+, students who had planned to head to the United Kingdom through program expected to begin in the second semester of 2020-2021 academic year will not be affected by Brexit, because the withdrawal agreement foresees for the UK to participate in the current Erasmus+ 2014-2020 program until its closure.

As a result, activities and mobility will not be hindered in the 2021-2027 framework, as long as the grant agreement for 2020 covering mobility remains into effect.

Students with a British university degree wanting to homologate it, until December 31, 2020, could benefit from the same system applying to all EU Member Countries. From now on, they are required to follow the same procedures as the Third States, not members of the European Union.

For applications submitted after June 30, 2021, regarding the British titles, the Hague Apostille will be required.

As per recognition of British university degrees, those that allow access to a regulated profession can be recognized, including professions related to:

• Health
• Engineering
• Architecture
• Law
• Teaching

Among others, the government explains that after Brexit, the homologation of Spanish titles in the United Kingdom will be impacted by what the British regulations establish.

Whereas, students who want to practice their professions in Spain without having their British diploma recognized are not allowed in case of regulated professions.

The UK has withdrawn from the European Union through an agreement on January 31, 2020, which became effective on February 1, 2020.

As of January 1, 2021, the UK will be considered a third country regarding access to EU programs and its participation in other programs after 2020 will depend on future relations between the UK and the European Union.