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Burnham to offer cheap fees to EU students in return for access to post-Brexit scheme
The UK is considering reducing EU students’ university tuition fees to the same level as those paid by British students, with the government compensating universities for lost income. The proposal would be offered in return for access to the EU’s post-Brexit Made in Europe industrial programme, as part of a wider effort to strengthen UK-EU ties.
Ministers hope closer access to the scheme will benefit British companies trading in the EU and protect UK industry. The Russell Group estimates home-fee rates could cost universities more than £500 million, while the government could spend up to £450 million a year. The proposal is expected to be discussed at a UK-EU summit later this month; Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said she believes Britain’s future lies in the EU, though Labour has pledged not to reverse Brexit.
In short
- The UK may cut EU students’ fees to British home-fee rates.
- The proposal is linked to access to the EU industrial scheme.
- Universities could lose over £500 million in fee income.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Offering EU students home-level fees could help secure access to an industrial programme that ministers believe would benefit British firms and protect jobs. Closer UK-EU cooperation may bring wider economic gains, and government compensation could limit the financial burden on universities while making study in Britain more affordable for European students.
The case against
The arrangement could commit public funds of up to £450 million a year and still leave universities exposed to losses, with the Russell Group estimating costs above £500 million. Critics could question whether access to the programme would deliver enough benefit to justify that expense, and whether linking student fees to industrial cooperation is a sound use of education funding.
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