# Burnham to offer cheap fees to EU students in return for access to post-Brexit scheme

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/burnham-to-offer-cheap-fees-to-eu-students-in-return-for-access-to-post-brexit-scheme/
- Published: 2026-11-02T16:40:05+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-04T10:49:10+00:00
- Original publisher: The Independent (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/burnham-brexit-eu-europe-university-fees-b3077461.html
- Topics: Europe, Government, Politics, UK, World

## Key points

- 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.

## Summary

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.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.