Wednesday 29th March… Article 50 triggered, Brexit begins… and the questions start! What’s the immediate impact upon international students? Is their course funding safe, will EU students need a visa? It’s not just European students who may be now uncertain as to whether they should apply to study in Britain next year.
Ever since the referendum of June 23rd 2016, when Britain voted to leave the EU, providers of homestay accommodation for international students have been wondering about the traditional part they play in Britain’s educational and cultural exchange.
There’s no doubt that the additional income from providing a room for an international student helps with household costs. But hosting families are often teachers, lecturers or care professionals. In many cases, a decisive reason for choosing to offer accommodation to students from abroad is because of the great value they place on the knowledge and understanding that can be promoted through the hosted accommodation scheme.
Many hosts can show you a box filled with ‘Thank you’ letters, Christmas cards and postcards from students who have stayed with them over the years. Today, it’s more likely to be a message on Skype, a pic on Facebook or a video on YouTube!
A seismic shift has occurred with the announcement of Brexit, the effects of which, will reveal themselves as the complexities of the negotiation process aim to be resolved by the March 2019 deadline. A possible further three years of ‘transition’ with an interim agreement is also being talked about if the deadline is passed.
EU students remain eligible for same loans and grants
At the moment, it looks unlikely that students or their hosted homestay accommodation will be affected by any immediate changes but the future looks less certain. The reality is that international students in UK higher education make up nearly one fifth (18 per cent), of which, 19 per cent study in England, 10 per cent in Northern Ireland, 22 per cent in Scotland and 18 per cent in Wales), according to the latest available figures from UKCISA report – Briefing on International Students, September 2016.
It’s therefore should be not too surprising that last October, official statements were issued in England, Wales and Scotland to reassure EU students applying to start their studies at English universities in autumn 2017 that they will still remain eligible for exactly the same loans and grants as domestic students. In other words, if you are an EU student who is due to start their studies in the 2017/18 academic year, your fees and financial aid will remain the same as before the Brexit vote. It should be noted that aside from Scotland, the same guarantee is not currently in place for the 2018/19 academic year.
Beyond this date, it seems increasingly likely that EU students will have to pay the higher fee rates that currently apply to those from outside of the EU. However, it has already been pointed out, that the decision to leave the EU saw the value of the pound drop, which was instant good news for all international students suddenly finding the UK a very affordable option indeed! It looks likely that the trend is set to continue over the long term.
Then we come to the thorny issue of immigration controls, a major concern of the Brexit debate, and the possible limitations on international students.
Homestay is the preferred choice for a wide range of adult visitors
A survey conducted by Universities UK in October 2016 actually found that three quarters of respondents said they would like the number of international students in the UK to stay the same or increase.
The withdrawal of the UK from existing agreements on freedom of movement, will inevitably mean that future EU students may have to apply for a Tier 4 student visa – a short-term study visa – in order to study in the UK. Another potential barrier to future EU students could be the requirement to have a job offer in place before applying for a visa (Tier 2 General), which until now was not needed by all those from EU member countries who look for work in the UK.
Increasingly, a homestay accommodation is the preferred choice for a wide range of adult visitors from abroad seeking an ‘authentic experience’ and cultural insight. In one recent survey, the top reason they gave for selecting the homestay option was not because it was “value for money” (14 per cent of respondents) but because they “enjoyed staying in a home environment” (17 per cent).
The contribution that the hosted family homestay has made to advancing the cause of social, cultural and generational advancement cannot be denied. There can be no doubt that homestay accommodation will continue to flourish despite of the challenges that Brexit will pose in the years ahead. The questions have only just started…