Brexit Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 March 2021

Wednesday, 10 March 2021

Questions (667)

Réada Cronin

Question:

667. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if Irish students who have been accepted onto master's degree courses in the UK pre-Brexit and deferred their place for an academic year due to Covid-19 will be exempt from international student fees and will be expected to pay the usual EU fees and qualify for student loans on the basis of same due to the CTA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12792/21]

Written answers

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

Irish students in UK colleges are treated as home students, in terms of paying fees at home rates in the UK. Unlike students from the rest of the EU, Irish students will not be charged fees at the international rate. Therefore, should they pursue their higher education studies in the UK, fees will be in line with the normal fees paid by UK nationals. The Common Travel Area arrangements apply for Undergraduate and Postgraduate programmes in the UK.

Students seeking to pursue their studies in the UK are advised to contact the Student Finance agency in each of the Devolved Administration in the UK, as each jurisdiction may have variations in eligibility criteria. Students may also wish to contact the relevant Higher Education Institution in the UK for advice on the type and range of supports that may be available in any specific college.