23
Dec

Important Advice About Brexit

In Features

Reading Time: 4 minutes

As you may already be aware, Brexit is still going ahead and the UK is currently scheduled to leave the EU on 31 January 2020. We aren’t yet sure of what Brexit will look like, but SUSU and the University have been preparing for it to the best of our ability. We wanted to share with you some important information which we currently have, and this may change by the time we come back to term in January. You can find more information on the University Brexit Advice Page or the www.gov.uk website.

For EU Students:

  • We recommend that EU, EEA or Swiss nationals currently studying at the University of Southampton apply for the EU Settlement Scheme as soon as possible to protect your rights to live, work, study and access public services in the UK after Brexit. For information on how to apply, please check the University’s Brexit Advice page. If you have any questions regarding the EU Settlement Scheme or anything else related to Brexit, you can email Europeanfutures@soton.ac.uk. 
  • If you are travelling OUT and IN the UK, there are no changes to the way that EU nationals can enter the UK expected until at least 31 December 2020. EU Nationals should continue to use a valid passport or national identity card for travel.
  • You are not currently required to show evidence of your pre-settled status or settled status at the UK border, or to gain housing. We recommend you do carry your University enrolment letter with you when there is potential need for official documentation. This confirms your student status and it can be downloaded from your SUSSED account. If you are being asked for this when signing for a house, or denied housing, please contact The Advice Centre at advice@susu.org.
  • For EU Students beginning your studies in England before the UK leaves the EU, the UK government has confirmed that European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC) will remain valid for the full duration of your course, even if it finishes after the date of Brexit.
  • For students beginning their studies in either the UK or the EU after Brexit, your EHIC may not be valid and you may need to buy insurance to cover your healthcare as you would if you were visiting any other non-EU country.

Latest Guidance on EU Settlement Scheme

It’s important to note that the below guidance is based on the latest Government recommendations, which can be found at www.gov.uk.  These recommendations are subject to change and you should check regularly for updates.

  • The University strongly recommends EU nationals apply for the EU Settlement Scheme as soon as possible.  The scheme protects your immigration status and access to public services after Brexit so it is extremely important to ensure you apply to ensure you are able to stay and live and work in the UK in the future.
  • There are two categories you can apply for, and which one you choose will depend on how long you have been a resident in the UK.  If you have been in the UK for fewer than 5 years, you should register for Pre-Settled Status; if you have been in the UK for 5 years or longer, you should register for Settled Status.
  • For both categories you must first complete an online application form and then submit your documents via the EU Exit App, which is available on Android and IPhone (IPhone 7 and above only).  If you do not have a compatible phone, Student Services have two which you can use.  The documents you need will vary depending on which of the schemes you are applying for and a list can be found on www.gov.uk.
  • Those with Settled Status are able to stay in the UK indefinitely.  If you have Pre-Settled Status, you will need to apply for Settled Status once you have met the residency requirement.  This is a separate application to ensure you have met the requirements of Settled Status.
  • The deadline for applying for the EU Settlement Scheme is 30 June 2021 (this is subject to change).

For UK & Erasmus Students

  • If you are a University of Southampton student spending a year or semester abroad in the EU in the 2019/2020 academic year, you will receive Erasmus+ funding as per the guidance found here. We encourage you to continue planning as normal. Any changes on how to apply for this funding or how it is being administered will be communicated to you via the University’s International Office.
  • The situation regarding Erasmus+ funding for students wishing to participate in 2020/2021 is currently unclear and more information will be provided when it becomes available.  The University remains committed to the Erasmus+ programme and to ensuring exchange with European institutions. We are exploring options to help reduce the impact on students in the event that Erasmus+ funding is reduced for 2020/2021.
  • For UK students beginning your studies in the EU before 31 January 2020, the UK Government has confirmed it will cover the cost of healthcare for the duration of your course.
  • For students beginning their studies in either the UK or the EU after Brexit, your EHIC may not be valid and you may need to buy insurance to cover your healthcare as you would if you were visiting any other non-EU country.

Additional Support and Information

There are a number of resources available to help you find out more about how Brexit may affect you.  If you have additional questions or concerns not covered by this page, please contact Europeanfutures@soton.ac.uk

  • For the latest information on how Brexit might affect EU students currently studying or planning to study in the UK, visit www.ukcisa.org.uk.
  • For information and updates on Erasmus+, contact the University’s Study Abroad and Exchange team. The latest news can also be found on the Erasmus webpage.
  • You can also contact Student Services or The Advice Centre at SUSU with any concerns you have relating to Brexit and your studies at Southampton.
  • For information on the pre-settled and settled status schemes, and travel to/from the EU after Brexit, visit www.gov.uk. Detailed guidance on how to apply for the scheme is available from Citizens Advice.
  • To report any misconduct, inappropriate behaviour, which can include comments or actions,  you can use the SUSU Report and Support tool here: SUSU Report and Support Tool
Tags: , , , ,