The government wants to charge EU students up to £38K a year post-Brexit

In recently released plans it has been revealed that after Brexit, international students from the EU will lose their right to the same fees as home students.

If Education Secretary Damian Hinds' proposal – revealed by BuzzFeed News – is a success, students starting courses in the 2021/2022 academic year will face fees at the same level as non-EU international students – which today range between £10,000 and £38,000 per year.

Currently, there are 135,000 EU students studying in the UK, but even for the year 2018/19 there was a 3 per cent decrease in the number of EU students enrolling on courses. Universities fear that with increased fees for EU students, the decline will only steepen.

The plans are also thought to affect the approximately 15,000 UK students studying in the EU, as it means that tuition fees for UK students enrolled in EU-based courses are also likely to rise in the future.

In a statement to BuzzFeed News, Shadow education secretary Angela Rayner said: “Tens of thousands of EU students in our universities would see their tuition fees skyrocket if this government withdraws home fee status from them after Brexit.

“Time and time again Tory ministers have refused to recognise the vital contribution made by international students, particularly from the EU, in our universities. From targeting students in their migration target to leaving the future of Erasmus+ and Horizon 2020 in doubt, they are failing to support our world-leading universities."

Despite these plans, there is still hope as it is thought that several high-status politicians and ministers will oppose the plans due to the message it sends about Britain's attitudes post-Brexit and the friction it might cause at a high-stakes moment for Brexit negotiations.

And if you're Irish, don't fear, as even if the plan goes ahead Irish students are to be exempt from the fee rise.