Studying in the UK after Brexit: What has changed for Cypriot students?

Brexit has significantly changed the cost of studying in the United Kingdom for Cypriot students, with EU nationals losing access to the preferential tuition fees and funding arrangements previously available to them. Since the 2021/22 academic year, most Cypriot students starting university in England, Scotland and Wales have been classified as international students, meaning they generally pay substantially higher fees.

However, Britain remains an important destination for Cypriot students, attracted by its internationally recognised universities, English-language courses and wide range of academic programmes.

With discussions about closer UK-EU relations raising questions about future opportunities for young people, the possibility of changes to student mobility and university fees has also come into focus. But what is the situation today, how much does a British degree cost, and could a new agreement make studying in the UK more affordable?

How many Cypriots study in Britain?

The number of Cypriots choosing British universities has fallen considerably since Brexit.

According to figures from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), cited by the British Council, 4,780 Cypriot students were enrolled at UK universities in the 2022/23 academic year. This compared with 9,730 in 2017/18, representing a decline of almost 51%.

The figures underline the impact that higher tuition fees have had on the UK’s appeal to Cypriot students.

HESA’s more recent statistics also show a wider decline in European student enrolments. In 2024/25, students with a permanent address in EU countries accounted for 63,600 enrolments at UK higher education institutions, compared with 152,930 in 2020/21.

The trend reflects the change in fee arrangements following Brexit, although the figures cover the entire EU rather than Cyprus alone.

How much does it cost to study in the UK?

One of the biggest changes following Brexit concerns tuition fees.

Before the UK’s departure from the EU, Cypriot students generally benefited from the same tuition fee arrangements as British students. However, from the 2021/22 academic year, most new EU students became subject to international student fees.

According to UCAS, international undergraduate tuition fees in the UK average approximately £22,000 per year, although they can range from £11,400 to £38,000. For postgraduate studies, the average is approximately £17,109 annually, with fees also ranging from £11,400 to £38,000.

The actual amount depends on the university, course and location, with particularly expensive programmes such as medicine and some specialist degrees potentially costing considerably more.

By comparison, eligible UK undergraduate students in England pay a maximum of £9,790 annually for standard full-time courses in 2025/26. The maximum rises to £10,050 for 2026/27.

There are, however, exceptions to the international fee arrangements. Cypriot students who qualify under the EU Settlement Scheme or other relevant residency and nationality provisions may retain eligibility for home fee status. British citizens living in Cyprus may also qualify under specific transitional arrangements, subject to the applicable criteria.

Consequently, students should check their individual fee eligibility before applying rather than assuming that all Cypriot applicants face the same charges.

Could a new UK-EU agreement reduce tuition fees?

The possibility of cheaper university education for EU students has returned to the political agenda as Britain and the European Union seek to strengthen their relationship.

The issue is particularly important for Cyprus, where the cost of studying in Britain has become a major consideration for prospective students and their families.

Under the arrangements announced following the May 2025 UK-EU Summit, both sides agreed to work towards a youth experience scheme and the UK’s association with the Erasmus+ programme.

The proposed youth scheme would allow young people from the EU and UK to participate in activities including studying, working, volunteering and travelling for a limited period, through a dedicated visa route.

The Erasmus+ arrangement is also significant. On 30 March 2026, the Council of the European Union authorised the UK’s participation in Erasmus+ for 2027, subject to the agreed financial and operational arrangements. This could create more opportunities for student exchanges, university partnerships and periods of study abroad.

However, participation in Erasmus+ should not be confused with a general reduction in tuition fees for students undertaking full undergraduate or postgraduate degrees in Britain.

A separate question is whether EU students could once again qualify for the same tuition fees as British students.

In a written parliamentary response on 8 July 2026, the UK Government confirmed that changes to EU students’ tuition fee status had not been agreed at the May 2025 summit and were not included in the Common Understanding.

More recently, the possibility of extending home-fee rates to EU students has resurfaced in discussions about a wider UK-EU reset. If such an arrangement were agreed, it could significantly reduce the financial burden on Cypriot applicants.

Nevertheless, no general restoration of home-fee status for EU students has been officially confirmed. Any change would depend on the outcome of negotiations and the terms of a future agreement.

Which universities and courses are popular with Cypriots?

Despite the decline in enrolments, British universities continue to attract Cypriot students across a wide range of academic disciplines.

According to figures presented by the British Council using HESA data, the five most popular subject areas among Cypriots studying in the UK are:

• Business and management
• Engineering and technology
• Law
• Computing
• Medicine-related subjects

These choices reflect the continued demand for professional qualifications and degrees that offer opportunities across international employment markets.

There is no readily available, up-to-date official ranking identifying the UK universities with the largest numbers of Cypriot students. However, the British Council’s 2026 education exhibition in Cyprus featured institutions including the universities of Bristol, Edinburgh, Exeter, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield, Southampton and Warwick, among others.

Their participation demonstrates the range of British higher education options actively presented to prospective students in Cyprus, rather than establishing a ranking of their popularity among Cypriots.

What happens next?

For Cypriot students considering a British university, the future could depend heavily on the outcome of negotiations between London and Brussels.

A reduction in tuition fees would potentially make the UK more competitive again as a study destination, particularly for families who have reconsidered Britain because of the financial implications of Brexit.

In the meantime, Erasmus+ offers a separate route towards closer educational cooperation, while prospective full-degree students must continue to check international fee rates, eligibility for exceptions and available university scholarships.

For now, the UK remains an attractive destination for higher education, but whether it becomes more affordable for a new generation of Cypriot students will depend on decisions that have yet to be finalised.

Also read: UK considers cutting university tuition fees for EU students
For more videos and updates, check out our YouTube channel.