There has been a variety of activity related to the EU referendum taking place over recent months. This includes a government announcement on funding support for EU students, news on research funding and welcoming messages to EU offer holders.

Our EU web pages are regularly updated with the latest news and activities, including a list of all communications sent out which relate to the referendum and its impact.

The University’s position has not changed since 24 June; we will remain Britain’s global university, delivering a truly international model of higher education that encompasses friends, partners and colleagues both in Europe and the rest of the world.

Funding support for EU students

The government has announced that EU students applying for a place at an English university or further education institution in the 2017 to 2018 academic year will continue to be eligible for student loans and grants – and will be for the duration of their course. Find out more.

Applications from EU prospective students

As of October 2016, the University has seen a slight dip in intake of EU students, when compared to 2015, mainly at an undergraduate and postgraduate research level.

There has also been a decrease in the number of applications for a 2017 start from EU prospective students, again particularly at an undergraduate and postgraduate research level – however it is still very early days for applications. Competitor universities have also seen an impact on applications from the EU.

The University is taking a number of steps to address this, including:

• Modelling of the impact of predicted declines in EU applications and a review of targets to address any issues
• Clear communication to applicants and offer-holders regarding funding available for 2017 entry
• Trialling and possible expansion of the use of virtual exhibitions
• Widespread distribution of marketing collateral in physical and e-format to hundreds of schools
• Employment of more EU student ambassadors to share their experience with offer holders via the Call Campaign, which will launch earlier this academic year than in previous years
• Deeper engagement in existing markets and looking at previously untapped EU markets

Immigration Advice and Wellbeing workshops

EEA/EU Staff Immigration Advice Seminars and Workshops took place in September, and EU Referendum FAQs are available on the HR website. Further sessions will be held on Tuesday 22 November, and exact details will be released soon on the HR EU Referendum webpages. Please save the date if you are interested in attending.

Professor Sir David Greenaway addresses House of Lords

In September Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir David Greenaway presented evidence on the value of EU membership to UK science before the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee. He was joined by David Phoenix, Vice-Chancellor of London South Bank and Chair of Million Plus; and John Womersley of the Science and Technology Facilities Council. Sir David has written about the experience on the Vice-Chancellor’s blog. You can also watch the session on the parliamentlive.tv website.

On Saturday 15 October, Sir David contributed an article about international students and UK higher education in The Times. You can read this article in full on the Vice-Chancellor’s blog.

Horizon 2020 – Government committed to underwrite funding

In August the Chancellor, Philip Hammond, announced: “Where UK organisations bid directly to the European Commission on a competitive basis for EU funding projects while we are still a member of the EU, for example universities participating in Horizon 2020, the Treasury will underwrite the payments of such awards, even when specific projects continue beyond the UK’s departure from the EU.”

Nottingham has continued to win EU funding with several successes since the referendum result, taking us to 100 Horizon 2020 awards.

The University welcomed the news in Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange Professor Dame Jessica Corner’s message to academic staff.

Letter from Vice-Chancellor to support collaborative research bid

The Vice-Chancellor has written a letter for use with potential and current research partners, reassuring them of the University’s commitment to excellent research and international partnership. Please use this where appropriate to supplement your communication and bids.

The Briefing Room – perspectives on the policy implications of Brexit

The EU Taskforce has set up a new research communications and policymaker engagement initiative that will be run by External Relations and will look at the implications of Brexit for the social, economic and political future of Britain and the world. The University of Nottingham Briefing Room will feature blogs and articles written by Nottingham academics with the aim of informing the development of post-Brexit policy. Further work will include briefings, public and private events – all informed by the expertise of the world-class researchers at Britain’s Global University.

The Briefing Room will be launched in the coming weeks. If you would like to contribute contact liz.cass@nottingham.ac.uk and alex.miles@nottingham.ac.uk to discuss further.

EU thoughts on camera

Professor Sir David Greenaway and Professor Dame Jessica Corner got in front of the camera to share their thoughts on the EU referendum, and how it would affect the University, our research and our students. Take a look and share the videos with colleagues.

Message to EU and international applicants

A message wishing UG and PG offer holders from the EU good luck in their exams was sent out in mid-August. This included a strong statement that Nottingham remains Britain’s global University and welcomes students from around the world. It confirmed that EU students starting their course in 2016 would be charged tuition fees at the same rate as UK students, not the higher international fees. The UK Government has also confirmed that eligible EU students beginning courses in 2016 will still be able to receive student loans from the UK’s Student Loans Company for the full duration of their course.

Celebrating our links with the EU

Now more than ever, as Britain prepares to leave the European Union, it is our students of languages and cultures who will lead us in bridging cultural divides, building cross-cultural relationships, and developing the communicative skills that make possible our peaceful and prosperous relations with Europe and the world. The University celebrated the European Day of Languages on Monday 26 September, and flew the EU Flag over the Trent Building to celebrate European Cooperation Day on Wednesday 21 September.

Find out more

For more EU Referendum information and guidance, visit our EU Referendum webpages. You can also email eu-support@nottingham.ac.uk for more information.