European Union Students

Students in EU countries have the same rights of access to Higher Education in EU member states as they do in their home country.

As long as you have the relevant qualifications, you can study to degree level in another EU country. Most first degree qualifications gained in EU and western European countries have equivalent status, but consult the National Academic Recognition Information Centre (NARIC) in your destination country for more details.

Financial Support
EU students resident in the UK or EEA may be eligible for some of the financial support available to home (UK) students. Full time undergraduate students are eligible to apply for help with tuition fees. Applications will be assessed by Student Finance Services European Team.

Tuition Fees

EU students are not required to pay tuition fees before they start university or whilst they are studying. Instead, eligible EU students are able to apply for a Tuition Fee Loan from Student Finance Services European Team to cover these costs. You can apply for the Tuition Fee Loan which will be paid directly to the University on your behalf. You can apply for the Tuition Fee Loan each year of your studies. 

The Tuition Fee Loan is not repayable until you have left your course and are earning over a certain amount. That amount depends on which country you eventually work in; if you work in the UK you do not start repaying the loan until you are earning £15,000 or more.  To find out the repayment threshold in countries other than the UK, see  ‘Students from other EU countries’     

How to apply for the Tuition Fee Loan

You can download  EU Forms and Guides. Alternatively, you can contact the EU Team by phone on +44 (0) 141 243 3570 (Monday – Friday, 9.00am – 5.00pm) or by email at EU_Team@slc.co.uk , to request an application form.

Please note: EU students are not eligible Maintenance Loan and Maintenance Grant for living costs or the Access to Learning Fund. However, there are certain exceptions to this rule.  For example, if you are an EU National and you have lived in the UK for three years prior to the start of your programme and are living in England, Northern Ireland or Wales at the start of your programme, you may be eligible for help with your living costs as well as the Tuition Fee Loan.

For further information on eligibility, how to apply and Tuition Fee Loan repayments ‘Students from other EU countries’   

Financial Support Links:
Forms and Guides for EU students
Student loans terms and conditions
Directgov- Students from other EU countries

Working in the UK
As an EU student there are no legislative restrictions on you working while you are studying in the UK. However, if you have to work while at university you should consider how many hours you can realistically undertake to ensure your studies are not affected. Northumbria University recommends no more than 15 hours per week during term time. The Careers and Employment Service can help students find part-time or temporary work. It provides an essential service in giving all registered Northumbria students a central starting point in their search for part-time, temporary or casual employment.

National Insurance
If you earn less than £105 a week you do not have to pay National Insurance. If you do work and earn more than this amount then you will have to pay National Insurance of 11% of your wages. You will need to obtain a National Insurance Number from the Job Centre Plus. Appointments for National Insurance Numbers can be obtained by telephoning the Job Centre Plus on 0191 215 2038. For more information on Tax and National Insurance please follow the relevant link.

Health care in the UK
If your programme is longer than six months you are entitled to free medical health care. In the UK the National Health Service (NHS) provides this. No fee is charged for going to see a doctor or being referred to a hospital to see a specialist or to receive routine treatment; however, a small charge is made for any medicines you may require. At the moment each item on prescription will cost you £7.20 (April 2009).

In England some people are entitled to free or reduced cost prescriptions and dental check ups. These are:

·         Students under 19

·         Pregnant women

·         Women who have had a baby in the last 12 months

·         Those on low income.

If you think you may be on a low enough income to be entitled to a reduction on your prescription medicines, dental or optician services, you need to complete Form HC1. This form can be obtained from dentists, doctors’ surgeries, pharmacists and opticians. A limited supply of HC1 forms are also kept in Student Services reception (City Campus).

Registering with a dentist/doctor (GP)
It is advisable to register with a dentist and a doctor (GP) close to your accommodation. Details of local dentists and doctors are available on our ‘Keeping Healthy, Keeping Safe’ web pages (follow the relevant links) and from the Student Services reception. During your first week at University there will be an opportunity to attend the Welcome Fair. At this event a number of doctors and dentists from around Newcastle will be present and you can register with one of them on this day.

Please register with a doctor as soon as you can. If you ever fall ill and need to see a doctor, you can only do this if you are registered with one. Once you have registered with a doctor you will receive a medical card in the post; this will contain your National Health Service number, which you should keep in a safe place.

If you feel ill then you should visit your doctor. If it is necessary he/she will refer you to a specialist in hospital for further treatment. Your doctor will also prescribe any medicine that might be needed. You should take the prescription to any chemist’s shop, which has a pharmacy or dispensary section.

Contacts

Student Services
Ground Floor
Northumberland Building
City Campus
Tel: 0191 227 4127

Student Services
Allendale Building
Coach Lane Campus
Tel: 0191 215 6590

Careers & Employment Service
Student Services

Ground Floor
Northumberland Building
City Campus
Tel: 0191 227 4204 or 227 4711