Page 96 iStudy Guide 2019/20
P. 96
96
iStudy
2019/20
Aside from legislation, a more insidious element to Brexit
which impinges heavily on the lives of migrants is the rise
of racism and nationalism that have found expression
since the referendum. The Leave campaign was focused
largely on immigration policy and at times drew on
xenophobic rhetoric to alienate migrants – its success
sends the message that foreigners are not particularly
welcome in the UK. As such, Brexit has left many EU
citizens feeling vulnerable with the rising visibility of
hate incidents and racists who now feel empowered by
the referendum result – statistics from the Home Office
show that racially motivated hate crimes have increased
every year since 2013. This is having a profound impact
on people belonging to minority groups who are now
considering a move away from Britain, and this has
already been evidenced within the Polish community
with large number of Poles leaving the UK since the
referendum. The exodus of international citizens is
creating gaps in the high-skilled job market, particularly
in healthcare, as well as low-skilled sectors. It seems that
any post-Brexit policies that further restrict visa will only
exacerbate these shortages, unless the UK focuses on
training its own nationals to fill the skill gaps.
Turning again to education, a no-deal Brexit could see UK
universities fall in terms of allure for EU students. Currently,
EU citizens pay the same tuition fees and are funded on
equal terms with British students for undergraduate
and postgraduate courses, and with Brexit’s delay this
has been pledged to continue for all courses starting
in the 2020-21 academic year and lasts their duration.
Beyond this however, a no-deal Brexit would leave UK
universities with no obligation to charge EU citizens the
same as UK citizens (around £9,000 per year) and could
see them have to fork out for the same inflated fees that
Statistics from
the Home Office
show that racially
motivated hate
crimes have
increased every
year since 2013.
are in place for non-EU international students (£15,000-
£25,000). Conversely, the falling pound associated with
Brexit could make the cost of living more affordable for
international students in the UK. As with tuition fees,
funding for EU students will also be threatened by Brexit
but is it possible that a new substitute loan will appear
in order to compensate and sustain interest in overseas
study in the UK. Universities are invariably on the side
of the student and continue to lobby with government
ministers to ensure international students’ continued
eligibility to the same treatment as British students.
iStudy
2019/20
Aside from legislation, a more insidious element to Brexit
which impinges heavily on the lives of migrants is the rise
of racism and nationalism that have found expression
since the referendum. The Leave campaign was focused
largely on immigration policy and at times drew on
xenophobic rhetoric to alienate migrants – its success
sends the message that foreigners are not particularly
welcome in the UK. As such, Brexit has left many EU
citizens feeling vulnerable with the rising visibility of
hate incidents and racists who now feel empowered by
the referendum result – statistics from the Home Office
show that racially motivated hate crimes have increased
every year since 2013. This is having a profound impact
on people belonging to minority groups who are now
considering a move away from Britain, and this has
already been evidenced within the Polish community
with large number of Poles leaving the UK since the
referendum. The exodus of international citizens is
creating gaps in the high-skilled job market, particularly
in healthcare, as well as low-skilled sectors. It seems that
any post-Brexit policies that further restrict visa will only
exacerbate these shortages, unless the UK focuses on
training its own nationals to fill the skill gaps.
Turning again to education, a no-deal Brexit could see UK
universities fall in terms of allure for EU students. Currently,
EU citizens pay the same tuition fees and are funded on
equal terms with British students for undergraduate
and postgraduate courses, and with Brexit’s delay this
has been pledged to continue for all courses starting
in the 2020-21 academic year and lasts their duration.
Beyond this however, a no-deal Brexit would leave UK
universities with no obligation to charge EU citizens the
same as UK citizens (around £9,000 per year) and could
see them have to fork out for the same inflated fees that
Statistics from
the Home Office
show that racially
motivated hate
crimes have
increased every
year since 2013.
are in place for non-EU international students (£15,000-
£25,000). Conversely, the falling pound associated with
Brexit could make the cost of living more affordable for
international students in the UK. As with tuition fees,
funding for EU students will also be threatened by Brexit
but is it possible that a new substitute loan will appear
in order to compensate and sustain interest in overseas
study in the UK. Universities are invariably on the side
of the student and continue to lobby with government
ministers to ensure international students’ continued
eligibility to the same treatment as British students.
