Advice on Brexit
Following the EU referendum (Brexit) and UK's decision to leave the European Union (EU) you may be feeling unsure about what this means for you as a Surrey student.
Advice on Brexit
The UK referendum of June 2016 resulted in a vote to leave the European Union (EU). The process has been called Brexit and the UK withdrew from the EU on 31 January 2020.
We have now entered a transition period which will run until 31 December 2020, during which time the Government will work alongside the EU to complete the UK’s departure, taking the country through several processes and procedures.
The University has a Brexit Continuity Group which meets regularly to assess the current situation and provide you with updates on Brexit developments and their implications for Surrey. These updates will be sent to you via your Surrey email and also shared on this page.
For more information, view our video discussing advice for European students post-Brexit.
How is the University supporting you?
The University of Surrey remains committed to diversity and continues to work with and support staff, students, alumni and partners from the EU. Their contribution to the University community and society as a whole is invaluable.
We understand that you may be feeling unsure about what Brexit means for you as a Surrey student, so we’ve put together some information for you below, but if you have any concerns or would like to talk any of this through with someone, please remember we have many support options:
- Visit MySurrey Hive seven days a week, 8:30am – 9pm for some advice, there’s no need to pre-book an appointment.
- Make an appointment to see a wellbeing adviser or counsellor at the Centre for Wellbeing.
- Contact our University Chaplaincy who exist to support the faith and beliefs of our students, and provide one-to-one pastoral care.
- For advice on your immigration status and help applying for the EU Settlement Scheme please contact International Student Advice.
Advice for UK students needing to travel abroad from 1 January 2021
As a result of the UK’s decision to leave the EU, the UK government has made the decision to disassociate from a number of key EU structures, including EHIC.<
In the event EHIC cards become invalid for UK national students travelling for authorised study or work placement purposes to the EU & European Economic Area from 1 January 2021 onwards, it is vital that those in that category are aware that their access rights to those local healthcare systems for ongoing and routine healthcare requirements eg prescriptions for pre-existing medical conditions, routine medical appointments will change and may not be available.
Emergency and unforeseen medical costs will however continue to be covered under the University’s PA & Travel insurance policy and you should ensure that you have registered for cover via MySurrey.
It is therefore very important that you pre-plan for any foreseeable medical treatment you may need eg regular medication and ensure you are fit to travel. Further advice is available in the ‘What You Should Do Before You Go’ section of the travel insurance pages on MySurrey and supplemented by information given on a regular basis to all students in their ‘Let’s Go Abroad’ preparation seminars.
We advise you to keep up to date with UK Government advice, with further information available from the International Engagement Office or Insurance Office.
Note: this advice does not apply if you are a UK national student studying in the EU & EEA on or before 31 December 2020 and beyond (for whom separate advice applies).