EU students could get cut-price £12,500 university fees in Burnham's Brexit reset while universities fear being left out of pocket

Andy Burnham is reportedly prepared to offer EU students discounted fees of around £12,500 a year at next month's summit — roughly £2,500 more than the current £9,790 home rate but far below the £38,000 international fees they currently pay. The compromise would fall short of the full return to home fees the EU originally demanded. Universities fear being left out of pocket under any arrangement that does not fully cover the cost of delivering courses.

EU Commission Vice-President Kaja Kallas warned Burnham the negotiations will be 'difficult' after Brexit left 'traumatised people' across the bloc.

The EU originally sought a full return to pre-Brexit home fees; the £12,500 figure represents a split-the-difference compromise that satisfies neither side completely.