Students from the EU could pay discounted £12,500-a-year fees at British universities under Labour's Brexit reset with Brussels

From the Newshound archive · first published 4 November 2026.

The discounted rate — covering only the cost of delivering the course — would be lower than the fees charged to domestic UK students, raising fears that British applicants could be undercut at their own universities. The proposal has emerged as part of ongoing negotiations ahead of a UK-EU summit, where a youth mobility deal is also expected to be agreed. Critics say Labour is surrendering ground on Brexit in exchange for closer ties with Brussels.

The £12,500 figure would apply only to EU students, not to those from the rest of the world, creating a two-tier overseas fee system.

A youth mobility deal allowing young Europeans to live and work in Britain is set to be confirmed at the summit, adding to concerns about a creeping return to free movement.

Labour's reset with the EU is facing criticism as paying an 'intolerable price', with both university access and border freedoms on the table.