Overview
Leeds is an international university and our aspiration to
attract and welcome students and staff from across Europe and around the world
is undiminished. We are working to ensure that, as Brexit progresses, EU national students and staff can continue to study and work at Leeds, with support and
regular advice as the national policy picture becomes clearer.
Read the full text of the Vice-Chancellor’s statement
following the referendum in 2016, and his 2017 Leader Column in the Reporter.
EU national staff
Current immigration situation
The Home Office published guidance in June on the proposed
new residence scheme for EU nationals, and Emma Brooksbank, of Freeths
Solicitors, provided this briefing note.
The Home Office has now confirmed phase one of the
implementation of the indefinite leave to remain (settled status) scheme will
begin on 28 August 2018 and will involve selected Higher Education Institutions
(HEIs) and NHS Foundation Trusts in the North West of England. It will announce
further details of the phased implementation during the summer.
We currently have about 800 EU national colleagues, who are a
valued part of our community and integral to our current and future success.
Though the statement of intent does not apply to citizens of
Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland, negotiations are ongoing and it
is envisaged that the scheme for nationals of those countries will mirror the EU scheme.
Current research funding situation
While Leeds is not as dependent on European research funding
as some universities, it is nonetheless of great importance, accounting for
nearly 16% of our research income.
Horizon 2020: The government is encouraging UK research and
innovation to continue to apply for Horizon 2020 funding. It has confirmed we
will be eligible to participate for the duration of the programme and intends
that any funding received will be honoured for the lifetime of the project.
Read the government’s ‘UK participation in Horizon 2020’
overview for full details.
Update August 2018: The UK Treasury has agreed to extend the underwrite to cover all of H2020. This is a backup solution, and would only apply in the case of a ‘no deal’ scenario. The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) remains confident that this will not be required and that the terms of the transition agreement will still take precedence as part of an overall Brexit settlement in October.
Erasmus+: The government has stated publicly that the UK is
committed to ongoing full participation in the Erasmus+ programme until
departure from the EU. With the caveat that “nothing is agreed until everything
is agreed”, in principle we will continue to benefit from all EU programmes, including
Erasmus+, until the end of the current budget plan (2014-2020).
Even if the above is not finally agreed, the government’s
promise will stand, that it will underwrite successful bids for Erasmus+
funding submitted while the UK is still in the EU, even if they are not
approved until after we leave.
Visit the Erasmus+ website for full details.
If you experience any examples of being omitted from EU
bids, please contact Ben Williams who will continue to collate examples and
liaise with BEIS accordingly.
Future updates
We are committed to ensuring that EU national colleagues are kept up
to date on developments directly affecting them, and updates will be available
from the following sources:
HR’s International Staff pages have details of support
provision for all international colleagues, including Brexit legal update
sessions.
Please contact Lisa Courtney (31833) in Human Resources for further
information about immigration.
EU national students – current situation
A section of the University’s main website has been created, dedicated to informing current and prospective students on issues affecting them. This includes a letter sent to all postgraduate researchers by Professor Claire Honess, Dean of Postgraduate Studies.
While the University endeavours to keep this information as up to date as possible, it cannot be held liable for any inaccuracies. For the latest information from the government, please visit the Department for Exiting the European Union website. Regularly updated Brexit FAQs for universities and students are also available on the Universities UK website.
