University reaction to EU referendum result

Following the UK vote to leave the European Union, the University has reinforced its commitment to remain a European university and to continue to provide one of the best student experiences in the UK.

In a statement to staff and students, the Vice-Chancellor Professor Dame Julia Goodfellow said:

'The University of Kent is proud to be outward facing and international. We are especially proud of our diverse student body and our European and international staff. We recognise that we benefit greatly from this diversity.

'I am naturally disappointed at the result of the EU referendum. It reflects neither my personal views nor those of the University. I recognise, nonetheless, the democratic process that has led to this outcome.'

The University will work with Universities UK  and other agencies, seeking advice and guidance throughout the period of transition particularly on the issues directly affecting our non-UK European Union students and staff.

We have emailed all our students and staff with contact points to handle any immediate concerns and will be arranging information events, faqs and other assistance over the coming days and weeks.

Universities UK has provided the following advice and reassurance until further details are known:

Barring unilateral action from the UK Government, members are advised that the vote to leave the European Union (EU) does not mean there will be any immediate material change to the UK university sector’s participation in EU programmes such as Horizon 2020 and Erasmus+, nor to the immigration status of current and prospective EU students and staff.

Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty foresees a two-year negotiation process between the UK and other Member States, during which time the terms of the UK’s exit from the European Union will be decided.

• EU staff
  Your immigration status has not changed as a result of the vote. This will remain the case until the Government decides otherwise.
• Current EU students
  Your immigration status and associated fee status, as well as your access to the student loan book, have not changed as a result of the vote. This will remain the case until the Government decides otherwise.
• EU students with a place to start in academic year 2016/17 and 2017/18
  At this stage there is no reason to assume any change to your immigration status or access to student loan book.
• EU students studying in the UK under the Erasmus programme
  Your immigration status has not changed, and you continue to be eligible for your Erasmus grant until at least as long as we remain a member of the EU and could well be extended beyond this.
• UK students studying in the EU and elsewhere under the Erasmus programme
  Your immigration status has not changed, and you continue to be eligible for your Erasmus grant until at least as long as we remain a member of the EU and could well be extended beyond this.
• All staff currently undertaking EU funded projects
  The UK’s status as a full participating member of the Horizon 2020 programme has not changed as a result of the referendum vote and existing project grants and contracts will be honoured unless or until advised otherwise.

This advice is correct as of 26/06/16