Loans/Grants in EU

[kerrygrey]

On the radio a couple of days ago I think someone was discussing loans given to EU students studying at English Universities. I'm a bit vague about details because I was in and out getting breakfast at the time. Is this so? Not talking here about Erasmus, short term students but those doing the full degree course in UK.
My question is, is this a two-way arrangement? Can British students who wish to do their first degree course in an EU Uni get funding? There are courses taught in English at a number of EU Universities, but I've always assumed that they had to be paid for up-front, plus the student's living expenses, thus putting them out of reach for those who really need a bargain.

[eatyourveg]

As you will see here students going to Holland can pay tuition fees in 10 monthly instalments. Don't know about other places. At 1700 euros a year its a bargain. You get a maintenance loan from the Dutch government as long as you work something like 20 hours a month. The link should give you the exact figures

[othersideofchannel]

Yes, when I came from Germany to study for a BA degree in the UK some 20 years ago I did indeed benefit from from the EU reciprocal agreement that paid for any of my fees (as German Unis were free). It is the same with Doctors fees, for example, in that reciprocal agreements offer the same conditions to patients from other EU countries.

[othersideofchannel]

Just to add, it was not a loan/grant, I simply had my fees paid by the Government.

[kerrygrey]

Thanks everyone for your info. Unis in Scandanavia seem to do a number of courses in English but I can't find anything on finance.

otherside - good to hear that there are (or were) some places where university tuition is free. I suspect that will never again be the case in the UK

[Fraktal]

At French state universities you would only need to pay the (minimal) fees and social security contributions. DH is doing what he calls his bargain masters at 250€/year in fees. The social security is another 250€ I think.

[Fraktal]

Sorry, helped by baby.

The snag is that courses in English are very few and far between, but IMO its worth taking French and becoming reasonably proficient to open that door if you have the chance.

If not then NL is an excellent choice and EU students have the same rules as home students. French DH did his BA there.

[PattyPenguin]

We looked into this for our daughter - we found a course she liked in the Netherlands, taught partly in English and with a buddying system with Dutch students for the parts taught in Dutch.

However, she wouldn't be eligible for student loans from the UK, and we don't have savings we could use, so we'd have to borrow money at commercial rates to pay the 16,800 euros tuition fees for the 4 year course, and the approx 800 euros a month living costs.

If she could get a job in the Netherlands for 3 months before starting university, and work part-time whilst there, she could access some less expensive loans from the Dutch government, but she wasn't likely to get a job as she speaks no Dutch.

Information on funding for studying abroad here www.ukcisa.org.uk/ukstudent/funding.php

And on funding when studying in an EU country here
europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/education/university/financial/index_en.htm

[PattyPenguin]

Sigh. Links once again
www.ukcisa.org.uk/ukstudent/funding.php

europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/education/university/financial/index_en.htm