A graduation ceremony at the University of Oxford. Photograph: Stanislav Halcin/Alamy View image in fullscreen A graduation ceremony at the University of Oxford. Photograph: Stanislav Halcin/Alamy European Union EU presses UK to guarantee discounted university tuition fees for European students Failure to agree lower fees for EU citizens studying in UK should delay prized food and drink deal, members say
Prefer the Guardian on Google The EU is seeking a firmer pledge from the British government to guarantee European students discounted rates on university tuition fees before a much-anticipated summit this month.
At a meeting of senior EU diplomats on Wednesday, at least six member states called for a clear commitment from the UK by the time of the summit that EU students will pay the lower domestic rate of university tuition fees.
These member states oppose deferring agreement for another half-year. Many believe a failure to reach an agreement should delay the highly prized food and drink deal to cut Brexit red tape coming into force.
European Commission negotiators have proposed postponing agreement on tuition fees by six months to ensure the success of the November event, where Burnham is expected to show his commitment to much closer ties with the EU.
Andy Burnham will meet the EU leaders Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa on 20 November in Brussels, with the aim of signing three agreements – on food and drink, carbon markets and youth exchange – as well as pledging a “trusted partnership” on steel and defence industries.
But a longstanding dispute over whether EU students should pay costly international tuition fees at British universities remains unresolved and could delay the implementation of the food and energy deals, which are worth billions to the British economy.
View image in fullscreen Ursula von der Leyen and Andy Burnham at the United Nations general assembly in New York City in September. Photograph: Toby Melville/Pool Reuters/AP The EU wants a return to the pre-Brexit status quo where European students paid the UK domestic rate of university tuition, rather than international fees, which can be about four to six times higher for an undergraduate degree.
European Commission negotiators have proposed postponing an agreement on tuition fees by six months to ensure the success of the November event, where Burnham is expected to show his commitment to much closer ties with the EU.
But at least six member states, including in central and eastern Europe, want the university fees issue settled by the summit, while many are seeking a firmer commitment on the issue from the British government, according to four EU sources.
Read more One EU diplomat told the Guardian: “Having a youth experience scheme without an agreement on tuition fees has very little added value,” noting the much lower cost of university education in many EU countries and therefore potential greater advantage to British students.
A second EU diplomat said there was cautious optimism about the November summit, but “a large majority” wanted “a more convincing British commitment” on tuition fees.
A government spokesperson said: “We do not comment on leaks or provide a running commentary on live negotiations. We are building an ambitious, close relationship with the EU that will strengthen our economy, protect British industry, and create more opportunities for young people across the UK.”
For the EU, the creation of a youth experience scheme, know…