EU referendum - guidance for staff and student groups

Message from Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Professor Paul Croney.

The loss of EU membership is likely to have an impact on universities, including Teesside University, particularly around the mobility of students and funding of research, innovation, enterprise and our work with businesses, industry and the professions.

However, it is important that I reaffirm that Teesside University remains committed to being a global university through our ambitions, the network and impact of our alumni, students and staff, and through our commitment to international partnerships.

I also want in particular to address any Teesside University staff and students from all countries of the European Union. We value you enormously – your contribution to Teesside life, on and off campus, is intrinsic to what the University stands for.

The vote to leave the European Union does not mean there will be any immediate material change to the immigration status of current and prospective EU students and staff, nor to the UK university sector's participation in EU programmes such as Erasmus+. 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 and the implications for universities should be known.

There will be many questions from many people in the Teesside University community and beyond about what this vote means for us. We will address these as a matter of priority as the details become clear. Meanwhile the guidance below should answer some anticipated staff and student questions.

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 the 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 it 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 it 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 - existing project grants and contracts will be honoured unless or until advised otherwise.

---