Preparing for a no-deal Brexit: EUA's checklist for universities

EUA has published a short checklist for universities to prepare for a no-deal Brexit scenario. The negotiations were supposed to end in October, however a deal has not yet been reached.

Although more than 90% of the separation agreement has been agreed, there are still considerable obstacles particularly relating to how the Irish border is to be kept open while the UK leaves the Single Market and the Customs Union.

While it is still possible that there will be a ratified agreement by the Brexit deadline of 29 March 2019, there is also a chance that there will be no deal and that EU-UK formal relations will be set back to zero overnight. In a no-deal scenario, from the point of view of the EU, the UK would be a third country with minimal formal ties.

In the case that the UK and the EU would not reach a deal in time, there would be a number of problems for universities. However, it is possible to prepare in order to avoid the worst. It is crucial to be aware of the areas that may be affected, from fees and residence permits for students, to goods and services bought across the channel. In some cases, universities can prepare internally, and in other cases they will need to seek advice from their governments, the EU or independent legal experts.

The EUA checklist aims to help universities identify potential problems in advance. It is the latest tool EUA offers its members as a part of its continuous monitoring of Brexit-related developments.