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BREXIT: Implications for Swiss Higher Education Institutions?
On 31 January 2020, the UK has left the European Union. This situation affects also the higher education sector.
swissuniversities publishes a list with useful links. These links compile different questions to which UK staff, UK researchers and students on mobility programmes within Swiss higher education institutions will be confronted after the Brexit. The list is thought as first orientation checklist referring then to the competent authorities. The list is by no means exhaustive. It will be updated on a regular basis as relevant new information becomes available.
Disclaimer: swissuniversities does not undertake any liability for the content of external links.
General Information
- Safeguarding relations between Switzerland and the UK in the field of migration post Brexit
At its meeting on 22 March the Federal Council took three decisions to safeguard good relations between Switzerland and the United Kingdom (UK) in the field of migration in the event of the UK’s disorderly withdrawal from the European Union (EU). Firstly the Federal Council opened consultation proceedings on the agreement on acquired rights, which has already been signed. It also adopted a revision of the Ordinance on Admission, Period of Stay and Employment (ASEO) with a separate quota for UK nationals. Lastly the Federal Council decided that UK nationals would be exempt from the requirement to obtain a visa to enter Switzerland after the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.
More information
- Agreement between Switzerland and UK on safeguarding existing rights of their citizens
Switzerland and the United Kingdom are safeguarding the existing rights of their citizens for the time when the UK is no longer a member of the EU. As part of the Federal Council’s Mind the gap strategy, State Secretary Mario Gattiker and his British counterpart, Parliamentary Under-Secretary Christopher Heaton-Harris, signed an agreement in Bern on 25 February 2019.
More information
- Universities UK
Overview on the implications and mitigations for universities associated with a possible ‘no deal’ Brexit outcome: website
FAQ
- Universities UK & European University Association
Brexit: How universities can prepare for a no-deal scenario
- European University Association Brexit – what now for universities?
Legal Status & Residence Permits
- Information for Swiss citizens moving to and living in the UK
Embassy of Switzerland in the United Kingdom
FAQ: link
- Information for British citizens moving to and living in Switzerland
UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office: website
Sign up for email alerts on living in Switzerland
Social Security
Federal Social Insurance Office: website
Students: European Health Insurance Card
Federal Social Insurance Office: website
Horizon 2020
- Universities UK & European University Association
Brexit: How universities can prepare for a no-deal scenario
- UK Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy
Guidance Horizon 2020 funding if there’s no Brexit deal -
UK Research Office
FAQ: link
Swiss-European Mobility Programme (SEMP)
State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation SERI: Factsheet
Next EU Framework Programmes: Horizon Europe & Erasmus+
The consequences of Brexit on the next EU framework programmes: Horizon Europe & Erasmus+ are open. It will also depend on the association status of Switzerland itself. Updates will be provided as soon as available.
Recognition of Higher Education Qualifications Giving Access to Non-regulated Professions
Higher education qualifications are covered by the Lisbon Recognition Convention, which is not an EU document and will still cover UK diplomas. Therefore, Brexit has no influence on the procedure applied by Swiss ENIC.
Qualifications Recognition
State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation SERI: website