The announcement yesterday that prime minister Theresa May will officially trigger Article 50 next week to leave the European Union is creating huge uncertainty surrounding EU students and the student rental market in this country, according to StudentTenant.com.

As the UK prepares for life post-Brexit, the head of the student property portal, Danielle Cullen, has expressed concern for EU students in this country and those who have invested in the student rental market.

Last academic year, 1.72 million students studied undergraduate degrees at UK universities; of which 120,000 were from European countries.

With immigration control being a huge talking point for Brexit, it is likely that non-UK students will have to apply for a student visa or short term study visa to gain access to higher education in the UK.

Cullen said: “There’s undoubtedly a period of uncertainty ahead for UK higher education post-Brexit. Naturally, EU students, student landlords and UK universities are worried about the impending changes, and how they will be affected by them.

“From what we can currently deduce, EU students will be treated in the same way as international students. They’re likely to be required to complete a complex study visa to access our educational system. Not only is this another hoop that EU students will have to jump through, it may also mean tuition fees could rise for them.”

Cullen believes that there could be a major decline in EU students studying in the UK following Brexit, which would have a significant impact on students, landlords and rental property demand.

She continued: “Experts are predicting a fall in applications to universities from EU students with the impending changes, and landlords will be feeling the strain. We could well see supply outgrow demand for student properties as we see fewer students at universities.”