UK‑EU negotiations over a youth mobility agreement have surfaced a demand from Brussels that EU students be charged domestic tuition—an ask that could cut up to £140 million from UK university revenues and complicate Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s bid for an EU reset. British negotiators say they were surprised by the demand as talks in Brussels proceed. Ministers have dispatched officials to discuss terms, while universities and sector bodies warn any change to fee status would shift recruitment strategies and financial forecasts. The dispute highlights how international mobility negotiations can have immediate budgetary and enrollment consequences for higher‑education institutions.