Do university years count towards British citizenship?

Why do you want British citizenship?

I’d like to live/work there permanently and become a citizen after uni

Have you lost your mind..... You just get settled status and do five years of living in the UK, and yes uni years do count....there's literally no need to become British to live here lol.

I am more than aware but that doesn’t mean I can’t become one over time... I also asked nicely so there’s absolutely no need to be rude

Have you lost your mind..... You just get settled status and do five years of living in the UK, and yes uni years do count....there's literally no need to become British to live here lol.

geez what is the problem why you gotta be so pressed!! guessing the question was whether it still counted if they lived in a hall and came home for a few months. sorry @lonelyheartmgc i don’t have an answer for that but hope someone will help you out on here xx

then do the research, it's a lengthy process as a fellow German i simply can't see a point, you might have to give up German citizenship since the UK will be a non-EU state. If that does become the case (hopefully it won't) it literally would be insane. You can just see the way covid-19 has gone lol, never give up your ability to go back to Germany under any circumstance...you would regret that.

Risking German citizenship is mad, why would you want to lose freedom of movement in 26 countries...to just live in the UK, doesn't even seem like OP has been here yet, it's simply a German looking out for a German.

I’m not from Germany but thank you, that totally makes sense and I see your point! I’ve definitely been trying to figure this out however I’m still not sure about like coming home for the summer but I guess it should be fine after getting the pre-settled status plus I will obviously have my student card and everything — I’ll definitely do more research but I do know that it is very expensive and is indeed a lengthy process. I just assumed it would be beneficial for my future family but I wouldn’t want to give up on my current citizenship. I’m gonna be in my first year this year so I have plenty of time, just wanted to clear up some things I was confused about!

I’m not from Germany but thank you, that totally makes sense and I see your point! I’ve definitely been trying to figure this out however I’m still not sure about like coming home for the summer but I guess it should be fine after getting the pre-settled status plus I will obviously have my student card and everything — I’ll definitely do more research but I do know that it is very expensive and is indeed a lengthy process. I just assumed it would be beneficial for my future family but I wouldn’t want to give up on my current citizenship. I’m gonna be in my first year this year so I have plenty of time, just wanted to clear up some things I was confused about!

You should be able to check pretty quickly whether you can hold dual nationality. Honestly - British nationality is not that expensive or time consuming. You do need to make sure you understand what you need to do so you are keeping all the required paperwork for when you need it.

Oh sorry, don't know why i read German but your an EU citizen so in theory lol, you are technically one! It's just quite unique to have access to loads of countries i think, and until the UK's status is a bit more clear, you should be cautious before giving up EU citizenship. Sorry if i reacted a bit strongly!

I can hold dual nationality! My problem is that I’m unsure whether having a contract with a uni hall until June and coming home for the summer, then going back at the end of August would affect the “live continuously in the UK for at least 5 years” part or even my pre-settled status. I’m guessing it wouldn’t?

I dont know - and things change. Thats a pretty specialist question for which you should seek specialist advice. I'd look for forums with people from your country currently going through the process. Also - if you rent somewhere for next year could you get the dates to cross so you always have a residence in the UK?

Someone recommended the Citizens Advice bureau so I’ll see what they say. I’m not sure about renting that way, my course ends at the end of May so I’ll have a contract until June, however, if there’s a way to extend the contract for the summer then I’d definitely like to do that depending on whether or not I’ll have a job with everything that is going on with the virus

By the way - I do think its worth having British as well as EU citizenship. I'm seeing friends going through this process - or struggling from not having gone through it at the moment. The right to work in a place you have lived before, speak the language, know the culture and have some connections is worth a lot.

I agree! I also think that it’s really nice that I can hold a dual citizenship by law as not every country allows that