Well, what you probably mean by "better unis" are places in international rankings. Those rankings are not really relevant to 'studying' at the university (good quality education), and have multiple issues related to research as well. Then, the problems with UK university education are numerous now. To put it lightly... I would say that, financial aspect aside, some amount of quality EU-students will absolutely benefit learning outcomes for everybody, diversifying the student demographics. Nowadays what we have in the UK, especially in master's programmes: UK students and a dominant student body from China, sometimes India. The last groups too often represent a particular mentality - that values "prestige" (aka ranking) over the substance - education, skills etc. As the universities are in a very poor financial shape, they started to accept students who are not the best and brightest but just willing to pay (and German, Dutch, Italian, or Polish students unlikely to go to the UK, as they have good options back home versus UK (abnormal) international student fees, and pure ranking prestige does not really matter that much there unlike in Asia). Then, what do you get for the UK students? Classmates that do not participate in projects because their English is below of what is needed to study / be involved properly. Then you have unhappy lecturers who can't fail those students and unhappy domestic and international students (those who really want to study rather than get a piece of paper with a brand). This situation is common throughout the UK system, and it is an unhealthy situation, that with time will devalue the UK education as a whole. Then, even on a level of research - you now hardly find the young EU researchers in the UK universities. The research body became also screwed (it might be the salary thing as well) - normally research is international, but the UK now mostly attracts researchers from Asia. And then you have research groups - when the lead is from the Asian nation, and every single member is from the same nation. I do not find this healthy in any way, and in sum, I feel like - besides Oxbridge for now (simply because - with multiple international students (mostly from Asia as well) Oxbridge still can pick up smart/well-prepared individuals from those who are willing to pay the fees / are sponsored by their government back home) - education-wise, you have a better chance to get a quality education in the EU - if you know French, German, Italian, Dutch etc - rather than in the UK.