Advice for UK Students on Studying Abroad
UK Students Studying Abroad
Costs and funding
What will it cost me?
You will need to calculate the cost of fees and living expenses (including travel, visas, etc), and bear in mind that currency fluctuations can make the real costs unpredictable.
Depending where you go, you may find study abroad cheaper than the UK. Many other EU countries still charge low or no fees, both at undergraduate and postgraduate level. Sometimes particular measures are in place to attract international students - for instance international students taking PhDs at New Zealand universities now pay the same fees as New Zealand students.Some universities offer financial aid or scholarships (eg in the US). Some UK universities now have campuses abroad, where both fees and living costs might be lower than for the same degree in the UK
Support from the host country or institution
Most internationally mobile students have to fund their study from their own (or their family’s) resources. Remember that competition for most scholarships is intense, and that it is usually necessary to apply a year or so in advance of the proposed date of admission.
You can ask about government scholarships from the relevant embassy, consulate or education office and about institutional funding from the universities to which you apply.
Do not assume you will be able to fund your studies by working during your degree. You will need to check whether and to what extent you are permitted to work if in the country on a student visa, and also to check the availability of work. It may be a condition of entry that you are able to demonstrate your ability to support yourself (and any dependants) from your own resources.
Support from UK sources
Although the UK has signed up to a commitment to portability of educational loans and grants , this has not yet been implemented, so you are unlikely to be able to access the same entitlements you would have if studying in the UK.
A small number of grants are available from UK research councils and professional bodies for postgraduate study overseas. Contact the relevant body for your subject area to find out whether they offer anything suitable.
A small number of educational trusts and charities based in the UK may provide support for UK students studying overseas. In most cases these will only cover a small proportion of the costs involved, and funding from other sources will be needed. Information can be found in directories of educational grant-making bodies (likely to be available via libraries or careers services).
A very small number of scholarships are available to UK nationals via schemes such as:
- the Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships Plan for study in selected other Commonwealth countries
- the Fulbright awards scheme for study in the USA
- EU funded schemes for doctoral students under the Marie Curie scheme.
