University fees could be saved by studying abroad

03/01/11
News

University tuition cost increases could lead to more students opting to study abroad.

High university fees may make more students think about doing their degree in another country.

Students may opt to study abroad for a UK degree to avoid the mounting costs of financing a university education, according to experts.

Last month the government raised the cap on tuition fees from £3,225 to £9,000 a year, which could encourage students to obtain their degrees in international branch campuses of UK universities.

Veronica Lasanowski, research manager at the Observatory on Borderless Higher Education (OBHE) said: “The tuition fee increase arguably presents a new opportunity for UK students. Certainly, the fact that some UK universities do have large-scale overseas campuses may encourage UK students to consider going overseas, where they can still get a quality, British higher education”.

James Pitman, managing director at Study Group, which provides educational programmes for international students said: “Though the take-up has initially been slow, it will probably improve as word catches on. Aside from lower tuition fees, studying abroad offers major savings on the cost of living”.

The University of Nottingham is one higher education facility that has an offshore campus providing students with the chance to study abroad. A three year degree taken on it’s UK campus from 2012 onwards would cost a student £38,250 including fees and living costs where as studying abroad in it’s Malaysian campus would cost £26,694.

A report published by the OBHE in 2009 showed that offshore campuses offer the same degrees as students residing in the UK at a lower cost than degree programs in other countries, which could encourage more students to study abroad.