The launch of full fees for British students doing second degrees will likely drive increasing numbers of British students to study overseas. Students planning for their second degree are wise to look to world renowned overseas universities to supply quality degrees at lower fees.
While the current cost of a degree in the United Kingdom is 3,300 pounds per annum the full fees could increase this amount to as much as 12,000 pounds annually. For many students this will be too expensive. However options exist for them to study abroad where they'll discover equivalent courses at top quality universities with considerably lower fees and lower living expenses.
A good example can be made by comparing the full fees for the UK with the costs of studying in New Zealand where 3 universities presently rank in the 'Times Higher Education Supplement' World's Top 200 Universities. Fees can vary considerably between courses but a large proportion of full-time undergrad programmes in New Zealand presently have fees in the order of 6,000 to 7,000 pounds per year for overseas students. When you take into consideration the living expenses of around 6,000 pounds per year you find the costs drastically lower than what's expected once full fees are brought in for second degrees in the United Kingdom.
The British authorities are introducing increased fees for second degrees in the 2008-2009 academic year. Students who are going to be caught by the change to full fees may be prudent to start exploring overseas study alternatives right away.
For these students, finding good information on the best options for doing their chosen degree program overseas can be frustrating. A lot of universities have arrangements with other partner universities to enable their students to gain overseas experience but their choices are limited and they are unlikely to find the student's best possible options. For the student to explore the options on their own can be difficult and time consuming as they will need to research each country and each university individually - a frustrating and time consuming chore. There are a few UK based international study consultancies that help students find their best overseas study options.
As it becomes increasingly expensive to study in the United Kingdom and with the world becoming increasingly mobile, the UK student will do well to compare options for studying in the United Kingdom with options for studying abroad and may well find it makes more sense for them to save money and gain international study experience at a university overseas.
Becky Petty is from the United Kingdom and has been studying in Australia. She writes for Degrees Ahead a UK based International Study Consultancy. |
No comments:
Post a Comment