Ditch the Debt: Why More British Students Are Heading Abroad for University
Escape the £9,250 Tuition Trap
With university fees in the UK now topping a whopping £9,250 a year and beyond, many British students are searching for alternatives to avoid hefty debt. Increasingly, they’re choosing to study abroad in Countries where tuition is free or much cheaper, such as Germany, the Netherlands, France, and Japan.
More Than Just Money Saved
Studying overseas doesn’t just ease the financial burden. It offers cultural immersion, language skills, new friendships, and the chance to travel across Europe or Asia during term breaks. After finishing my GNVQ Advanced Business Studies, I declined five UK university offers and opted to study in Cape town. I graduated debt-free and returned to London ready to work. But it wasn’t just about the money. Studying abroad gave me the chance to travel and truly immerse myself in the local culture — something you just can’t get sitting in a lecture hall back home. I had the opportunity to meet and learn alongside students from all over the world, as well as lecturers with diverse backgrounds and perspectives. That blend of diverse thinking made the experience far richer and more rewarding than I ever imagined. It also gave me a real head start when it came to working in global businesses — preparing me to confidently interact with colleagues, customers, and suppliers from all over the world.
Theresa Bullock, a 19-year-old from Worcestershire, chose to study engineering at Maastricht University. She appreciated the inclusive admission process and the international environment, sharing a house with students from various Countries. It also helps, she said, that her annual tuition fees are just €1,672 – about £1,450.
Affordable Education in Europe and Asia
Even though plenty of UK students still choose to study at home despite the soaring fees, more and more are exploring cheaper options abroad. A 2024 article from the Lancashire Evening Post found that Countries like Germany, Romania, Spain, and Portugal offer undergraduate degrees for UK
students at fees ranging from just £220 up to around £1,058 a year — a tiny
fraction of what you’d pay here. Post-Brexit, several European countries
continue to provide affordable degree courses for British students, with some
charging less than £1,000 annually. Read the full article here.
Jonah Thompson from Midhurst, West Sussex, isstudying law at the University of Groningen. He highlighted the substantial savings, stating, "My friends at the English universities will be coming out with £50,000 in debt. I will leave with less than £4,000 in debt. And I’m having a whale of a time".
Financial Aspects
Many Japanese universities charge the same tuition fees forinternational students as for domestic students, making it a cost-effective option. Additionally, numerous scholarships are available, such as those offered by the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) and individual universities, which can significantly reduce or even cover tuition costs.
Warren Stanislaus pursued a four-year liberal arts degree atInternational Christian University (ICU) in Tokyo. He participated in an intensive Japanese language programme and lived in a dormitory with both Japanese and international students, which enriched his cultural understanding and language skills.
Lifestyle and Cultural Engagement
Living in Japan allows students to immerse themselves in a unique culture, learn a new language, and participate in various traditional and modern activities. The cost of living, especially outside major cities like Tokyo, is relatively low, and students can work part-time to support themselves.
Choosing to study abroad in countries like the Netherlands and Japan offers British students an opportunity to receive quality education without the burden of substantial debt. Studying abroad means not just saving money, but gaining invaluable life experiences, such as independence, resilience, cultural insights, and global networks and outlook. These benefits boost employability and enrich your life beyond the classroom.
Why It’s Worth Considering
In the UK, the average student loan debt for those who started their courses in 2022/23 stands at £45,600, with forecasts suggesting it will be slightly lower for students starting in 2023/24 at £43,700. This substantial debt burden can hinder graduates' ability to save for a home, especially when considering the rising property market. In 2024, the average house price for a first-time buyer in the UK was £311,034, requiring an average deposit of £61,090 . These financial challenges are further compounded by the increasing cost of living, with UK consumer prices having risen by 20.8% over the three-year period between May 2021 and May 2024.
Studying abroad presents an opportunity to obtain a valuable degree, experience diverse cultures, travel, learn a language, and potentially enter the workforce with less debt, making it a compelling option for prospective students.