MAMMA MIA... NO TUITION FEES!
Students can save a fortune by going abroad –this university in Pisa even pays living costs
THE rising cost of university education is prompting more young people to venture abroad. Studying in many European Union countries is free and in some cases living costs may also be cheaper.
Popular European destinations for students heading overseas include France, Spain and Germany, but America is still the favourite.
A period of studying abroad is mandatory for many courses, including modern languages. But those taking other subjects – including medicine, business and history – can also seize the opportunity to broaden their horizons.
Some will spend a semester or year overseas – often during the third year of their course – while others will go to a foreign univer- sity for their full degree. According to the Unesco Institute for Statistics, 31,000 UK students were enrolled in programmes at institutions outside the UK in the academic year spanning 2015 and 2016. Separate figures from Universities UK show that some 7 per cent of UK full-time undergraduates spend time studying, working or volunteering abroad as part of their degree.
There are potential benefits to studying abroad, such as increased self-confidence, improved communication skills and greater employability. Michael Peak, sen- ior education adviser at the British Council, says: ‘Studies show that graduates with international experience fare better in the job market and tend to achieve better degree results.’
Students also get to learn languages, immerse themselves in other cultures and make friends from all over the world.
PROGRAMMES AND FINANCIAL HELP
IF thinking about studying abroad, you need to find out whether your university offers an exchange programme – or whether you can join an organised programme, such as Erasmus+.
You also need to check if you can apply for a scholarship or funding to support you financially through your studies. The Erasmus+ programme, managed by the Erasmus+ National Agency, is a partnership between the British Council and Ecorys UK.
It sends 15,000 UK higher education students to study and work abroad for between three and 12 months each year.
This scheme provides non-means tested grants of around €300 (£268) to €400 per month, depending on the destination. Unlike a student loan, these grants do not have to be repaid.
You also do not have to pay tuition fees in your host country. If away for a full year you may benefit from a significant discount from your UK university. Visit erasmus plus. org.uk.
In addition, you may be able to get a grant from the Government to cover some of your travel expenses. Visit gov.uk/travel-grantsstudents-england.
While there are concerns about Erasmus+ post-Brexit, for now at least, things remain as they are.
Peak says: ‘As the UK continues to be a full European Union member, successful applicants this year will be awarded funding for the duration of their project, so organisations and participants should continue to prepare for the application deadlines in 2017 as usual.’
That said, the future remains uncertain as Brexit could potentially restrict the movement of British students.
Peak adds: ‘We cannot speculate on future scenarios following the UK’s exit from the European Union, but the Government has said that UK participation in some programmes may continue, subject to negotiation.’
If you want to study abroad, but not in a European Union country, British Council programmes include Generation UK China and Generation UK India, Study USA and Study China. Some receive financial support from the Government.
It is also worth checking out what scholarships are available – such as Commonwealth Scholarships, the Fulbright Awards for students studying in the US, and the Generation UK- China academic scholarship. There are plenty of opportunities to do a postgraduate degree, such as a masters or PhD, overseas. Some postgraduate degrees automatically incorporate a work placement abroad.
UK postgraduate students can get support for certain international study opportunities, such as the Joint Master Degree (part of the Erasmus+ programme), and the Japanese MEXT Scholarship Programme.
For more information visit britishcouncil.org, studyabroad.com and topuniversities.com.
Deadlines for t he Erasmus+ scheme and other Study Abroad opportunities will depend on where and when you are going.
Universities each set their own internal deadlines, but most require
applications to be submitted between this autumn and next spring.
PICK YOUR DESTINATION WITH CARE
ONE of the best ways to keep down costs when studying abroad is by choosing an affordable destination.
The good news is that a number of European (and other international) universities still offer free or lowcost courses.
New findings from currency specialist FairFX reveal that the most affordable European countries to study in include Italy, Germany, Finland, Austria and Sweden. Further research by FairFX shows two of the best-value European universities to study in are in Italy. Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa and Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, also in Pisa and in spectacular surroundings filled with statues and classical architecture. They not only provide free tuition but also cover living costs for the lucky few able to secure a place.
Ian Strafford-Taylor, of FairFX, says: ‘Students considering completing a degree in a different country should think about living costs as well as tuition fees – and the impact of exchange rates on their expenses.’
Sarah Cole knows just how important financial planning is when studying abroad, having spent a year of her undergraduate degree in San Diego in the US.
The 22- year- old is now abroad again and has just started a t wo- year masters degree in Denmark.
Sarah, from King’s Lynn, Norfolk, went to San Diego State University as part of the Study Abroad programme affiliated to the University of Hertfordshire.
This meant she did an extra year, extending her undergraduate degree in astrophysics from three to four years.
She says: ‘I did not have to pay tuition fees, which made the year affordable. The experience boosted my CV as I got to meet new people, experience life and university in a different country and become more independent.’
Now that Sarah is studying for her masters in mathematical modelling and computation at the Technical University of Denmark, just north of Copenhagen, she gets no financial help or support from the UK.
She says: ‘On the plus side there are no tuition fees for higher education for European students in Denmark.
‘Student housing is also affordable, and I live close to campus, so I do not have to spend much on transport.
‘Nonetheless, supermarkets and ot her l i vi ng costs are pretty expensive, so I am careful with spending as I need to make my savings last.’