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Breaking the Tuition Barrier: Why Students Are Flocking to UK & EU Universities
21/02/2025•25 minute read
Jump To
The US Tuition Challenge
Seeking Alternatives in the UK/EU
The UK & EU Advantage
Key Challenges for US Students
Crimson Education's Role
Support for Entrance Requirements
Next Steps
Did you know that more and more U.S. students are choosing to study at universities in the UK and EU, often looking to find relief from the steep costs of studying at a top US university? However, as more families and students learn what UK and EU universities offer, they discover not only amazing destinations awaiting them, but also excellent universities and rigorous academic and technical programs, in addition to cost savings. In this post, Crimson Education Co-Founder and CEO Jamie Beaton offers his take on the advantages of studying abroad and explains why more US students might want to explore this option, as it may offer exactly the kind of transformative experience they’re looking for.
Bloomberg news recently cast a spotlight on the impact of rising tuitions at US universities and how it's driving US students to rethink their options. The article, "College at $100,000 a Year Is Driving More US Students to Europe," highlights US students' growing interest in getting more for their money by studying in the UK or Europe instead of the US. We've seen a similar surge in interest among many Crimson students, and as we help families learn more about UK and EU universities, they're discovering cost savings are only one of many advantages that make heading overseas for college a very appealing option.
Indeed, it almost seems like ever-rising tuition and historically low acceptance rates have brewed a perfect storm for US universities and students alike, driving more and more students to explore alternatives in the UK and EU and see what they've been overlooking.
As Bloomberg News points out, “studying abroad full-time remains a niche path” but at Crimson Education more and more US families are seeking guidance from our UK and EU admissions teams as they explore their options.
“There were nearly 23,000 Americans enrolled in UK universities in 2024, up from roughly 17,000 in 2019 — that compares to about 60,000 undergraduate students who attend Ohio State University.”
- Bloomberg News
Clearly, the number of students enrolled in the UK and EU is really still relatively small, but honestly we're excited that more students and families are starting to explore — and in this way discover — how exciting and dynamic the offerings are in the UK and EU.
Too often students and families are simply overlooking these alternatives altogether.
So let's get started... In this post I’ll explore some of the prominent advantages you can get from studying in the UK and EU, and highlight the opportunities (and challenges) that really stand out for students with a US perspective. You'll also learn how Crimson fits in the picture and get tips and resources for your own UK/EU exploration along with a list of action-worthy next steps — if you're ready to take your interest to the next level!
The US Tuition Challenge
The growing interest in UK and EU schools shows that despite their unparalleled reputations and prestige, the Ivy League institutions and other top US universities are really starting to make unrealistic demands when it comes to the spiraling cost of a university education — even for a “great” education.
Obviously, these US names are still going to be highly sought after, but the news about more US students looking abroad may signal a larger reckoning when it comes to tuition costs and growing questions about academic excellence.
Our recent piece on rising tuition at Harvard is a clear case in point. We noted that both tuition costs and on-campus housing costs have risen multiple percentage points year-after-year for decades, often exceeding inflation, just as questions arise about academic rigor, faculty hiring practices, and grade inflation.
What an Ivy League School Costs Today
The cost of annual tuition for the Ivy League today is, on average, around $65,000 a year (assuming no financial aid).
Harvard’s tuition is on the lower end, at around $56,000, while Columbia's annual tuition exceeds $71,000.
And, it’s not just the Ivies that involve exorbitant costs. Getting a top-flight education and attending a highly selective US school is almost certain to be very costly.
Across the top US non-Ivies — schools like NYU, Stanford, Duke, Georgetown, and Johns Hopkins for example — annual tuition ranges from $55,000 to $65,000.
Seeking Alternatives Abroad
With students and their families confronting these costs, universities in the EU and UK are getting more attention. We know because our strategists are fielding their questions and because more of our US students are choosing to apply to EU or UK schools.
Families find that being able to access both US strategists and, if needed, also UK or EU strategists all in one place is a great advantage of working with Crimson and makes decision making more informed and provides lots of stress-free continuity whatever destinations a student ends up choosing to pursue.
While UK and EU universities offer a lot, it's a big step to envision enrolling at a university overseas. There’s a lot to learn about in a short time — in terms of school options, geographic destinations, academic tracks, entrance requirements, and admissions processes.
However, this option is not at all impractical — we’ve helped many US students make this leap and seen them be very satisfied and successful, so the advantages and rewards are definitely worth exploring!
The UK and EU Advantage
While money is probably the biggest motivator driving the search for alternatives, the stress related to US admissions and historically low acceptance rates are also reasons families are rethinking their options.
I will say there’s one other element too, which is upon learning more about UK and EU destinations and academic programs, most of the families we work with are impressed by how many advantages EU and UK university pathways really offer.
1. Financial Advantages
As a counterpoint to the sky-high tuition costs in the US, the UK and Europe might seem down right cheap!
Our US families sometimes wonder how such vast differences in cost, compared to university study in the US, can even be possible.
One key explanation of course is that university systems in most UK and EU countries have more subsidies from their home government, and dollar for dollar, pound for pound, or euro for euro, it’s hard to find many places with a higher cost of living than New York, D.C., Berkeley, and Boston — cities that home to so many prominent US schools.
“Many students in the US, of course, receive financial aid to defray their college costs, and state schools have long offered subsidized tuition for residents. Still, at a time when inflation has crimped family finances, the college savings available in Europe are drawing more attention.”
- Bloomberg News
A Tale of Two Tuitions: $3,100 vs. $60,000
A stark illustration of the potential cost savings between the US vs. the EU is the case of the Viera family in North Carolina.
The reporters for Bloomberg highlight how the family’s 16-year-old daughter is considering studying medicine in Italy instead of state-side, with the opportunity to enroll at an international college that costs about $3,100, compared to similar programs in the US that would cost $60,000.
Again, this cost difference really is hard to fathom and highlights just how burdensome college costs have become in the US market.
Tuition in EU Countries
Public universities tend to have larger classes and less access to professors, compared to private universities, but lower tuition, often well under $10,000 a year. Private universities cost more but typically offer a learning environment more like those at US universities, including features like residence halls and student clubs.
The differences in cost of tuition between the US and UK are typically not as pronounced.
Tuition in the UK — vs. the US — could easily be 25–50% lower if you’re looking at top schools, and the cost of living might be similar or could be much less, depending on the city.
However, in some EU countries, the contrast in costs is more dramatic. Tuition in these countries is typically lower, with tuition rates ranging from $3,000 to $20,000 for many schools.
“The average annual tuition fee for foreign students in the UK is about $30,000, while it runs roughly $46,000 at St. Andrews in Scotland. At Oxford, undergraduate courses in English Literature for international pupils cost $52,000 a year… In France tuition can be as little as $3,000 a year, while in the Netherlands, where the University of Amsterdam draws thousands of applications each year, the cost is between $6,200 and $15,000.”
- Bloomberg News
2. Academic Advantages
While the price differences are really compelling, I also really appreciate that for many US families price factors alone are rarely going to be the only consideration when it comes to such an important life step and decision as college.
However, families quickly discover some unique academic advantages as well, especially as they hear firsthand about them from our specialized UK and EU strategists…
Academic Rigor and Top-Flight Faculty
Having graduated from Harvard and after studying in graduate programs at Yale, Stanford, and other top universities in the US, UK, and elsewhere, I won’t deny that few countries offer opportunities for a transformative university experience like those you’ll find at the best universities in the US.
But, I can also say that there are dozens of dynamic and prestigious universities across the UK and EU that too often go overlooked, or under appreciated.
These schools give you access to world-renowned faculty, the possibility for direct entry into very specialized and intensive academic degree programs — including in law and medicine (as opposed to the “pre-med” and “pre-law” alternative in the US), and very high-quality academic resources.
Reflections on the Riches of Studying History in the UK
History degrees in the UK offer a multifaceted exploration of the past, emphasizing enduring and consequential themes over chronology, and critical analysis over rote memorization. Studying history at a top UK university enables you to traverse the annals of time, dissecting the interplay of human experiences, emotions, and ideas through interwoven narratives.
— Khushi Nagpal, "Unveiling the Past: Reflections on the Riches of Studying History in the UK”
So a UK or EU institution is in no way second-rate, compared to US options, when it comes to your search for top-tier programs with academic depth and rigor.
Not at all.
Each year we partner with talented students from both the US and around the world as they matriculate to diverse UK and EU schools — from literature, history, classics and science tracks at Cambridge and Oxford, to programs in business or politics in France and Spain, and even including great programs in culinary arts in the heart of Europe or pursuing a bachelors in hotel management at one of the best tourism management universities in the world, EHL, in Lausanne, Switzerland!
We know from these students’ own accounts that they’re having amazing experiences in their UK and EU universities and go on to enjoy exciting careers, entrepreneurial projects, or top graduate schools where they'll earn advanced degrees.
Exposure to International Networks and Career Vistas
Just as studying at UC Berkeley, Stanford, Columbia, or even Rice or UT Austin can give you access to amazing industry networks in technology, finance, law, or consulting, for example, getting a degree from a UK and EU school can give a US student an exceptional competitive edge on the international job market. Depending on your aspirations, this can be a distinctive advantage of a UK/EU pathway.
English-Taught Degree Programs
One thing some students and families don’t even know about studying in the EU is that you can find 100% English-taught degree programs at numerous top-ranking universities.
The EU schools with English-taught degree programs that have become popular with our US students include the Technical University of Munich (Germany), Bocconi University (Italy), Sciences Po (France), and University of Amsterdam (the Netherlands).
Specialized Bachelor Degree Programs (including tracks in law and medicine)
Another thing that excites some students and families are the opportunities for specialized study, with more intensive, streamlined curriculum pathways. This means bypassing the emphasis that US schools put on “well-roundedness” and “breadth requirements” in exchange for an academic approach that’s more practical, technical, and intensive.
These specialized programs span a wide range of industries, so there are opportunities that run the gamut from engineering, veterinary science, computer science, and biotechnology, to law, medicine, fashion design, and media studies.
Interdisciplinary Designs
Students who aren’t keen on narrower academic specialization — who want a more exploratory learning experience in a European setting — can also explore more student-centered liberal arts and science programs.
These programs typically offer more interdisciplinary approaches and help you engage in more critical thinking, closer to the experience you’d have at US liberal arts college. Designs emphasize smaller class sizes, seminar-style learning, and a more holistic curriculum model.
3-Year Degree Timelines
Not only are tuition costs likely lower, at a UK or EU university, but the typical undergraduate program has a shorter duration, typically three years. This can translate into additional cost savings for students and their families. And, depending on the major, could mean a quicker path to starting a career.
3. Cultural Benefits
When you think about it, a lot of families are already intrigued by what study abroad offers. And are willing to pay, if able, to give their students the benefits of a semester, summer, or year abroad — simply because there’s so much to learn and experience from living and studying in the UK or Europe.
I mean, for many US students going to the “old world” to get a college education is like immersive learning at its best!
Cultural Immersion
The cities where our UK- and EU-bound students go to study — like Paris, Amsterdam, London, Dublin, and Milan, for example — are cosmopolitan cities and ones brimming with art, culture, local and international cuisines, marvelous architecture, and almost always lots of historical riches along with the obvious opportunities some offer for learning a foreign language to boot!
Living and studying in one of these destinations will be a learning experience that just can’t be matched by attending college in California, Ohio, or Texas.
Travel & Tourism
In addition to the immersive cultural experience, students who go to a UK or EU university will find many other exciting destinations within close proximity, and in some cases easily accessible by train, compared to what’s available to students who stay in the US.
Personal Development and Independence
Living and studying abroad also delivers some powerful, if more intangible, benefits. Going abroad can seem a bit intimidating initially, of course, but it usually becomes quite enjoyable and rewarding very quickly, and students get a valuable crash course in developing independence, self-reliance, and adaptability.
Global Citizenship
Engaging with a diverse student body and participating in international programs, allows students to build a more intimate global network of peers and professionals. These connections can lead to collaborative opportunities that are richly cross-cultural as the US student develops nuanced understandings of global communities, traditions, and perspectives.
The more you scratch the surface of what UK and EU universities offer, the more new opportunities, avenues, and future possibilities you uncover, but charting a path to the UK or EU can present some hurdles too.
Key Challenges for US Students
One factor that will deter some students and families from exploring opportunities abroad is the steep learning curve involved in navigating the process of understanding the terrain, finding the right schools, and managing the admissions requirements.
It’s very doable, but for US students it requires a lot of research and a willingness to jump into something really unfamiliar (but also adventurous)!
Some key challenges include:
- Knowing which schools and programs to target for your academic and career focus
- Understanding student visa requirements and relocation logistics
- Managing the financial aid process (for US students who want federal loan support)
- Navigating unfamiliar entrance requirements, academic exams, and admissions processes
- And, for some students who choose a non-English instructional setting, satisfying language proficiency requirements
US Admissions vs. UK/EU Admissions
US Admissions
- More holistic approach
- Multiple application platforms
- Strong emphasis on each of multiple application components: standardized tests (SAT/ACT), essays, extracurriculars, and recommendation letters
UK/EU Admissions
- More academically focused; more emphasis on academic achievements and subject prerequisites for your major
- Centralized applications system (UCAS) in the UK; in EU admissions processes will vary by country and type of university
- Typically requires fewer supplemental materials (varies by school and country)
Getting help from the right UK or EU team members can, of course, make all this much more manageable and take out a lot of the guesswork and risks.
Since our strategists specialize in continent-specific university search and admissions processes, they really know and understand the best opportunities and pathways first hand.
Crimson Education’s Role
Our specialized UK and EU strategists are a great resource for families and students in search of realistic, accurate, and nuanced insights into UK and EU universities, majors, and programs — down to the level of very specific admissions requirements, program strengths, and geographic locales.
They also can expertly steer you to the programs that best match your learning preferences, from liberal arts, econ, and history to more specialized academic and technical programs — across STEM and business concentrations, and for law, medicine, or more technical pathways, such as culinary arts or textile arts.
Crimson Offers Comprehensive, Personalized Guidance for UK and EU Pathways
- Learn about unique features of academic programming and create a list of suitable target schools and academic tracks
- Understand how your academic profile aligns with the acceptance requirements at your target schools, so you’ll know right away what your options and next steps are, and exactly which schools are most in reach
- Get first-hand insights into what you’ll experience at different schools and how different kinds of majors or specializations are presented and structured in your prospective institutions
- Enjoy a streamlined and more stress-free process for navigating the application, relocation, and visa-related processes that enrolling at a university abroad entails
- Be far more ready and confident making your transition to unfamiliar cultural and academic terrain
One Student's Journey from New England to Oxford!
As a team Crimson and Cora were unbeatable!
Cora grew up living in New England and Canada and dreamed about attending Yale, but she soon discovered that studying in the UK offered an ideal opportunity to pursue an interdisciplinary pathway that combined philosophy, politics, and economics within a tutorial format that perfectly matched her intellectual interests.
With the help of her Crimson Strategist, Cora pivoted — still applying to Yale, but making Oxford’s Philosophy, Politics, and Economics course her top choice.
"As an American student whose school does not offer AP classes, applying to Oxford had greater challenges. My strategist was Aidan Cadley and the application process was highly stressful for me, so I relied on Aidan's guidance and reassurance to let go of some of that anxiety. I also got support from my Crimson essay mentor, Hailey, for developing my UK personal statement. Hailey also acted as an accountability partner, right up until the end of the editing process. Going to Oxford turned into a dream in every sense of the word, and getting accepted and having it made real was a shock to the system!"
Support for Entrance Requirements
Even though the application process tends to be less complex and acceptance rates less daunting when you apply to UK and EU schools, the entrance requirements, academic expectations in particular, can be fairly stringent.
This is another way our strategists can help:
- guiding you through a streamlined approach to subject matter preparation
- recommending academically oriented extracurriculars aligned with your UK/EU course (major) selection
- helping you understand and track crucial timelines
Crimson strategists can also connect you with vetted programs for superior academic preparation in alignment with the kinds of entrance requirements you’ll face based on your actual target schools, and the program(s) you’re targeting at each school.
Here are some examples of top-tier and flexible academic growth programs and resources under the Crimson umbrella or through trusted Crimson partners:
- Crimson Global Academy (CGA): Online coursework and prep for A-Levels and IB subjects and exams supported by a top-ranked online, global high school
- Summer Apply: Resources to help students find high-quality pre-college summer learning opportunities
- Indigo Research: Proven mentor-structured programs that guide high school students in conducting their own research or capstone projects as launch ramps for getting into selective UK or EU universities
- Crimson Rise: College Prep foundations for ambitious middle school students who want to jump start their college journey and give themselves adequate time to build a really formidable academic and scholarly profile
- Delta Institute: Connecting high school students to high quality internships and work experience opportunities
Next Steps
Hopefully we’ve whet your appetite and you’re hungry for some actionable advice for turning inspiration into action!
Step 1: Exploration
My suggestion for the best way to kickoff your journey is to simply explore what’s possible.
An easy way to do it is consulting the free guides and articles UK and EU admissions you can locate in just seconds on our Crimson Education Blog.
- Go to the Crimson Education website.
- Navigate to the Crimson Education blog pages using the navigation bar.
- On the blog pages, use the search field to filter for relevant articles by inserting either “UK Admissions” for your search or “EU Admissions.”
- Relax and explore as your sample the guides, tips, and insights you find there.
- Write down any questions you have to ask your strategist — or schedule a free feedback session if you’re not already part of the Crimson network.
Step 2: Homing In on Your Goals and Interests & Best-Matched Schools & Programs
- Identify what kinds of schools and programs you want to explore and pursue.
- Learn more about the schools and programs of interest.
- Build a list of 3 to 6 universities that align with your interests — ideally doing this in collaboration with a specialized Crimson strategist who’s matched with you based on your goals and preferences.
- Research entrance requirements for those universities and assess how ready you are.
Step 3: Prepare To Ace Entrance Requirements
Make a plan that puts you on track to satisfy — or even better, exceed — the entrance requirements for your target school(s) and program(s).
You’ll typically have an edge in UK and EU admissions if you pursue the right blend of academic depth along with some demonstration of academic interest and application beyond your coursework. Remember, there are programs for academic acceleration our strategists can help you access, if you need it:
- Academic Tutoring or Online Courses (for A-Level or IB subjects for example)
- Comprehensive Academic Enrichment Programs; Mentoring Programs for Capstone Projects or Research… (check out Indigo Research, Summer Apply, and talk to your strategist for more information about academic enrichment)
Be sure you carefully research and get input from a Crimson strategist to help you understand the requirements, steps, expectations, and timelines associated with the admissions process for your target country, schools, and programs.
Fulfill the application requirements for your target schools and ask your Crimson counselor for advice on travel and passports, obtaining the proper entry visa or related documents, and for tips on managing cultural transitions too!
Final Thoughts
For decades, schools like Harvard, MIT, Stanford, NYU, and more, have made the US ground-zero for students around the world looking to expand, and transform, their educational horizons.
Now, however, a growing number of US students and families are looking outside the US for university pathways, in response to bloated tuition costs and historically low acceptance rates at US institutions.
The good news is that more students and families are discovering just how rich the opportunities are abroad, realizing that instead of planning for a summer or semester abroad, there’s a lot to gain from enrolling full-time in a UK or EU university and living and studying abroad.
These universities offer more than just amazing cosmopolitan cities on the doorstep of other great European destinations; they boast outstanding faculty, an array of rigorous and specialized academic pathways, shorter timelines to graduation, and lower tuition costs (on average, when compared to top US institutions).
Ready to consider your pivot to the UK or EU?
Sound like an enticing and rewarding adventure?
Wondering if it's all really manageable?
If you're feeling intrigued but a little overwhelmed, take it one step at a time. I encourage you to reach out for a personalized (free) consultation so our strategists can learn about your interests and aspirations and answer any questions you have about next steps — whatever your final destination!
Key Resources & Further Reading
About the Contributor
Jamie Beaton
Jamie Beaton is the Co-founder and CEO of Crimson Education. With degrees from Harvard, Oxford, Stanford, Yale, and Tsinghua, Jamie is an educational innovator passionate about helping students reach their academic potential. He co-founded Crimson after gaining admission to 25 of the world's top universities. Under his leadership, Crimson has become the world's most successful university admissions consultancy, helping thousands gain entry into the Ivy League and other elite institutions.
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