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Breaking the Tuition Barrier: Why Students Are Flocking to UK & EU Universities
28/04/2025•24 minute read
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The US Tuition Challenge
Exploring Alternatives in the UK/EU
The UK & EU Benefit
Key Challenges for US Australian Students
Crimson Education's Role
Support for Entry Requirements
Next Steps
Did you know that more and more students are choosing to study at universities in the UK and EU, often seeking relief from the high costs of studying at a top US university? However, as more families and students discover what UK and EU universities offer, they find 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 shares his perspective on the advantages of studying abroad and explains why more Australian students might want to consider this option, as it may provide exactly the kind of transformative experience they’re seeking.
Bloomberg News recently cast a spotlight on the impact of rising tuition fees at US universities and how it's prompting students to rethink their options. The article, "College at $100,000 a Year Is Driving More US Students to Europe," highlights students' growing interest in getting more value for their money by studying in the UK or Europe instead of the US. We've observed a similar surge in interest among many Crimson's Australian students, and as we assist families in learning more about UK and EU universities, they're discovering that cost savings are only one of many advantages that make heading overseas for university a very appealing option.
Indeed, it almost seems like ever-rising tuition fees and historically low acceptance rates have created a perfect storm for US universities and students alike, driving more and more prospective 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 families are seeking guidance from our UK and EU admissions teams as they explore their options.
Clearly, the number of Australian students enrolled in the UK and EU is still relatively small, but we're genuinely excited that more Aussie students and their families are beginning to explore — and in this way discover — how exciting and dynamic the offerings are in the UK and EU.
Too often, students and families simply overlook these alternatives altogether.
So let's get started... In this post, I’ll explore some of the prominent advantages you can gain from studying in the UK and EU, and highlight the opportunities (and challenges) that really stand out for Australian students. You'll also learn how Crimson fits into 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 increasing interest in UK and EU schools indicates that, despite their unmatched reputations and prestige, the Ivy League institutions and other top US universities are beginning to make unrealistic demands regarding the spiralling cost of a university education, even for a “great” education.
Clearly, these US names will still be highly sought after, but the news about more students looking abroad may signal a larger reckoning concerning 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 rigour, faculty hiring practices, and grade inflation.
What an Ivy League University Costs Today
The cost of annual tuition for the Ivy League today is, on average, around $65,000 per 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. Obtaining a top-tier education and attending a highly selective US institution is almost certain to be very costly.
Across the top US non-Ivies — institutions 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 gaining more attention. We know this because our strategists are fielding their questions and because more of our Australian students are choosing to apply to EU or UK institutions.
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 significant 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 Australian 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 financial considerations are likely the primary motivator driving the search for alternatives, the stress associated with US admissions and historically low acceptance rates are also reasons families are reconsidering their options.
I will mention there’s another factor as well, which is upon learning more about UK and EU destinations and academic programs, most of the families we work with are impressed by the numerous advantages EU and UK university pathways truly offer.
1. Financial Advantages
As a counterpoint to the sky-high tuition costs in the US, the UK and Europe might seem downright affordable!
Our 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 receive 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 are home to so many prominent US schools.
A Tale of Two Tuitions: $3,100 vs. $60,000
A stark illustration of the potential cost savings between the US and the EU is the case of the Vieran 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 in the US, with the opportunity to enrol 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 university costs have become in the US market.
Tuition Fees in EU Countries
Public universities generally have larger classes and less access to lecturers compared to private universities, but they have lower fees, often well under $10,000 a year. Private universities are more expensive but typically provide a learning environment similar to those at US universities, including features like residential colleges and student societies.
The differences in cost of tuition between the US and UK are typically not as pronounced.
Tuition in the UK — compared to the US — could easily be 25–50% lower if you’re looking at top universities, 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 fees ranging from $3,000 to $20,000 for many universities.
“The average annual tuition fee for international students in the UK is about $30,000, while it is approximately $46,000 at St. Andrews in Scotland. At Oxford, undergraduate courses in English Literature for international students 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 attracts thousands of applications each year, the cost is between $6,200 and $15,000.”
- Bloomberg News
2. Academic Advantages
While the price differences are indeed compelling, I also greatly appreciate that for many families, price factors alone are rarely the only consideration when it comes to such an important life step and decision as university.
However, families quickly discover some unique academic advantages as well, especially as they hear firsthand about them from our specialised UK and EU strategists…
Academic Rigour and Top-Flight Faculty
Having graduated from Harvard and studied 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 underappreciated.
These schools give you access to world-renowned faculty, the possibility for direct entry into very specialised 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, emphasising enduring and consequential themes over chronology, and critical analysis over rote memorisation. 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 rigour.
Not at all.
Each year we partner with talented students from both Australia and around the world as they enrol in 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 bachelor's 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.
No Regrets: Academic Satisfaction and Success in the UK
I was initially attracted to UK universities due to their unique degree structure, allowing me to specialise from the first year rather than completing several years of general education requirements first.
I knew before I applied that I wanted to focus on politics and international relations, and attending a UK university meant I could spend all three years taking courses within that area. The shorter pathway to graduate work was also appealing — I was able to finish my undergraduate and master's degree in the same amount of time it would have taken me to get my first degree if I had studied in the US.
Ultimately, I'm very happy I made this decision; I got to develop niche expertise in conflict and peace studies in a relatively short time, form strong ties to the professors in my department due to spending so much time in that subject area, and I ended up liking the UK so much that I have settled here permanently.
– Brenna S.
Exposure to International Networks and Career Opportunities
Just as studying at UC Berkeley, Stanford, Columbia, or even Rice or UT Austin can provide access to outstanding industry networks in technology, finance, law, or consulting, for example, obtaining a degree from a UK or EU institution can offer a student an exceptional competitive edge in the international job market. Depending on your aspirations, this can be a distinctive advantage of a UK/EU pathway.
English-Taught Degree Programs
One aspect some students and families may not be aware of about studying in the EU is that you can find 100% English-taught degree programs at numerous top-ranking universities.
The EU institutions with English-taught degree programs that have become popular with our students include the Technical University of Munich (Germany), Bocconi University (Italy), Sciences Po (France), and University of Amsterdam (the Netherlands).
Specialised Bachelor Degree Programs (including tracks in law and medicine)
Another aspect that excites some students and their families is the opportunity for specialised study, with more intensive, streamlined curriculum pathways. This means bypassing the emphasis that US schools place on “well-roundedness” and “breadth requirements” in favour of an academic approach that’s more practical, technical, and intensive.
These specialised programs cover a wide range of industries, providing opportunities that span 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 specialisation — who desire a more exploratory learning experience in a European setting — can also explore more student-centred liberal arts and science programs.
These programs typically offer more interdisciplinary approaches and help you engage in more critical thinking, akin to the experience you’d have at a US liberal arts college. Designs emphasise 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, it could mean a quicker path to starting a career.
3. Cultural Benefits
When you think about it, many families are already intrigued by what studying abroad offers. They are willing to pay, if able, to give their students the benefits of a semester, summer, or year abroad — simply because there is so much to learn and experience from living and studying in the UK or Europe.
For many Australian students, going to the “old world” to get a university education is like immersive learning at its best!
Cultural Immersion
The cities where our UK- and EU-bound students go to study — such as Paris, Amsterdam, London, Dublin, and Milan, for example — are cosmopolitan cities brimming with art, culture, local and international cuisines, marvellous 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 simply cannot be matched by attending university 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 is available to students who stay in Australia.
Personal Development and Independence
Living and studying overseas also provides some powerful, albeit more intangible, benefits. Going overseas can seem a bit daunting initially, of course, but it usually becomes quite enjoyable and rewarding very quickly, and students receive 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 explore 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 challenges too.
Key Challenges for Australian 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 landscape, finding the right universities, and managing the admissions requirements.
It’s very achievable, but for Aussie students, it requires a lot of research and a willingness to dive into something really unfamiliar (but also adventurous)!
Some key challenges include:
- Knowing which universities and programs to target for your academic and career focus
- Understanding student visa requirements and relocation logistics
- Managing the financial aid process (for Australian 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 comprehensive approach
- Multiple application platforms
- Strong emphasis on each of multiple application components: standardised tests (SAT/ACT), essays, extracurricular activities, and recommendation letters
UK/EU Admissions
- More academically focused; greater emphasis on academic achievements and subject prerequisites for your course
- Centralised application system (UCAS) in the UK; in EU, admissions processes will vary by country and type of university
- Typically requires fewer supplementary materials (varies by institution and country)
Getting assistance from the right UK or EU team members can, naturally, make all this much more manageable and eliminate much of the guesswork and risks.
As our strategists specialise in continent-specific university search and admissions processes, they truly know and understand the best opportunities and pathways firsthand.
Crimson Education’s Role
Our specialised 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 can also expertly guide you to the programs that best match your learning preferences, from liberal arts, economics, and history to more specialised 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, Personalised 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 within reach
- Get first-hand insights into what you’ll experience at different schools and how different kinds of majors or specialisations 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
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 universities, the entrance requirements, particularly academic expectations, 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 universities, and the program(s) you’re targeting at each university.
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-university summer learning opportunities
- Indigo Research: Proven mentor-structured programs that guide Year 9 and above students in conducting their own research or capstone projects as launch ramps for getting into selective UK or EU universities
- Crimson Rise: University Prep foundations for ambitious Year 8 and below students who want to jump-start their university 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 eager for some actionable advice for turning inspiration into action!
Step 1: Exploration
My suggestion for the best way to kick off your journey is to simply explore what’s possible.
An easy way to do it is by consulting the free guides and articles on 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 you 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 specialised 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.
Fulfil the application requirements for your target schools and ask your Crimson counsellor 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 the epicentre for students around the world looking to expand and transform their educational horizons.
Now, however, a growing number of students and families are looking outside the US for university pathways, in response to inflated tuition costs and historically low acceptance rates at US institutions.
The good news is that more Australian students and families are discovering just how rich the opportunities are abroad, realising 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 overseas.
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 specialised 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 personalised (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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