Are you considering studying abroad?

With UK tuition fees still at a £9,000 per annum high, students are looking for other avenues when it comes to their education. In terms of European masters courses that are taught in English, there has been a drastic increase of 42% to 6,600 during the last two years. The most international-friendly countries include the Netherlands, Sweden, and Germany, and they are leading the way to make their university campuses more welcome to foreign students. In fact, countries like Germany are making the most of the UK’s extortionate university fees, by holding up their free tuition seductively – for them, it isn’t about the money; it is about having an international campus.

For many students, this is a very tempting prospect, as a degree from an international university looks fantastic on their CV. When you consider the fact that their debt will be much lower and they may even pick up a new language during their time in the country, it’s no surprise that students are crossing seas to get an education. 

Value for money?

When you take into account the fact that contact hours in the UK can be as little as a few hours a week, you really start to wonder where that £9,000 goes. Other European universities tend to offer more bang for your buck, in terms of actual lesson time (if you even have to pay at all)! Of course, this won’t be appealing to anyone who wants to spend most of their university time boozing, but if you’re looking to excel in your degree of choice, this may be yet another reason to study abroad.

Fear factor

One problem that tends to hold people back is the drastic move from home to a completely alien country.  Uprooting to a place where you struggle with the language takes a lot of courage. You will have to navigate through cities and towns, peppered with words you don’t understand – depending on your accommodation, you might have to set up your own internet and buy all of the new items for your apartment (remember what to take!), all by speaking with people who probably don’t (or won’t) speak English. Some masters will even include language-study, as part of the course, so it’s worth looking into this. 

However, many students see international study as an excuse for travelling, and will set off with their suitcase, without thinking twice about it. It’s a fantastic way to immerse yourself in a new culture, and should open many doors for you in the future. So, if you’re a student and weighing up your options for the future, this is a fantastic option, if you want an enriching educative experience.