Record Number of U.S. Students Apply for U.K. Undergraduate Degrees For 2025-26

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes. Done to 18 mos maximum, some exceptions for PhDs. Surprised he’s doing that considering he’s not put UK students first in the past. Excellent move, that.

18 mos is more than the US offers with the 12 month practical training card….
Quite frankly that is irrelevant for us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also it looks like the other PP was referring to this list of the unis with most Americans attending that another poster shared:

1. University of St Andrews – ≈ 1,810
2. University of Edinburgh – ≈ 960
3. University of Oxford – ≈ 720

This is a blip in terms of the number of US college students which I believe is around 16MM.

Now, maybe a million are applying and this is all that gets in…but I doubt it.

What does this have to do with the thread?

That the record number applying is only like maybe 10,000 kids total out of 4MM kids applying to college from the US

Considering that for most Americans, their universe extends only 100 miles from their home, it is actually pretty impressive that there are 10,000+ kids applying to UK schools from America. I’m willing to bet 99.99% of all kids applying through the Common App could not name more than one UK university.

UK universities are also only relatively affordable if you are willing and able to pay fully for US private universities. The vast majority of US high school students are not able to afford UK universities, especially with the current exchange rate, and are barely able to afford public or private colleges in this country with generous merit scholarships, financial aid, and employment.

Of course. It is a niche audience in America for sure. It only makes sense for a few groups, but one thing they have in common is that they need to be able to afford $25 to $40k in Tuition per year. Under that scenario, yes it makes sense for these families when compared to full pay at OOS or Private universities in the US.

You’re leaving out many hefty charges like term break fees if staying in (bc unis usually rent space to conferences bc they’re broke), visa fees, NHS pay in, and especially travel back and forth. Then there’s all the costs for travel during term breaks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes. Done to 18 mos maximum, some exceptions for PhDs. Surprised he’s doing that considering he’s not put UK students first in the past. Excellent move, that.

18 mos is more than the US offers with the 12 month practical training card….
Quite frankly that is irrelevant for us.

Thanks for the singular data point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also it looks like the other PP was referring to this list of the unis with most Americans attending that another poster shared:

1. University of St Andrews – ≈ 1,810
2. University of Edinburgh – ≈ 960
3. University of Oxford – ≈ 720

This is a blip in terms of the number of US college students which I believe is around 16MM.

Now, maybe a million are applying and this is all that gets in…but I doubt it.

What does this have to do with the thread?

That the record number applying is only like maybe 10,000 kids total out of 4MM kids applying to college from the US

Considering that for most Americans, their universe extends only 100 miles from their home, it is actually pretty impressive that there are 10,000+ kids applying to UK schools from America. I’m willing to bet 99.99% of all kids applying through the Common App could not name more than one UK university.

UK universities are also only relatively affordable if you are willing and able to pay fully for US private universities. The vast majority of US high school students are not able to afford UK universities, especially with the current exchange rate, and are barely able to afford public or private colleges in this country with generous merit scholarships, financial aid, and employment.

Of course. It is a niche audience in America for sure. It only makes sense for a few groups, but one thing they have in common is that they need to be able to afford $25 to $40k in Tuition per year. Under that scenario, yes it makes sense for these families when compared to full pay at OOS or Private universities in the US.

You’re leaving out many hefty charges like term break fees if staying in (bc unis usually rent space to conferences bc they’re broke), visa fees, NHS pay in, and especially travel back and forth. Then there’s all the costs for travel during term breaks.

really? Hefty charges? You are kidding right? Have you gone though the list of charges that American private universties charge? Why spend $100k a year with U of Miami or Tulane Or (insert of Private full pay) vs the fraction of that (including all the “hefty”charges)…..please…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also it looks like the other PP was referring to this list of the unis with most Americans attending that another poster shared:

1. University of St Andrews – ≈ 1,810
2. University of Edinburgh – ≈ 960
3. University of Oxford – ≈ 720

This is a blip in terms of the number of US college students which I believe is around 16MM.

Now, maybe a million are applying and this is all that gets in…but I doubt it.

What does this have to do with the thread?

That the record number applying is only like maybe 10,000 kids total out of 4MM kids applying to college from the US

Considering that for most Americans, their universe extends only 100 miles from their home, it is actually pretty impressive that there are 10,000+ kids applying to UK schools from America. I’m willing to bet 99.99% of all kids applying through the Common App could not name more than one UK university.

UK universities are also only relatively affordable if you are willing and able to pay fully for US private universities. The vast majority of US high school students are not able to afford UK universities, especially with the current exchange rate, and are barely able to afford public or private colleges in this country with generous merit scholarships, financial aid, and employment.

Of course. It is a niche audience in America for sure. It only makes sense for a few groups, but one thing they have in common is that they need to be able to afford $25 to $40k in Tuition per year. Under that scenario, yes it makes sense for these families when compared to full pay at OOS or Private universities in the US.

You’re leaving out many hefty charges like term break fees if staying in (bc unis usually rent space to conferences bc they’re broke), visa fees, NHS pay in, and especially travel back and forth. Then there’s all the costs for travel during term breaks.

really? Hefty charges? You are kidding right? Have you gone though the list of charges that American private universties charge? Why spend $100k a year with U of Miami or Tulane Or (insert of Private full pay) vs the fraction of that (including all the “hefty”charges)…..please…

Yeah, no. Families looking to “be able to afford 25k to 40k in [t]uition per year” are NOT considering Miami or Tulane. They wouldn’t be looking at overseas unis either with all the additional costs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also it looks like the other PP was referring to this list of the unis with most Americans attending that another poster shared:

1. University of St Andrews – ≈ 1,810
2. University of Edinburgh – ≈ 960
3. University of Oxford – ≈ 720

This is a blip in terms of the number of US college students which I believe is around 16MM.

Now, maybe a million are applying and this is all that gets in…but I doubt it.

What does this have to do with the thread?

That the record number applying is only like maybe 10,000 kids total out of 4MM kids applying to college from the US

Considering that for most Americans, their universe extends only 100 miles from their home, it is actually pretty impressive that there are 10,000+ kids applying to UK schools from America. I’m willing to bet 99.99% of all kids applying through the Common App could not name more than one UK university.

UK universities are also only relatively affordable if you are willing and able to pay fully for US private universities. The vast majority of US high school students are not able to afford UK universities, especially with the current exchange rate, and are barely able to afford public or private colleges in this country with generous merit scholarships, financial aid, and employment.

Of course. It is a niche audience in America for sure. It only makes sense for a few groups, but one thing they have in common is that they need to be able to afford $25 to $40k in Tuition per year. Under that scenario, yes it makes sense for these families when compared to full pay at OOS or Private universities in the US.

You’re leaving out many hefty charges like term break fees if staying in (bc unis usually rent space to conferences bc they’re broke), visa fees, NHS pay in, and especially travel back and forth. Then there’s all the costs for travel during term breaks.

really? Hefty charges? You are kidding right? Have you gone though the list of charges that American private universties charge? Why spend $100k a year with U of Miami or Tulane Or (insert of Private full pay) vs the fraction of that (including all the “hefty”charges)…..please…

Yeah, no. Families looking to “be able to afford 25k to 40k in [t]uition per year” are NOT considering Miami or Tulane. They wouldn’t be looking at overseas unis either with all the additional costs.

So my DS is going to uni in the UK on international fees. 3 yrs @ 25,800 pounds sterling + 7000 accomodation (including some meals) still comes in at less than $45k for THREE years, not 4. No visa required, no flights.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also it looks like the other PP was referring to this list of the unis with most Americans attending that another poster shared:

1. University of St Andrews – ≈ 1,810
2. University of Edinburgh – ≈ 960
3. University of Oxford – ≈ 720

This is a blip in terms of the number of US college students which I believe is around 16MM.

Now, maybe a million are applying and this is all that gets in…but I doubt it.

What does this have to do with the thread?

That the record number applying is only like maybe 10,000 kids total out of 4MM kids applying to college from the US

Considering that for most Americans, their universe extends only 100 miles from their home, it is actually pretty impressive that there are 10,000+ kids applying to UK schools from America. I’m willing to bet 99.99% of all kids applying through the Common App could not name more than one UK university.

UK universities are also only relatively affordable if you are willing and able to pay fully for US private universities. The vast majority of US high school students are not able to afford UK universities, especially with the current exchange rate, and are barely able to afford public or private colleges in this country with generous merit scholarships, financial aid, and employment.

Of course. It is a niche audience in America for sure. It only makes sense for a few groups, but one thing they have in common is that they need to be able to afford $25 to $40k in Tuition per year. Under that scenario, yes it makes sense for these families when compared to full pay at OOS or Private universities in the US.

You’re leaving out many hefty charges like term break fees if staying in (bc unis usually rent space to conferences bc they’re broke), visa fees, NHS pay in, and especially travel back and forth. Then there’s all the costs for travel during term breaks.

really? Hefty charges? You are kidding right? Have you gone though the list of charges that American private universties charge? Why spend $100k a year with U of Miami or Tulane Or (insert of Private full pay) vs the fraction of that (including all the “hefty”charges)…..please…

Yeah, no. Families looking to “be able to afford 25k to 40k in [t]uition per year” are NOT considering Miami or Tulane. They wouldn’t be looking at overseas unis either with all the additional costs.

So my DS is going to uni in the UK on international fees. 3 yrs @ 25,800 pounds sterling + 7000 accomodation (including some meals) still comes in at less than $45k PER YEAR for THREE years, not 4. No visa required, no flights.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also it looks like the other PP was referring to this list of the unis with most Americans attending that another poster shared:

1. University of St Andrews – ≈ 1,810
2. University of Edinburgh – ≈ 960
3. University of Oxford – ≈ 720

This is a blip in terms of the number of US college students which I believe is around 16MM.

Now, maybe a million are applying and this is all that gets in…but I doubt it.

What does this have to do with the thread?

That the record number applying is only like maybe 10,000 kids total out of 4MM kids applying to college from the US

Considering that for most Americans, their universe extends only 100 miles from their home, it is actually pretty impressive that there are 10,000+ kids applying to UK schools from America. I’m willing to bet 99.99% of all kids applying through the Common App could not name more than one UK university.

UK universities are also only relatively affordable if you are willing and able to pay fully for US private universities. The vast majority of US high school students are not able to afford UK universities, especially with the current exchange rate, and are barely able to afford public or private colleges in this country with generous merit scholarships, financial aid, and employment.

Of course. It is a niche audience in America for sure. It only makes sense for a few groups, but one thing they have in common is that they need to be able to afford $25 to $40k in Tuition per year. Under that scenario, yes it makes sense for these families when compared to full pay at OOS or Private universities in the US.

You’re leaving out many hefty charges like term break fees if staying in (bc unis usually rent space to conferences bc they’re broke), visa fees, NHS pay in, and especially travel back and forth. Then there’s all the costs for travel during term breaks.

really? Hefty charges? You are kidding right? Have you gone though the list of charges that American private universties charge? Why spend $100k a year with U of Miami or Tulane Or (insert of Private full pay) vs the fraction of that (including all the “hefty”charges)…..please…

Yeah, no. Families looking to “be able to afford 25k to 40k in [t]uition per year” are NOT considering Miami or Tulane. They wouldn’t be looking at overseas unis either with all the additional costs.

So my DS is going to uni in the UK on international fees. 3 yrs @ 25,800 pounds sterling + 7000 accomodation (including some meals) still comes in at less than $45k for THREE years, not 4. No visa required, no flights.

So your kid is a EEA, EU, or Swiss passport holder and you all have a home there. Congrats on this being a common thing.

[Anonymous]

Type of cost What you need to know

Student visa You need a visa to study in the UK. The application fee is £524.

Healthcare (IHS fee) You must pay £776 per year for access to the NHS. Paid when you apply for your visa.

Living expenses - London: around £1,480/month \ Other cities: around £1,130/month \ You’ll need to show proof of funds for your visa.

Travel and extras
Budget for flights, travel insurance, study materials, and deposits for housing.
Working while studying You can work up to 20 hours/week during term and full-time during holidays. Helpful, but won’t fully cover your costs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Type of cost What you need to know

Student visa You need a visa to study in the UK. The application fee is £524.

Healthcare (IHS fee) You must pay £776 per year for access to the NHS. Paid when you apply for your visa.

Living expenses - London: around £1,480/month \ Other cities: around £1,130/month \ You’ll need to show proof of funds for your visa.

Travel and extras
Budget for flights, travel insurance, study materials, and deposits for housing.
Working while studying You can work up to 20 hours/week during term and full-time during holidays. Helpful, but won’t fully cover your costs.

Still cheaper than ANY US private university…… much cheaper

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also it looks like the other PP was referring to this list of the unis with most Americans attending that another poster shared:

1. University of St Andrews – ≈ 1,810
2. University of Edinburgh – ≈ 960
3. University of Oxford – ≈ 720

This is a blip in terms of the number of US college students which I believe is around 16MM.

Now, maybe a million are applying and this is all that gets in…but I doubt it.

What does this have to do with the thread?

That the record number applying is only like maybe 10,000 kids total out of 4MM kids applying to college from the US

Considering that for most Americans, their universe extends only 100 miles from their home, it is actually pretty impressive that there are 10,000+ kids applying to UK schools from America. I’m willing to bet 99.99% of all kids applying through the Common App could not name more than one UK university.

UK universities are also only relatively affordable if you are willing and able to pay fully for US private universities. The vast majority of US high school students are not able to afford UK universities, especially with the current exchange rate, and are barely able to afford public or private colleges in this country with generous merit scholarships, financial aid, and employment.

Of course. It is a niche audience in America for sure. It only makes sense for a few groups, but one thing they have in common is that they need to be able to afford $25 to $40k in Tuition per year. Under that scenario, yes it makes sense for these families when compared to full pay at OOS or Private universities in the US.

You’re leaving out many hefty charges like term break fees if staying in (bc unis usually rent space to conferences bc they’re broke), visa fees, NHS pay in, and especially travel back and forth. Then there’s all the costs for travel during term breaks.

really? Hefty charges? You are kidding right? Have you gone though the list of charges that American private universties charge? Why spend $100k a year with U of Miami or Tulane Or (insert of Private full pay) vs the fraction of that (including all the “hefty”charges)…..please…

Yeah, no. Families looking to “be able to afford 25k to 40k in [t]uition per year” are NOT considering Miami or Tulane. They wouldn’t be looking at overseas unis either with all the additional costs.

So my DS is going to uni in the UK on international fees. 3 yrs @ 25,800 pounds sterling + 7000 accomodation (including some meals) still comes in at less than $45k for THREE years, not 4. No visa required, no flights.

So your kid is a EEA, EU, or Swiss passport holder and you all have a home there. Congrats on this being a common thing.

You sound bitter and jealous. That post was clearly just about COST of attending.

[Anonymous]

My son just graduated from Bristol with an Eng degree. We spent 85k pounds. In today’s $ that is $114k. We spent less than that since the exchange rate was more favorable last 3 years. But use today’s exchange rate.

$114k Dollars in Tuition.
$40k dollars in Room/Board (1st yr at Uni, then off campus)
$7.5k Dollars in travel to US (twice a year x 3 years)
$3.5k in Healthcare
$700k Visa/etc
___________
$165k all in. We just ran the numbers last week. (We actually spent $146k due to earlier exchange rate)

Sorry, but I will take that in heartbeat over any of the schools he got in the US (OOS expensive and Private) that were all MORE than $45k Per year all in. MUCH MORE.

He has a job lined up with Airbus. So far so good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son just graduated from Bristol with an Eng degree. We spent 85k pounds. In today’s $ that is $114k. We spent less than that since the exchange rate was more favorable last 3 years. But use today’s exchange rate.

$114k Dollars in Tuition.
$40k dollars in Room/Board (1st yr at Uni, then off campus)
$7.5k Dollars in travel to US (twice a year x 3 years)
$3.5k in Healthcare
$700k Visa/etc
___________
$165k all in. We just ran the numbers last week. (We actually spent $146k due to earlier exchange rate)

Sorry, but I will take that in heartbeat over any of the schools he got in the US (OOS expensive and Private) that were all MORE than $45k Per year all in. MUCH MORE.

He has a job lined up with Airbus. So far so good.

Thank you for the detailed info. Bristol has an amazing Engineering program. Congrats to him on the Airbus job. Why did he decide to go to Bristol?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son just graduated from Bristol with an Eng degree. We spent 85k pounds. In today’s $ that is $114k. We spent less than that since the exchange rate was more favorable last 3 years. But use today’s exchange rate.

$114k Dollars in Tuition.
$40k dollars in Room/Board (1st yr at Uni, then off campus)
$7.5k Dollars in travel to US (twice a year x 3 years)
$3.5k in Healthcare
$700k Visa/etc
___________
$165k all in. We just ran the numbers last week. (We actually spent $146k due to earlier exchange rate)

Sorry, but I will take that in heartbeat over any of the schools he got in the US (OOS expensive and Private) that were all MORE than $45k Per year all in. MUCH MORE.

He has a job lined up with Airbus. So far so good.

What was his US options when he decided to go to Bristol?

[Anonymous]

UIUC - OOS and CMU were his best options for Mechanical Engineering.