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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is an interesting article from Bloomberg over the summer: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-06-27/trump-s-anti-harvard-campaign-fuels-interest-in-uk-universities

There's a paywall. Give us a break down of the main points?

Donald Trump's criticism of elite US universities, particularly Harvard, is causing a notable increase in American students considering UK universities for their higher education. This trend is driven by a perception that these US institutions are becoming less welcoming and are embroiled in political controversy.

Here are the main points of the article:

* Shifting Student Interest: College admissions consultants are seeing a significant rise in inquiries from US students looking to apply to UK universities. This is a direct response to the negative attention being focused on top-tier American schools.
* Financial Benefit for UK Universities: The potential influx of American students is a welcome development for UK universities. They have been facing financial difficulties due to stagnant domestic tuition fees and a recent decline in international student enrollment.
* A "Trump Bump" for the UK: The article suggests that the political climate in the US, fueled by Trump's rhetoric against institutions like Harvard, is creating an opportunity for the UK to attract high-achieving American students who are seeking a less politically charged academic environment.
* Consultants Expanding to the UK: To meet this growing demand, some US-based college admissions consultants are expanding their operations to the UK, specifically to help American students navigate the application process for British universities.

[Anonymous]

not really news

[Anonymous]

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.

And this is why most UK unis have a big offer rate for American students. Despite the fact they need international money, most US students applying to. UK unis at undergrad are coming from wealthy private schools, where even if they were in the 50to 75% percentile, they are still scoring 1400+, good GPAs and a couple of 5s and 4s on APs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is an interesting article from Bloomberg over the summer: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-06-27/trump-s-anti-harvard-campaign-fuels-interest-in-uk-universities

There's a paywall. Give us a break down of the main points?

Donald Trump's criticism of elite US universities, particularly Harvard, is causing a notable increase in American students considering UK universities for their higher education. This trend is driven by a perception that these US institutions are becoming less welcoming and are embroiled in political controversy.

Here are the main points of the article:

* Shifting Student Interest: College admissions consultants are seeing a significant rise in inquiries from US students looking to apply to UK universities. This is a direct response to the negative attention being focused on top-tier American schools.
* Financial Benefit for UK Universities: The potential influx of American students is a welcome development for UK universities. They have been facing financial difficulties due to stagnant domestic tuition fees and a recent decline in international student enrollment.
* A "Trump Bump" for the UK: The article suggests that the political climate in the US, fueled by Trump's rhetoric against institutions like Harvard, is creating an opportunity for the UK to attract high-achieving American students who are seeking a less politically charged academic environment.
* Consultants Expanding to the UK: To meet this growing demand, some US-based college admissions consultants are expanding their operations to the UK, specifically to help American students navigate the application process for British universities.

My children applied UCAS because they were attracted to clarity of admissions criteria. One applied during the Biden administration so that had nothing to do with politics and everything to do with American "holistic" admissions BS.
The other applied during this presidency and also due to clarity of admissions standards and deep disgust with the ever shifting holistic game in US schools. The response rate if a UK school wants you in is pretty fast, none of this waiting around for decision day as it is here. And most programs are only 3 years.

The NYT would love to spin this as a rejection of Trump rather than a rejection of the social engineering US schools engage in. College admissions with an easy and unlimited click of the button has become gamified on top of the temporary 'community' admissions officers claim to piece together in their applicant reviews. Schools abroad place academic merit and interest FIRST and that really should be the priority of this huge financial and time investment from these young adults.

[Anonymous]

Not surprising.

Especially since our President is attacking our own universities and institutions with lawsuits aimed at disrupting and diminishing rather than any kind of good faith genuine lawsuit.

[Anonymous]

My kid also applied to EU and UK unis because he wanted an international experience first.

BUT, with that said, I’m just so happy he is going abroad during this ridiculous years here where MAGA infestation has contaminated people who used to be sane….

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid also applied to EU and UK unis because he wanted an international experience first.

BUT, with that said, I’m just so happy he is going abroad during this ridiculous years here where MAGA infestation has contaminated people who used to be sane….

Same here. Kid is applying to 10 schools in UK and EU. We are just so glad she is going abroad vs staying here in the middle of people who used to be sane….