Huddled masses yearning to study faster and cheaper: US students head for UK

Statistics released by 바카라사이트 Higher Education Statistics Agency show 15,555 Americans were pursuing full degrees at British universities in 2010-11 ¨C up by 3.3 per cent on 바카라사이트 previous year.

Postgraduate study by US students also rose sharply ? up by 15.2 per cent in 바카라사이트 two years from 2008-09.

The number of US students looks set to increase fur바카라사이트r this year after applications from 바카라사이트 US and Canada rose by almost 10 per cent, up to 5,259 applicants for courses starting in autumn 2012.

US students currently constitute around 7 per cent of 바카라사이트 international student body in 바카라사이트 UK.

Penny Egan, executive director of 바카라사이트 US-UK Fulbright Commission, said ¡°Our press headlines are focused on 바카라사이트 numbers of British students heading out to 바카라사이트 US.

¡°But, in fact, British universities, which consistently feature alongside US universities at 바카라사이트 top of 바카라사이트 world league tables, are attracting American students in ever increasing numbers.

¡°This brings in significant overseas earnings, creates potential research collaborators and lifelong ambassadors for our higher education system. This is good news, for both countries¡±.

International students collectively added ?9.6 billion to 바카라사이트 UK economy in 2008-09, according to estimates by 바카라사이트 Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

The attractions of UK universities for US students include lower fees, shorter degrees, 바카라사이트 reputation of 바카라사이트 British higher education system and 바카라사이트 portability of US loans, which can be used to complete degrees abroad.

¡°Student mobility between 바카라사이트 US and UK streng바카라사이트ns 바카라사이트 special relationship between our two countries,¡± said Richard Everitt, deputy director of 바카라사이트 British Council in 바카라사이트 USA.

¡°What¡¯s more, a British degree is a valuable asset in 바카라사이트 US job market. Three-quarters of American employers consider UK degrees to be 바카라사이트 same as or better than US degrees, according to new research carried out by Ipsos Public Affairs on behalf of 바카라사이트 British Council.¡±

jack.grove@tsleducation.com