As a student, spending a year or more studying abroad can be a life-changing experience. It has the potential to set you apart from other graduates when it comes to employment opportunities. The benefits of studying abroad are clear to the almost 667,000 students studying for a UK degree overseas in 2021. However, the costs of studying abroad can’t be ignored.

Costs vary from country to country and nobody wants to miss out on the experience due to a lack of funding. The good news is that there are funding options and government schemes available for UK students who want to study abroad.

The Turing Scheme

The Turing Scheme – a global programme to study and work abroad – was launched by the UK government in 2021 to replace the Erasmus+ programme. The scheme offers grants to schools, colleges, and higher education providers across the UK to fund international education and training experiences. One of the main focuses of the scheme is to ensure that students from lower socio-economic backgrounds receive equal opportunities to study and work abroad.

As you don’t apply to the scheme directly, students should contact their universities for full information on the opportunities available to them.

Tuition Fees

The maximum cost of studying at a UK university is now at a record high of £9,250 per year for UK students. This will, of course, vary depending on what country in the UK you’re from. For example, if you’re a Scottish resident studying in Scotland, tuition is free.

Due to these high costs, many students are seizing the opportunity to study abroad, reducing their tuition fees and, in turn, their student loan debt.

In most cases, students don’t pay any tuition fees at their host university abroad. Furthermore, they can expect to pay a reduced level of tuition fees compared to their UK university. These fees will be covered by the usual Tuition Fee Loan.

Where you’re from in the UK and where your home university is located will also factor into the amount you pay in tuition fees. We’ve broken down the costs for the different UK regions:

Northern Ireland

Tuition Fees

A reduced tuition fee will probably be charged by your home university but you won’t be charged any tuition fees by your host university. Tuition Fee loans are available and must be repaid.

Living Expenses

You can apply for a means-tested maintenance loan which must be repaid. However other supplementary, non-repayable grants are also available.

Travel Grant

This grant helps to cover reasonable travel costs (flights, bus tickets, etc.) for study-related periods abroad or medical and dental placement courses. It is based on your household income and does not need to be repaid.

For more information, check out the Student Finance Northern Ireland website.

Scotland

Tuition Fees

You can a loan which covers 50% of your usual annual tuition fees from the Students Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS). This applies if your home university is in Scotland or in another part of the UK.

However, if your year abroad is part of a student exchange and your home university is in Scotland, SAAS will cover all of your tuition fees for that year.

If your home university is elsewhere in the UK, you’ll only have to pay 15% of your annual tuition fees and SAAS will cover the rest. You can apply for a tuition fee loan in this case.

Living Expenses

Maintenance support doesn’t change for your entire course, no matter where you are studying. This is a combination of a repayable loan and a non-repayable bursary. That being said, if studying abroad is a mandatory part of your course, you’ll be entitled to claim back travel and medical insurance costs.

Travel Grant

There is no mention of travel grants by SAAS at this time.

Wales

Tuition Fees

Students are eligible for a loan of up to £9,250 per year depending on the overall cost of your course. This loan is not based on your household income but does need to be repaid with interest.

Living Expenses

A mixture of a loan and a grant is available to students to help with living costs. Amounts vary depending on your household income and where you live and study. Both the loan and the grant must be repaid with interest.

Travel Grant

A non-repayable travel grant is available depending on your household income and when you started your course.

For further information, have a look at the Student Finance Wales website.

England

Tuition Fees

You can expect to pay around 15% of your standard annual tuition fee but you won’t pay anything to your host university. A tuition fee loan is available to cover the 15% which must be repaid.

Living Expenses

You’re entitled to a repayable, means-tested maintenance loan while studying abroad.

Travel Grant

A non-repayable travel grant is available to students who normally live in England and are either:

  • Studying abroad as part of their course
  • A healthcare student studying abroad

Further information can be found on the gov.uk website.

University Scholarships, Grants, and Bursaries

In addition to government funding, there are several study abroad scholarships available especially for UK students. For instance, the Global Study Award grants up to £10,000 to applicants who can demonstrate the potential to contribute to society through their studies. Additionally, the Fullbright Awards are aimed at UK students who have achieved at least a 2:1 in an undergraduate degree and wish to study in the USA for a master’s degree or doctoral degree.

Your best bet is to check with your university’s Study Abroad department to see if they have any scholarships, bursaries or extra funding on offer. By doing so you’ll be ensuring that you can make the most out of your year abroad.

General Living Expenses

Funding aside, we must also touch on general living expenses while studying abroad. These include expenses like the cost of renting an apartment or room, buying groceries, using public transport, and general socialising. All of these costs vary greatly depending on the city and country you’re living in.

It’s a good idea to use a cost of living comparison tool like Numbeo to do some research before making any big decisions. For example, the cost of living in Paris is more or less the same as that of London. Meanwhile, the cost of living in Madrid is more than 40% less than in London. You can save yourself a lot of money by finding out this information in advance.

Key Takeaways

Studying abroad is a life-changing experience that everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy at some point in their lives. Of course, there is a financial aspect that must be taken into account. By doing your own research and speaking with your university’s Study Abroad department, you can learn about the funding options available to UK students. This can go a long way in helping to cover tuition, living, and travel expenses while you study abroad.

Interested in finding out more? Developing a Student has all the information you need on studying abroad. We’ve put together dedicated guides on the benefits of studying abroad and the best places to do it.

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