U.K. STUDENTS’ RUSH FOR UNIVERSITY SPACES GOES ABROAD Education fees for international universities account for 20% of all money transfers, according to RationalFX. Demand for spaces on an undergraduate university course for 2011 has become more substantial than ever as this year’s successful applicants will be the last intake to avoid legislation which allows universities to charge up to £9000 a year in tuition fees. Education fees for international universities account for 20% of all money transfers, according to RationalFX. Demand for spaces on an undergraduate university course for 2011 has become more substantial than ever as this year’s successful applicants will be the last intake to avoid legislation which allows universities to charge up to £9000 a year in tuition fees. Figures from UCAS yesterday indicate that there was a significant increase in the number of people applying for undergraduate places, with a record high of nearly 700,000 applications. Such vast numbers of prospective students have challenged the capacities of U.K universities and educational institutions as they are simply unable to provide a sufficient amount of spaces to meet the demand. The failure to compensate for the increasing numbers of those looking to go into further education has resulted in thousands of students not being offered a place at their first choice university. Alike 2010 applicants, students are currently going through clearing in the hope of securing a place at university. There was however over 150,000 hopefuls who failed to secure a place at university last year and there is fear that this year the figure will significantly increase. Candidates who are unsuccessful in securing a university place are likely to feel uncertain as to what their next step will be. For some getting a full time job may be the solution, however a number of students may be intent on continuing their studies. Some may take a gap year and apply early for the 2012-2013 intakes in order to guarantee themselves a place for the next academic year. The prospect of large tuition fee increases is however a massive burden on such students and may put them off of applying for a course next year. A further possibility, and a very appealing alternative to the options mentioned is international study. In recent years growing numbers of U.K students have begun studying abroad. RationalFX, the leading foreign exchange specialist, have observed this increase as money transfers for university fees constitute 20% of all transactions, and on average transfer £3850 for education purposes. Studying abroad will not only get you a univeristy place this year on your desired course but will carry various other advantages; • The opportunity to learn another language and experience new culture • Additional skills and experience to help you become more employable • Financial savings- in many cases there are lower fees and the cost of living is less Have a look at the comparisons compiled by RationalFX based on the same course at a U.K. university and at an overseas university. The Undergraduate Course Annual fees for a U.K University Annual fees for a Non U.K. University Place of study Law B.Sc. Durham University- £3,375 Poppeu Fabra University- €898 Barcelona, Spain Chemistry – (B.A.) University of Kent – £3,375 Graz University of Technology – Free * Graz, Austria Physics B.Sc. UCL-£9,000 as of 2012 University of Bremen-Free* Bremen, Germany Please note these figures are based on information from the various institutions websites on the 19th of August 2011 and may vary. *Some universities do not charge tuition fees however have small fees per semester to cover various fees. For further information regarding these courses offered , or to find more courses and univeristies take a look at BachelorsPortalEu About usRationalFX help to reduce the complications of studying abroad. We can transfer money for international study easily, quickly and cheaply. Transfers can be made conveniently online, the transfer fees will be really low and the exchange rate will be highly competitive .