Study abroad: UK sees more pupils head overseas

The option to study abroad appears to be becoming a more desirable option then ever before for prospective students. Schools across the UK are continually advising and informing students to seriously consider opportunities overseas. A recent survey commissioned by Maastricht University in the Netherlands, has pointed to an increased number of students studying abroad for university. The survey reviewed members from the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference who represent 260 of the top private schools across the country. Several members expressed there has been a significant increase in the number of pupils who wish to further their studies abroad, with nine out of ten heads admitting seeing a change over the last three years. The report established that the rise of tuition fees to £9,000 has been a real game changer in the landscape of higher education. According to the report, the change in fee appears to be a key reason as to why students have turned their sights overseas; but it is also coupled with students wanting to increase their employability and expose themselves to more diverse opportunities and experiences. 84% of the members of the conference admitted to actively be encouraging their students to look to overseas studies, however they expressed that more encouragement needs to take place in the state system.

Keith Budge, who is headmaster of Bedales School in Hampshire, said: "At Bedales we encourage our students to consider all university options - in particular to look at overseas universities especially in North America and Europe, and we are certainly seeing more demand from our students for this, ["¦] there is no doubt that these experiences improve students' employability." The school sends approximately 1 in 10 pupils abroad to countries such as the US, Canada, Holland and Italy.

Courses in Europe are becoming increasingly popular with many pupils headed to France, Germany, Sweden and Holland. Furthermore, last year the UK saw 9,500 pupils head across the pond to the United States.

Image courtesy to Flickr, Creative Commons