Going to College Abroad

Has your child ever considered going to college abroad? While costs, practices, and systems vary widely depending on the country your child is interested in, we wanted to share as a model what we found out about going to college in the United Kingdom and Canada.

(Inserting disclaimer here: we are not experts in going to college abroad. We are merely sharing the results of our research as a starting place for families to dig further.)

Legal Requirements

As a started point, take time to research the entry requirements and advisories of any country you are considering. This State Department page talks about travel to the United Kingdom for example. Here is Canada’s page.

Students may (or may not) be required to have a visa in addition to their passport. Often, countries will require a letter of acceptance from the college before granting a student visa. This UK site has a link so you can “check if you need a UK visa.” Canada requires a study permit in addition to a temporary resident visa or electronic travel authorization (eTA). Getting those visas can involve fees and long waiting periods, so be sure to understand how the process works and when to get it started.

Paying for a foreign university

Paying for college in another country has some slight differences and some surprising similarities. For example, students can receive federal student loans to pay for an education abroad, but they can’t receive federal Pell Grants. This page includes a link to the PDF list of eligible foreign institutions. Families will fill out the FAFSA to qualify for the federal loan.

Some colleges may offer scholarships to international students; however, families will often need to find their own private grants, scholarships, or loans. Some countries in Europe offer free tuition to international students; however, the cost of living may be substantially higher. Tuition in Canada for international students is typically less expensive than going to college in the US or the UK; however, they have additional costs like health care.

Applications

Universities in the UK are not as concerned with the “fluff” of an application that plays a larger role in the US—the extracurriculars, volunteering, essays. They want to see your GPA and what courses you took. Students also submit one personal statement. Applications are processed through a single clearinghouse. In addition, students apply to an academic program. Universities are focused on your preparation for success in your chosen major/field.

In Canada, universities have application processes more similar to the US. Depending on the university, they may require additional materials like letters of recommendation, but they are primarily focused on your GPA and academic rigor. Visit the university’s website to find out their process, requirements, and deadlines. Here’s an example from the University of Toronto. Some provinces have a centralized application system. Unlike in the UK, students can apply as undeclared or undecided as respects a major of study.

The education system

In the UK, be aware that the words “college” and “university” are not interchangeable like they are in the US. University is the name for institutions providing a bachelor’s degree. College is part of the “further” education (like a community college) while university is part of the “higher” education. In addition, you may see the term “foundation degree” which is equivalent to our 2-year associate degree. A typical bachelor’s degree or “first degree” will take three years to complete in the UK as they don’t typically include general liberal arts courses.

In Canada, they also refer to four-year institutions as “universities” rather than “colleges.” Colleges are often vocational or technical schools. While universities in Canada value a liberal arts education, they are more focused on the specific program or major than US colleges which may emphasize a well-rounded degree depending on your major. Universities in Canada are mostly public institutions.

Searching for universities in Canada and the UK

The application clearinghouse in the UK has a university search page; however, it doesn’t appear to allow for a search by a specific program of study.

In Canada, you can use this page to start your search. This page also allows you to search by program of study.

Dig into the details on the university’s own website. To take a closer look at a sample university, we dug deeper into the University of London. On their website, we found the available majors, how to apply, and estimated costs.

Two additional things to consider:

• Non-English speaking countries may not offer college classes in English. Be sure to check.
• Healthcare may or may not be provided abroad by your family’s policy. Make sure that if your child is going to college abroad that they have health insurance while away from home.

Is attending college in a foreign country a good idea for my child?

Going to a college abroad can be an exciting prospect, and it will definitely widen your child’s perspective of the world. Be sure to carefully consider the challenges inherent with leaving a culture your child is used to. How is transportation, dining, and lodging different? Customs and laws will be different. Travel and a potentially higher cost of living must be a factor. Do lots of research about the country and their habits before making the leap. Good luck to all that pursue college abroad!

 

Updated 4/2025

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