• Before coming to study in Britain, find out what you’re letting yourself in for, particularly costs-wise.
• UK course fees may look good value (and most of them are), but the cost of living in Britain may be higher than you’re used to – even for Americans and Europeans.
• Get the latest advice and guidance from your local British Council office. Your chosen university will probably send you more info on local costs if you want it, or pop them up on their website.
• Keep an eye on fluctuations in the exchange rate – they may suddenly make the whole thing unaffordable (or much cheaper, if you’re lucky).
• Apply for funding and scholarships long before your course starts (at least a year) – deadlines vary and competition is tough, so get organised well in advance.
• Look into whether you can get any funding from the UK university you’re applying to – some offer scholarships to international students for specific courses and/or from certain countries.
• Try the relevant departments of your own government, the British Council in your own country, the European Commission and perhaps even various voluntary organisations.
• Don’t start a course in the UK until you’ve calculated all the expenses and can be sure you can still comfortably afford to live. It’s both a pain and a challenge to get any financial support once you’ve left your own country and it can cost a lot just trying.
• In order to get into the country, especially if you’re from outside the EU, you may need to prove that you’ll be able to cover the full costs of your course. It’s just one of those immigration things. Luckily, help (or at least advice) is at hand from UKCOSA (The Council for International Education) www.ukcosa.org.uk and The British Council www.britishcouncil.org/education/qdu/info.htm#students or www.educationuk.org. Also, visit www.studyuk.hobsons.com.

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