Beyond the Campus Gates

Jess Harris, Head of Quintessentially Education on Why More US Families Are Choosing Higher Education in the UK and Europe

Jess Harris, Head of Quintessentially Education

5 September 2025

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Across the US, many families are currently rethinking the traditional college route and looking overseas for additional options. The UK and Europe are emerging as top choices, offering highly focused degrees, diverse cultural experiences, and new opportunities.Quintessentially Education has seen an increase in enquiries from US parents in recent months, from those looking to expand their horizons. Many are already in the process of relocating, while others are weighing up transatlantic study options as part of a broader global outlook.

Why the Shift?

There are both push and pull factors behind this change; the most prominent push factor has been widely reported on as Trump’s public battles with some of America’s elite education institutions continues to prompt a significant number of families to look further afield. Applications from US citizens to UK universities via UCAS increased by 14% for the 2025-26 admissions cycle – the largest spike in two decades – and in the last three months of 2024, applications for UK citizenship from Americans rose 40% year on year.Many students are concerned about changes on US campuses, from policy shifts around diversity to concerns over student support. And the ‘Trump effect’ has lit the touch paper on wider generational changes that means some students are re-evaluating what a US college experience entails. This includes both questioning the cost of a US university degree which can exceed $50,000 a year and asking if such a degree is worth it in an era of technological disruption and job uncertainty where employers are increasingly hiring on a skills basis.There are attractive pull factors, too. Even at international fee levels, many UK and European programmes cost less than a typical US private university, and often comparable to (or lower than) out-of-state flagship prices. For example, in Germany, most public universities charge no tuition fees or request very modest semester contributions of around €250–€350 for undergraduate study. There are exceptions such as Baden-Württemberg, where non-EU students pay about €1,500 per semester, but that’s still a fraction of UK or US tuition. Add in shorter degrees, most UK and many European bachelor’s programmes are three years – and total cost of attendance can drop meaningfully.Admission to UK and European universities are also far more about academic preparation for a specific course than the broad ‘education for life’ of the typical American liberal arts degree. Offers are typically based on standardised criteria (AP/IB/A-levels equivalents) and a clear sense of subject interest. Students who know what they want to study benefit from targeted, transparent entry requirements and fewer extras.Add to this the global credentials from names like Oxford and Cambridge, Edinburgh, Imperial, ETH Zürich, KU Leuven, Bocconi, TU Delft, or Sciences Po, and the pull factors keep stacking up. These names carry serious weight, particularly in STEM, economics/business, and international affairs. For careers that value cross-cultural agility (consulting, policy, design, engineering etc), a European degree can be a differentiator.And finally, younger Generation Z Americans have more of a global mindset. They are attracted by European campuses that deliver real urban immersion, exceptional public transport, and easy access to travel. They are looking for international exposure, language immersion, and degrees that give them a competitive edge in international job markets.

Where to?

The UKThe UK continues to be a top choice for US students. This is partly due to iconic and globally ranked institutions such as Oxford, Cambridge and Imperial College that remain synonymous with academic excellence, as well as a shared language, a well-defined post-study work route and attractive cost-savings.For aspiring university students with a clear subject focus, the UK’s streamlined, three-year undergraduate degrees are appealing, the admissions process is transparent, the academic calendar is predictable, and the cultural adjustment, while still an adventure, is often smoother than moving further afield.Quick-glance comparisons:

U.S. Equivalent	UK Alternative	Known For
Harvard University	University of Oxford	Politics, International Relations, Law, Economics & Social Sciences
Wharton (PENN)/ Chicago BoothMIT/Caltech	LSE, Said Business School Imperial College London	Business & Economics STEM excellence
Princeton University	University of St Andrews	History, philosophy, international affairs

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EuropeAcross the English Channel, Europe offers an equally compelling range of higher education options for globally minded families. Many universities now offer entire degree programmes in English, combining academic rigour and a strong emphasis on international networking.For relocating families, studying in continental Europe can also open the door to long-term residency rights, additional language skills, and exposure to distinct academic cultures – from the case-study driven business schools of Spain to the problem-based learning hubs of the Netherlands.Quick-glance comparisons:

U.S. Equivalent	European Alternative	Location	Known For
Harvard University	Sciences Po	Paris, France	Politics, international relations
MIT	TU Delft	Netherlands	Engineering, technology innovation
University of Pennsylvania	Bocconi University	Milan, Italy	Economics, finance, management
Princeton University	University of Maastricht	Netherlands	Problem-based learning, social sciences
University of Michigan Ann Arbor	IE University	Madrid, Spain	Business, entrepreneurship, international studies

Practical Considerations for Relocating Families

Visas & Residency: In the UK, most undergraduate and taught master’s students can no longer bring dependents on a student visa. Exceptions apply for PhD or research-based postgraduate programmes, or for government-sponsored students. In much of Europe, student visa rules vary widely. Some countries offer dependent visas more readily; others restrict them to certain programmes. Make sure you’ve researched the implications before you make the jump.
Language: Many UK and European universities offer full degree programmes in English, but learning the local language, while not always essential, can enrich the experience and ease integration.
Lifestyle Fit: From cosmopolitan capitals to historic university towns, families can choose the setting that best suits their student’s personality and ambitions - whether that’s London’s academic intensity, Barcelona’s creative energy, or Maastricht’s international community.

For Those Staying Stateside

America remains home to many of the world’s top academic institutions and the likes of Harvard, Yale and Princeton will continue to attract the brightest and best domestic and international students for decades to come. We continue to advise many families with their sights set on a US university. But the difference now is that many families will take a broader view; they will consider a US college, a UK university and a top Europe destination, too. For some this might result in a dual application process, while for others it will involve applying to dual-programmes, semester-abroad options, or international internships which can all deliver a valuable opportunity.

A New Chapter in Global Education

Whether driven by recent political changes, academic focus, cost efficiency, cultural experience, or long-term relocation plans, the trend is clear: more US families are looking beyond America’s borders when it comes to higher education. For those ready to explore the possibilities, the UK and Europe offer a wealth of options and a world-class education that can provide an excellent springboard for globally minded individuals.

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