Press Release
For immediate release
As student debt reaches record highs, study finds UK students could find more affordable education in any other EU country
- The average UK home student graduates with £45,600 in debt.
- UK university tuition fees are the 4th most expensive compared to EU/EEA countries, on average.
- Due to Brexit, UK nationals are missing out on studying for free in 11 EU/EEA countries.
16 July, 2024, LONDON –
New research from finder.com reveals a stark reality for UK students: the cost of an undergraduate degree in the UK is among the highest in Europe. With every public university charging a fixed fee of £9,250 per year (rising to £9,000 in September 2024 for Welsh students), the UK ranks as the 4th most expensive option.
EU offers cheaper alternatives, potentially lowering debt burden
This high cost, coupled with the significant average student loan debt of £45,600 (according to the new House of Commons Library report), is creating a challenging financial environment for UK students.
The UK shoulders a uniquely heavy burden of student debt. An OECD study found a staggering 94% of UK graduates leave university with loans, significantly higher than any other European nation. Even the closest contenders, Sweden and the Netherlands, see only 72% of graduates saddled with debt.
In contrast, every EU country offers a cheaper alternative to the UK’s tuition fees, with some courses significantly lower. For example, the Netherlands has an average yearly cost of £12,283, but some courses start as low as £7,624. As a result of Brexit, UK nationals are missing out on studying for free in 11 EU/EEA countries. Despite this, there are significant cost savings to be had for UK students to study abroad: Germany, for example, charges no tuition fees, even for non-EU/EEA students, and tuition fees in 19 other EU countries come in under £5,000 a year.
You can find the full map of the average tuition fees by country here: https://www.finder.com/uk/credit-cards/student-credit-cards#research
| Country | Average yearly tuition fee for a UK student |
|---|---|
| The Netherlands | £12,283 |
| Finland | £9,742 |
| Denmark | £9,318 |
| United Kingdom | £9,250 |
| scope=”row”>Czech Republic | £8,754 |
| Norway | £8,528 |
| Sweden | £8,203 |
| Ireland | £7,624 |
| Greece | £7,662 |
| Slovenia | £5,505 |
| Cyprus | £4,234 |
| Slovakia | £3,972 |
| Estonia | £3,853 |
| Belgium | £3,802 |
| Hungary | £3,387 |
| Bulgaria | £2,540 |
| France | £2,346 |
| Italy | £2,075 |
| Malta | £2,066 |
| Latvia | £2,020 |
| Poland | £1,880 |
| Croatia | £1,863 |
| Austria | £1,231 |
| Lithuania | £1,101 |
| Portugal | £1,058 |
| Spain | £830 |
| Luxembourg | £508 |
| Romania | £340 |
| Germany | £220 |
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Research methodology:
We analysed the range of public university fees in each country for a bachelor’s degree and took the average of those ranges, excluding medicine and dentistry degrees where possible, as those courses are longer, more expensive and skew the average. These estimates are indicative and individual tuition fees should be considered on an institutional level, as well as a course level. The data was gathered from 30+ reputable sources, including government websites where possible. The list of sources is available on request.
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For further press information
- Matt Mckenna
- UK PR Manager
- M: +44 747 921 7816
- T: +44 20 3828 1338
- matt.mckenna@finder.com
Disclaimer
The information in this release is accurate as of the date published, but rates, fees and other product features may have changed. Please see updated product information on finder.com's review pages for the current correct values.
About finder.com
finder.com is a personal finance website, which helps consumers compare products online so they can make better informed decisions. Consumers can visit the website to compare utilities, mortgages, credit cards, insurance products, shopping voucher codes, and so much more before choosing the option that best suits their needs.
Best of all, finder.com is completely free to use. We’re not a bank or insurer, nor are we owned by one, and we are not a product issuer or a credit provider. We’re not affiliated with any one institution or outlet, so it’s genuine advice from a team of experts who care about helping you find better.
finder.com launched in the UK in February 2017 and is privately owned and self-funded by two Australian entrepreneurs – Fred Schebesta and Frank Restuccia – who successfully grew finder.com.au to be Australia's most visited personal finance website (Source: Experian Hitwise).