In recent years, the trend of China families sending their children to British private schools for holistic education has become more and more turbulent. However, while parents are sketching out a blueprint for their children‘s bright future, the realistic "roadblock" of the cost of studying abroad is in front of them.
In recent years, the trend of China families sending their children to British private schools for holistic education has become more and more turbulent. However, while parents are sketching out a blueprint for their children's bright future, the realistic "roadblock" of the cost of studying abroad is in front of them. From the high cost of tuition, to the cost of ensuring accommodation, from the cost of visa processing to the cost of guardianship services, and counting the costs of daily life and transportation commuting, all these details come together, forming an economic burden that cannot be ignored. Moreover, the cost of private schools in Britain has shown a remarkable upward trajectory in recent years.
An analysis of the complex causes behind the rising cost of studying abroad at a young age in Britain
After the baptism of COVID-19 epidemic, the global economy recovered difficultly. During this period, inflation was like a fierce "beast", which had a very serious impact on the cost of the education industry. Since 2022, the inflation rate in Britain has been soaring like a runaway horse, making the prices of various services and commodities rise like rockets. For private schools, the improvement of teachers' salary, the huge investment in the maintenance and renewal of campus facilities, and the replacement cost of teaching resources with the times are all increasing sharply.
In order to stick to the highland of teaching quality, the school has no choice but to transfer part of the cost to the tuition fee, thus promoting the tuition fee to rise. According to the data released by the Independent Schools Committee (ISC), the average increase of tuition fees in private schools in Britain reached a staggering range of 4% to 6% during the academic year from 2023 to 2024.
The policy chain reaction triggered by Brexit, a major political and economic change, has put the operation of private schools in an unprecedented predicament. After the Brexit, the educational cooperation projects that were once closely linked between Britain and the European Union fell apart one after another. For example, Erasmus+project, which once provided financial assistance and exchange opportunities for many schools, had no choice but to quit the stage, resulting in many schools losing their important "blood transfusion pipeline" instantly. At the same time, the strict restrictions on the labor market brought about by Brexit have made schools have to cross the "high walls" of administrative procedures when recruiting teachers from EU countries, and bear a heavier economic cost burden, which undoubtedly directly led to the ballooning of teachers' salary costs.
In addition, the serious damage to the supply chain system caused by Brexit made the cost of teaching supplies, food supply and materials needed for infrastructure construction rise like riding a roller coaster. These unfavorable factors are undoubtedly worse for boarding schools, because in the daily operation process, boarding schools rely heavily on imported resources to meet the diverse needs of students in study and life.
Britain, as a very attractive hot destination in the field of young students studying abroad, has been attracting more and more attention all over the world. Especially in Asia, the desire and demand of China families for British private educational resources has shown an explosive growth trend. According to the accurate statistics of Independent Schools Committee (ISC), in 2023, the proportion of international students in British private schools increased by 8%, among which, the number of China students occupied the largest share, as dazzling as the bright moon among the bright stars. This surging wave of high demand has naturally become a powerful boost for some top private schools to adjust their charging standards and raise the tuition threshold.
In order to stay at the forefront and firmly occupy a place in the fiercely competitive global education market, British private schools have been working hard in the field of curriculum innovation, investing heavily in infrastructure construction and carefully planning the expansion dimension of extracurricular activities. For example, many schools have stepped up efforts to introduce and improve the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) curriculum system. At the same time, in order to help students to apply for universities smoothly in the future, they have also carefully created personalized counseling services. However, the deep development and continuous optimization of these resources undoubtedly need a steady stream of long-term capital investment as a solid backing, so that the rise of tuition fees has become an inevitable trend that is difficult to reverse.
Moreover, the fierce competition between schools has quietly added a "prosperous fire" to the rising cost of education. In order to stand out from many competitors and successfully attract the attention of more international students, the schools spared no expense to create a more high-end and comfortable accommodation environment, build a more comprehensive, systematic and professional support system for further studies, and plan more colorful and connotative cultural integration activities. In such a fierce competition environment, the continuous increase in costs has become an inevitable result.
In recent years, the tax policy adjustment implemented by the British government for the education industry, like an invisible hand, indirectly promoted the rising cost of private schools. Since 2023, schools in some areas have been mercilessly deprived of the generous qualification of tax relief for charities, which makes private schools have to face the heavier tax pressure in the daily operation and management process. At the same time, the energy price has soared like a runaway wild horse, which has also brought a very significant negative impact on the daily operating costs of the school, just like a heavy sap, which has made the school operation difficult.
一. Details of School Visit and Annual Commuting Expenses
1. Ticket cost for visiting the school:
Round-trip air tickets from major cities in China (such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou) to major cities in Britain (such as London and Manchester) usually cost between 350 and 1,000 yuan. This fee is affected by flight selection, travel season and booking time. For example, booking air tickets during the tourist season or near the departure date will cost a lot; Booking in the off-season or a long time in advance may get a lower price.
2. Check-in fee for visiting baggage:
Most international flights include a certain amount of free checked baggage (usually 23 kilograms), and the extra baggage check-in fee is about 30 to 50 per piece. If you carry more luggage and are overweight, this part of the cost needs to be calculated extra.
3. Travel insurance fee for visiting school:
Travel insurance costs 30 to 50, and it is recommended to buy it to deal with unexpected situations such as lost luggage or flight delay. Buying travel insurance can provide certain financial security and assistance services for parents and students in case of unexpected situations.
4. Accommodation expenses for visiting schools in the UK:
During their stay in the UK, parents' accommodation expenses vary according to the standards of hotels or homestays they choose, generally ranging from 50 to 200 per night, depending on the location of the city and the level of facilities. In big city centers such as London or popular tourist areas, accommodation costs are relatively high; In the suburbs or non-popular areas, the price will be more close to the people.
5. Meal expenses for visiting the school:
Food and beverage expenses are more flexible. If you choose a local restaurant to eat, the daily expenses will be about 30 to 60, while if you buy food from the supermarket and cook it yourself, the expenses can be significantly reduced. The cost of dining in a restaurant will vary according to the restaurant grade and the choice of dishes; Cooking by yourself can control the purchasing cost of ingredients according to personal needs.
6. Other possible expenses for visiting the school:
If you need to apply for a visa or take an entrance exam during your visit to the school, you may incur additional expenses. The short-term visa fee is 100 yuan, and the entrance examination fee varies from school to school. For example, some well-known schools may charge higher fees for entrance examinations, while some schools may be relatively low or free. The total cost of a single school visit is about 1,000 to 3,000, depending on the travel standard chosen by parents and whether there are any extra expenses.
7. Annual commuting expenses:
Annual commuting expenses mainly refer to the air tickets and related expenses for students or parents to and from China and Britain during winter and summer holidays or important holidays. According to the different travel frequency, commuting cost varies greatly from year to year. Take two or three round trips to China and Britain every year as an example. Air tickets usually account for the main part, and the annual commuting expenses range from 1,000 to 3,000. The higher the travel frequency, the travel time in the peak season or the higher the class of the selected flight will increase the annual commuting expenses.
Details of tuition and accommodation fees
1. Tuition:
In the academic year of 2024-2025, the tuition fee for A-Level courses at Oxford International College is 33,637.50. The course fee includes the core academic courses provided by the school, the use of basic educational resources and the development of some teaching activities. It should be noted, however, that the fees for extra examination registration, extra-curricular activities and special tutoring courses selected by students according to their personal needs are not covered. For example, if students want to register for some international academic competitions, or participate in extracurricular activities such as art exhibitions and sports competitions organized by the school, they may need to pay related fees separately; If students have additional counseling needs in some subjects, such as hiring professional teachers for one-on-one intensive math counseling, they also need to pay extra.
The cost of one-year GCSE course is 35,075.00 yuan, and its cost composition is similar to that of A-Level course, which mainly focuses on basic course teaching and resource provision, but does not include the above-mentioned extra expenses.
2. Accommodation fee:
The college offers a variety of accommodation types to meet the different needs of students. In the 2024-2025 school year, the accommodation fee for a standard single room with bath is 33,959.50. This fee covers basic living facilities, such as beds, desks, wardrobes and other furniture, and independent bathroom facilities; It also includes daily catering service, which generally provides breakfast, lunch, dinner and appropriate meals; At the same time, it also includes expenditure on campus safety management, such as security personnel patrol, dormitory access control system maintenance, etc., to ensure the living safety of students.
The cost of a single suite is 36,754.00 yuan. Compared with a standard single room with bathroom, a single suite may be more spacious in space layout, with more complete facilities or higher quality, such as a more comfortable rest area and better interior decoration.
The cost of a double room with bath is 26,680.00 yuan, which is an option for some students who are willing to share with their classmates and want to have relatively independent bathroom space. Although it is a double room, it also provides basic living facilities, catering services and campus safety management.
3. Other expenses:
International students need to pay a one-time initial registration fee of 362.25, which is a necessary procedure fee for students to register. At the same time, a deposit of 12,707.50 is required, but the deposit will be refunded when the students graduate or leave school.
4, cost change factors and total expenditure range:
The adjustment range of tuition and accommodation fees may change every year. This is usually influenced by a variety of factors, such as the rising price caused by inflation, the increased operating costs of schools in order to maintain the teaching quality and campus operation, including the increase in teachers' salaries to attract outstanding educational talents, the upgrading of teaching facilities to provide a better learning environment, and the changes in market demand have prompted schools to make adjustments in resource investment and charging standards.
For example, the overall fees of Oxford International College in 2024 increased by about 5% compared with the previous year, mainly because it was used to raise teachers' salaries and update teaching facilities. Considering the tuition and accommodation fees, the total annual expenditure of students is roughly between 60,000 and 80,000, and the specific amount of expenses depends on the types of courses and accommodation that students choose. For example, students who choose an A-Level course and live in a single suite will have a relatively high cost, which may approach or exceed 80,000; However, students who choose a one-year GCSE course and live in a double room with bath may have a relatively low cost of about 60,000 yuan.
Analysis of visa and related expenses
1. Student visa application fee:
The fee for applying for a British student visa for young students from China to study in the UK is fixed at 363. This fee is one of the necessary expenses for starting a study tour in the UK, and should be paid together with the visa application.
2. Medical Surcharge (IHS):
The British government stipulates that students have to pay a medical surcharge of 470 yuan per year. The payment of this fee is of great significance, which ensures that students can enjoy the basic protection of the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK during their entire study abroad. Whether it's daily general outpatient service, sudden emergency or partial hospitalization, you can get corresponding medical services within the coverage of NHS, which provides a certain guarantee for students' health and safety in the UK.
3. tuberculosis detection costs:
As one of the necessary conditions for a visa to the United Kingdom, students must be tested for tuberculosis before applying for a visa, and the test fee is 150 yuan. Since this test is mainly aimed at applicants from high-risk countries, China students belong to this category, so it needs to be strictly implemented. The testing process usually requires an appointment in advance, and it should be successfully completed before the visa application is formally submitted to ensure the smooth progress of the visa application process.
4. Total visa-related expenses and other potential expenses:
To sum up, the total visa-related expenses is about 983, which is the sum of the basic visa processing expenses. However, other expenses may be incurred in the actual situation. For example, if the visa application is rejected for various reasons, students will have to pay the visa application fee 363 and other related fees that may be involved again if they want to apply again; If students need to apply for visas urgently due to special circumstances, there will be additional fees for visa expedited services; In addition, during the period of studying abroad, if there is a need to extend the visa, there will also be corresponding extension fees.
5. Matters needing attention in visa application:
What needs special reminder is that the visa application process is very strict, and any error or omission in any link will most likely lead to the application being delayed or even directly refused. Therefore, when preparing the visa materials, families must be diligent and carefully check every requirement to ensure the completeness, accuracy and authenticity of the materials, so as to maximize the success rate of visa applications.
Detailed analysis of living expenses
1. Catering expenses:
For students of Oxford International College, the monthly catering expenditure is roughly in the range of 200 to 400. Among them, if students mainly rely on the school catering service and their personal eating habits are more conventional, the expenses will be relatively stable at a lower level in this range. However, if students eat out frequently and pursue more varied food experiences, such as frequenting local specialty restaurants or buying imported food, the food and beverage expenses may exceed the upper limit of 400. For example, an ordinary school lunch may cost 5-10 yuan, while eating in a medium-sized restaurant in the city may cost 20-30 yuan per person.
2. Transportation expenses:
The transportation expenses vary according to the students' travel patterns. The daily travel needs of boarding students on campus are mainly confined to and around campus, and their transportation costs are relatively low, and they may only need 10-20 yuan per month for occasional short trips outside campus. On the other hand, day students or those who often need to go out shopping and participate in various activities may have to pay 50 to 100 yuan for public transportation every month.
In Britain, the one-way fare for taking a bus or subway is about 1.5-3. If students need to travel to distant places frequently, such as shopping in the city center or attending academic activities outside the school, the transportation costs will accumulate rapidly. In addition, if the family arranges students to go home once a week or once a month, the transportation cost between the school and the airport needs to be calculated additionally, which may vary from 50 to 200 each time according to the distance and the mode of travel. For example, the airport bus fare from school to London Heathrow Airport is about 30-50 one-way.
3. Personal expenses:
Students' monthly personal expenses are about 100 to 200, which are mainly used to meet daily needs such as clothing, entertainment and communication. In terms of communication, the cost of mobile phone packages in Britain is relatively diverse, usually ranging from 10 to 30 per month. Students can choose the appropriate package according to their own calls, text messages and traffic needs. As for clothing purchase, although the daily basic clothing price is relatively close to the people, for example, an ordinary T-shirt may be 10-20, if the seasonal change and the dress requirements of special occasions, such as thick coats in winter and dresses for formal activities, are taken into account, additional budget may be needed.
For example, a better quality winter coat may cost 50-100 yuan. In terms of entertainment, students may participate in some cultural activities organized by the school, watch movies or buy books, and these expenses are also included in the personal expenses.
4. Total annual expenditure of living expenses:
Combining the above expenses such as catering, transportation and personal expenses, the total annual expenditure of living expenses is about 4,000 to 8,000. The specific amount of fees will fluctuate due to factors such as students' personal lifestyle, consumption habits and extra family arrangements. For example, a student who lives frugally, mainly depends on campus resources and rarely goes out, his living expenses may be close to 4,000; However, a student who has a rich life, often goes out to socialize and spends more, his living expenses may be close to or even exceed 8,000.
The cost of guardianship service is fully known.
1. Registration fee:
According to British law, international students under the age of 18 must be equipped with local guardians while studying in Britain. The registration fee for guardianship service is paid in one lump sum, and the amount is usually between 100 and 200. This is the initial cost of starting the guardianship service, which is used to cover the basic cost of related formalities and service start-up. For example, some small guardianship companies may charge a registration fee of 100 yuan, while larger institutions with wider service networks may charge 200 yuan.
2. Annual service fee:
The annual service fee is the main expenditure of guardianship service, which varies according to the type and coverage of guardianship service, and is roughly between 1,000 and 3,000. Basic monitoring services mainly focus on regular communication with students and timely handling of emergencies.
For example, talk to students once a week to learn about their study and life, and rush to the scene to coordinate and solve problems when students suddenly have diseases or encounter campus accidents. The cost of such basic services is relatively low, which may be around 1,000 to 1,500.
Advanced guardianship services provide more personalized support projects, such as academic counseling, to help students make study plans and answer academic questions; Regularly provide parents with detailed reports on students, including academic performance analysis and social performance evaluation. The cost of this all-round advanced service is naturally higher, which may reach the range of 2,000 to 3,000.
3. Deposit fee:
Many guardianship agencies will charge a deposit of about 500. The main function of this deposit is to ensure that the rights and interests of all parties are protected during the guardianship service. When students successfully complete their studies or change guardians for special reasons, this deposit will be refunded in full. For example, if there is no violation of the guardianship agreement during the study abroad, and the guardianship service ends normally, the deposit will be returned to the parents of the students.
4, the annual total expenditure range:
Considering the registration fee, annual service fee and deposit (the deposit can be refunded in the end and is not included in the actual cost), the total annual expenditure of guardianship service is about 1,600 to 3,700. It should be emphasized that the guardian service fee does not cover the extra expenses during holidays, such as the extra expenses of holiday accommodation or shuttle service. For example, during the long holidays such as Christmas and Easter, if students need guardians to arrange special accommodation or round-trip transportation, these fees need to be paid separately.
Details of learning related expenses
1, teaching materials and stationery costs:
When studying at Oxford International College, students need to purchase their own textbooks and stationery. The annual expenditure in this area is roughly in the range of 200 to 500. The price of teaching materials varies from subject to subject, for example, some popular subjects such as mathematics and science may be relatively expensive, ranging from 30 to 80 each; The relative prices of stationery such as notebooks, pens, folders, etc. are relatively stable, accumulating about 50-100 a year. Taken together, students' annual expenditure on teaching materials and stationery will be different due to the selected courses and personal habits.
2. Examination fee:
As a common English proficiency test for international students, IELTS costs 200 yuan. For GCSE and A-Level exam registration fees, the fees are not fixed due to the differences in the number of subjects involved and the differences in examination institutions. Generally speaking, the registration fee for each GCSE examination subject is about 30-60, and the registration fee for A-Level examination subjects is about 50-90. If students choose multiple subjects, the fees will increase accordingly. For example, if a student chooses five GCSE subjects, the registration fee may be between 150 and 300; If you choose three A-Level subjects, the registration fee may be between 150 and 270.
3, extracurricular activities:
The extracurricular activities of Oxford International College are colorful, covering many fields such as music, art and sports. These activities usually require an extra fee, which costs about 500 to 1,000 yuan a year. In music, for example, the course fee for learning musical instruments may be 100-200 per semester, and the rental or purchase fee of musical instruments (if any) may be around 300-600 per year; Art projects, such as painting and sculpture courses, charge about 80-150 yuan per semester, with a total of about 300-600 yuan a year; In sports, participating in professional sports club training, such as tennis and football clubs, the membership fee is 100-150 per semester, and the annual fee is 300-600. The degree of participation in different activities and the curriculum will affect the final cost.
4. Field trip expenses:
The field trip organized by the school is also part of the study-related expenses. For example, the cost of biological field trip is 550 yuan, which usually includes transportation, accommodation and related expenses for conducting experiments and learning in the field. The cost of CERN investigation is 1,700 yuan, which is high because it may involve international travel, special scientific research facilities and professional explanations. The number of times and projects that students participate in field trips are different, and the expenses will also vary greatly.
5. Total expenditure range of learning-related expenses:
Taken together, the total expenditure of study-related expenses is usually between 700 and 1,500. However, the specific amount depends on the number of subjects selected by students, the types of exams, the extracurricular activities and the types of field trips they participate in. For example, if a student chooses multiple exam subjects, participates in various extracurricular activities and participates in expensive field trips, his learning-related expenses may approach or even exceed 1,500; However, if students choose fewer subjects, only participate in a small number of extracurricular activities and have no field trip plan, the cost may be around 700.
Interpretation of insurance cost details
1. Necessity of insurance purchase:
Although the National Health Service (NHS) can provide basic medical insurance for students who pay medical surcharges, its coverage is limited. In order to obtain more comprehensive protection, it is still necessary for most international students to purchase additional private insurance. This is because during studying abroad, students may face various unexpected situations, such as sports injuries, theft or damage of personal belongings, which may not be covered by the NHS, or the degree of protection provided by the NHS is not enough to meet the actual needs.
2. Cost range and influencing factors:
The cost of student insurance usually ranges from 150 to 300 per year. The specific amount mainly depends on the coverage of the policy and the additional services provided by the insurance company. For example, some basic student insurance policies mainly cover common accidental injury compensation, such as medical expenses for physical injuries caused by accidental falls and traffic accidents, and a certain amount of compensation for property losses, such as personal belongings such as laptops and mobile phones being stolen or being damaged by accidents such as fires and floods. The price of such basic policies may be around 150 to 200. Some advanced insurance policies will provide more services, in addition to the above basic protection, it may also include dental treatment, such as orthodontics, tooth filling and other expenses reimbursement; Mental health consultation service, when students have psychological problems due to study pressure, cultural differences and other reasons, they can enjoy the counseling service of professional psychological counselors. Because of the wider coverage and more comprehensive services, the price of this kind of advanced insurance policy is relatively high, which may reach 250 to 300.
3. The significance of insurance:
The core purpose of purchasing student insurance is to provide additional financial security for students and their families when unexpected accidents or other risk events occur, and effectively avoid families from falling into financial difficulties due to high medical expenses and compensation for property losses. For example, if a student accidentally breaks a bone while participating in sports activities, the advanced insurance policy may not only pay for the operation and hospitalization expenses for fracture treatment, but also cover the follow-up rehabilitation expenses and the related expenses compensation caused by academic delay caused by injury; If a student's valuables, such as a camera, are stolen during the trip, the insurance can compensate according to the amount stipulated in the policy, thus reducing the economic loss of the student.
A survey of the cost of studying abroad at a young age in Britain
1. School visit and annual commuting expenses: 2,000-6,000 (18,220-54,660)
2. Tuition and accommodation: 60,000-80,000 (547,000-728,800)
3. Visa and related expenses: 983 (8,955)
4. Living expenses: 4,000-8,000 (36,440-72,880)
5. Fee for guardianship service: 1,600-3,700 (14,576-33,687)
6. Learning-related expenses: 700-1,500 (6,389-13,698)
7. Insurance cost: 150-300 (1,367-2,733)
8. Total annual budget:
Pound: 69,433-100,483
RMB: 632,000-915,000
The overall annual cost of training children in international schools in first-tier cities in China is usually 400,000-700,000 yuan, including tuition, extracurricular tutoring and interest classes, daily life, international examinations and other expenses. The total annual budget for studying abroad in Britain is around 632,000-915,000 RMB. In the future, both costs may rise, so families should plan their educational path early and comprehensively evaluate and choose the educational path suitable for their children, which is a long-term investment for children to strive for high-quality resources and development opportunities.