International students, how are you handling tuition fees in the UK?
I am currently a high school student in Romania, and I want to study abroad. I was thinking of studying in France at Sciences Po, because I like the way the curriculum is structured and the fact that tuition fees are calculated based on household income. However, I would probably have to take a student loan and apply for the CROUS scolarship (which is also based on household income) in order to actually survive there, since financial help from my parents is unlikely.
But right now I’m in the UK at my sister’s place and after talking to her and visiting some places, I decided that it would be better if I did my undergraduate courses in the UK and my master’s in France. She’s been a resident for about 7 years and continued her studies here as well. But after checking the criteria for student finance I can’t benefit from government support even if my sister adds me on her residency. Studying here would be better for me though, since I would have her helping me.
Taking everything into account, studying in France (or the EU in general) would guarantee financial support but no other help, while studying in the UK would guarantee help from sister and no other financial support. I was hoping that I could pay home fees but a residency lasting at least 3 years before the start of the university year is required which I obviously do not have. Also, I cannot receive support unless I have a caretaker or spouse who lives in the UK who has a legal status, which is also not the case.
I don’t know what to do honestly, I don’t even have high chances of getting into Sciences Po because I haven’t got involved in any extracurriculars until now (starting the following school year I will start some extracurricular activities, but I don’t know if those will be enough).
Besides this I have started to doubt if the field of study I want to pursue is even worth it. I’m sitting in a very gray area and I am growing hopeless.
If you are a EU student or any international student currently studying in the UK or the EU, please tell how you’re handling everything! I am grateful for any response!