flower161

I was just curious about the admissions process for Cambridge and Oxford for Medicine (which I found out is very difficult but i digress), and I calculated how much attending either one of those schools would cost including living expenses and it adds up to quite a bit (well over $40,000!)

So how do most US students afford to go to these schools since they dont provide financial aid?

DrGoogle

In the US it can cost up to $70K+ for medical schools, $40-$65K for tuition plus $15-25K for living expenses.

UKgirl23

They don't have FA, so the students who would need it don't apply to Oxbridge, simple.

totallyawesome

UKgirl23 isn't strictly correct. Oxbridge has bursaries, and student loans or private FA can generally go overseas. Also, it is usually around 6 years, instead of eight, which saves a lot of money.

If you need monetary help, ask the admissions officer about it - there are lots of options.

DrGoogle

Why would UK colleges give aid to internationals?

ohitskayleigh

I did a bit of research for you and this is what I found.

Cambridge has very little FA for international students but there are a couple of full scholarships available, ''The financial support available for overseas undergraduate students is limited. Few full scholarships are available at undergraduate level; most support is a partial contribution to your overall costs and is means-tested.''

You have to prove that you can finance yourself for your entire course as it's not possible for you to work during the academic session to pay your way through the University. Colleges ask for financial guarantees and proof is also required when applying for a visa.

uscamstudent

Hi I know this post is a little old but I just wanted to correct what seems to be a common misconception in these posts. Financial aid IS available to international students studying at Cambridge (partial scholarships and full rides). I'll be starting there in a few days and have received 9,000£ a year in need based scholarship. Yes, it's not as readily available as many U.S. schools but it does exist. Cambridge specifically has an organization called the the Cambridge Overseas Trust that gives out these scholarships. Applying is simple (easier than for aid in U.S. schools).

cupcake

About 10 students a year get something substantial, yes (and lots get things like "book grants" of a few hundred pounds). But I've never ever met an overseas student in the UK who has got a full ride from a UK source. I actually don't bother to correct all the incorrect posts on this board about financial aid (or lack thereof) in the UK because everyone seems happy to believe in a fantasy. Also, hardly any US students get into Cambridge (for undergraduate at least) so it's not large numbers. So well done to you uscamstudent, but you are a very rare exception and I would not encourage anyone to think otherwise.

GeraldM

Ehh..I've met quite a few both at Cambridge and Oxford. (Overseas, I mean, not just EU).
Thing is, Oxbridge have the endowment to create such scholarships - and they are working hard to expand these schemes;it's enough to think about Oxford's new, £300 million undergrad scholarship fund. Indeed, it’s easier to gets partial or full scholarship if you’re EU, but most certainly more than 10 international student get substantial financial aid from either Oxford or Cambridge...

cupcake

Like I said I am not bothering to comment on all the incorrect information on this subject any more. But I am very sorry for all the students who have extremely unrealistic expectations and are going to have to turn down places due to lack of funds.

No-one ever posts a link. funny that.

ariadne1

I'm receiving financial aid from Oxford...

uscamstudent

Cambridge Overseas Trust | About Us | Cambridge Trusts

well this is the link to the site. As the website says, there are currently 600 students in residence who receive support from the Trust.

Laylah

^^^ That isn't many, given that there are nearly 4000 overseas/non-EU students at Cambridge.

And the vast majority of scholarships open to US citizens through the Cambridge Overseas Trust are for PhD students.

collegeboi1992

There are financial institutions that can provide loans for international study. If you are going abroad to study medicine, keep in mind that you won't be licensed to practice in USA, and as such you have to pass numerous USMLE licensing examinations and get a residency to work in USA. I would highly suggest that you assess the financials and future implications of loans you borrow because if you start school after graduation and don't get a good job , they like the FAFSA and Federal AID will also start accumulating interest...

boomting

What you have to realise, is that the fundamental reason why UK universities take international students is that they (a) pay more than British students, and (b) their numbers aren't capped by the UK government.

As far as British universities are concerned, internationals are cash cows. That's why there's not much by way of financial aid for international students - to do that would negate the purpose of their presence.