I am not surprised by this. It’s so much less expensive than college in the US. However, many American students might be in for a rude awakening at the lack of hand-holding.
Record Numbers Of U.S. Students Are Applying To Colleges In The U.K.
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Less than 8,000 applications total? Not sure I’d conclude much from annual fluctuations in this applicant pool, although it’s possible this is the start of a trend. Certainly would be understandable if so.
On cost though, I know a few families who looked into this and for non-expats my impression was that cost is comparable to a moderately priced state U. No?
Well, three years versus four in a foreign English speaking country is quite appealing to a lot of people. Yes, attending CC and transferring would be cheaper, as would other options.
It’s very difficult to compare costs overall. Podunk state U is probably cheaper. Livng at home is cheaper. Anyone applying to uni’s in London will undoubtedly be spending about the same amount of money as if they had stayed locally.
Clearly for a certain demographic, the prospect is appealing. I personally know a handful of kids who have chosen to head over the pond in the last couple of years, including one who transferred from a Colorado State U to U Manchester. I know another who started in Ireland and transfered to Exeter, a master’s student who will be starting at Exeter, numerous students who chose Edinburgh and Glasgow. So I do think it’s becoming more of a trend.
Not that this would really make a huge difference, but I note you can also apply to some UK universities through the Common App, so the UCAS count alone is missing some applicants (like my S24 who only applied to St Andrews, and did so through the Common App).
On costs, it depends on the course and university, but I do think it is basically like looking at OOS, so more than in-state but less than full pay private. The thing is there is almost no chance of significant aid, so while a UK university might look like at least a big cost break compared to full pay private, for kids who can get substantial need and/or merit aid, it can become not so competitive on cost.
Just one HS, but our feederish HS does send what you might call a steady trickle of students to UK universities, and my S24 got as far as a post-offer visit St Andrews before deciding to go with one of his US options. That’s too small a sample to try to confirm or disconfirm a trend, but since there is obviously enough fundamental appeal to land some kids, it would not surprise me if then a few more kids decided to go that way in the current dynamic.
As an aside, I do think there is maybe a bit more natural appeal to doing something like a masters or even PhD (natural because the tight focus on one academic area is more what we expect for grad school than undergrad). This is pure speculation, but I could see those program levels becoming significantly more popular if research funding cuts and such affect enough US grad programs.
I’m seeing this more in the children of my friend group too. Costs are similar to instate public tuition (depending on the state) although housing is more.
Definitely need to be OK with high stakes testing and no hand holding. Big differences too in how they handle medical issues.
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Greetings from the other side of the pond. 
US students account for the highest number of international students in the UK but we are certainly seeing more interest this year. It’s actually a pretty straightforward system to apply, particularly for undergraduate degrees. I would say the most important thing to keep an eye on is the UCAS. They will come around soon
They means who or what? Please clarify.