THE PRICE OF SCHOOLING

United States At Harvard University in Boston, tuition fees for an undergraduate programme in the year 1999-2000 were US$22,028 (about HK$170,600) and US$1,590 had to be paid for student services fees. The university estimated that an extra US$9,270 would be needed to cover books, food and rent for a dormitory room.

United Kingdom For an international student on an arts course, the tuition fees for the same year were GBP6,684 (about HK$84,800) at Oxford University. Science courses cost GBP8,910 and clinical courses GBP16,337. College fees, payable to the college the student is registered with, were GBP3,275. According to the prospectus, an overseas student would need at least GBP6,700 for living expenses.

Canada At the University of British Columbia, an undergraduate programme cost C$13,830 (about HK$71,700) for international students for the year 1999-2000. Student fees were about C$230. An estimated C$1,200 would be needed to cover books and transportation, and C$7,200 to cover room and board.

Australia The tuition fees for an undergraduate course at the University of New South Wales in the same year were between A$11,000 (about HK$55,000) and A$12,000. For the faculty of medicine, the fees were A$25,000. The university estimated that an international student would require A$10,000 to A$12,000 each year for living expenses.

The primary section of the Chinese International School caters to children aged four to 10. Upon entry, pupils spend a year in reception class, which is an observation schedule. Fees for the reception class in 1999-2000 were $58,700, including $54,800 for school fees and $3,900 for books and stationery. The school fees for students in Years One to Six were $72,900, with an additional $3,780 to $4,250 for other expenses.

At the French International School, the primary section is divided into French and international streams, as is the secondary section. Fees for the French stream in 1999-2000 were $50,508. In the international stream they were $63,615.