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Elizabeth Turner

Those who are eager to pursue studies in the UK should consider the hidden costs - financial and psychological

FOR MOST Hong Kong people, pursuing a degree in Britain is not just about studying. It is also about living a new life in a new place and adapting to a different culture.

So when deciding whether to fly all the way to Britain to study, many things should be considered in advance.

Students should work out if they can bear the costs of studying in Britain, according to British Council education officer Wynne Kam.

'Britain is not the most expensive place to study, but one still has to consider carefully,' she said. 'The living costs vary from area to area and so do tuition fees.'

The tuition fees for undergraduate and postgraduate studies range from #6,825 ($99,997) to #13,500 a year, while living costs average #820 a month in London and #630 elsewhere.

Iris Chan, a Hong Kong graduate who now studies at the University of Surrey, said she had to monitor her finances carefully.

'Everything is very expensive in Britain. So expect a much higher living cost, especially if you live in London and other big cities.'

Ms Kam advised students not to choose a school based on its ranking alone.

'Sometimes the best schools are not suitable for every student. And some schools might have better courses in certain subjects than schools that have higher rankings.'

She said Hong Kong students should also consider if they could adapt to a different lifestyle if they studied in rural areas or smaller cities.

'It's fine if they choose London or other big cities, because living there is similar to living in Hong Kong,' she said.

Even students who are well prepared for the change will face difficulties.

Ms Chan said students in Hong Kong had to accept the fact that systems in Britain worked more slowly that they do in Hong Kong.

You might not be able to get a doctor's appointment immediately, for example, and it may take time to set up a bank account.  She advised students to get reference letters from their banks in Hong Kong to help speed up the process of applying for a bank account.

Ms Chan said students should expect to feel down after they arrived in Britain, as it took time to adapt to change.

'It might be homesickness or it might be something else. There is a possibility that you will have to give up your studies if you cannot handle your emotions.'

Ms Chan said language could also be a barrier, even if students spoke English well.

Ms Kam advised students to make an effort to meet British students, 'because going there is not just for studies but for getting experiences in many aspects'.

An alternative to studying in Britain is distance learning.

Ms Kam said distance learning allowed students to study for a degree at a lower cost and with more flexibility. Students also did not have to worry about quitting their jobs, leaving their families and friends and adapting to a new life.

But she warned that some distance learning courses were demanding and students required self-discipline and time-management skills.



Budgeting for the ups and downs of studying in Britain