1. IT PAYS TO STUDY ABROAD
With college dropout rates rising to their highest level since 2012 and fewer than half of students graduating within four years, some students have found a different way to obtain a world-class education. On average, college in the United States costs $35,720 per student, per year – with the cost of higher education tripling over the past 20 years. Across the Atlantic Ocean, American students pay around $16,500 in tuition fees a year to study in Wales, United Kingdom – which means you may end up saving money.
2. IS WALES THE NEW HOLLYWOOD?
From hit Netflix series’ to A-list celebrities like Ryan Reynolds, Margot Robbie, Rob McElhenney and Forest Whittaker becoming the latest cultural sightings, Wales is the new Hollywood. Wales is becoming a global hub for media production and with unprecedented demand for Welsh-filmed shows such as Doctor Who and His Dark Materials, there’s a chance for budding film students to access the industry and fill the growing skills shortage gap in media production overseas.
3. YOUR DEGREE, IN THREE
For three years, the number of Americans studying in Wales have been increasing and early estimates show there is an increase of applications for next year. Market Development Manager Robert Alexander from Study in Wales explained: “One reason this might be is that the education system in Wales is not as complex. Most students graduate after three years because our university system requires you to decide your major upon application, rather than taking certain classes to graduate in a chosen subject. Those looking to complete a Masters, can often graduate in one.”
4. LIVING COSTS ARE LOWER
Whether it’s paying for rental accommodation, socialising or shopping, Wales has some of the lowest living costs in the United Kingdom. The capital city of Cardiff is almost three times cheaper than London and has also been revealed as the cheapest city for dining out.
5. IT’S ALL EQUAL
Wales is known for its welcoming people. Our universities are international in outlook, with more than 132 nationalities represented in the student body. Working closely with members of the LGBTQ+ community, the Welsh Government have plans for Wales to become “the most LGBTQ+ friendly nation” in Europe. Universities will play a huge role in making sure everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
6. CULTURE CLUB
From theatres and craft ale breweries to buzzing city centre nightclubs, Wales is wonderful at night. Its capital Cardiff is home to hundreds of restaurants and pubs to satisfy a student’s need to party. With the Principality Stadium able to hold more than 70,000 people, you can witness chanting crowds on a rugby match day. For students seeking a different kind of culture, Wales has six UNESCO World Heritage Sites, more castles per square mile than anywhere else and its own language.
7. FROM COAST TO COUNTRY
The countryside in Wales is the stuff of legend. From the mountains of Snowdonia, valleys, forests and lakes of Mid Wales to the emerald coastlines and idyllic beaches of Pembrokeshire, the 8,016 miles of Wales make it small enough to explore – with around a quarter of the land within a National Park. This is an education into the outdoors, like no other.
8. HERE’S TO A BRIGHT FUTURE
Within six months of leaving one of Wales’ universities, more than 90 per cent of graduates find employment. But if work isn’t the next step – the postgraduate programme we offer is da iawn, (That’s Welsh for very good). International students may be eligible for financial support, including scholarships, grants and bursaries to help them study abroad – including a Global Wales Postgraduate Scholarship designed to help them take a place at one of Wales’ eight universities.
