Understanding Overseas University Fees

Educational costs are a core component of a long-term financial plan for many expatriates with children, grandchildren, or other family members, whether they intend to study in their home country or a new overseas location.

Foreign nationals are strongly advised to conduct thorough research into the fee structures in their place of residence or chosen destination to ensure they have budgeted correctly and adjusted their investment strategy accordingly.

This guide explains the differences in higher education costs for domestic and international students, looks at some of the costs to consider beyond tuition, and compares average study costs across locations.

The Difference Between University Costs for Residents and International Students

A common misconception is that education fees apply equally to all university students, but this isn’t the case. Universities often have two sets of charges, adjusted for domestic students and foreign nationals, and these costs will differ further between publicly funded and fully independent establishments.

This is because, in almost all countries, foreign nationals or overseas residents pay higher tuition fees as they are not permitted access to public funds.

For example, ETH Zurich charges CHF 804 per semester for Swiss residents, but triples this for foreign students. Oxford University charges the standard capped amount: £9,790 a year for UK undergraduate students in 2026/27, increasing to between £37,380 and £62,820 for overseas students for the same period.

Students who have spent time overseas may also not be eligible for student loans or scholarships. The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) provides further information on educational costs at British universities, noting that the comparable overseas body is the best source for other countries.

Average Costs of a British University Education

The UK government sets a maximum tuition fee for most universities, which, as we’ve noted, will be £9,790 a year from 2026/27. This applies only to universities and further education colleges in England and Wales, and to domestic students and undergraduate courses.

There are different thresholds for specific courses, such as accelerated routes, postgraduate study and high-demand programmes such as those in medicine or law.

Private universities can set their own fee structures. However, they may defer to the above maximums, and any university can charge whatever tuition fees they wish for overseas students, which many do to supplement their income.

Average Costs of Enrolling a Child in an EU University

Expatriates living overseas or planning a relocation may need to research the average tuition fees and structures within the relevant country. Each jurisdiction will have its own model, some with heavily subsidised further education and others with primarily private universities that command significant fees.

To illustrate some of the education costs you may need to budget for:

• The Universidade de Lisboa, or University of Lisbon, currently charges €697 per year for bachelor’s and master’s degree courses, the rate set by the General Council for students from the EU, but charges an indicative €5,000 per year for international students.
• UAntwerp, the University of Antwerp, charges tuition based on credits. The standard rate for EU students for most courses in 2026/27 will be €1,181 for 60 credits, compared to €4,300 for an overseas student.

Foreign nationals who become tax residents, permanent residents or citizens may qualify for localised tuition costs, and their children will almost definitely be eligible if they are born there.

The takeaway is to ensure all families budget appropriately and recognise that standardised tuition fees do not apply to all, and that international enrolment can be multiple times higher.

Qualification Criteria for Home University Charges

Universities charge home fees, which in most cases are influenced or managed to some extent by the relevant government. They will normally offer these tuition fees for anyone who is either a citizen or a permanent resident and can demonstrate that they are an ordinary resident or spend the majority of their time in the country.

This factor can be a stumbling block for expatriates who live overseas and plan to send their children to a UK university for their ongoing studies, and vice versa for expats planning to relocate at a point where children will be enrolling in university and not realising that they will be categorised as international students.

A temporary or renewable visa status won’t typically qualify a student for home fee status, which may mean that expected university costs are significantly lower than the actual expense, which is why planning early is so important.

Financing University Fees as an Expatriate

Many expatriates set aside a provision within their wealth management plans or investment portfolio to provide an excellent education for family members who intend to go to university, and to ensure they can apply to their first choice establishment regardless of the costs.

It is also worth recognising that university fees will be payable in the local currency, so investors with funds or products ringfenced to cover this cost should normally ensure they are held in the same currency, or build in protections against exchange risks.

Students embarking on university education in any country can certainly finance their course costs in this way, but there are other costs to account for, aside from course fees, such as living and travel expenses, boarding fees or rent, and course materials.

As an indication, the average annual living costs for a UK university student are estimated at around £12,000 to £22,000 a year, and at €25,000 in France, and €18,000 in Spain, but these are estimates and university students may require a considerably higher budget if they are living in a major capital city or financing private rental accommodation.

Setting aside an education savings fund, such as a low-risk investment product or savings account, is a sensible way to ensure you can finance the relevant costs. Whichever type of fund you select should provide future growth potential without excessive risk exposure that could reduce the value available.

Ongoing fund management is also important to ensure your savings stretch as far as they need to and that your anticipated returns are sufficient to cover year-on-year increases in education fees.

Expert Support With Education Fee Planning for Expats

There is a fine balance between selecting a fund with secure returns over and above forecast inflation rates and choosing a financial strategy that protects your wealth to ensure you can comfortably cover all the costs associated with a world-class university education.

At Chase Buchanan Private Wealth Management, we recognise that planning for your child’s future is an exceptionally important element of wealth management. It is impossible to put a price on life opportunities and a degree from a globally recognised university.

Taking action now and being prepared for the true potential costs of tuition is the best way to minimise financial risk, while understanding the complexities of fee structures and qualification criteria.

Please download our complimentary Education Fee Planning Guide for more information about investing for tuition fees, or contact us for professional support.

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Chase Buchanan Insurance Services, Agents & Advisors is authorised and regulated by the Cyprus Insurance Companies Control Service with License No 6883 and offers services in the EU on a cross-border basis as per the provisions of the Insurance Distribution Directive (IDD).

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*Information correct as at December 2025