# data[].attributes.body
Kedves diákok! Here's something fascinating - in Britain, 'public schools' are actually prestigious private schools! These elite institutions like Eton, Harrow, and Winchester have educated many Prime Ministers. They charge hefty fees and maintain centuries-old traditions. As a Hungarian teacher, I find this reverse terminology quite intriguing!

# data[].attributes.body
The British boarding school system is truly unique! Students live at school during term time, participating in a rich array of extracurricular activities. Having visited several as part of an educational exchange, I can tell you these schools focus heavily on character building and leadership skills. They follow the house system, where students belong to different 'houses' - rather like in Harry Potter!

# data[].attributes.body
Unlike our schools in Hungary, British schools are big on uniforms! Each school has its distinct uniform, often including blazers with school crests, ties, and specific clothing requirements. These uniforms can be quite expensive but are seen as important for maintaining discipline and school identity.

# data[].attributes.body
Oxford and Cambridge (collectively 'Oxbridge') represent the pinnacle of British education. Their tutorial system, where students have one-on-one sessions with experts, is something we can only dream of in many European universities! The colleges are like small academic families within the larger university - quite different from our university system.

# data[].attributes.body
Each Oxbridge student belongs to a college - it's their home, dining hall, and social hub! As someone who had the chance to visit these institutions, I can tell you the college system creates a unique community feeling. Students live, eat, and often study within their college, making lifelong connections.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
A day in the life at Cambridge University: Sarah | #GoingToCambridge

# data[].attributes.body
One of the biggest challenges in British education today is the cost! University fees can reach £9,250 per year for domestic students and even more for internationals. As a Hungarian educator, I'm often shocked by these numbers, as they're significantly higher than in most European countries.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Thousands of students are receiving their A-Level results on Thursday. However, with the cost of living rising, many may be wondering whether going to university is worth the price.

Here's a look at the financial pros and cons.

Most student debt comes from tuition fees, which most people pay by taking out a student loan.

The maximum annual fee can differ substantially depending on where you live at the time of applying for a course:

England: £9,250

Wales: £9,000

Northern Ireland: £4,630 for Northern Irish students, and £9,250 for other UK students

Scotland: Free for most Scottish students - as long as they meet the criteria for government funding - and £9,250 for other UK students

Although tuition is usually free in Scotland, there is a cap on the number of university places, so there's less opportunity to study.

Then there are accommodation costs. If you are leaving home, it is generally cheaper to live in university-owned accommodation.

In 2021-22, the average rent for university-owned rooms was £6,227 per year, while for private rooms this was £7,732, according to student housing charity Unipol.

Unipol estimates the average rent for a room in London consumes 88% of the maximum maintenance loan - the loan for living costs - available for students in England.

For students in England studying away from home outside of London, it estimates accommodation costs in England account for 72% of the maximum maintenance loan. That leaves students with £69.52 a week to spend on other living costs, it says.

So for an average degree student in England who pays the maximum tuition fees and chooses to stay in university rooms for their first year before switching to private accommodation, three years of study will mean a cost of £49,441, based on those current figures. But that is before the other extra costs of student life are added on.

Those other costs to consider include:

Food

Going out

Transport

Course materials

How do student loans work?

The typical student loan is made up of two elements:

loan for the tuition fees - paid directly to the university

maintenance loan - paid into the student's bank account in instalments

Once they have graduated and start earning a certain amount of money, their loans are repaid through the tax system.

Eligibility for loans and repayment rules differ in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.

If you live in England and you start university this September, any outstanding debt will be written off completely after 30 years. This will rise to 40 years for those who start their course in 2023.

What financial help is available?

For all students, they may be able to get financial assistance from the university itself, or charitable groups, in the form of bursaries, grants, allowances or scholarships.

However, it also suggests that the "graduate premium" - the comparatively higher earnings of university graduates - has reduced over time.

The subject taken and university attended can influence how much graduates can earn. Salaries can also vary between men and women and between people from wealthier and poorer backgrounds.

Research by the Institute for Fiscal Studies carried out in England suggests on average, women who studied creative arts and languages degrees earned the same amount of money in their lifetime than they would have had they not gone to university.

Women who studied law, economics or medicine earned more than £250,000 more than they would have done had they not gone.

Men who studied creative arts on average earned less across their lifetimes than if they had not attended university, but male medicine or economics graduates earned £500,000 more in their lifetime than they would have done if they had not gone.

This may be for a variety of reasons beyond university choice and subject, though. Graduates from wealthier backgrounds may have more access to information about well-paid jobs, for example.

Finances are a key consideration when weighing up whether or not to go to university. But it's also important to consider the other things going to university can offer, such as developing new skills, mixing with new people and experiencing new places.

Additional reporting by Sarah Habershon and Hannah Cox.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How much does university cost, and is it worth it?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Thousands of students are receiving their A-Level results on Thursday. However, with the cost of living rising, many may be wondering whether going to university is worth the price. Here's a look at the financial pros and cons. Most student debt comes from tuition fees, which most people pay by taking out a student loan.

# data[].attributes.body
Despite Brexit challenges, British universities continue to rank among the world's best! They're particularly strong in research output and international collaboration. However, leaving the EU has affected student exchange programs like Erasmus+, which is something we really feel in Hungary.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
QS World University Rankings 2023: Top Global Universities

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Discover the world’s top universities. Explore the QS World University Rankings® 2023 based on 8 key ranking indicators.

# data[].attributes.body
I'm impressed by how British schools are increasingly prioritizing student mental health and wellbeing. They're introducing counselors, mindfulness sessions, and pastoral care systems. This is something we're trying to implement more in Hungarian schools too!