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When people think of places best suited for advancing their education, their first thought might be to go overseas. The United Kingdom has a reputable history of having some of the best educational facilities for both natives and expats. If you’re looking to further education while getting that slice of life in the UK, you’ve come to the right place. Here are three of the best colleges to go to in the UK.

Oxford University

It wouldn’t be an article about colleges in the UK without mentioning the most famous of them all; Oxford University. Oxford University is one of the most well-known schools across the world. The origin of this university can be dated all the way back to the 11th century, but there’s also a story that says it was originally created in the year of 872. The first instance of teaching occurred during 1096 and saw an astonishing amount of development around 1167.

History aside, you need to have an outstanding academic performance to be qualified. You need a GPA of at least 3.7, but it’s recommended you strive for a 3.9. The higher your GPA, the more likely you’ll be accepted. Despite the prestigiousness and amazing history surrounding Oxford University, the tuition is among the most expensive. Depending on your program, you can expect to spend somewhere between £26,000 to almost £38,000.

University of Cambridge

Similar to Oxford, the University of Cambridge is also one of the oldest schools as it has over 800 years of history attached to it. The University of Cambridge is the fourth oldest school in the world and is best known for its humanities, technology and sciences courses. Being able to have this on a resume gives you a competitive edge in the workforce. However, just like Oxford, Cambridge is not easy to afford or get into. A GPA of 3.7 or higher is absolutely necessary to be even considered. Secondly, the tuition is expensive, especially for an international student. For an international expat student, you can expect to pay somewhere between £22,000 to as much as almost £60,000.

You may be thinking that the price isn’t worth the effort. However, there is a way to pay for the expensive tuition balance without having to pay out of pocket. This involves a private student loan. Private student loans are almost no different than loans you’d get from a bank, credit union or even the school itself. The one thing that sets them apart is the lender’s reduced interest rates. Not only will it be easier to pay back, but you’ll have easy access to a coveted school while gaining a competitive edge when you start applying for a job.

University College London

The University College London, or UCL for short, is more of a balance between the previous schools. It has an amazing educational system, a reputable alumnus and is relatively simple to afford on top of it. To be qualified for this school, you need a GPA of at least 3.3 or higher. However, keep in mind that this does depend on the field you choose. Degrees such as medicine, law and technology require a GPA of 3.7, just like the other schools. The UCL has fixed tuition fees for students who are studying abroad. It’s roughly about £29,000. For students who are natives to the UK, you can expect to spend at least an average of £9,500 if you’re a full-time student. Part-time students pay half of this.