University abroad: worth it? (and subject choice)

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the considerations of studying engineering at universities abroad, particularly in the UK and the USA. Participants explore the implications of costs, scholarship opportunities, and personal experiences related to choosing a university and subject area, with a focus on applied physics and mathematics.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a preference for studying engineering over physics or mathematics due to perceived employability advantages.
  • Concerns are raised about the high costs of university education in the UK, with tuition fees estimated around £35,000, alongside living expenses.
  • Another participant highlights the competitiveness of scholarships in the UK and mentions specific universities that offer limited financial aid.
  • There is a suggestion that studying in the US might be more logical, despite the potential for higher tuition costs, particularly at state universities.
  • Participants discuss the possibility of obtaining in-state tuition rates in the US by establishing residency, although there is uncertainty about the feasibility of this approach for international students.
  • Questions are posed about the availability of scholarships in the US, Canada, and Australia based on academic merit, with specific universities mentioned as potential options.
  • Some participants challenge the accuracy of tuition cost comparisons between the UK and US, noting that costs can vary significantly.
  • There is a discussion about the challenges of finding relevant employment while trying to establish residency in the US for tuition purposes.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views regarding the costs and benefits of studying abroad, with no clear consensus on the best approach or the financial viability of different options. Disagreement exists over the accuracy of tuition cost comparisons and the practicality of obtaining scholarships.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention various financial constraints, including parental income limitations and the competitiveness of scholarship opportunities. There is also uncertainty regarding the process of establishing residency for tuition purposes in the US.

  • #31
Thy Apathy said:
Tropical paradise you say? Yeah, sure, if you're there for a few weeks once in a while. If you've lived in that place for all your life; you're bound to get sick of it. I want to get out, do other things. Nowt wrong with that.

NUS is expensive.

My https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=477267".

Well, to my knowledge, NUS seems to offer a lot of financial aid opportunities..
I believe KAIST or HKUST will not be that difficult to get into and the living cost is quite low.., heard from people who went for an exchange there..
 
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  • #32
Thy Apathy said:
At any rate, I take it you guys have no other suggestions?

You could go for continental Europe. Germany and Switzerland have very good engineering schools, and especially Eastern Germany (think of TU Dresden) is one of the cheapest places to live in the Western world. Also, there are no tution fees.
 
  • #33
Some of the older UK universities may have highly specific scholarships, get googling! For example:

http://www.balliol.ox.ac.uk/sites/default/files/anderson_mauritian_advertisement_2011.pdf
 
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  • #34
be careful btw those swedish universities used to be free...now they can be very expensive..
 
  • #35
mal4mac said:
Some of the older UK universities may have highly specific scholarships, get googling! For example:

http://www.balliol.ox.ac.uk/sites/default/files/anderson_mauritian_advertisement_2011.pdf

I think you just made me come.

Are you Mauritian, by any chance? (:
 
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