Record numbers of UK students to study abroad

The highest ever number of UK students are thought to be considering overseas study in a bid to escape the introduction of £9,000 annual tuition fees.

Last year, almost 9,000 British undergraduates and postgraduates studied in the US, but that number is expected to soar in 2012.

Jemma Davies, of MJD Consultancy, which is staging the Student World Fair in London this weekend, said the prospect of studying abroad has become "much more attractive" in light of next year's fee hike.

"At the same time, foreign universities have been alerted to the prospect of attracting UK students, and are looking to actively market to them," she added.

Janette Wallis, a senior editor at the Good Schools Guide, said it was "not rocket science" to predict that higher degree costs would see more UK students planning a gap year or applying for courses abroad.

She added that, as well as the US, gap year destinations covering much of Europe, China and Australia were also proving popular.

See the different gap year destinations on offer