Potter Star to Study Abroad?

Young-actress Emma Watson (famous for playing 'Hermione Granger' in the Harry Potter films) could be about to cross the pond for her studies. Watson, 18, has looked at a number of universities in the United States as well as some in the UK. Reports suggest that she has been offered a place at Yale, ranked one of the world's top universities. She has also been offered a place on home soil at the prestigious Cambridge University.

Emma is one of thousands of British students who have had enough of the wind and rain of the UK when you can get constant sun abroad. In fact, more than 20,000 Brits enrol at universities outiside the UK every year - the most popular destination being the US. Plus, there are about 8,000 British students studying in the US already today.

You must be thinking, ok, this is quite a big jump! Just last week TSL spoke about commuting but this is extreme distance! This is very true, as anyone wishing to study abroad needs to be fully independent and have enough money to survive. However, the financing schemes in the US are a lot more accessible than here in the UK. You would have to contact the specific universities financial aid advisors about this, as the schemes vary from university to university.

Plus, the applications for American universities are very different to that of our very own UCAS. There is a lot more detail and thought needed in these applications and the ability to sell yourself is essential.

And unfortunately you'll need to undergoe more tests! Every American unverisity requires that you take the SATS (not like the ones you did in year 2, 6 and 9) which determines whether you are ready for university. So abit like the ALIS tests if your school or college did those, but more serious and important.

Anyone considering studying abroad should think long and hard - Miss Watson may be able to afford a private jet back and forth to her parents when she needs them, but can you?

If you haven't heard or seen Yale before, watch the video below to have a short tour.