For expat families planning for a university in England, starting earlier generally makes the target easier, because the cost is spread over more months and any invested money has longer to grow and recover from falls. This reflects fees and student finance rules for 2026/27. If you are starting later, beginning now may still help, but you may need a larger monthly amount or a lump sum.

Expat families can face higher costs than families living in England, because children who have lived abroad may be charged international fees and may not qualify for student finance. That can make an early start more valuable. For a comparison of approaches, see our guide to lump sum versus regular saving for education.

Why expat families may need more

For 2026/27 the maximum tuition fee that qualifying institutions in England can charge home students is GBP 9,790 a year, up from GBP 9,535 in 2025/26. International fees are set by each university and are often far higher. As one published example, the University of Warwick lists 2026/27 overseas undergraduate fees from GBP 27,870 to GBP 35,530 a year.

Student finance in England generally requires three years' residence in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man before the course starts, apart from temporary absences. Many expat children will not meet this, which may mean parents fund living costs as well as fees. Living costs alone can run to well over GBP 10,000 a year.

Until you know your child's fee status, it may be prudent to plan for both outcomes. Universities usually confirm fee status only after your child has applied, which may be less than a year before the course starts. That is usually too late to close a large funding gap.

How time changes the monthly amount

The same target is generally easier to reach over 15 years than over 5. Saving for longer:

  • lowers the amount needed each month
  • gives investments more time to grow, although growth is never guaranteed
  • gives you time to recover if markets fall in the years before university

As university gets closer, many families gradually move money into lower risk holdings so a market fall just before fees are due does less damage.

Rough starting points by age

  • Birth to age 5: you have the longest runway. Modest regular saving can build a substantial pot, and a long time horizon may allow more growth-focused investing, depending on your attitude to risk.
  • Age 6 to 12: still a good window. You may need to save more each month, and it helps to set a clear target based on likely fees.
  • Age 13 and over: time is shorter. Regular saving may need to be combined with a lump sum, such as a bonus or gratuity, and investment risk often needs to come down as the start date approaches.

Do not forget currency

If you earn in dirhams, riyals or dollars but fees will be paid in sterling, exchange rates can change the cost of university by thousands of pounds. Some families build up sterling savings over time rather than converting everything just before fees are due. What suits you depends on your circumstances and where you expect to be living.

Illustrative example only, not a real client. Two families each want GBP 90,000 for university in today's money. Assuming no investment growth, no fee inflation and no exchange rate movement, Family A starts when their child is born, with 18 years (216 months) to go: that is about GBP 420 a month. Family B starts when their child is 12, with 6 years (72 months) to go: that is GBP 1,250 a month, three times as much, with less time for investments to grow or recover. These are simple nominal illustrations, not forecasts.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming home fees and student finance will be available after years abroad.
  • Waiting until secondary school to start, then needing much higher monthly amounts.
  • Keeping money for fees due in a year or two in volatile investments.
  • Ignoring the exchange rate between your earnings and sterling.

For families planning for a university in England, a clear target can make saving far more manageable. A regulated financial adviser can help you build a plan around your family's timeline. Get in touch for a free introduction.

Sources and further reading

Last reviewed: October 2026. Tax year: 2026/27; academic year 2026/27 (England). Jurisdictions covered: England, UAE. Rates, legislation and guidance change, so recheck before relying on this. Rules can differ between England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland; tax residence is fact-specific; treaty outcomes depend on residence, domicile or nationality provisions; examples are simplified and omit reliefs, costs, exchange rates and anti-avoidance rules. This is general information, not financial, tax or legal advice. Take advice in the relevant country before acting.