Rising numbers of Wimbledon teenagers want to cross the Atlantic for higher education, a school has said.
King’s College School said the number of its students applying for places at American and Canadian universities has more than doubled this year.
Paul Lavender, head of university entrance at King’s, said rising fees at British universities were one reason behind the shift.
Mr Lavender said 15 students in the private school’s upper sixth form were applying for places in North America this academic year – compared to six or seven in 2010-11.
Early indications showed the number would rise again in 2012-13, with 60 younger sixth-formers showing an interest in applying.
Mr Lavender said while top North American universites were still likely to be more expensive for British students than those at home, the rise in British fees due next year would narrow the gap.
Describing North American universities, he said: “They’re fabulous institutions – they have got massive amounts of cash.”
The school is holding a conference about the issue on September 29, with 120 delegates set to attend – and representatives from universities including Yale, Harvard and Princeton.
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