<p>^^^ Great post, thanks.</p>
<p>A few reasons come to mind to study in the UK rather than the states (it's actually for my D):
1. She wants to study BritLit/Drama and wants to go there
2. She'd like to go to a school that isn't small.
3. I'm a product of two big state universities and teach at a third, and think the undergrad academic experience is poor (TA's, content-free general educ requirements). There are only a handful of mid-sized US universities
4. I want her to get some international experience for the new economy
5. I want her to really be an expert and engaged in her subject matter. Too often students here are simply taking classes - never doing extra reading (not rewarded for it), not learning anything more than discrete coursework, and collecting a degree. The UK system seems to treat students more like budding scholars in their major field.
6. I prefer the 3-year degree and the fact that most people (at Durham it's 96%) finish in that time; astonishing by US standards.</p>