American looking to move to the London area.

aangelone1 I am not sure what state you are in, but if you are a make-up artist, you should consider taking that $10,000 and using it to build your career in either NYC, or LA. There is a lot of well paid work to be had in both cities.

My friend Carla is a make-up artist, and she used to work in NY and LA and now she is in London, because she is the spouse of a British citizen, and she makes less than half of what she made in the USA.

She told me that in the UK all she really does is use an airbrush, to apply spray tans on models, for car ads.

She is a bit sarcastic, so I am sure her comment was a bit sarcastic, but her 'pathetically low wage' situation is very real.

Real enough that they are now saving to return to the USA.

I might consider attending a program there to advance my salon aesthetic skills and skincare knowledge (facials, etc.). I'm looking at this school. I am currently wondering if they've changed to allow international students to take a fuller course of study or will by the time I go over there. It doesn't hurt to ask. They're an A-Licensed sponsor and accept international students. I just hope they allow it. It doesn't look like they've updated in a while.

-Alexandra

Also, the London College of Fashion has an extensive makeup program. I can consider that. They're also recognized federally in the US so I could receive student loans for that.

Also, the London College of Fashion has an extensive makeup program. I can consider that. They're also recognized federally in the US so I could receive student loans for that.

It's a good school and one worth considering. It's part of the University of the Arts London, and I went to a branch of it, so I can attest that they are certified to sponsor students. But the cost of attending is pretty high because of the London weighting. For my 1 year MA I had to take out about $30,000 in loans to cover it. And that was on top of $11,000 in savings. So just be aware of that when you're looking into those things.

I've been looking into the courses for makeup. They're each $13,800 euros per year. I went to a private Catholic college in Massachusetts so that's what I'm used to paying for one semester, not even a year. I'm not stranger to student loans. That's actually less expensive for me to study overseas than at home.

I've been looking into the courses for makeup. They're each $13,800 euros per year. I went to a private Catholic college in Massachusetts so that's what I'm used to paying for one semester, not even a year. I'm not stranger to student loans. That's actually less expensive for me to study overseas than at home.

Euros or GBP?  £13,800 = $21,339.90.  That's a really high tuition.  My uni is now £12,300 for an MA.  Is that for a BA or a degree programme?

They're each $13,800 euros per year.

Are you sure it's Euros? We don't use Euros here in the UK, so I would be surprised if the fees are listed in Euros.

$13,800 Euros is $18,400 US Dollars, but £13,800 (GBP) is $21,400 US dollars.

Ah, apologies. It is the British lb. it's still $15,000 less than one year of study at my home university. And I already have a fully functioning makeup kit that I can bring myself without having to stock when I get there.

Hi aangelone1. I moved to London a few years ago to do post-graduate study and my sister also went to the University of the Arts to do her MA. We're both still here - so it is definitely a city that sticks . I think it's great that you have a lot of goals and aspirations of breaking out of your comfort zone a little bit and traveling.

My only advice would be to do a lot of research and maybe even come to visit London for a bit before you take the big plunge, both physically and financially. The UKBA is making it harder and harder for people to move here and stay. If you want to be here for a short while, maybe a year or so - study is a great idea, though expensive.

Don't stop looking, but make sure you are realistic in your plans. London is a very expensive city to live in and as a student you'll only be able to work 20 hrs/wk during term time and 40hrs/wk out of term. There is also no guarantee that you will find work immediately. Make sure you look at all options and weigh the costs.

Good luck!