Tom Gibson, 18, from Wellington College in Crowthorne, Berkshire, has accepted an offer from Wake Forest, a university in North Carolina that focuses on the liberal arts. It charges $36,500 (£20,000) a year for tuition but more than half of undergraduates receive financial aid.

“The level of funding within the US system was a real draw for me,” he said. I like the fact that I don’t have to choose a subject yet — I can just start the course and decide once I have a better idea of the options.” He achieved straight A grades in his A levels and will study a broad arts programme. His family has moved out to be with him.

Another former Wellington College student, Johnny Durrant, 20, is about to start his second year at Wake Forest.

He said: “I’ve found it to be an intense version of the experience of going to university and it has really developed me as a person. I’ve learnt a huge amount, dealt with a great variety of issues and had lots of attention as one of the only Brits here.”

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