By Shukri Bashir
An 18-year-old filmmaker from Rutland has decided to return to Ireland for his studies with university costs in the UK set to rise by as much as 3.1 per cent next year.
Born in Northern Ireland and raised in Monaghan in the Republic of Ireland, Jasper Cairns moved to the UK in 2013 but is now planning to study a joint honours degree in Film and English at University College Dublin, citing the escalating expense of UK education as a key factor in his decision.
UK tuition fees currently stand at £9,250 per year, but from the 2025/26 academic year, universities can increase these up to £9,535.
Rising living costs are also intensifying financial pressures on students.
A government report forecast the average debt for students who started in 2023/24 in England would be £43,700 in debt by graduation, with many struggling to afford basic living expenses.
For Jasper, who now lives in Uppingham, moving back to Ireland is a practical choice.
“Studying in Ireland is much more affordable,” he said.
Irish universities typically charge EU students between €3,000 and €7,000 annually, significantly less than their UK counterparts.
By studying in Ireland, Jasper aims to reduce his long-term financial burden.
His decision mirrors a growing trend of UK students seeking education abroad.
A study done by the The Migration Observatory at Oxford university said that student migration to the UK reached an all-time high in 2022, with around 484,000 study visas issued.
Jasper’s love for filmmaking began at age seven when he created short films during visits to his grandmother’s house.
This passion grew during his A-level film studies, in which he earned an A grade and produced three short films: Oranges Are Good for You, Chess on Toast, and 8pm.
His work earned him a film festival nomination, and he hopes to write another screenplay before travelling later this year.
Currently working as a barista, Jasper is saving money and gaining independence before a planned trip across Southeast Asia taking stops in Thailand, Laos and Vietnam.
Beyond exploring different cultures, he views this as an opportunity to find inspiration for future projects.
Returning to Ireland also offers Jasper a chance to reconnect with his roots.
“I only go back for a few weeks a year,” he says. “I want to live there and reconnect with the culture.”
While he anticipates challenges like adapting to life back home, Jasper is optimistic about the opportunities ahead.
Click here to watch his short films. https://www.youtube.com/@casperjairns
