British university 'malaise' forcing bright students to US But writing in the new book, Uni In The USA, Dr Seldon said the exodus was "down to far more than economics." "American universities in particular celebrate breadth of achievement far more than those in Britain, where only a perfunctory interest is shown in sporting or artistic prowess, or whether one held positions of responsibility and contributed to charitable activities," he said. Dr Seldon said that one-in-10 Wellington students were now applying to universities outside Britain compared with just the "occasional pupil" a few years ago. Other independent schools have reported a similar increase in recent years. According to the Fulbright Commission, which promotes links between US and UK universities, demand is highest for places at elite Ivy League institutions. Applications to Pennsylvania University jumped by 50 per cent last year, while demand for Harvard was up 41 per cent and Yale reported a 23 per cent rise, the Commission said. Dr Seldon, writing in the foreword of the book alongside Wellington's head of sixth-form, Matt Oakman, added: "The concerns we hear from British students about poor contact time with UK lecturers and a lack of genuine engagement with them is more than media scaremongering. There's a malaise in British universities, which have received too little money for far too long. Spending per head on students in American universities can be as much as twice that spent on British students. The new guide includes reviews of more than 65 US universities, as well as information covering the applications process, entrance exams, fees, scholarships, visas and lifestyle issues. It says that most students in England will face annual tuition fees of £9,000 from September - on top of the cost of living. US universities traditionally charge the equivalent of £9,800 to around £35,800 a year, it is claimed, although some provide generous scholarships and grants. Alice Fishburn, the book's editor, said: "The rise of tuition fees in England is slowly forcing people to look across the Atlantic. The excellent financial aid and bursary programmes in place at most American universities ensure that many British students can afford to go, regardless of their educational background or economic status. The recent slide of the dollar puts living expenses within reach. Most students will graduate with less debt than their British contemporaries.