Most of the top 200 universities in the world are either in the UK or the US. Both of these countries have a good number of schools and colleges, quality professors, excellent research facilities and build a culture where students can learn. Even though both the country offer a great environment for students to learn, there are some big differences between the educational systems of both the countries. Even the student’s life studying in the universities in the UK or the US will be very different. If you are considering getting admitted to any of the colleges there, here are the top differences between the two to help you make the right choice for yourself –

Time taken to Finish your Degree

One of the most important differences between the UK and the US is regarding the total time taken for a student to complete and earn their degree from the universities. Most of the degree programs in the UK take about one year less than universities in the US, even though this can vary depending on the kind of degree that you are studying for. While one can easily choose to study for a Ph.D. degree directly after an undergraduate program, most students in the UK opt for a master’s degree first before going for a Ph.D. program. In the UK educational system, the courses are much more focused than in the US, and this is why the length of time is shorter.

Academic Term in Universities

The academic term for universities in the UK is varied. Most of the universities in the UK choose a semester system, even though there are many universities which have trimester and quarter system based on the program needs. Most schools in the UK starts by Sep-Oct and ends in May-June meaning a longer academic year compared to universities in the US. Since the academic term is not standardized, it is essential to look at the academic term of the university that you are considering getting admitted to. In the US, the academic term is more standardized across universities. Most start their terms in mid or late August. Some art colleges may start early though. Once the academic term begins, they will have a long break starting mid-December and again start the second semester in mid-Jan. Many universities who follow different academic year may start their winter break during Thanksgiving which usually starts by the end of November.

The Organization of Universities

Most of the colleges in the UK are dedicated to a specific subject and have the autonomy to set their programs. Most of the universities have dorms where students will live, eat and study during the course of the program. Students looking to study in the UK have to apply to individual colleges on your subject liking that one like to study. But, for undergraduate programs, you can apply to a centralized system of admission known as UCAS or Universities and Colleges Admissions Service that allows you can apply at many colleges. It is essential to be sure about what you want to study before you even start to apply.

In the US, the education programs are completely different than that of the UK. Most of the universities will have common subjects and students have to study many different subjects in the first year or more. The students then choose a major at the end of the first or second year. American Universities have departments where different subjects of related majors are clubbed together. Even if students have declared a major, they will be encouraged to take up subjects beyond their chosen field. This means that emphasis is given on learning of a variety of subjects than being concentrated on a particular subject. In the UK, the emphasis is given to depth of the subject rather than learning of subjects beyond your interest.

Grades

In the US, universities require weekly or biweekly assignments and projects, presentations and research papers from its students since the emphasis is more on learning as many subjects as possible. The grades awarded to the students will be based on the performance of the submitted assignments along with the final exam. In the UK universities, there are more lecture-based classes rather than practical assignments. Most courses will not require students to submit assignments and their grade will depend on a final exam at the end of the course.

Accommodation

In universities in both the countries, it is common for universities to provide residence halls for students. While in the UK, you will have an entire bedroom to yourself, in the US, you will be more likely expected to share your bedroom with one other student. After one year, students can choose other housing options like off-campus housing or private housing. In the UK, the dormitories are self-catered while in the US, students have more dining options. Students in the UK also enjoy maid service for a nominal fee.

Cost

The cost of education in both the countries is not cheap, but still, the cost of tuition fee is much higher in the US than in the UK. There is an upper limit to the tuition fees that universities in the UK can charge, and the universities are free to set up their fees up to that limit. In the US, government does not have any say in the amount of tuition fees that they can charge. The tuition fees can vary depending on whether it is a private or a public university. To help students in both the countries, loans, and scholarships are available with low-interest rates. It is important to know about your options before applying for courses in both of these countries.

Conclusion

With both the countries offering high-quality education, your choice will depend on the course you want to opt for. You need to consider the advantages and the disadvantages of both the systems and then pick the one that is best suited for yourself.