In our next article, learn about the difference between America and Britain, between studying in America and Britain. Which is better, studying in Britain or studying in America?
Are you thinking about studying in the United States but are not sure how it compares to Britain? There are many differences between studying in these two countries; Class structure, student life and fees to name a few.
The difference between America and Britain
| The difference | UK | USA |
|---|---|---|
| Registration dates | Several universities at once | Each university has a specific timing |
| Place of registration | Via the UCAS unified website | Directly on the university website |
| Acceptable number for registration | Only 5 universities | Unlimited |
| SAT or ACT tests | not required | Required |
| Admission interview | Mandatory | Not required |
| Student acceptance rate | 9% | 29% |
| Bachelor's degree duration | 3 Years | 4 Years |
| Duration of Master's degree | One year | Two years |
| PhD duration | 4 Years | 7 Years |
| Study pressure | high | Low |
| Change major | very Difficult | Easy |
| Examination system | Easy | difficult |
| Housing system | University/shared/private | University/shared/private |
| Tuition fees | As high as $50000 | As high as $50000 |
| Scholarship opportunities | medium | High |
| The best ratio to choose | 60% | 95% |
Read also: The most important English language teaching institutes in Britain
Study in Britain or study in America
Firstly. The difference between America and Britain in terms of enrollment in universities
The application process for applying to UK universities and US universities is very different. In the UK, a student will apply to several universities at once via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, or UCAS.
On this website, you can indicate your chosen university and submit both your grades and a personal statement via this service.
However, a student in America is likely to start his or her “college” application much sooner.
“College” is what Americans more commonly refer to as university. This process is longer, and the student can apply directly to each college individually, through each institution's central admission department.
The student will likely complete online applications for US colleges on their websites, or by applying via mail.
Recently, US colleges have introduced the Common Application which is the American equivalent of UCAS. This system allows the student to apply to several universities at once.
However, in addition to one general essay, the student must also prepare and upload essays for each university separately (about 200-300 words each).
When applying to UK universities via UCAS, a student can only apply to 5 universities in total. In America, you can apply as many times as you want!
When applying to US colleges, it is also important to take the SAT or ACT tests because most institutions require them. International students are more likely to take the ACT.
The ACT is essentially an imitation of the SAT which is widely viewed as having a less effective design.
Students said there were too many questions in less time and that the test was not entirely user-friendly. However, the SAT has recently been redesigned and much improved.
If you are applying to a university in the United States, the presence of several additional curricula in sports, music and other fields plays an even more important role. In the United States, it is possible to get into a highly academic university based on athletic talent alone.
secondly. The difference between America and Britain in terms of the admission interview
When applying to universities in the UK, a student will likely have an interview with the relevant admissions committee. Other UK universities will not ask for an interview unless it is a specialist institution such as a drama or music school where you are being offered an audition.
In the United States, colleges do not require interviews as part of the admissions process. On rare occasions, a student may be asked to meet an alumni but this will not happen very often.
Third. The difference between America and Britain in terms of acceptance rates
When comparing the top American and British universities, the acceptance rates of the likes of Harvard, Princeton, Oxford and Cambridge differ.
In 2017, UK university acceptance rates were on average 9.15% across all eight universities. Specifically, early acceptance rates at Harvard, Princeton, and Columbia ranged between 18.3% – 19.2%. In the same year, acceptance rates at Oxford and Cambridge were around 19% and 26% respectively.
Does this mean that getting into Oxbridge is easier than getting into an Ivy League university?
not necessarily. In general, Ivy League universities receive thousands more applications each year than Oxbridge, perhaps because the USA is much larger than the UK and has a larger pool of potential students.
Fourthly. The difference between America and Britain in terms of the duration of study
Perhaps the most notable difference between studying in the USA or the UK is the time it takes to complete the degree.
In general, degree programs in the United States take about one year longer than programs in the United Kingdom. Courses are shorter in the UK because course programs are generally more focused than in the US.
United States of America:
- Bachelor's degree: 4 years
- Master's degree: two years
- Doctorate: 5-7 years or more
United kingdom:
- Bachelor's degree: 3 years
- Master's: 1 year
- Doctorate: 3-4 years
Fifth. The difference between America and Britain in terms of study structure and curriculum
American universities are often divided into colleges and graduate schools by field of study. For example, within one college there may be an arts school, an engineering school or even a drama school.
These schools are often controlled by the college as a whole.
American colleges give students the opportunity to explore several different subjects for at least a year before deciding on a final major.
This final major will be the degree title you eventually graduate with. As a student, you have much more control over your schedule. You can choose which classes you want to take, you can choose your schedule and even specific professors.
Likewise, a UK university will have multiple departments within its overall institution. However, when applying to a UK university, you will be asked to choose your major and department, and will be given very little opportunity to study outside of that.
For example, a student who wants to study English at Oxford will not find himself working out of that department somewhere like the Mathematics Department.
The style of education at university in the UK is more focused. This puts more pressure on the student to make important decisions about the career path they may want to take.
Studying at a UK university is more intensive and specialized, and this has advantages and disadvantages.
US colleges tend to be more flexible than universities in the UK. In the United States, a student will be able to transfer majors (and even colleges) more easily than in the United Kingdom.
For example, a student may be able to start their studies at a mid-level college and then transfer to another college midway through their studies. Of course, every case is different, but in the UK, a student would find it difficult to replicate such flexibility.
Sixthly. The difference between America and Britain in terms of the exam, easy or difficult?
Because the US system emphasizes breadth, majors require weekly or even biweekly coursework or exams as well as other assignments such as small writing projects, major research papers, and oral presentations throughout the course.
Final grades will be based on your performance on a variety of assignments, with the final exam making up only a percentage of your overall grade.
In the UK, most universities are lecture-based, with only exam assignments throughout the semester. In some cases, there may be no actual required assignments and instead your grade may be based entirely on a single final exam.
Seventh. The difference between America and Britain in terms of student life
Stephen Hawking once said, “I was not a good student.” I didn't spend a lot of time in college; “I was too busy enjoying myself.”
Such an observation can be made by any student studying at a UK university or an American college. Student life in both countries is not very different – there are lots of parties and socializing.
But of course, with hard work must come some much-needed downtime, so students are often forgiven for their antics.
In the UK, a student is more likely to live in “student halls” or student accommodation. These are often third-party companies that provide students with studio apartment-type rooms on a large campus. Students will often have their own individual rooms but will still live close to other students.
In the United States, accommodation is similar, but students will often find themselves sharing dormitories with other students.
American colleges are known for students forming lifelong friendships, given the amount of contact time with others during classes and extracurricular activities.
However, in the UK, it is possible to attend university with very little integration into society. The student can attend his classes and be like that. Ultimately, it is up to the individual student and making the most of the opportunities available to you is always the best option.
Eighth. The difference between America and Britain in terms of study fees
The cost of education in both countries is far from cheap, but the cost of education in the United States is generally higher.
According to a law passed in 2012, universities in England may charge fees of up to £40000 for international students.
By contrast, the government has very little control over what universities in the United States charge. The United States distinguishes between in-state tuition and out-of-state tuition, as well as between private and public universities.
These variances determine tuition and fees and the average fee for private four-year institutions is about $29000 per year. Finally, some private four-year institutions can cost up to $50000 per year. In order to help students cover the cost of education in both countries, loans are available through the government with favorable terms and interest rates.
For international students, prices for small and large public universities range between $25000 and $50000 per year.
Overall, studying in the UK or the US may be very different but each country has its own advantages when it comes to higher education. There may be a lot of options in the US (there are over 3500 more universities than in the UK), but ultimately the education structure is different.
If the student wishes to pursue a multiple-choice university course in the future, allowing him to choose which directions to follow throughout his studies, then the American University is the most suitable.
If a student is ready for a more focused study over a shorter period of time, UK universities are a better option for him.
Source: coursesdata
