When it comes to higher education, both the United States of America and the United Kingdom are one of the top choices for Indian students. They have world-class infrastructure with top-notch facilities for educating students and immigrants from all around the world consider visiting there to upscale their career. However, as an Indian immigrant, you must be expecting more than just advanced features and should be more focused on affordability and effectiveness. Therefore, this blog is not only about a comparison between the learning approach adopted by the UK and the US but also guides you to make a mindful decision.
Also read, Top 10 Tips To Improve Your PTE Score For A Successful UK Visa Application
What to compare between the UK and the US?
Although there are some key factors to consider before making any selection, it is entirely up to you and your requirements that significantly affect your decision.
· Quality of Education
Choosing based on the program you have selected and the academic requirements is one of the top priorities.
· Academic and Living Cost
This factor is more or less dependent on your financial condition and what university you will be choosing.
· Employment Opportunities
Neglecting employment opportunities and demand won’t be worth it when you are planning to invest your hard-earned money in your education.
· Lifestyle and Cultural Values
UK and US, both have flexible and cultural significance in terms of their living conditions. However, the UK has more diversity for Indians than the US.
· Location and Surrounding Environment
The location also involves the safety and ethical values of a country. You should also make a decision based on these aspects.
Must read, All You Need To Know About 1 Year Courses in UK For Indian Students
UK vs US Education System
Some key aspects and differences between the UK and US Education System that you must know are;
UK Education Policies
- Most undergraduate degrees in the UK consist of 3 years of academic period and for masters, it would be 1 year.
- They follow a specialized curriculum and offer more practical knowledge to their students.
- Also, adopting an intensive academic culture with assessments more focused on its courses and exams.
- Admissions are generally conducted based on the merit system, interview, or overall past academic background.
- Lower tuition cost than in the US.
USA Education System
- They offer 4-year undergraduate degrees with 1 or 2 years in case of post-graduation or diploma.
- Provide general education to students but become more specialized in final years.
- The learning approach of US education is a more holistic style where they will be working on your overall development.
- The US universities mostly give more weightage to the quality of the application submitted with a strong academic record and have a stricter admission procedure than the UK.
- Higher tuition fees but offering scholarships and other financial aid to its international students.
Also read, Exploring the Best 1 Year Courses in the UK for International Students
Factors Consider as an Indian Immigrant Student
As an Indian immigrant student, you must understand what to consider before pursuing education abroad.
- Visa immigration policies and laws
- More Flexible and Open to accepting foreign students
- Equal job opportunities and value talent and skills
- Affordable Living cost
- Community and Population Diversity
- Immigrants’ Rights and Working Culture
- Lenient Citizenship Granting
Study Visa Processes in the UK vs USA
The similarity between the visa processes in UK and the US is extensive. Although there are some points on which they both differ from each other.
UK Study Visa Application
- You should be applying for Tier 4 General Student Visa Type.
- Submitting a confirmation offer letter from a recognized UK university.
- Having a minimum bank balance of around INR 9-10 lakh for a year.
- Overall body checkup and must include tuberculosis report.
- Ready to work part-time along with study.
- A 4-month stay after course completion.
USA Student Visa Process
- Here the visa type will beF-1.
- I-20 Form submission as university approval and acceptance.
- Should have sufficient funds to sustain living and study.
- A SEVIS fee should be paid.
- The visa interview is mandatory to attend.
- University Approval is required for part-time work.
- OPT or an optional practical training of 1-3 years can be included.
Best Universities for Indian Students in the UK and USA
There are several esteemed and known universities in the UK and US that you can choose from depending on your requirements and academic background. However, each one of them has its own pros and cons you should research before applying.
Top 5 Universities in the UK
- Oxford University is known for its sciences and humanities courses.
- King’s College in London specialized in law, business, and medical degrees.
- Cambridge University is suitable for the science and technology field.
- University College in London is well-known for its arts and sciences.
- Imperial College is popular for medicine, engineering, and business streams.
5 Best US Institutions
- Stanford University is ranked in the research and study field.
- The University of California is considered an excellent choice for those who want to pursue a degree in science and technology.
- Harvard University is the oldest and best known for business, law, and sciences.
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology is the top choice for STEM field students, in engineering and technology.
- The University of Michigan is known for its affordable fee structure offering scholarships to talents.
Bonus read, How to Get Hired in The USA Successfully as An Indian Degree Holder
Final Thoughts
When comparing the UK and US education methodologies and approaches, Indian students must analyze several factors including cost-effectiveness, working conditions and opportunities, and their study visa application success rates. Not only these but with careful consideration and knowledge, students can determine these two countries would be the most suitable.
FAQ’s
Studying in both the UK and the USA has their advantages and disadvantages. However, it is entirely up to your choice of program and situation.
In terms of lifestyle, the UK might be attractive to most of the students however, the USA has more career prospects and opportunities that can’t be avoided.
You can not work directly in the USA after completion of your degree in the UK. However, there are some viable options to look into.
There is no exact agreement about possessing better education quality in the UK than the UK. Instead, they both have prestigious universities and high-class education facilities.
Yes, the job market in the US is indeed competitive but known for offering higher pay with more benefits to its employees. In contrast, the UK has a lot more job opportunities and leniency but with the average pay.
