Differences between higher education in the UK and the US

The US has seen a record 43 per cent fall in new foreign students for the 2020 Fall semester as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic

Both the UK and US are popular higher education destinations for international students. In March 2020, Indian students received 17 percent of all study visas handed out by the UK Home Office, more than double the number in 2019. The US, however, has seen a record 43 per cent fall in new foreign students for the 2020 Fall semester as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Before prospective undergraduate students apply, they should understand the key differences between an American and British education.
 
Curriculum and Major: In the UK, students have to pre-decide their intended major. They also have to meet subject-specific eligibility and complete certain prerequisites. Once they start their course, this is what they will primarily study and cannot dabble in different subjects. 

The US, however, follows a more fluid model. Students are exposed to a variety of subjects and are required to commit to a major at the end of their sophomore (second) year. In fact, 80 per cent of students change their major at least once! 
 
When it comes to law and medicine, students can study these subjects at the undergraduate level in the UK. In the US, students are expected to get on the pre-med track for medicine, where they study majors which will help them to eventually apply to medical school. Similarly, students can pursue a major of their choice at the undergraduate level, before applying to law school.
 
Application Process: The UK application process is relatively straightforward. Students can apply to only five universities using the UCAS platform. They are required to submit their grade 10 final results and grade 12 predicted grades, in addition to writing a personal statement. Students are made a conditional offer of admission, subject to them meeting all the conditions in the final exam. Therefore, students applying to the UK only know their admission outcome AFTER their grade 12 results are declared.

The US application process is holistic. Students have the option to apply through several platforms: More than 900 institutions use the Common Application, whereas 135 use the Coalition Application, while some such as the University of California and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, have college-specific applications. US colleges require students to submit transcripts from grades 9 to 12, standardised test scores, letters of recommendation, an array of personal essays and also showcase their involvement in extracurricular activities. The admission offer to a US college is typically unconditional. Students apply at the beginning of grade 12 and by April of the following year, they will have all their admission decisions. 

Essays: The UCAS application requires students to submit a personal statement to all the universities to which they are applying. The personal statement is academic and focuses on how applicants have prepared themselves for the rigour of their major.

Colleges in the US are looking for students who display multiple interests and who will add to their vibrant campuses. Students are required to write essays that are reflective of their life experiences and highlight their personality. The number of essays varies from college to college. 

Length of Study: Undergraduate studies in England take three years to complete versus the typical four years in the US and Scotland. Certain courses in the UK can be four years, as students can spend a year in industry between their second and third years. 
 
Cost of Education and Financial Aid: Financial aid and scholarships are limited for international students applying to British universities. However, private organisations and the UK government offer scholarships.

Most colleges in the US offer financial aid to international students. There are several merit-based scholarships and a range of specific scholarships that may require a separate application. Colleges also offer need-based aid based on students’ demonstrated financial need. Some schools such as Harvard University, Yale University and Princeton University offer need-blind admission, which means that a student’s ability to afford tuition costs is not factored in the admissions decision. 
 
Stay and Work Options: Recently, the UK government reinstated the two-year work visa for international students. This rule applies to international students on a Tier-4 visa and came into effect for students that began their studies in September 2020. 

In the US, an F-1 visa student is entitled to one year of optional practical training (OPT). Students who have graduated with a STEM degree (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) are permitted to extend their OPT by an additional 24 months. 
 
What is the difference between Oxbridge and the Ivy League colleges in the US?
The Universities of Oxford and Cambridge (Oxbridge), are look for studentswho know their subject well and have read above and beyond what is taught in school. However, in the US, a well-rounded student, who is strong academically, but also contributes to the community, has an intellectual curiosity and is able to articulate this in the application is likely to be a successful candidate. 

Before you decide, make sure you have a plan, which includes a list of what you expect from your higher education. That will make selecting the country easier.

Author Bio: Written by Namita Mehta, who has been in the college counselling space for more than eleven years. She established the University Guidance Counselling Department at B.D.Somani International School in Mumbai before joining The Red Pen where she currently serves as President.

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