Country comparison: UK vs US for International Students
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Studying in the UK or US has its own advantages and disadvantages. But chances of getting employed in renowned agencies or organisations after graduating from these locations are also very high. The article throws light on what both of these countries offer to overseas students in terms of courses, post-graduate employment, and growth prospects. Let us now learn which is better for the Indian students: US or UK.
Check out: Oxford vs Harvard: Which is better?
US Vs UK: Climatic Conditions
If you are someone who likes either warm or cold places then, the following section will help you determine where you may want to settle for your higher education.
US
The US is a huge area of land and has varied temperatures and climates in different areas. East Coast has a warm climate and covers cities like St. Louis, NYC. The Midwest and New England regions have frozen winters and cover cities like Chicago, and Boston. The Pacific Northwest has a humid oceanic climate and covers cities like Seattle, and Portland. The Southwest has a hot desert climate and covers cities like Phoenix and Las Vegas. The southeast has a warm to hot, humid climate and covers cities like Houston and New Orleans.
UK
The UK has a variable climate changing from day to day. It is difficult to predict the weather. In general, the summers are warm and winters see snowfall. Summers are cooler than those in India. Also, the rains are unpredictable and it could rain at any time during the year. The average temperature in summers is around 25°C to 15°C; in winters it is around 7°C to 0°C.
Popular Courses in US and UK
Check out the most popular courses in the US and the UK in the table below.
Predict your IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE in just 4 steps!
| USA Vs UK: Popular Courses | |
|---|---|
| USA | UK |
| Engineering | Business and management studies |
| MBA | Law |
| PhD | Social Studies |
| IT and allied fields | Arts and Design |
| Sports and Sports Management | Psychology |
| Biotechnology | Nursing |
| Physiotherapy | Biosciences |
| Hospitality | Dentistry |
| Computer Science and Electrical Engineering | Education |
Check: Study Abroad Without IELTS 2022: Top Countries, Requirements
Eligibility for Courses in the US
For undergraduate (UG) courses, you need to have completed 12 years of schooling. To get admission though you need to appear for the SAT exam.
In postgraduate (PG) courses, you need 16 years of education. For Indian students, it translates to 12 years of schooling and four years of undergraduate education. But since most Indian colleges offer three years of education at the UG level, you might need to take up a one-year course to cover up the difference. If you have studied at a premier Indian institute, some US universities might accept your three years degree as well, although the cases are rare. You can check with the university’s admissions cell and ask about your case. To get admission in management courses you will have to appear for GMAT, and for science courses you need to give the GRE exam.
There are no cutoffs for colleges, so you need to score the best that you can in all the exams. Colleges provide average scores accepted to different courses on their websites. That will give some idea about what’s considered a good score. You will also need to appear for language exams like TOEFL or IELTS, irrespective of the degree. Even if the colleges may not require any language test for Indian students, you should still give either TOEFL or IELTS as they are important for the purpose of getting a visa.
In the case of an MBA, you might be required to have a few years of work experience.
Eligibility for Courses in the UK
For UG courses in the UK, premier universities used to require 13 years of pre-university education. This rule was recently changed and now UK universities recognize CBSE plus-two certificates for admission to UG courses.
In PG courses, you can get admission after finishing a three-year UG degree. To get admission to management courses you will have to appear for the GMAT. For science courses, you may not need to give the GRE exam so check with the university first.
Similar to the US, you might be required to have a few years of work experience in the case of management courses. TOEFL or IELTS may be waivered by the university but are important for the purpose of getting a visa.
Costs for Undergraduate Courses
The overall cost to study and living in the US and the UK is dependent on many factors like university, course, and location.
Particulars |
Undergraduate course in the US |
Undergraduate course in the UK |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition |
$20,000-$40,000 per year |
£11,400 - £38,000 per year |
| Room and Living expenses |
$10,000-$25,000 per year |
₹ 14-24 Lakhs per year |
| Duration of course |
4 years |
3 years |
| Total |
$20,000-$45,000 per year |
£20,000-£30,000 |
Costs for Postgraduate Courses
Particulars |
Postgraduate course in the US |
Postgraduate course in the UK |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition |
$20,000-$45,000 per year |
£17,000 - £22,000 per year |
| Room and Living expenses |
$10,000-$25,000 per year |
₹ 14-24 Lakhs per year |
| Duration of course |
2 years |
1-2 years |
| Total |
$25,000-$60,000 per year |
£22,000-£27,000 per year |
Check: Student Visas for Study Abroad
US Student Visa
A full-time student visa is called an F1 visa. This visa has the following regulations -
- A F1 visa personal interview is compulsory, and you will be required to appear for an additional appointment to provide Biometrics (fingerprints).
- You can remain in the US for up to 60 days beyond the length of time it takes to complete your academic program unless you have been approved to stay and work for a period of time under the OPT Program (Optional Practical Training).
- It costs USD$185 to apply for this visa. You will be required to pay an additional $350 for the SEVIS fee.
- You cannot work more than 20 hours per week. During holidays, breaks, and summer sessions, the student may work up to 40 hours per week. The student can only work on-campus for a commercial firm that provides services to the college, such as a bookstore or cafeteria.
UK Student Visa
A full-time student visa is called a Tier 4 (General) student visa. Due to the tightening of visa rules over the last few years, getting a British student visa is more difficult than before. For this visa, these rules apply -
- It is granted only for a full-time study program.
- If you are applying for a diploma course, the length of the visa would be three years (maximum).
- If you are applying for a degree from a university then the length of the visa would be four years (maximum).
- It costs £490 to apply for this visa. You will be required to pay an additional healthcare surcharge per year for your period of stay in the UK.
- You may or may not be called to the consulate to appear for a personal interview.
- You may or may not be allowed to work part-time during your studies, it depends on individual cases. The two types of work that International Students are allowed to do are 1. Part-time – Up to 20 hours a week during term, full-time during vacations (only on-campus), and 2. Full-time work placements which are part of a 'sandwich course'.
Post-Study Work Visa Requirements
Both countries provide permission to stay back and look for work for international studies after the completion of their studies but with different conditions. Check out the differences below.
US
- If students want to stay back in the US to gain practical knowledge in their subject, they have the option to do so through OPT. It is a temporary employment permission allowing students the opportunity to gain practical experience in their field of study for a 12-month period. You can apply for OPT after being enrolled for at least 9 months, but you cannot begin employment until you receive your Employment Authorization Document
- The Student Co-Op Program is a formally structured program where the intent is to recruit students, while still in school, to fill permanent positions upon graduation. Co-op programs are generally undertaken at colleges and universities. In most cases, you will have to apply for a Work Visa upon getting a full-time job of a permanent nature.
UK
- If you want to work there after your studies, then you need to apply for a Graduate Visa which allows you to stay and look for work for a period of 2 years (3 years in case of doctoral courses).
- In order to be eligible to apply for a UK post-study work visa or Graduate Visa, you must be present in the UK and have completed a bachelor's/master's/doctorate degree on a UK Tier 4 student visa.
- The application fee for this UK Graduate Visa is £822.
Check: Top Study Abroad Intakes: Types and Countries
Jobs in the US
Jobs in fields like management, advertising, finance, dentistry, software engineering, etc. are some of the top jobs in America.
Jobs in the UK
Top jobs in the UK are corporate managers, directors, mechanical engineers, aircraft pilots, nurses, etc.
Note - The Indian concept of campus placements and on-campus recruitment does not apply to American or British universities. Students are expected to look for internships and jobs on their own.
Immigration Policies
US
A permanent residency option is possible but it is a very long-drawn and slow process. It is a complicated process and requires the person applying for it to reside in the US for at least five years on the grounds of employment. After that you will be granted a “Green Card”, but the whole process might take years to complete.
UK
Due to changes in government and legal policies recently, immigrating to the UK is deemed really difficult. The UK govt. has taken a lot of measures to delist "bogus" colleges and limit non-EU migration. If you are staying back in the UK on a Student or Work visa, then in most cases you will be required to leave the country
Scholarships and Financial Aid
Abroad, most universities have a provision for financial aid. You can find out about the scholarships your university offers through its Financial Aid department. Apart from universities, there are a lot of scholarships made available to organizations, funds, etc. here are a few scholarships for Indian students interested in studying in either US or UK.
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UK vs US for International Students FAQs
Q. Which country is better to live US or UK?
A. The US and UK’s living standards are high compared to other countries. The UK is often considered a cheaper place to live. The cost of living in both countries is not the same and can vary depending on where people choose to live. It's also important to note that the average salary for someone in the US is significantly higher than what it would be in the UK due to taxes.
Q. Is the USA richer than the UK?
A. For instance, compared to the American GDP per capita in 2022, the British economy won't reach the same level until 2037. GDP per Capita in the United States is expected to reach 62200.00 USD by the end of 2022 while the GDP per capita in the United Kingdom was 8,265 British pounds in the third quarter of 2022. Therefore, on this measure, the UK is far behind the US.
Q. How is the UK better than the US?
A. The United Kingdom offers a high standard of education at a much cheaper cost. You get a chance to enjoy British life and culture. It's better than anything else and you know it. The country has many world-ranked universities for UG and PG study.
Q. Why are UK salaries lower than the US?
A. A significant contributing factor to the difference in pay in the UK and the US boils down to British subsidized social benefits, specifically the NHS, our free healthcare system. Apart from this, the US holds some of the big giants of the industry that hire graduates at a healthy package.
Q. Is the cost of living in the USA higher than in the UK?
A. There is such a big difference in the living cost of both countries. According to cost-of-living comparisons, the cost of living in the UK compared to the US is broadly equal, with the UK being slightly less expensive by some measures. The average cost of student living in the UK is around £547 a month if you are not spending too much on your accommodation. The estimated living cost for the US is around $10,000 to $18,000 per year, which averages around $1,000 to $1,500 per month.
Q. Is a UK Master's degree valid in the US?
A. Yes, a master's degree from the UK is considered valid in US institutions for research positions as well as university appointments. The weightage of the UK master's degree is quite high for research and work.
Q: What GPA is needed to go to Ohio State?
Q: Is MIT costly for Indians?
MIT is not costly for Indian students. Applicants can study BTech program at affordable tuition fees as compared to other BTech colleges in the USA. The MIT BTech fees is around INR 50 L to INR 52 L.
Q: Is university of West of Scotland good for international students?
The University of the West of Scotland has five modern and diverse campuses in United Kingdom. The University has welcomed more than 3,000 international students which are representing 1/3 of the globe. They also have 130 European partners who are actively in global study and exchange options through the Commonwealth universities programmes. The University also offers study abroad opportunities for UWS who are eligible for the same and also have more than 20 transnational education partners worldwide which helps them deliver UWS Bachelors and Masters Degrees around the world.
Q: What GPA is required for the University of South Dakota?
The University of South Dakota expects a GPA score of 2.5 from undergraduates and 3 from postgraduates on the 4-pointer scale. Along with the GPA scores, undergraduates must meet the basic eligibility and submit an ACT score of 21 or higher and an SAT score of 1070 or higher. In addition, they must submit the required documents, such as academic history, transcripts, letters of recommendation, English language scores, and more.
Q: Is Hertfordshire University hard to get into?
With a 70% acceptance rate, the University of Hertfordshire is not hard to get into and follows easy selection criteria during admissions. This does not mean the university accepts all the students applying for different programs. The selection is based on academic performance, English language requirements, references, and many more. Some of the programs at Hertfordshire even demand an experience of 4-5 years. Students must fulfill the eligibility criteria to enroll in any programme at Hertfordshire University. In addition, students with average performance can showcase their relevant experience or extracurricular activities participation to increase their selection probability.
Q: Does the University of Essex require IELTS?
International students whose native language is not English must meet the University of Essex English language requirements to get admission. The university accepts IELTS scores as proof of English language proficiency. Mentioned below are the IELTS scores required for UG and PG admission at the university:
English Language Test | Score |
|---|---|
IELTS | Overall score of 5.5 to 8.0 with minimum of 5.5 to 7.5 in each section |
The university also accepts the score of other English language tests such as TOEFL and PTE for admission to undergraduate and graduate programs:
English Language Test | Score |
TOEFL iBT | Overall score of 72 to 114 |
PTE | Overall score of 59 to 84 with minimum of 59 to 80 in each section |
Also read: Required IELTS Score for UK Universities
Q: Is University of Minnesota Morris hard to get into?
According to various sources, University of Minnesota Morris has an acceptance rate of around 78% making it moderately selective for admissions. Some of the general admission requirements for international students are given as follows:
- Overall Student's GPA
- Letters of Recommendation
- High School Class Ranks
- Additional Academic Record
Students are required to apply for admission according to the deadlines given on the official university website.
Q: Is Texas A&M Commerce a good university?
Texas A&M Commerce is regarded as one of the top public universities across the United States. Moreover, the Texas A&M Commerce ranking 2024 under the category of Best Colleges is National Universities is #369. Also, the acceptance rate of this university is 42%. Additionally, the university offers the best academic programs, expert faculty, job & placement, and more. Besides, Texas A&M University-Commerce also offers over 130 academic degrees for its students.
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Comments
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Hello Dev. The best way for you to decide is to check the curriculum, internships, and placements opportunities from both the colleges. Besides these factors, you can also take into consideration other aspects such as fee, location, campus facilities, etc. You can contact our experts here for coun
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3 years ago
There is no minimum GPA score for UG admission at Ohio State. However, International students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale or equivalent) for graduate admission. Applicants may submit a standardized test score (GRE or GMAT) if their cumulative GPA is below 3.0 for the last degree.