Have you ever wondered why Indian students often prefer the US and the UK for higher studies? One can expect countless advantages while studying in these nations, like scholarship options, exceptional employment opportunities, top-notch quality of education, higher standards of living, part-time job opportunities, and much more. As both these countries attract a huge pool of international students, a comparison between UK vs USA is inevitable. Based on various aspects , this blog highlights the differences between studying in USA vs UK.
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Table of Contents |
Higher Education Institutes in UK vs US
To judge between the USA or UK which is better to study, it’s essential to compare US vs UK education systems. So let us discuss different institutions to study in UK vs USA:
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United Kingdom (UK)
Following are a few types of UK education institutes:
- Private and public universities in UK: The universities in UK are often run by British government and private organisations.
- Group of institutions: Many small colleges and universities in UK combine and form groups, also known as the ‘mission groups.
- Autonomous institutions: These institutions are either backed by public funds or run by government/private organisations.
- Degree awarding institutions: The degree-awarding institutions in UK have the right to provide some specific research, associate, and teaching degrees.
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United States of America (USA)
Following are the types of universities in the USA:
- Public universities in USA: These are also known as state universities, backed with the support of public taxes, and regulated by US government.
- Private universities: Not supported by US government, funded by alumni donations and faculty research grants.
- Technical schools: Specialized in providing engineering and science and degree courses.
- Liberal arts college: Higher educational institutions specialise in specific undergraduate courses of social science, science, and humanities streams.
- Community colleges: The community colleges provide 2-year associate degrees and are relatively inexpensive than other universities.
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Further, let’s explore the list of top universities in both UK and USA. These universities will surely help you make a choice, understanding UK or USA which is better for Indian students.
Top Universities in UK vs US
While comparing UK or USA, which is better for Indian students, it is essential to go through the top ranking universities in both the study abroad destinations. Seeing the QS World University Rankings 2023, one can decide USA or UK which is better to study.
Ranking comparison of top universities in USA vs UK is tabulated below:
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Top 7 Universities in UK
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UK Universities |
QS World University Rankings 2023 |
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4th rank |
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2nd rank |
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6th rank |
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8th rank |
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15th rank |
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28th rank |
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37th rank |
You can choose UK if you wish to pursue your education or have a course in the above-mentioned universities.
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Top 7 Universities in USA
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US Universities |
QS World University Rankings 2023 |
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1st rank |
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3rd rank |
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5th rank |
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6th rank |
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10th rank |
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13th rank |
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16th rank |
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Similarly, choose US if your choice of course and financial budget suits to these universities. Next, let’s explore the top courses to choose between USA vs UK for international students.
Top Courses to Study in the UK vs US
When you compare the countries UK vs USA for Indian students to study, one of the most common things you’ll find is that both nations are well-known for providing high-quality education. Both the countries offer a wide range of courses to international students. As we’re comparing UK vs USA for Indian students, we mention the top courses to study in these countries below.
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Popular Courses in UK |
Popular Courses in USA |
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Business and administration studies |
Business management |
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Bioscience, health, and medicine |
Engineering |
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Computer Science |
Maths and Computer science |
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Design studies |
Social Science |
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Business management |
Physical and Life Sciences |
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Law |
Law |
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Nursing |
Biotechnology |
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Preclinical medicine |
Medical science |
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Psychology |
Agriculture |
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Sports and Exercise Science |
Fashion design |
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Subjects allied to medicine |
Accounting and Economics |
Suggested: Top 10 Courses to Study in UK for International Students
Next, let’s check out the admission requirements to study in the USA.
Admission Requirements to Study in the UK vs US
Between the UK or USA which is better for Indian students? Here, the eligibility criteria play an important role. Therefore, checking the eligibility criteria to study in both nations is very straightforward. Let’s begin!
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UK Eligibility Criteria
Following the criteria to get admission in the US universities.
- You must clear your 10+2 from an authorised school/college and board. The minimum marks required for admission vary from university to university and study program to study program.
- Some UK universities also require candidates to submit their GRE or GMAT scores. The top-rated UK universities conduct special selection rounds like personal interviews to provide seats only to deserving candidates.
- If you plan to pursue management courses, you should have some years of work experience in the relevant industry.
- TOEFL, PTE, and IELTS are the English proficiency tests accepted in UK universities. Securing an IELTS score of 6.5 with 6 in every band is necessary for admission to the desired universities.
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USA Eligibility Criteria
As an Indian student, if you’re planning to pursue higher studies, have a look at the below pointers.
- You should clear your 10+2 from an authorized school or college and respective board. You should have the original copies of all your previous qualifications.
- You need to sit for competitive exams like GRE, GMAT, SAT, and TOEFL. If you wish to pursue some subject-specific courses, they need to appear for MCAT, DAT, PCAT, and VCAT.
- Apart from the requirements mentioned above, you’ll also need a Letter of Recommendation (LOR) to apply to US universities. The LOR should be signed by the faculty member of your previous institute.
- Apart from LOR, you’ll also require a Statement of Purpose (SOP). On the other hand, some universities ask for Admission Essays instead of SOP.
- You should show your financial statements that you have enough funds to study and survive in the United Kingdom.
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Coming to the UK or USA, the eligibility criteria of both countries is more or less the same. However, one can check for new updates on the official university websites to make an informed decision. Next, let’s check the…
Cost of Studying in UK vs US
As we’re talking about whether the UK is better than the US, it’s imperative to discuss the cost of living and the cost of studying in both countries. Below, we explain the tuition fees and cost of living in both nations.
Tuition Fees in the UK vs US
Let’s check the pointers given below:
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Study program |
Tuition fees in the UK yearly (in GBP) |
Tuition fees in the US yearly (in USD) |
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Bachelor’s degree |
£8,000 to £15,000 |
$20,000 to $40,000 |
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Graduate degree |
£10,000 to £15,000 |
$20,000 to $50,000 |
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Doctoral degree |
£10,000 to £25,000 |
$25,000 to $55,000 |
Coming back to the discussion of UK or USA, which is better, the UK universities are slightly expensive in terms of tuition fees on bachelors and doctoral levels.
Cost of Living in UK vs US
Following are the parameters with the costs for calculating the total living expenses in both countries.
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Major expenses |
Cost of living per year (in GBP) |
Cost of living per year (in USD) |
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On-campus accommodation |
£3,600 to £4,000 |
$3,000 to $4,500 |
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Private accommodation |
£4,000 to £6,000 |
$4,000 to $7,000 |
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Public transportation |
£1,500 to £1,800 |
$2,000 to $3,000 |
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Entertainment |
Depends on lifestyle and personal preferences |
Depends on lifestyle and personal preferences |
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Household bills |
£200 to £400 |
$1,000 to $2,000 |
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Internet |
£100 to £150 |
$100 to $200 |
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Miscellaneous |
£500 to £1,000 |
$1,000 to $2,000 |
Note: Most of the costs mentioned above are tentative and depend on one’s lifestyle and personal needs.
Next, let’s explore the visa requirements in the US and UK.
Student Visa in UK vs US
If you’re thinking about UK vs US for international students, you should check out the student visa procedure of both countries. Below, we’re sharing the detailed visa procedure of both nations.
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Student Visa for UK
Tier-4 is the full-time student visa of the UK. The overall cost of the Tier-4 UK visa is around £350. If a dependent is also coming with you, the same visa fee will be required. You also need to pay an international surcharge of £705
The visa officer might or might not call you for the interview round.
Documents Required for UK Student Visa:
- A valid passport
- The reference number of Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)
- Passport-size photographs
- Tuberculosis screening report might be asked
- Assessment documentation
- ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) clearance report
- Documents of the student loan (if you have taken a student loan from any bank)
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Student Visa for USA
In the US, there are three types of student visas which are as follows:
- F1 student visa- Study programs that require 18 hours of study weekly like MBA, MS requires the F1 visa.
- J1 Exchange Visitor Visa- This visa is for students and lecturers pursuing exchange programs in the US.
- M1 Visa- Students interested in studying at technical and vocational schools require an M1 visa. The procedure for applying for an M1 visa and F1 visa is the same.
Documents Required for Student Visa in USA:
- A valid passport
- A printed copy of the DS-160 application form
- SEVIS fee receipt (visa fee receipt)
- The original and copy of the interview appointment letter
- The original and copy of the Form I-20 sent from the university/college you’re enrolling in
- Visa fee payment confirmation receipt
- The bank statements to prove you have enough funds to reside in the US
- A copy of your previous qualifications
- The score sheets of your chosen English proficiency exam
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Next, let’s explore the working options in US and UK. If you are a student with a low financial budget, this point matters a lot when selecting between UK and US.
Work While Studying in UK vs US
Fortunately, both the US and the UK allow abroad students to work while studying, with conditions that are mentioned below:
Studying in UK
- Tier 4 is the UK student visa which allows the abroad students to work 20 hours a week part-time.
- You’re eligible to work on the university campus or under a university-affiliated employer.
- International students can work off-campus, depending on their chosen study program and the university’s terms and conditions.
Studying in USA
- You can work on-campus up to 20 hours per week and full-time (up to 40 hours per week) on the holidays.
- Working off-campus is pretty complicated because most US universities disallow international students from working off-campus for safety reasons.
- However, you can’t work after completing your study program using your F1, M1, or J1 student visa.
These pointers will surely help you make an informed decision. Next, let’s check the…
Stay Back Options In UK Vs US
Around two years back (2019-2020), the British government made some changes regarding the stay-back option for international students. Initially, abroad students can only stay for two months in the UK after completing their studies. As per the new rules and regulations, international students pursuing undergraduate degrees and higher can stay in the UK for two years after completing their studies.
International students can only stay back in the US if they apply for STEM OPT (optional practical training). According to this program, students who apply for general OPT can stay for 12 months after completing their studies. On the other hand, STEM OPT candidates can stay and work for up to 36 months.
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We hope the comparison of UK vs US education system and other aspects guide you. Selecting the right study destination depends on your preferences and other important factors. For better clarity on the question USA or UK which is better to study, subscribe to Yocket premium and get end-to-end expert advice.