UK vs USA: Which is better for Indian Students in 2024

The USA and the UK are the search destinations for students for higher education due to factors such as global exposure, education quality, campus life, facilities, and infrastructure. As both countries use the same language and culture, there are major differences when selecting a country to study abroad. Therefore, choosing one specific country is a major challenge for the students.  As a result, this article compares different factors, which will help highlight the best destination for studying abroad. 

Different Factors to be considered before selecting a country between the UK and the USA

According to the international students data, the number of Indian students admitted to the UK is much higher than that of the UK. Different factors responsible for this trend are

• Difference between the education system in the US and the UK: When selecting a country to study abroad, one of the major factors is the structure of that country's education system. The comparison between the UK and US education systems provides information regarding the factors influencing students' learning experiences. Different factors creating differences between the education system of the UK and the US 
• Duration of the degree: The undergraduate courses in the UK take three years to complete, while the undergraduate programs in the US take four years to complete. 
• Specialization: In the UK, students can specialize in their choice. On the other hand, the US education system specializes in students' general education before specialization. 
• Flexibility: The flexibility in choosing subjects is very low; however, in the US, students are given more flexibility in selecting the subjects of their choice. 
• Grading system: In the UK education system, the main focus of the education system is the final exams. However, the UK's education system uses continuous evaluation of the students with the help of exams and assignments throughout the year. 
• Masters programs: The duration of the master's program in the UK is one year compared to two years in the US. 
• Post-study work opportunity: The US provides only a year of stay after completing the education without any proper job letter. On the other hand, in the UK, students can stay for two after schooling with the help of a post-study work visa. This allows the students to recover their education expenses and helps them find permanent job opportunities in the UK. 

Table 1: The following table shows the differences in post-study work in the UK and the US.

• A diverse number of courses: Although the number of universities in the UK is very small when compared to the UK, the variety of courses provided in the UK is very large, with some unique offerings such as “Stand-Up Master’s Degree,” “ Applied Golf Management” and many others. This provides better opportunities for students in the UK than in the UK. 
• Cost of study: Tuition fees in the US vary depending on university selection, subject chosen, study program, and location. The cost of private universities is very high, whereas the cost of public universities is more budget-friendly. 

Table 2: difference in tuition fees in the UK and the US

Tuition fees in the US

• The public universities in the US cost around $10000 to $30000
• The tuition of private universities in the US ranges from $30000 to $60000 per year.
• However, public universities outside the state charge higher fees than public universities. 

Tuition fees in the UK

• The tuition fees in the UK are lower when compared to the US
• The fees for the international students are 10000 euros to 35000 euros.
• The tuition for post-graduation in the UK varies from 10000 euros to 50000 euros for everyone. 

The fees for the courses in UK universities are lower than those in US universities. Also, the shorter duration of degree completion reduces the overall cost of education.

• Student Life: UK students experience diverse cultures as the number of international students is very large compared to the US. This helps in providing more exposure to the students globally. The sports clubs, dorm life, pub crawls, music festivals, and theaters keep the students more engaged. 
• Cultural experience: British culture and life have rich architecture and history, unlike any other culture. The famous raging club culture, countryside, traditional English breakfast, famous chips, and fish. These are some of the advantages of studying in the UK as the students get to explore Europe. 
• University rankings: The UK is known for having some of the world's most prestigious universities. In QS world university rankings 2024, four universities from the UK were among the top 10, and 4 from the US. These universities were “University of Cambridge (2nd), the University of Oxford (3rd), Imperial College London (6th), and University College London (9th)” respectively. 

Table 3: university rankings in the QS World University Rankings 2024

Overall University Ranking 2024

The UK and the US have 4 universities in the overall ranking 2024.

Archeology 2024

The universities of the UK dominate in this field with three prestigious universities, namely the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford, and University College London. However, the US, on the other hand, has no university in this field.

Design and Art 2024

The colleges of the UK also lead in this sector with its two prestigious universities, the Royal College of Arts and the University of the Arts London, getting a place in the top 10 with no other universities in the US.

Classics and Ancient History 2024

In this field, the UK has three top universities compared to 1 belonging to the US.

Geography 2024

There are 4 universities in the UK in the top 10 compared to 2 from the US. 

• Living expenses: The cost of living for students in the US depends on various factors, such as the university's voice and location. For instance, universities in big cities such as San Francisco or New York are more expensive than those in smaller cities in the US. Students' average cost of living is expected to be around $ 10,000-$ 15,000 annually. However, compared to the US, the students' living expenses are comparatively lower in the UK. 
• Amount of Indian population: The UK is one of the most obvious choices for students from India. The total population of Indians in the US is around 1.35% of the total population. In the UK, the number of Indians is higher, with 3.1% of the total population as per the census of 2021. As the number of Indians residing in the UK increases, this provides a welcoming environment for the new students, helping build cultural connections and support. 
• Healthcare coverage: International students studying in the UK for over six months are provided free healthcare services through their “National Health Scheme(NHS).” Also, certain universities in the UK provide private health insurance to students. However, international students in the US must spend around 1500$ to 2000$ annually for healthcare services. It is a major factor when planning the budget for studying in overseas universities. Providing healthcare services plays a significant role in influencing the students' individual preferences and university requirements. 

Conclusion

From the above factors, studying in the UK will benefit students from India more in 2024. Therefore, if you are looking for guidance regarding the admission process and its requirements for admission in the UK, then our experts at Theobrain can be beneficial in providing the required assistance individually.