For Chinese students who want to study abroad, one of the most important choices to consider is which country. And, while other options exist, statistics show that the US and UK remain the top destinations, thanks to their world class universities and English-language environments.
Both offer great opportunities, but there are important differences between them. Here is Discovery Hub’s guide on what to think about when choosing between the US and UK for a university education.
1. Flexibility vs. Depth
Both the US and UK are renowned for their high educational standards. But, American universities typically emphasize flexibility and breadth at the undergraduate level. Not being sure what you want to major in is perfectly normal for (soon to be) high school graduates, and the US liberal arts model, which allows students to take courses in a variety of subjects before specializing, is a great solution to this. It also delivers flexibly-minded graduates with the ability to thrive in today’s rapidly changing world economy.
In contrast, UK universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, and Durham boast a similar rich history of academic excellence, but with a more focused approach. In the UK, students typically choose their major before applying, and concentrate on it from the beginning, which is great for students who already know what their passion is and want to delve into it right away.
Oxford University’s historic campus
2. The Application Process
The application process for both countries can be daunting, but each has its unique set of challenges. In the US, students can apply to most universities through a centralized system like the Common Application, which allows them to apply to multiple schools simultaneously. However, the US application process typically demands various essays, a list of extracurricular activities, and letters of recommendation, making it quite formidable.
The UK’s UCAS system is the gateway for undergraduate applications, where students can apply to up to five courses. The process is generally considered more straightforward than in the US, requiring fewer essays and less emphasis on non-academic achievements. However, some universities, especially Oxford and Cambridge, may also require an interview, which can be daunting for those coming from a non-English language background. For postgraduate courses, applications usually go directly to the individual universities.
(Tip: UCAS has a handy ‘chat to students’ function, where prospective applicants can reach out to existing students to get on-the-ground feedback on what life is like in a particular UK course or university).
3. Standardized Tests
For students with English as a Second Language (ESL), there is almost always a requirement to pass a language test such as TOEFL or IELTS. While this might seem harsh, the reality is that unless your English is good enough to pass these tests, you will not get what you want out of an English-medium degree course.
US schools also often require some other form of standardized testing. Universities usually ask for the SAT or ACT for undergraduates (both of these assess students’ general reasoning, reading, writing, and math skills). Graduate programs may require the GRE (or GMAT for business schools), which similarly assess general qualitative and quantitative abilities.
Non ESL-specific standardized tests are less common in the UK. However, certain subjects may have testing requirements. In particular, prospective medical students are likely to need to take the UCAT test, while law school applicants may need to take the LNAT.
4. Length of Study
The duration of study varies significantly between the two. In the US, undergraduate programs typically last four years, while masters programs take two years. In the US, doing a PhD can usually take anywhere between four and seven years (making it a huge life commitment!).
UK degrees are shorter at all levels. Undergraduate programs usually last three years (four in Scotland), masters programs one year, and PhDs three years. This lesser duration can be a significant advantage in terms of the time and money involved in studying abroad.
However, students looking to pursue a PhD with a view to an academic career in the US should almost always choose a US university, as applicants with non-US credentials face a significant (albeit informal) disadvantage in the US academic job market due to their shorter PhDs being perceived as ‘less rigorous’.
Undergraduates in the US typically graduate in four years, while in the UK it’s three years
5. Money
Unless you are lucky enough to secure a scholarship, studying abroad in either the US or the UK is expensive. Prospective students need to weigh up two categories of costs: tuition fees and living expenses.
US tuition fees are typically substantially higher per year than in the UK, especially at prestigious institutions. Harvard, for example, charges over 50,000 USD – over 360,000 CNY – plus additional costs for the coming academic year of undergraduate tuition. UK universities charge international students higher fees than those of UK citizens, but these are still typically lower than in the US (at Oxford one year of tuition for overseas students currently starts at 33,000 GBP or 295,000 CNY). Likewise, the shorter course duration means students in the UK pay tuition for fewer years.
Living costs are generally higher anywhere in the US or UK than in China. However, they can vary substantially depending on location. In particular, major cities such as New York, Chicago, and London (all home to outstanding educational institutions as well as excellent professional networking opportunities) are very expensive to rent in, take public transport, and buy food and other essentials.
However, rural locations or smaller cities are usually much cheaper, especially for accommodation costs. In small cities and towns – many of which still boast prestigious universities – it can also be easier to get around on foot or by bike, delivering major savings on transport. (Durham, where I studied, for example, has some of the lowest living costs in the UK and students typically walk to wherever they need).
All in all, students for whom budget is primary consideration are most likely well-advised to choose a smaller city or town in the UK.
6. Career Prospects
A high quality university education is good for one’s career prospects, no matter what, and graduates from top institutions with high scores and strong interpersonal, organizational, and other skills can expect to be competitive globally and in China.
However, students with a specific aim to remain in the US after graduation are advised to study in the US. This is not only because familiarity with the country and networking opportunities are benefits in the job market, but also because the OPT visa scheme makes it easier to legally work in the US after completing higher education there.
Similarly, those who want to remain in the UK would be best placed to study in the UK, as a graduate visa is valid for up to two years following course completion.
Conclusion: US or UK?
There is no single answer as to whether it’s better to study in the US or the UK. Both are strong options, and the right answer will differ for each student.
However, I would not suggest students choose a pathway based on the easiest application process or lowest standardized test requirements. Ultimately, while understanding the different systems is important in order to apply successfully, these are just a small part of the overall educational journey.
Instead, I recommend writing out what you value most, considering depth vs. flexibility in education, length of study, whether you wish to live in a major city or smaller location, importance of professional networking opportunities, post-graduation plans, and cost considerations. After writing these down, rank them in order of importance. Following this, you should have a much clearer idea of the right pathway for you.
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