• Study Abroad

Differences Between Studying in UK vs USA

1196 Reads
3 min Read

By:CANAM Group
Updated On:Feb 06,2024 12:12 PM IST

Study in UK or USA is a question many students face as there are several differences between studying in both the countries. Students must understand this difference before applying to one of the countries. Read this blog to know about the difference between studying in UK vs USA based on parameters like universities, popular courses, eligibility for courses, student visa, post study requirements.

Difference between studying in UK vs USA.webp

Students always came across this question that UK or USA which is better for education as both the countries offer unique opportunities to students. This blog sheds light on the different offering of both the countries and goes in depth as how they differ.

Read this blog to explore the differences between studying in UK vs USA based on parameters like top universities, popular courses, eligibility for courses, student visa, post study requirements. After reading the blog students can decide in which country they want to study.

USA vs UK: Top Universities

Below are the top Universities that are located in both USA & UK

Top Universities in the USA

Below are the Top universities located in the USA for international students:

• The University of Alabama

• Auburn University at Montogomery

• Northern Arizona University

• Concordia University Wisconsin

• The Catholic University of America

• Governors State University

• Northwood University

• QS Mercer University

• Golden Gate University

• Troy University

Top Universities in the UK

Below are the Top universities located in the UK for international students:

• Heriot-Watt University

• Keele University

• Middlesex University

• University of Aberdeen

• University of Bedfordshire

• University of Bolton

• University of Hertfordshire

• University of Strathclyde

• University of Wolverhampton

• Robert Gordon University

USA vs UK: Popular Courses

USA and UK universities are known for their popular programs which cater to the academic interests and career aspirations of international students. Here is a list of some popular courses provided by both USA and UK.

Popular Courses in US	Popular Courses in UK
Computer Science and I.T.	Business and Finance
Business and Management	Law
Engineering	Engineering
Healthcare and Medicine	Social Sciences
Data Science and Analytics	Creative Arts and Design
Finance and Economics	Medicine and Life Sciences
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning	International Relations and Politics
Cybersecurity	Environmental Science and Sustainability

USA vs UK: Eligibility for Courses

Eligibility criteria can vary depending upon the university, program, specialization etc. Following are the general eligibility criteria for both countries.

Eligibility for Courses in USA

Below is the eligibility criteria to study various courses in the USA:

Eligibility for courses in USA.webp

Academic Qualification	To pursue undergraduate programs, students must complete high secondary education with minimum CGPA as required by the university. For graduate courses, students must complete a bachelor’s degree.
Standard Tests	Many US universities require entrance exams to accept international students such as GMAT or GRE. Some other universities may also require the TOEFL or IELTS score of students.
Letters of Recommendation	LOR or Letter of Recommendation are an important part of application while applying for programs at US universities.
Statement of Purpose	Students may also be asked to submit Statement of Purpose or SOP for some programs by universities.
Financial Documents	International students may also require to show that they have sufficient funds to cover the expenses while living in USA.
Visa Requirements	Once accepted by the US universities international students must apply for an appropriate student visa to study in USA.

Eligibility for Courses in UK

Below is the eligibility criteria to study various courses in the UK:

Academic Qualifications	To pursue undergraduate programs in UK students are required to complete secondary qualification with equivalent to UK A-levels. Students must have completed a bachelor’s degree postgraduate programs.
English Language Proficiency	Many UK universities require students to provide English proficiency scores such as IELTS, PTE or TOEFL.
Personal Statement	Students will be required to submit a personal statement which can tell about their academic and career goals.
Visa Requirements	International students must apply for a Tier 4(General) student visa to study in UK.
Interviews	For some courses such as medicine universities may conduct interviews as part of their selection process.

USA vs UK for Indian students: Student visa

Below are the types of study visas that are offered to international students (Indian students) by both USA & UK:

Student visa for USA

There are three types of US visa for international students who want to study in USA.

F-1 Visa	F-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa issued to international students who want to pursue academic programs in US. The visa is designed for full time students who want to enrol in universities
J-1 Visa	J-1 visa is another non-immigrant visa issued to individuals who wish to participate in cultural exchange programs. It is issued to individuals participating in internship and training programs, research scholar programs
M-1 Visa	The M-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa issued to individuals who wish to pursue vocational or technical training in the US. It is designed for international students who want to enrol in vocational programs, such as vocational schools, technical schools, and community colleges

Student visa for UK

UK offers two types of student visas to international students who want to study in UK.

Tier 4 (General) Student Visa	Tier 4 (General) Student Visa is a primary visa for students who want to come to UK for higher education. With the help of this visa students can study full time and work part time during term-time.
Tier 4 (Child) Student Visa	Tier 4 (Child) Student Visa is for children aged between 4 to 17 and wish to study at independent schools in the UK. A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) is required for this visa.

UK vs USA for Indian Students: Post-study requirements

Following are the different requirements for Indian students after completing their studies in UK and USA.

USA post-study requirements

Optical Practical Training (OPT)	After completing their degree Indian students can apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) which allows students to work in their field of study for up to 12 months. Students are required for OPT before graduation.
H-1B visa	H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa for skilled workers providing long term employment opportunities in the USA.
Green Card (Permanent Residency)	Green card (Permanent Residency) allows you to live and work permanently in the United States. If green card holder stays longer in USA they may even receive social security benefits.

UK post-study requirements

Post-study work visa (Graduate Route)	After the introduction of Graduate Route in 2021 Indian students can stay in UK for up to two years after completing a degree at UK University. This provides post study work opportunity to students.
Tier 2 (General skilled worker) visa	Students can get a Tier 2 (General Skilled Worker) visa after securing a job offer and meeting the eligibility criteria. This route leads to long-term work in UK.
Entrepreneur or investor visas	Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) or Tier 1 (Investor) visa is for those who want to start their businesses in UK.

Conclusion

Both US and UK are the 2 most popular study destination for international students which offers unique opportunities to study and work. After reading this blog, students can decide which is better: US or UK. Both the countries offer visa which allows students to work there after completing their studies and both are home to renowned universities of the world. Either students want to study in UK or USA their career is definitely going to skyrocket. Still to choose the perfect study abroad destination students need to consider various other criteria for which they can take assistance of experts at Canam.

FAQ

What type of visa are provided by UK?

UK provides 2 types of visa which are Tier 4 (General) Student Visa and Tier 4 (Child) Student Visa.

What type of visa are provided by USA?

USA provides 3 types of visa which are F-1 Visa, J-1 Visa and M-1 Visa.

What are the US post-study requirements?

The US post-study requirements are Optional practical training (OPT), H-1B visa and Green Card (Permanent Residency).

What are the popular courses in USA?

The popular courses in USA are Computer Science and I.T., Business and Management, Engineering and Healthcare and Medicine.

Which courses are popular in UK?

The popular courses in UK are Business and Finance, Law, Engineering and Social Sciences.

Get great articles direct to your inbox

The latest news, articles, and resources, sent straight to your inbox every month.

Popular Universities to Study Abroad

World class education waiting for you.

Study Group - Western Washington University

Washington, USA • 448 Programmes

Tuition Fee : USD 23500-24000 / year

Western Sydney University - Hawkesbury Campus

New South Wales, Australia • 58 Programmes

Tuition Fee : AUD 30000-35500 / year

Golden Gate University - San Francisco Campus

California, USA • 23 Programmes

Tuition Fee : USD 0-0 / year

University of Northampton

England, UK • 136 Programmes

Tuition Fee : GBP 13000-17000 / year

University of North Alabama

Alabama, USA • 111 Programmes

Tuition Fee : USD 23000-24000 / year

Global University Systems (GUS) - Webster University - St Antonio

Texas, USA • 18 Programmes

Tuition Fee : USD 0-0 / year

Navitas Group - Charles Sturt University - Melbourne Campus

Victoria, Australia • 8 Programmes

Tuition Fee : AUD 0-0 / year

Mohawk College - Institute for Applied Health Sciences at McMaster (IH) Campus

Ontario, Canada • 7 Programmes

Tuition Fee : CAD 17500-27000 / year

View All Universities

Latest at CANAM

Events, webinar, college / university visits and more.

The International Education Fair

Study in Canada, UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Dubai, Singapore, Germany, Ireland, France

Amritsar • 11:00AM

In-Person Event

University Visit - University of Law, UK

Study in UK • University Visit

Mohali • 10:30AM

In-Person Event

University Visit - Canterbury Christ Church University, UK

Study in UK • University Visit

Chennai • 10:00AM

In-Person Event

Top countries destinations

Popular university and colleges for Studying abroad.

Bond University Queensland
Central Queensland University - Rockhampton, North Campus Queensland
Charles Sturt University - Wagga Wagga Campus New South Wales
Deakin University - Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus Victoria
Engineering Institute of Technology - Perth campus Western Australia
Griffith University - Nathan Campus Queensland
La Trobe University - Bendigo Campus Victoria
LCI Melbourne - Art & Design School Victoria

Ara Institute of Canterbury - City Campus Southland
Aspire 2 International - Auckland Campus Auckland
Auckland University of Technology - City Campus Auckland
Eastern Institute of Technology - Hawke Bay Campus Hawke's Bay
Manukau Institute of Technology -Manukau Campus Auckland
Massey University - Auckland Campus Auckland
Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) - Nelson Campus Southland
New Zealand Institute of Business & Technology (NZIBT) Auckland
The University of Waikato - Hamilton Campus Hamilton

Kent state university Ohio
San Jose State University California
Wright State University Ohio
Clark University Massachusetts
Rowan University New Jersey
Arkansas State University Arkansas
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee Wisconsin
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Illinois
University of Findlay Ohio

Popular English Language Proficiency Exams

Blogs and Articles

Curated content to keep you updated on the latest education trends, news and more.

Masters in International Business (MIB) in USA

Masters in International Business (MIB) is a 1-2 years long postgraduate degree program offered in the USA. The program offers a unique blend of busin...

Updated on • Nov 05,2024 04:12 PM IST • USA

IELTS Line Graph Model Answer

IELTS Line Graph is one of the two tasks of IELTS writing section. In this task, you will get a visual representation to explain in 150 words. It show...

Updated on • Nov 02,2024 04:35 PM IST • IELTS

Common Reasons for Student Visa Rejection in the USA

Studying in the United States is a dream for countless students worldwide. The idea of exploring expansive campuses, connecting with a diverse global ...

Updated on • Nov 01,2024 05:40 PM IST • USA

Why Study in France

Art and culture are among the most attractive factors that make France a wonderful choice as a study destination. The Eiffel Tower, Notre-Da...

Updated on • Nov 01,2024 01:41 PM IST • France

Study in New Zealand After Graduation

Thinking about pursuing your higher education in a serene and culturally diverse country? New Zealand is indeed your best option! The sceneries of Ne...

Updated on • Oct 29,2024 04:17 PM IST • New Zealand

Statement of Purpose (SOP) for Undergraduates : Format, Sample & Expert Tips

The Statement of Purpose is a cornerstone of every student's dream of pursuing higher education in a foreign country. An SOP allows students to highli...

Updated on • Oct 28,2024 05:52 PM IST • SOP

January Intake in UK : Universities, Timeline, Deadlines & More

Before choosing the UK as your study abroad destination, it is essential to learn about the three study intakes: Fall, Winter, and Summer, beginning i...

Updated on • Oct 28,2024 04:17 PM IST • study in the UK

Part-time Jobs for International Students in USA

A part-time job is more than just extra income; it's a stepping stone to experience, grow, and discover your potential. Going by this quote you might ...

Updated on • Oct 25,2024 05:56 PM IST • USA

Top Perks of Studying in New Zealand

Every year, a large number of students take a leap towards their dream by beginning to study in New Zealand. This island country has the all resource...

Updated on • Oct 25,2024 01:54 PM IST • New Zealand

Top MBA Courses to Specialize in Abroad

MBA (Master of business administration) is a prestigious postgraduate qualification recognized internationally. It is designed to develop ...

Updated on • Oct 25,2024 01:52 PM IST • Study Abroad

Study Abroad: Physiotherapy Guide

With mechanization and inactive lifestyles, people face common muscular-skeletal problems that include neck pain, osteoarthritis knee, backache, a...

Updated on • Oct 25,2024 01:42 PM IST • Study Abroad Guidance

Linking Words for IELTS Speaking - Word List & Tips

Linking words serve as the verbal "glue" that holds your ideas and phrases together. They aid in making connections between your sentences and are cru...

Updated on • Oct 25,2024 01:28 PM IST • IELTS

IELTS Writing Task 2 - Academic and General Topics with Sample Answer

The second component of the IELTS writing test, IELTS Writing Task 2, asks you to produce an essay in response to a point of view, an argument, or a p...

Updated on • Oct 25,2024 01:26 PM IST • IELTS

IELTS Writing Task 2: Tips, Lessons & Models

IELTS Writing task 2 is an essay writing question, and there are a few techniques or strategies that can help you tackle each question uniquely and sy...

Updated on • Oct 25,2024 01:21 PM IST • IELTS

IELTS Test Report Form (TRF): Number, Tracking, Validity and Sample

After taking the IELTS test, a scorecard is received with overall and band scores for each of the module- listening, reading, writing and speaki...

Updated on • Oct 25,2024 01:01 PM IST • IELTS

IELTS Speaking Samples and Answers

The three parts of the IELTS Speaking test take between five and fifteen minutes to complete. The sub-test consists of a talk with a qualified examine...

Updated on • Oct 25,2024 12:59 PM IST • IELTS

IELTS speaking part 3 topics

IELTS has four components on which a candidate is marked: Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking. The IELTS speaking consists of an 11 to 20-minute ...

Updated on • Oct 25,2024 12:55 PM IST • IELTS

IELTS Speaking Cue Cards

IELTS Speaking One of the modules of an IELTS Exam is the Speaking Module. The Speaking module tests your ability to speak the English Language on ...

Updated on • Oct 25,2024 12:52 PM IST • IELTS

IELTS Sample Charts for Writing Task 1 Practice

IELTS WRITING TASK 1 (Academic Paper) is a report that includes multiple charts such as bar charts, line graphs, tables, pie charts, diagrams, process...

Updated on • Oct 25,2024 12:49 PM IST • IELTS

IELTS GT Writing Task 1/ IELTS Letter Writing

The IELTS letter-writing section evaluates your everyday language use. It also checks your ability to integrate into an English-speaking culture. The ...

Updated on • Oct 25,2024 12:48 PM IST • IELTS

Differences Between Studying in UK vs USA

Table of Contents

USA vs UK: Top Universities

Top Universities in the USA

Top Universities in the UK

USA vs UK: Popular Courses

USA vs UK: Eligibility for Courses

Eligibility for Courses in USA

Eligibility for Courses in UK

USA vs UK for Indian students: Student visa

Student visa for USA

Student visa for UK

UK vs USA for Indian Students: Post-study requirements

USA post-study requirements

UK post-study requirements

Conclusion

FAQ

Events, webinar, college / university visits and more.

Popular university and colleges for Studying abroad.

Bond University Queensland

Central Queensland University - Rockhampton, North Campus Queensland

Charles Sturt University - Wagga Wagga Campus New South Wales

Deakin University - Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus Victoria

Engineering Institute of Technology - Perth campus Western Australia

Griffith University - Nathan Campus Queensland

La Trobe University - Bendigo Campus Victoria

LCI Melbourne - Art & Design School Victoria

University Canada West British Columbia

University of Windsor Ontario

Dalhousie University Nova Scotia

Carleton University Ontario

Cape Breton University Nova Scotia

University of ottawa Ontario

University of saskatchewan Saskatchewan

University of regina Saskatchewan

University of guelph Ontario

Ara Institute of Canterbury - City Campus Southland

Aspire 2 International - Auckland Campus Auckland

Auckland University of Technology - City Campus Auckland

Eastern Institute of Technology - Hawke Bay Campus Hawke's Bay

Manukau Institute of Technology -Manukau Campus Auckland

Massey University - Auckland Campus Auckland

Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) - Nelson Campus Southland

New Zealand Institute of Business & Technology (NZIBT) Auckland

The University of Waikato - Hamilton Campus Hamilton

University of Warwick England

De Montfort University England

University of West London England

University of Strathclyde Scotland

Aston University England

University of Bath England

University of Liverpool England

Durham University England

Newcastle University England

Kent state university Ohio

San Jose State University California

Wright State University Ohio

Clark University Massachusetts

Rowan University New Jersey

Arkansas State University Arkansas

University of Wisconsin Milwaukee Wisconsin

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Illinois

University of Findlay Ohio

Popular English Language Proficiency Exams