The big decision – UK or USA?

Making the decision to study abroad is one thing. Deciding where in the world you want to go is another. For many students who want a globally recognised qualification, the choice comes down to the top two international education providers: the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

But which really is number one? Here, we explore the pluses and minuses of both. And you can take our quick quizto see what might work best for you.

The recent StudentPulse survey found that the UK is about to take over from the USA as the most popular study destination for international students – despite perceptions that it is more expensive. The main criteria students used to make their decision were (in order of importance):

• Personal safety and security
• Reputation of the country’s qualifications
• Cost of education
• Ease of obtaining a student visa

But there are many other factors which affect your overall study experience. So, let’s take a look at how these countries really compare…

Prestige and reputation

Both countries have their fair share of prestigious, or ‘Ivy League’, universities and colleges, as well as globally recognised qualifications. Where do you want to work after you study? An American company may be more impressed by a US qualification, and a European or British company by a British one. But that’s not always the case – reputation also varies between qualifications and individual institutions.

Study style

There is a real difference in the way you are taught. In the USA, undergraduate students experience a more general education, often studying academic subjects outside their intended major or field of study. You may find a historian taking a course in astrophysics, for example. You’ll get a broader education – but you may also have less depth in your chosen area.

In the US, you are also able to change colleges during the course of your study – so if you’re not really sure what you want to study there is a lot of flexibility.

In the UK, students are expected to specialise as soon as they start their higher education (less so in Scotland). If you’re not sure what you really want to study, it can sometimes be difficult to change later on, or to change universities. However, there is an enormous range of choice in terms of study options. If you know what you want, you are bound to find exactly what you are looking for.

Also, the US offers a more structured style of education, where students are expected to hand in work regularly. The UK has intensive periods of assessment work and exams or final dissertations, with frequent less busy periods. This is quickly filled by social activities – the driving force behind British university life.

The true cost of education

In general, the cost of tuition is reasonably similar. Overseas student fees in the UK vary between £4000 and £18,000 per year. US student fees (which are similar to the fees paid by local students), vary between US$5000 and US$35,000 a year.

The cost of living is generally higher in the UK, especially when you compare living in London with living in a smaller city in the US. Petrol, transport, food and clothing are certainly more expensive in the UK. But you may find it more affordable to live in a smaller, rural town in the UK – which could also only be a short train journey from London or another major city.

Most undergraduate degrees take three years to complete in the UK – compared with four in the US. So you can save a year’s tuition (and start earning sooner). However, many students in the UK choose to stay and complete their Masters qualification in that fourth year.

Don’t forget to budget for health insurance when you study in the US. In the UK, you get free medical care under the UK National Health Service if you are studying for more than 6 months.

Scholarships and other funding options are available in both countries.

You can use this handy study costs calculator to work out what you would spend on education in either country.

Work opportunities

To help cover those higher costs of living, it is easier to work in the UK while you study. Your student visa allows you to work up to 20 hours per week during term time, and full time during the holidays. In the US you can work for up to 20 hours per week on campus, which places restrictions on the type of work you can do – and therefore your potential earnings.

Once you graduate with a UK degree, you should qualify for the new Tier 1 Post-Study Work Visa, which lets you to work in the UK for 2 years once you graduate. To stay on and work in the US, you’ll need your employer to sponsor your visa – so you need to get that job first, and prove to them you’re worth the effort!

Location, location, location

Both countries offer a vast range of lifestyle choices. From the hustle and bustle of London or New York, to the relaxed rural charm of the English countryside or Virginia. In both countries, campuses are located in big cities and small towns, and the real decision may be which of those choices appeals to you more.

There are different cultural opportunities while you are there. While studying in the UK, you may find yourself listening to a different dialect (or language, which is the case in some parts of Wales) just one county away, exploring castles that are over 1000 years old, or going across the channel to Europe.

The US itself is so big, you may never leave the state you study in – and that in itself may have enough to see and do. Or you can take up some of the many outdoor adventures available – skiing in Colorado, learning to surf in Malibu, or hiking through the Grand Canyon.

Find out more about study opportunities in the UK and the USA on the StudyLink website. Or email one of our StudyLink student counsellors for more specific information.

Still not sure? Take our quick quiz and see where you should go…

Quick Quiz – UK or USA?

1. Which of these is the main reason you want to study overseas?

a) To meet people from all over the world
b) To travel as much as I possibly can
c) To get a job in a major multinational company
d) To learn English in an English-speaking country

2. What would you rather do on a free weekend?

a) Meet friends at a pub for a few drinks and a meal
b) Fly or catch a train to a place I’ve never been before
c) Go to Disneyland
d) Watch a sporting match

3. What is your favourite time of year?

a) Winter – I prefer being cosy indoors
b) Spring – seeing the promise of new life in nature
c) Summer – I love swimming and soaking up the sun
d) Autumn – the change of seasons is beautiful to watch

4. Where would you most like to work when you graduate?

a) Somewhere in the UK
b) Somewhere in Europe
c) Somewhere in the US – or for an American company
d) In my home country

5. What is your favourite food?

a) Indian curry
b) Fish and chips
c) An enormous hamburger and chips
d) I always like to try new things!

6. And what do you most like to drink?

a) beer
b) a nice cup of tea
c) a strong cup of coffee
d) any kind of soft drink or juice

7. Finally, what describes you best as a student?

a) I know exactly what I want to study, and what I want to do in my career
b) I enjoy learning and can motivate myself to study
c) I like to learn about different kinds of things and challenge myself in different fields
d) I’m not sure what I want to major in or what work I want to do – but I know what interests me most right now.

Ready? Now add up your score for each letter.

If you answered mostly a)s and b)s, the UK may be the best place for you to study. If you answered mostly c)s you should explore your options in the USA. If you answered mostly d)s, either would suit you – so go with your instinct, and let us know what you decide!

Have you had any experience studying in the UK or the US that you would like to share? Post your comments below, we’d love to hear from you.

USA: UC researchers take on global warming issues

Researchers from the University of Cincinnati’s (UC) Department of Geography joined fellow academics at the recent Ninth International Conference on Permafrost. It was hosted by the University of Alaska earlier this month.

The conference focused on changes in the permafrost – permanently frozen ground that covers 20% of earth’s land surface. These areas are facing new challenges in the era of global warming.

And it’s not just the high polar regions that are affected. UC Professor Ken Hinkel said: “We are receiving a lot of interest from high altitude, high latitude areas, Antarctica, the Alps, the Andes, Tibet.” Longer summers, a deeper thaw and changes in the structure of lakes mean that there have been new pressures to explore and exploit potential mineral wealth.

Each conference adds to the library of information the University has on permafrost issues. The role of these regions is becoming increasingly important as the effects of global warming become clearer. As the ice-rich ground melts, it releases carbon into the atmosphere as greenhouse gases. And this may further fuel climate change.

It’s cold work though. Hinkel has been working on Alaska’s North Slope since May 25th, observing changes in temperature and layer thickness. After the conference he headed straight back to Barrow for a post-conference field-trip.

The University of Cincinnati has been the source of many important scientific discoveries and social changes since it first began teaching in 1819. These include:

• the first antihistamine
• the oral polio vaccine
• the designer of the Golden Gate Bridge

You can choose from hundreds of academic programs, and balance your education with real-world experience. A recent International Student Barometer study by IGI Services awarded UC best marks for student satisfaction in eight categories, including International Services and the UC Graduate School.

UC has also just announced a new scholarship for international students, the UC Global Scholarship. Worth up to $7,000 per year, you’ll need to study full-time, maintain a 3.2 grade average and complete the annual 30 hour volunteer service requirement.

You must be a citizen of a foreign country, currently living outside the USA, and demonstrate your academic achievements in High School, to qualify for the scholarship.

To find out more about the many opportunities at the University of Cincinnati, email one of our StudyLink student counsellors

UK: New film focus at Bangor

Interested in taking on the world of film-making… and maybe one day winning an Oscar? Bangor University, in Wales, is now offering a full honours degree in Film Studies.

Dr Nathan Abrams, who was appointed Lecturer in Film Studies in 2006, says the course will “offer study options for all tastes, covering all periods and areas of the globe.” Students learn both practical and theoretical skills in media production, and will choose from modules such as:

• animation
• film history
• writing for film
• East Asian film and culture

The Film Studies program is offered through the National Institute for Excellence in Creative Industries, part of the University’s College of Arts and Humanities.

The University has a good reputation for research and teaching in this area, and degrees can be combined with other schools.

Bangor University is consistently rated highly amongst British universities, especially for its low cost of living, helpful staff and support, and great student experiences. The campus is located in a safe, friendly, small city near the Snowdonia Mountains and the sea. There are plenty of outdoor activities on offer.

There is a thriving international community there, as Hong Liu found when he began his banking and finance degrees at Bangor. Originally from Wuhan in China, Hong was recently awarded runner up in the Wales International Student of the Year Competition.

The competition recognises students who have made a difference. Hong worked as a Housing Officer at the Student’s Union and as a part-time house-keeper for a retired British couple, which gave him unique insights into the British way of life. He also helped with University administration and international social events – all helping him get the most from his 5 years at the university.

“Bangor is one of the best choices from a cost-benefit perspective,” Hong says. “Everything is very convenient, and… we can get help from both an academic and university life perspective. The local people are always nice and smiling, making you feel at home. This is the most important impressions an international student feels here.”

Want to find out more about course options at Bangor University. Chat with one of our StudyLink student counsellors today. They can advise you on the best choice for your needs.

Australia: UB delivers professional new hospitality managers

A global shortage of senior hospitality managers has led the University of Ballarat (UB) to offer a new Bachelor of Hospitality Management this year.

Students in western Victoria can now learn the professional skills they need for the hospitality industry. Applied learning, through internships and industry projects, is a focus of the Degree.

UB has been teaching students since 1870 and is one of the oldest educational institutions in Australia. Graduates rate their experience highly, as the best University in regional Victoria. They enjoy small class sizes, friendly and supportive staff, and are ready for their new and successful careers as soon as they graduate.

Ballarat is a small college town located north-west of Melbourne, in the south-east corner of Australia. It’s an affordable place to live and learn. There are six campuses throughout the region, in Ararat, Ballarat, Horsham, and Stawell, offering both TAFE (polytechnic) and higher education courses. Postgraduate, undergraduate and English language course are all available.

UB courses are also delivered in international locations, including China, Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong.

More than 10% of the on-campus students are from overseas, creating a thriving international community. Dev Behera, from India, says: “University at Ballarat was an amazing time. The class sizes were small, the lecturers were personal, the atmosphere in classes informal, and you got to know everyone pretty quickly. Living at the halls of residence was an uplifting experience, and being in Ballarat was definitely a change but great to be part of.”

Contact one of our StudyLink student counsellors for more information on study options at the University of Ballarat .

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