6 Differences Between Studying at a University in the USA and one in the UK
Concentrating abroad is quite possibly of the best choice you could make. You will have the opportunity to gain knowledge in a specialized educational center, as well as learn more about a different country and culture.
In case you are thinking of taking your university studies in the United States or the United Kingdom and you are not sure what decision to make, in the following article we explain the differences between studying at a university in the USA and one in the UK.
Table of Contents
1. The Breadth of the Topics Studied
United Kingdom university education system focus on profundity, not broadness. While students can study two subjects, most will choose to study only one. For example, you could study only biology in the first year. For the second, you'll have to choose a variety of topics within the subject, and for the third, narrow your choice to the point where it's close to a specialty. In this sense, it will be much more difficult if you are not sure what you want to study.
If you find yourself in that situation, you will have to postpone your studies for a year to make a decision or take a risk and opt for a subject about which you are not sure, until you wait for the university to allow you to transfer.
In United States; however, it is usual to enter university taking much more general courses. In case you decide on a particular career, you will realize that the curriculum is much broader compared to the British one.
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2. The Educational Style
If you plan to enter a university in the USA, you should know that the purpose of the professors' work is to make sure that your grades are as good as possible and they will try to make your studies effective. This means tuition that closely resembles school instruction, including regular set homework and quizzes to check your progress and ensure you're meeting your potential.
In this sense, they may also offer to grade the first draft of a work. This with the aim that you can prepare it according to their comments and send it again, guaranteeing a better rating.
In the UK, students are treated like adults. In this sense, you will be solely responsible for your academic success. While there may be occasional quizzes, they are not set up for your teacher to track your progress; they are for your own information.
3. The Academic Calendar
The duration of your university studies will be different if you decide to study in the United States or in England. In the US, the typical duration of a university degree is 4 years, without considering some possible courses that you can take or cases such as Architecture, Law or Medicine, which are degrees that last a little longer. In the United Kingdom, however, the duration of a typical degree is 3 years, this considers that you have 12 years of school education and you can enter directly to a university in that country. For those students who have a school duration of 11 years, then there is what is called a mandatory "Foundation Year" that will compensate for the additional school year that should be had. In general, this "foundation year" can be taken in an institution outside the university and then enter directly into it.
In both cases there are advantages and disadvantages, having a longer duration gives you more time to define study options and adapt to your new country. Having a shorter duration logically implies that you will be able to start your professional life earlier and therefore start earning a salary.
4. Accommodation and Food
University accommodation, both in the UK and the US, varies considerably. However, there are some factors that remain. For example, it is possible that, studying at a British university, it is more common for students to have to fend for themselves in relation to their diet. That doesn't occur in the US.
In turn, in the United Kingdom, only students who do not have the financial means to pay for a single room will choose to share. In the United States, on the other hand, having a partner is completely normal.
5. The Qualification Process
In the UK, university grades are awarded on a percentage scale. Anything below 40% is a failure; 40-50% is a third; 50-60% is 2.2; 60-70% is 2.1; and everything that exceeds 70% is an outstanding.
In contrast, universities in the United States rate using numerical scales. Thus, a 90 is an outstanding grade; an 80, good; 70 is acceptable and if a student gets a grade below this they will fail.
6.The Importance of Extracurricular Activities
For universities in the United States, it is much more important that a student has participated in extracurricular activities, since they find it remarkable and distinctive. Especially if they are linked to social goods.
In contrast, the United Kingdom does not take them into account, focusing on comprehension and various intellectual abilities. Thus, they consider your volunteer work, clubs and sports to be simple hobbies. While it could be helpful, it could also be detrimental to students who have excellent grades but have nothing to show for it outside of the classroom. In other words, it is very difficult for you to stand out.
Now that you know the differences between studying at a university in the USA and one in the UK, we are sure that you will be able to decide which country is best for you, based on your skills and abilities. Remember that much of the selection and application process depends on you.
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