The United Kingdom and The United States of America are home to some of the world's most renowned universities. Both of these feature excellent research facilities that draw academically inclined professionals across all spectrums from around the globe. But for overseas students, the UK vs. US is always a hot topic of discussion! They're always divided between the debate of “what serves my purpose better”. Even though they both offer outstanding study spaces, there are several differences between studying in the US and the UK, including tuition costs and campus layout. If you too want to make an informed decision, you are on the right page! How to compare between the UK vs US for International Students?

The selection of a study-abroad destination country is influenced by numerous key factors. Selecting the one that is best for you will be much simpler if you keep them in mind. Some of the key factors are : •   Top universities that offer programs in your field of interest •   Methods of education followed in these institutes (Theoretical, Research, Experimental, etc.). •   Course Duration. •   Eligibility criteria. •   Cost of education and cost of living. •   Ease of obtaining a student visa. •   Immigration policy.

Education System in UK vs USA

Learning in The US educational system is known for being more practical. In addition to studying theory, students concentrate on projects, research, and internships. On the other hand, The British education system focuses more on theory.

Duration of the course

Level	UK	USA
Bachelors	3 - 4 years	4 years
Masters	1 year	2 years
PhD	3 years	5 - 7 years or longer

Cost of Education

Numerous factors will determine the exact costs of your study and living abroad in the US and UK. Considerations include your lifestyle, the university you select, and its location. Tuition fees for the same course varies from institution to institution. But to give you a rough idea, here is the average cost of studying in the UK compared to the US.

Level	UK (Per Year)	USA (Per Year)
Bachelors	£24,700	£31,000
Masters	£19,500	£36,000

Keep in mind that programs like Engineering, Medicine, and MBA are more expensive than others. It should also be noted that UK degrees are generally shorter compared to the US, making UK studies more cost-effective in the long run.

Cost of Living

When figuring out how much studying abroad will cost, there are other costs besides tuition. Amounts should also be set aside for accommodation, food, transportation, Wi-Fi, and other expenses. Comparing the average cost of living in the US and the UK,

Country	Cost of Living (Per Year)
UK	£7,600 – £12,300
USA	£6,300 – £9,500

City living is more expensive. However, you can save money by selecting less expensive accommodation choices.

Which is Better for Immigration?

There are not many differences between the US and UK visa applications. It is important to remember that the US has stricter policies when it comes to granting admission to foreign students. In addition to testing your subject knowledge, US interview questions also focus on your career goals. Your application will also be denied if there is even the slightest indication that you intend to remain in the US permanently. Foreign applicants have it easier in the UK. Because of this, more students are submitting applications for a UK visa, which has increased competition. We hope you now know enough to decide which is better for immigration, the US or the UK!

Stay back policy :
Due to changing immigration policies in the US, there is uncertainty about future regulations for international students. As of now, international students on an F-1 visa still enjoy a 60-day grace period after the completion of their studies. During this time, students can either prepare for departure, change their visa status, or apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT). •   OPT allows students to work in the US for 12 months after graduation. •   STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) students can apply for a 24-month extension of their OPT, allowing them to stay and work for up to 36 months.
However, it’s important to note that future immigration policies could change, especially with new legislative developments. So, students planning to stay in the US after their studies should stay updated on the latest changes.

The UK offers great opportunities for international students to remain in the country after graduation: •   Bachelor’s and Master’s graduates can stay and work for 2 years after completing their program, regardless of their field of study or salary. •   PhD graduates (including Post-Doctoral students) can stay for up to 3 years to work after completing their studies.
The UK’s Graduate Route Visa (also known as the PSW Visa) is not dependent on the type of job or salary, making it more accessible for international students looking to gain work experience in the country.

We hope this article helps you identify the similarities and differences between the UK and US education systems. Both the United States and the United Kingdom provide excellent standards of education, famous institutions, and multifaceted academic staff, all of which add up to settings that are widely seen as only a plus to students preparing to enter the working population.