Add Project Key Words

US vs. UK Universities: Key Differences to Keep in Mind

While you might be well-versed on what makes top US universities special and understand how the admissions process works in the States, you could be curious about institutions across the pond such as Oxford, Cambridge, and Imperial College. The UK consistently has 10 or more universities in the world’s top 100. Major London research universities such as Imperial, LSE, and UCL join Edinburgh and other stellar institutions such as Bristol, Durham, and Manchester to provide a variety of campus and city experiences for international students. But the question on your mind might be, what are major factors that distinguish US vs. UK universities?

Key differences between US vs. UK universities include the application process, typical course structure and time of specialization, and campus dynamics. To help you understand these distinctions, I have outlined basic application differences, how long it takes to complete your degree in the UK, how to understand the rankings, an overview of typical campus and off-campus life, and how to take advantage of your postgraduate opportunities.

How do I apply to the UK?

Applying to UK universities - up to a maximum of 5 per candidate per application cycle - is relatively straightforward. All applicants must apply through UCAS, a central application system (similar to the Common Application or Coalition Application) that requires just one personal statement of 4000 characters (roughly 500 words), one letter of recommendation from a teacher, and your grades. You don’t need to provide proof of finances until you are accepted. Compared with the convoluted and highly variable US application system which requires a longer essay and more letters (plus school-specific essays), the UK system is, in some ways, a breeze!

However, there are a couple of catches. First, applicants to Oxford, Cambridge, and some other more selective institutions may be required to complete additional tests, essays, and interviews. In fact, attending Oxford or Cambridge for an interview is a great experience for any curious student, whatever the outcome.

Second, the UK personal statement requires a detailed focus on your chosen course of study. All students must apply to specific courses at specific institutions, meaning that serious consideration should be dedicated to “choice of major” at the point of application. If you think of this in the context of US vs. UK universities, oftentimes you don’t have to declare your major in American schools until the end of sophomore year.

Remember that most British students still specialize in four or five subject areas in their A-Level classes from the age of 16, though a growing number are taking the more wide-ranging International Baccalaureate. As a result, the average British student tends to have a strong sense of their choice of “major” before they leave high school.

How long do students take to finish their degrees?

As a result of the relatively early specialization of UK-based students, many of the university course requirements are designed to be completed in three years rather than four. Scottish universities, such as the University of Edinburgh, offer slightly different routes - most students there complete their degrees in four years, which is also common for students in the US. But for the majority of UK-based students, three years is the total length of time as an undergraduate, resulting - potentially - in lower costs.

That said, thinking in terms of US vs. UK universities, while your grades matter from the get-go at most US colleges, many UK universities provide a first year curriculum in which the student’s grades won’t apply to their final degree classification. This allowance provides students with some room for maneuver as they pursue and shape their courses in the first year.

How to judge the value provided by individual UK universities?

The Complete University Guide provides comprehensive rankings information on UK schools, both by overall ranking as well as subject-specific ranking. The top 10 overall rankings for UK universities is outlined in the table below:

For more specificity and specialization in your areas of interest, you can look at the recently introduced REF - Research Excellence Framework - and TEF - Teaching Excellence Framework - awards. The REF measures the impact of the research and grants published and won by academics at individual institutions, while the TEF provides an indicator of the quality of teaching. These award frameworks are constantly under review, however, so take them with a grain of salt.

When looking at US vs. UK universities you might also wish to investigate the reputation and nature of the historic campuses and locations of different universities. We all know that Oxford and Cambridge date from the middle ages, but other historically important institutions such as Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Queen’s University Belfast provide unique access to campus and city heritage, often in very different settings across the four constituent parts of the UK.

UK campus resources and student life

When thinking about US vs. UK universities, you might be wondering about the resources available on the British side. UK universities have added more auxiliary support services, such as writing centers, student life offices, and other support in recent years that are available at almost all American schools. That said, the tenor of UK university education remains independent-minded. Students are trusted to get on with their work and explore their fields of interest without as much guidance and resources that are readily available at US schools.

Similar to US colleges, UK students live on campus in their first year and have the option to live off campus after that. However, many UK universities guarantee international student housing throughout undergraduate study.

If you are hoping for US-style professional sports teams on campus, please note that UK university sports teams do not operate through similar leagues or competitions. Professional soccer players in the UK, for instance, will typically turn professional from age 18 or younger and go on to be scouted by pro teams, so college athletics programs in the UK are not equivalent to those of the US. That said, the Oxford and Cambridge annual boat race on the Thames commands international attention and is well worth a day out in London!

UK postgraduate opportunities

As is the case everywhere, UK visa rules are regularly under review, but international students from outside the EU should note that postgraduate visa opportunities are likely (though of course not guaranteed) to increase as a result of Brexit, at least according to recent government announcements and policy changes.

As of 2019, there is a new post-study work visa for international students who graduate from university in the UK, which allows two years of UK-based work with no restrictions on major, salary, or employer. As a result, increasing numbers of international students will be eligible to remain in the UK for temporary study and work opportunities after they complete their undergraduate degrees.

Put in the perspective of US vs. UK universities, restrictions are tougher for international students graduating from American schools, as students on the Optional Practical Training (OPT) period are only allowed up to a year for non-STEM majors and three years for STEM majors before they have to be sponsored by their employer to enter the H-1B visa lottery.

Getting around the UK

A tremendous benefit of Britain’s relatively small geographic size is that you can reach all the major English, Scottish, and Welsh destinations within a few hours by train or bus, while it is also easy to travel to Northern Ireland (part of the UK) and the Republic of Ireland. You can travel between London and Oxford in 1.5 hours or London and Scotland in 4.5 hours, for instance. Domestic air travel is also well developed with very short flights to all destinations. And don’t forget, Paris and the rest of the continent can be reached in under two hours by Eurostar train from London, or via a wide array of cheap flights!

In sum, when considering the differences between US vs. UK universities, note that there is a wide distribution of categories to keep in mind, such as academics, time for completion, visa options, and campus life. All in all, if you’re wondering about whether or not to apply to Oxford or St. Andrews, remember that the UK higher education sector can provide international students with historic universities, famous cities, and boundless opportunities for post-study work and travel!