• Study Abroad

Differences Between Studying in UK vs USA

1934 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.

Griffith College - Limerick Campus

Leinster, Ireland • 10 Programmes

Tuition Fee : EUR 0-0 / year

SRH Universities - Dresden Campus

Saxony, Germany • 7 Programmes

Tuition Fee : EUR 9450-9450 / year

University of South Australia - Magill Campus

South Australia, Australia • 42 Programmes

Tuition Fee : AUD 30500-33500 / year

University of Alberta - Augustana Campus

Alberta, Canada • 23 Programmes

Tuition Fee : CAD 20000-28600 / year

Academies Australasia College

Central Region, Singapore • 16 Programmes

Tuition Fee : SGD 0-0 / year

Shorelight Group - Trinity Christian College

Illinois, USA • 50 Programmes

Tuition Fee : USD 19500-20000 / year

INTO Group - Washington State University

Washington, USA • 143 Programmes

Tuition Fee : USD 28000-29000 / year

Devry University - Phoenix Campus

Arizona, USA • 11 Programmes

Tuition Fee : USD 15000-16500 / year

View All Universities

Latest at CANAM

Events, webinar, college / university visits and more.

UNDERGRADUATE STUDY: DEGREES, PATHWAYS, DIPLOMAS - RIGHT OPTIONS FOR YOUR PROFILE

Study in Canada • Webinar

11:30AM

Virtual Event

USA Application Days 2025

Study in USA • Application Days

Multiple Location • 11:00AM

In-Person Event

University College Birmingham

Study in UK • University Visit

Ahmedabad • 03:00PM

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.

MS in Data Science in Ireland

Are you aspiring to pursue an MS in Data Science without breaking the bank? Then look no further! Ireland is home to some of the most prestigious univ...

Updated on • Feb 18,2025 10:58 AM IST • Ireland

Accommodation in France for Indian and International Students

France is a dreamy country that's always in the news for its aesthetic cafes in Lyon, Seine in Paris and skiing in the French Alps. But beyond its all...

Updated on • Feb 14,2025 11:33 AM IST • France

Public Relations (PR) Courses in Australia

Recently, Australia has become a widely popular choice for international students. There is not a single reason for this popularity, but Australia off...

Updated on • Feb 07,2025 11:03 AM IST • Australia

Job Opportunities in France for International Students

Imagine yourself strolling down the Champs-Elysees with a steaming croissant in one hand and a freshly minted job offer in the other. It must sound li...

Updated on • Feb 06,2025 12:47 PM IST • France

Pros & Cons of Studying in France

Every country has a bright side and a dark side, and if you think that studying in France is going to be all rainbows and sunshine, it’s not. Like e...

Updated on • Feb 04,2025 05:49 PM IST • France

MS in Data Science in Germany

Deutschland is an emerging study-abroad destination attracting students from every part of the world. The reasons for this are affordable education, l...

Updated on • Feb 04,2025 12:29 PM IST • Germany

February Intake in Australia: Timeline, Courses, Universities, Deadlines & More

Students who desire to study in Australia should consider the February 2025 intake, which is known as the primary intake in Australia for admission, t...

Updated on • Feb 01,2025 04:57 PM IST • Australia

What is the difference between CV and Resume?

What is the difference between a CV and a resume? The question might sound simple, but it is important to answer. Both documents consist of informatio...

Updated on • Jan 31,2025 05:27 PM IST • Study Abroad Guidance

Cookery Courses in New Zealand for International Students

Is food something that interests you? Can you not resist the aroma of delicious delicacies? Are you passionate about food? If the answer to all the qu...

Updated on • Jan 29,2025 12:27 PM IST • New Zealand

High Paying Jobs in Germany

Germany, a powerhouse of innovation and industry, offers a fantastic job market with excellent salaries and a strong work-life balance. Whether you're...

Updated on • Jan 25,2025 05:52 PM IST • Study in Canada

WES in Canada

World Education Services (WES), is an organization designed to help individuals get their educational credentials evaluated to let them study in Canad...

Updated on • Jan 24,2025 10:50 AM IST • Study in Canada

Canada Student Visa Interview Questions

The perfect ending to any day, race, task, or project is to FINISH STRONG. The same is true for studying in Canada. To finish strong, one needs to cra...

Updated on • Jan 23,2025 12:16 PM IST • Study in Canada

Masters in Management in USA

Looking for a transformative experience that hones your managerial skills and unlocks a treasure of global job opportunities? BINGO! Here's a golden g...

Updated on • Jan 21,2025 05:46 PM IST • USA

Things to Keep in Mind Before Studying Abroad

Studying abroad is a life-altering experience, and you probably already know that, but are you prepared to live on your own, that too in a f...

Updated on • Jan 21,2025 05:21 PM IST • Study Abroad

IELTS Exam Dates 2025 in India

IELTS (The International English Language Testing System) is a forum to assess the English language ability of a candidate to study abroad across the ...

Updated on • Jan 18,2025 05:13 PM IST • IELTS

USA Study Visa Process

Once you get the offer letter from your dream American university the only thing left to do is to apply for a study visa. The F-1 study visa is the mo...

Updated on • Jan 16,2025 03:32 PM IST • USA

PTE Exam Centers in India 2025: Check City Wise PTE Exam Centers

Pearson Test of English or PTE is conducted all over India at various exam centers. There are 62 PTE exam centers in India, and candidates can also ta...

Updated on • Jan 16,2025 03:12 PM IST • PTE

May Intake in Canada 2025

What is May Intake in Canada 2025?Canada May Intake is considered the third most popular study intake in Canada after the September and January...

Updated on • Jan 15,2025 04:40 PM IST • Study in Canada

IELTS Reading Practice Tests 2025: Reading Passage and Sample Questions

The IELTS or International English Language Testing System exam consists of four modules – Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening. The IELTS Readi...

Updated on • Jan 15,2025 04:14 PM IST • IELTS

IELTS Letter Writing Topics 2025

There is a 60-minute time limit for the IELTS Writing test, with 20 minutes allotted for Task 1 and 40 minutes for Task 2. IELTS General Writing Task ...

Updated on • Jan 15,2025 04:12 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