By Charis Ng
Two countries, both alike in dignity. In fair universities, where we lay our scene. The scene in question? College applicants choosing where to obtain their degree from - the United Kingdom or the United States. Perhaps you’re already leaning a bit more to one country over the other, but for argument’s sake, this article will compare the pros and cons between studying in the UK and US, all told from the perspective of someone who was in your shoes just a few months ago. Spoiler alert, I chose the former.
*For readers with a time limit, a table summarizing the main points can be found at the bottom of the page.
First things first, you’re a (financial) realist
If we’re talking about undergraduate degrees, it is without a doubt cheaper to attend a UK university. For starters, most UK university courses are three years, whereas the typical length of a US undergraduate degree is four. Furthermore, the average cost of tuition per year in a UK college is less than that of a US college.
For instance, let’s compare the average cost of tuition for a student pursuing an Economics degree at University College London (ranked 15 in World University Rankings) and one at Columbia University (ranked 16 in the same list). Without financial aid, UCL charges international students approximately 41,000 SGD per year, whereas Columbia charges approximately 105,000 SGD per year, more than double that of UCL. Keep in mind, this doesn’t even cover day-to-day living expenses.
Focused, or freedom?
As mentioned, most undergraduate programs in the UK last for three years, with the exception of more intensive degrees like medicine or veterinary science. In the US, undergraduate courses last four years, unless you plan your course credits wisely and fulfill all graduating requirements in three years. The reason for the longer duration is that US colleges veer more towards a liberal arts approach when it comes to education. The reason for the longer duration is that US colleges veer more towards a liberal arts approach when it comes to education. Said approach usually involves students taking an assortment of classes in the first two years, giving students the freedom to explore their passions at their own pace. It is only in the third year that students have to declare their major and/or minors, after which they’ll be taking mostly classes within their chosen disciplines. This is the case in schools such as New York University and Brown University.
This liberal arts approach is less common in the UK, which mostly follows the traditional track of focusing solely on one degree. One downside to this approach is that most UK students are not allowed to pursue two degrees simultaneously like those in the US, where students can leave with a major and a minor. However, in the same time that a US student completes their undergraduate degree, a UK student could possibly complete a one-year graduate programme on top of their undergraduate degree. Thus, in the span of four years, a UK student might leave college with a graduate degree, while a US student might carry two majors, or a major and a minor.
Let’s talk about culture
Having spent my high school years (Junior college equivalent) in Connecticut, US and currently attending college in London, I can definitely assure you that there’s a noticeable cultural difference between the two. Disclaimer, every state in the US has its own unique culture, just like how different parts of the UK will inevitably be different for the international student. However, one generalization that I can offer is that the UK education system is a lot closer to Singapore’s than the US’ is. This could stem from the fact that the Singapore education system is largely based on the UK system. Be prepared for lectures and seminars in the UK, as compared to smaller classes and discussion groups in the US. Additionally, you’d be more likely to find other Singaporeans at your UK university than certain US universities, especially if your US university isn’t a more popular Singaporean choice like an Ivy League or a University of California. Whether this is a pro or con, I leave that up to your personal preference. (Though I have to admit that the Singaporean society in my UK school made the transition to an overseas university a lot easier than when I was the sole Singaporean representative in my high school.)
Schooling aside, the social scenes in the UK and US have their differences, but given the diversity of schools in both countries, you’d be better off researching specific colleges’ culture rather than making sweeping statements across the board. Some factors for college culture you might want to consider include whether there are good relationships between school administrators and students, the level of work-life balance, and the international student support system.
The Roommate
Are you ready for the independent life, or are you still keen on a more transitional phase to adulthood? In the UK, most dorm rooms are singles, with the option of an en-suite bathroom and a self-catered kitchen. On top of school work, students who opt for such independent living have to consider weekly grocery runs, cleaning their living areas and staying on top of their laundry. In London specifically, students typically find their own apartments with friends in the second and third years, as boarding is not guaranteed the older you get. This leads to a whole other host of questions like which location is both cheap and convenient, how are living expenses going to be split and which friendship are you willing to risk by moving in with them.
In the US, however, you’d probably have to choose a roommate, or be randomly assigned one. The intention between shared dorms is to foster good relationships between individuals and provide a learning experience for the students (think key words like communication skills and compromise). However, be prepared for horror stories of inconsiderate roommates and whose-turn-is-it-to-throw-the-trash. Food is usually catered, meaning the university provides meals, so if you’re someone who doesn’t trust their cooking skills, this is a good point to consider.
Everyone’s favourite: safety
In my opinion, campus safety all depends on which part of the UK or US you go to. London is notorious for pick-pocketing and phone-grabbing, more so if you look like a well-off international student. However, other parts of the UK might be safer, like in Cambridge which is a town itself and dorms are gated communities.
In the US, some colleges are closed campuses in the middle of the woods, so your worst enemy is probably going to be the occasional bear or trash panda raccoon. On the other hand, colleges located in bustling cities like New York or Boston might be more prone to thieves or harassment. Admittedly, there are higher rates of gun violence in the US than the UK, but when going out in public, stick to better policed areas and reasonable times of the day and it shouldn’t be a problem.
(As for the point on racism, that transcends geographical borders.)
Conclusion
While writing this article, I was tempted to put a little score count for UK v US, but it occurred to me that you can’t quantify these considerations. My reasons for choosing the UK are specific to my situation, and though I deliberated for months, and there were definite downsides to my final choice, it’s still a decision I don’t regret because my school first and foremostly ticked all my priority boxes. Everyone wants something different out of their college experience, so when approaching the question of whether to study in the US or the UK, my best advice is to have a good gauge of what you want and figure out which college in either country can best provide you with that.
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