US vs UK: Which is the Better Study Abroad Destination?

Have you ever wondered why Indian students frequently choose to study in the US and the UK? Great work opportunities, scholarship opportunities, top-notch educational quality, part-time job opportunities, higher living standards, and much more can be expected when studying in these countries. As both of these countries attract a large number of international students, a comparison of the United Kingdom and the United States is unavoidable. You might be having a hard time choosing between these two countries. But you should stop worrying as this blog will end the debate of the US vs UK once and for all. We will compare the two countries and conclude which is a better study-abroad destination at the end of this blog. 

Parameters	USA	UK
Area	9.834 Million KM²	209,331 KM²
Currency	United States Dollar ($)	Pound Sterling (£)
Capital	Washington, D.C.	London
Total Higher Education Providers	4,313	295
Total Indian Students Studying	211,930	120,000
Average Cost of Living	$2,500 – $3,500 Per Month	£919 Per Month
Average Cost of Studying	$7,000 – $55,000 Per Year	£10,000 to £38,000 Per Year
Popular Job Sectors	Tech and IT, Energy, Marketing/Creative, Life sciences, Healthcare, Retail, E-commerce, and Business Services	Accountancy, Business, Banking and Finance, Consulting and Management, Creative Arts and Design, and Energy and utilities.
Permitted Part-Time Working Hours	Up To 20 Hours Per Week During School Sessions and Full Time During Holidays	20 Hours Per Week

Top Universities: US vs UK

Choosing the right university is critical to the advancement of your career. We have presented a list of top universities in the United States and the UK in the tables below. Finally, at the end of this section, we will determine which country has the best universities. 

Universities in the US

Have a look at some of the top universities in the US:

Top Universities in the US	QS World University Rankings 2024	Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)	1	5
Harvard University	4	2
Stanford University	5	3
University of California Berkeley (UCB)	10	8
University of Chicago	11	13
University of Pennsylvania	12	14
Cornell University	13	20
California Institute of Technology (Caltech)	15	6
Yale University	16	9
Princeton University	17	7
Columbia University	23	11
Johns Hopkins University	28	15
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)	29	21
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor	33	23
New York University (NYU)	38	24

Universities in the UK 

Have a look at some of the top universities in the UK:

Top Universities in the UK	QS World University Rankings 2024	Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023
University of Cambridge	2	5
University of Oxford	3	1
Imperial College London	6	10
UCL (University College London)	9	22
The University of Edinburgh	22	29
University of Manchester	32	54
King’s College London, University of London	40	35
London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London	45	37
University of Bristol	55	76
University of Warwick	67	104
University of Leeds	75	128
University of Glasgow	76	82
Durham University	78	198
University of Southampton	81	108
University of Birmingham	84	108
University of St Andrews	95	201–250
University of Nottingham	100	130
University of Sheffield	104	114t
Newcastle University	110	139
Lancaster University	122	122

Which Country is Better?

As apparent from the statistics above, universities in the United States rank higher than universities in the UK. As a result, we grant a score of +2 to the US in this section of our US vs UK contest. 

Also Read: Study a Bachelor in Biology in the USA: A Guide

Admission Requirements

When selecting whether to pursue a degree in the United States or the UK, you must carefully consider the requirements in each nation. In this section, we will go over the entrance criteria for universities in each country. 

Admission Requirements For US

Let’s have a look at the qualifying criteria you must meet in order to be considered eligible for admission to US universities:

• For bachelor’s level programs, you must have a TOEFL score of 55 to 79, or equivalent. 
• For master’s level programs, you must have a TOEFL score of 55 to 89, or the equivalent.
• Students must have a GPA of 2.5 to 3.5 or above in their previous studies. 
• They must also have a minimum SAT score of 1500-1600, a PTE Academic score of 50-70, an ACT score of 25, an IELTS score of 6-6.5, and an iTEP score of 3.7. 
• Applicants must have finished high school or the equivalent. 
• Students must have a four-year bachelor’s degree or its equivalent to apply for a master’s degree program. 
• Applicants must provide letters of recommendation, resumes, essays, and a copy of their current passports. 
• In addition, students must present proof of financial support, which is required for the I-20 Form.

Admission Requirements For UK

Here are the admission requirements for the universities in the UK:

• The students must score 6.5 on IELTS, 70-100 on TOEFL, 54+ on PTE, and 105-120 on the Duolingo Test. 
• The applicants must be able to provide the following documents:

1. ID proof
2. A valid passport
3. Academic transcripts
4. Letters of recommendation
5. Statement of Purpose
6. English language proficiency test scores
7. Other exam scores, if any
8. CV/ Resume
9. Portfolio (if applicable)
10. Proof of funds and other bank statements 

• The students are also required to apply for the Tier 4 student visa.
• They need to have at least 65% marks in their Class 12 exam. 

Which Country is Better?

As apparent from the above criteria, the admission process for the universities in both the US and UK is equally hard. However, US Universities require lesser scores on language proficiency tests. Hence, the USA wins another +2 in our US vs UK contest.

Also Read: GRE and TOEFL Scores For Top US Universities

Tuition Fees

In this section, we will find out which country has the lowest cost of schooling. The country with the lowest cost of studying will receive +2 points. So, let us compare tuition fees in the US and the UK. 

Tuition Fees in US

As per the websites of the universities in the US, this is what the average annual tuition fees look like in the country: 

Study Program	Average Annual Tuition Fee
Undergraduate	$8,000 – $40,000
Postgraduate	$10,000 – $60,000
Doctoral	$28,000 – $55,000

Tuition Fees in the UK

As per the websites of the universities in the UK, this is what the average annual tuition fees look like in the country: 

Study Program	Average Annual Tuition Fee
Undergraduate	£8,000 – £30,000
Postgraduate	£12,000
Doctoral	£20,000 – £50,000

Which Country is Better?

The tables above show that the cost of studying in the UK is lower than in the United States. As a result, we are giving a +2 score to the UK in this US vs UK contest. 

Also Read: Masters in Digital Marketing in USA

Living Expenses

One of the biggest worries that international students have when deciding on a study-abroad destination is the cost of living. So, let’s compare the US and the UK in terms of the cost of living. 

Cost of Living in the US

This is what the cost of living looks like in the US according to Numbeo:

Monthly Rent	$1,382.53 – $3,055.29
Average Apartment Price (Price per Square Metre)	$3,205.66 – $4,725.85
Average Cost of an Inexpensive Restaurant Meal	$20
Average Transportation Cost	$70
Average Cost of Utility (Monthly)	$306.27 Per Month

Cost of Living in the UK

This is what the cost of living looks like in the UK according to Numbeo:

Monthly Rent	£723.47 – £1,606.95
Average Apartment Price (Price per Square Metre)	£3,333.25 – £4,456.38
Average Cost of an Inexpensive Restaurant Meal	£15
Average Transportation Cost	£67.9
Average Cost of Utility (Monthly)	£252.75

Which Country is Better?

The cost of living in the UK is lower than the cost of living in the US, as apparent from the above tables. Hence, we are granting +2 points to the UK in this section of our US vs UK contest. 

Also Read: Study in UK 2023

Work Permit and PR

Students frequently study abroad in the goal of finding employment and eventually acquiring permanent residency. Let’s have a look at how simple it is to obtain a work visa and permanent residency in the US and the UK. 

Work Permit in the US

Here is how a work permit is given in the US:

Eligibility for a Work Permit in the US

The immigrants eligible to obtain a work permit in the US include:

• K-1 Fiance Visa holders,
• DACA recipients,
• Immigrants with extraordinary abilities,
• Immigrants with pending adjustment of status (green card) applications,
• Asylees,
• Immigrants with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or Deferred Enforced Departure (DED),
• Certain exchange visitors,
• Spouses of some visa holders,
• F-1 students who are experiencing financial hardship who want to apply for optional practical training (OPT), and 
• Approved temporary workers.

Apply for a Work Permit in the US

Follow the steps mentioned below to apply for a work permit in the United States:

Step 1: Apply for an immigration status that will allow you to work in the United States. 

2nd Step: Fill out USCIS Form I-765: Application for Employment Authorization to apply for a work permit in the United States.

Step 3: Gather and submit the necessary documentation, which includes a duplicate of your original Form I-94 travel record, a duplicate of your passport photo page, and two 2-inch-by-2-inch passport-style photos of yourself. 

4th Step: The filing fee must now be paid. Most I-765 forms are charged $410 by the USCIS. 

Step 5: Submit your work permit application to USCIS after completing Form I-765, compiling all supporting documents, and paying the filing fee.

Form I-765 is typically processed in 6.7 months by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). 

PR in the US

Green Cards, often known as alien registration cards, are valid for ten years. If a person has been a lawful permanent resident for five years through employment or three years through marriage to a US citizen, then he/she can petition for citizenship.

Work Permit in the UK

Here is how a work permit is given in the UK:

Apply for a Work Permit in the UK

A work permit cannot be obtained directly from the UK. In the United Kingdom, your employer must apply on your behalf. The nature of your activity and the type of license you get will decide the time of your authorisation of your visa. 

The work visa is meant for highly skilled and qualified foreign workers who are able to contribute to the economic growth and productivity of the United Kingdom. This visa category is available to entrepreneurs, investors, and exceptional talent.

This category covers professions of:

• Engineers;
• IT specialists;
• Doctors (Physicians);
• Scientists;
• Innovators;
• Finance experts;
• Entrepreneurs;
• Other

Eligibility Criteria for a Work Permit in the UK

In order to obtain a work permit in the UK, you need to have:

• Passport & travel history,
• UK Job details,
• Certificate of Sponsorship,
• Educational and business credentials,
• English Language Proficiency, and 
• Evidence you are located outside the UK & employed by a non-UK-based company.

You should receive a decision on your work visa within 3 weeks of applying. 

PR in the UK

In the United Kingdom, PR is also known as Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). In most situations, you must have continuously resided in the UK for at least 5 years before applying for UK PR. However, the length of time required to achieve UK PR status is determined by the type of UK visa you hold.

Which Country is Better?

As we can see from the above, it is easier to get a work permit and PR in the UK than in the US. Hence, we are giving a score of +2 to the UK in this section of our US vs UK contest. 

Also Read: Best MBA Colleges in UK

Average Salaries: US vs UK

According to Indeed, the average yearly wage in the United States after graduation is $55,260. According to Glassdoor, it is $85,502 after completing postgraduate studies. On the other hand, the average salary in the UK is £29,500 after graduation according to Indeed. The average annual salary of a postgraduate is £30,442 in the UK. 

Which Country is Better?

As we can see, the average salary in the US is more than in the UK. Hence, we are granting +2 points to the US in this section of our US vs UK contest. 

Also Read: Masters in Civil Engineering in UK

Other Major Elements

Let’s have a look at some additional important considerations to consider while deciding where to study abroad. These are the crucial elements:

Climate

The weather in the United Kingdom is notorious for being chilly, rainy, and dreary. Although this is true at times of the year, the UK is much better than most people imagine and may have some spectacular weather throughout the summer months.

On the other hand, the United States has a diverse climate, ranging from sunny Florida to arctic Alaska. Depending on where you are in the country, temperatures might range from -40 to +50 degrees Celsius. 

Safety

Although the UK has a lower overall crime rate than the US, the latter has a lower rate of certain categories of crime, such as property crime.

The United States has a greater rate of violent crime than the United Kingdom. However, it is crucial to note that crime rates vary greatly by location and city.

Culture for International Students

Given their shared history and many cultural similarities, it’s no surprise that the UK and the US are frequently compared. The distinctions are easy to miss for overseas students who haven’t spent much time in either country. 

While there are numerous similarities between the two countries, there are also many differences. One of these characteristics is the approach to higher education as well as the culture/lifestyle that students might expect. 

University campuses are primarily used for academic purposes in the United Kingdom. It provides lectures and seminars and serves as a key study and research site for students. While there may be the occasional recreational facility, such as a gym or restaurant, most British campuses are undeniably academic in nature.  

Campus life in the United States may be an entirely different experience. University campuses in the United States are built differently and focus on providing students with everything they may need in one location.

Most US colleges have on-campus housing, study areas, eateries, social areas, and other amenities. Depending on where the school is located, it may be more incorporated into the city or town. Outside of academics, most campuses in the United States have more to offer than those in the United Kingdom. 

Also Read: BTech in UK

Conclusion

When we add up the scores of the US and the UK, we get a total score of +6 for the US and +6 for the UK. As a result, its a tie between US vs UK in this game.

However, it is important to remember that both the United States and the United Kingdom have advantages and disadvantages. It is advisable to choose a degree or topic of study before applying for admission to any country’s universities.

Consider the educational facilities and financial aid available for your chosen degree to make a better-informed decision. Having said that, both the US and the UK are outstanding study-abroad destinations. 

Also Read: MRes in the UK

FAQs

So, this was all about the US vs UK. Many Indian students dream of pursuing education in foreign nations due to the exposure and career growth they offer. Consider joining a free counselling session with Leverage Edu if you plan to study abroad.