Thursday 7 January 2016

US Or UK Education System- Which Choice To Make?

In the previous blog I discussed the differences between the US and UK education system. In this post I shall enlighten you more on the differences between UK and US education system.

Homework and Grades

As we discussed in the last post the US education system places more emphasize on the breadth of the course, courses involve weekly or biweekly readings and other assignments like writing projects, research papers, and oral presentations throughout the program. In the UK, however, the schools are actually more lecture-focused, with only sporadic assignments throughout the course terms. Sometimes, there might be no real requisite assignments and instead your total grade may be depended on a single final exam. In US, your grade is based on your performance in the different assignments, with the final exam adding only a percentage of your entire grade.

Cost

Now, the cost of education in both nations is far from inexpensive, but the education cost in the United States is comparatively higher. As per the law, universities in England can charge the students up to £9000 (approx $14,300) per year. Obviously, this law applies to only citizens of the UK and the EU, not intercontinental students. Fees for them can be notably higher. The government sets the tuition fees limits, and every school sets its own fee structure accordingly.

By distinction, the US government has very little control over what universities can charge the students. The US distinguishes between in-state schooling fees and out-of-state schooling fees and between private and public schools too. These peculiarities establish the tuition fee. The average tuition fee for public two-year institutions can be almost $3000 per year, whereas the average fee for private four-year institutions will be $29,000 per year and some private four-year institutions can charge till $50,000 per year.

Accommodation

Both countries offer students with residence halls where they can reside. They are almost alike, although in UK it is more normal to have a dorm by yourself, whereas in US, you will share a dorm with at least one person. Still, after the first year, US students may have further housing options available like private housing or off-campus housing. It is more common for dormitories to be self-catered in the UK, while the US universities usually provide a series of full dining choices for its students. One potentially major distinction is that maid service is common in the UK residence halls albeit they pay a nominal fee for it.

Conclusion

While both US and UK can offer great avenues for high-class education, each system has a distinct approach to education, and there are several advantages and disadvantages to each. If you are thinking of pursuing your higher education in either the UK or the US, then you should take into regard the different distinctions mentioned in this and previous blog. Take in regard especially the period it will take to finish the program, the tuition fees and whether you favour more in-depth knowledge or more breadth in your degree program.

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