US Education Compared to World Education

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United States vs. World Education

The higher education system of the United States is known for its superior quality standards, its flexible system of credits and emphasis on studying subjects beyond one’s core specialty.

US schools system

At the school level, public schools are free for residents of the districts. High school in the US is a very important social time for students and academics generally have a low priority in comparison to global standards, especially those in Asian countries.

US college system

The types of colleges range from large state-funded schools to small private schools, religious schools and liberal arts schools that offer a more generalized education instead of having a single focus. These are generally four year colleges and award Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degrees at the undergraduate level and M.A. or M.S., L.L.B., MBA and Ph.D. degrees at the graduate level.

Diploma vs. degree

There are also two year community colleges which award Associate of Arts (A.A.) degrees and many trade and technical schools that award specialized diplomas. A good guide to types of colleges is the EducationUSA website, which lists the types of colleges by type, specialty and financial aid.

UK school and college system

In the UK, approximately 90% of students attend public schools that are state funded. The UK has a wide variety of universities and colleges, with most students completing their higher education in three years. Some Scottish universities offer undergraduate degrees that last four years.

There is no government ranking system for UK universities, although courses and universities do have quality assessments. Entry requirements for UK universities vary and it’s best to check with individual institutions. A good source for information on equivalency of degrees is the National Academic Recognition Information Centre.

There are many institutions in the UK that offer undergraduate degrees but do not have the power to award degrees, although these degrees can lead to recognized degrees at other institutions. Check to see the complete list of recognized UK degrees at the Department of Education and Skills.

Specialized vs. broad based education

The education system is quite different in the UK and US. The US religiously encourages study of subjects outside one’s major – even requires it, so that the individual receives a well rounded education. In the UK, students are expected to pick their specialization and stick to it. The exception is in Scottish universities, which allow students to select a wider range of subjects, although very few students actually take courses outside their main area of study.

Since US college education is broader in base, it is also considered to be not as in-depth, especially at the undergraduate level. US education also requires high participation and self-study by students, with a continuous spate of papers, quizzes and exams, and this interaction keeps the emphasis on academics. In the UK, there are long periods of academic inactivity, which can often lead to a lack of motivation, although social life is usually extremely hectic.

The interaction between students is one of the major characteristics and advantages of the US education. The push to widen one’s mind beyond one’s core subjects is an essential part of studying in the US.

The world’s best universities

According to a study by the US News, 60% of the Top 200 Universities Worldwide are in the US. The success of the US higher education system has been followed across the world. The Canadian university system is very similar to that in the US and many Australian universities also follow this system.

Applying to US universities

Admission procedures for US universities are generally quite bureaucratic and require lots of forms to be submitted and, therefore, planning to be done, but the overall procedure is quite standardized. Submitting transcripts, admission essays, recommendations and financial aid applications are important steps of the process. Please visit Costs of Attending School for further information regarding tuition and other costs associated with going to college in the United States.

There is a lot of variation for admission requirements between institutions in the UK and you will need a careful understanding of the rules. Entrance to Australian universities has been made easier in recent years, with more streamlined procedures.

Financial aid

The major source of financial aid in the US comes from the government in the form of Frances Perkins Loans and Pell Grants. Private foundations and loan companies also provide large chunks of aid to students, and work-study programs are a popular option of supporting education costs. The main form for student loans is the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). These forms are available from January 1 of every year at CSS (College Scholarship Service). For further deatails about student loans, please read the following article, Financial Aid for Students: Loans.

In general, admission to US universities is tougher than in other countries, simply because of the high quality of education. As a paradox, since US college education is much more expensive than in other countries, many students get admission but fail to qualify for financial aid. In contrast, those who apply to Australian or European universities might find it easier to get admission as well as financial aid.