ICON+

Confused about which education system suits you better?

A great many of our students look to apply abroad for further study, the most prominent destinations being the US and the UK. Choosing between the two, however, can often be an incredibly taxing and confusing task. Are the courses structured differently? Is it easier to get into one country’s Universities than the other? These are just some of the questions we get asked – to settle the issue, over the next two issues our two experienced Admissions Counselors weigh up the merits, and the negatives, of studying in these countries:

UK

Everyone knows about the great Universities of the UK, Oxford and Cambridge, the institutions that have provided the building blocks and led the way for much in the way western studies are now conducted. Some will know about the Universities of London; LSE, UCL and King’s to name but three. Comparatively few, however, will know of the merits of studying at Lancaster, Manchester or Cardiff, and it is in that variety of institution that the UK excels.

Tradition and reputation go so far, but the UK Universities offer so much more than this. Academic institutions are growing in their research capabilities – for example, the University of Warwick has just opened a new Digilab on its campus, specifically designed to promote a research atmosphere in a new and groundbreaking manner, including in the field of nanotechnology.

Across all universities subjects are typically taught with variety, including lectures, seminars, group work and individual project formats. The student voice is growing, with countless societies at each, many of them internationally themed, offering students opportunities to explore new ideas and try new activities outside of their studies. The variety is there too, from the fast-urban life of the cities to the calmer, but not less academically intensive, elements of campus based Universities such as Nottingham. Many of these campus based Universities are built near to or in cities, and so offer both that relaxed element and yet still provide an active social life!

Degrees from UK Universities are respected the world over, and graduates command excellent positions in the working world. Universities tend to be responsive and welcoming to international applicants, with student visas able to be obtained providing acceptance on the course and proof of finances is evident. Such visas can also provide students with the ability to remain in the UK for a year in the UK. This comes in handy given the debts that are incurred through attending UK Universities. Fees vary depending upon course and institution, but tuition fees and living expenses – particularly if attending a University in London – are often high. Scholarships are almost impossible for international undergraduates to obtain from any source in the UK.

Entry standards vary, but for the top universities high grades are naturally required. This is supplemented with a personal statement written via UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service), and occasionally with an interview. Oxford and Cambridge also typically require further admissions exams. However, the process is relatively simple, with everything sent through UCAS done via one online form. The downside to this is that you are only able to apply to a maximum of five Universities, and the one essay is sent out to all of them, so you have to be careful with what you say so as not to offend the other Universities!

Conclusion: The UK provides an education that engenders respect and impresses throughout the globe, something that more than makes up for the fees in the long run. The individual Universities provide contrasting University experiences and opportunities, the lifestyle being varied across the UK. Essentially, whatever you want from your University experience you can find in the UK, and with no grouping like ‘Ivy League’ Schools in the US, individual University names are well-known and growing, some of them rapidly.

Rod Renno (Admissions Counselor, ICON+)

Rod Renno has helped students successfully apply for postgraduate programs and jobs through his work at the University of Warwick Careers Centre. He graduated with an MA by Research from the University of Warwick, UK.