UK vs USA: Best Country for Indian Students
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Studying in the UK or the US has its own advantages and disadvantages. But the chances of getting employed in renowned agencies or organisations after graduating from these institutions are also very high. The article throws light on what both of these countries offer to overseas students in terms of courses, post-graduate employment, and growth prospects. Let us now learn which is better for Indian students: US or UK.
Check out: Oxford vs Harvard: Which is better?
- US Vs UK: Climatic Conditions
- Popular Courses in US and UK
- Eligibility for Courses in the US
- Eligibility for Courses in the UK
- Costs for Undergraduate Courses in US vs in UK
- US Student Visa
- UK Student Visa
- Post-Study Work Visa Requirements
- Jobs in the US
- Jobs in the UK
- Immigration Policies
- Scholarships and Financial Aid
- UK vs US for Indian Students FAQs
US Vs UK: Climatic Conditions
If you are someone who likes either warm or cold places, then the following section will help you determine where you may want to settle for your higher education.
US
The US is a large country with a republican form of government and has varied temperatures and climates in different areas. The East Coast has a warm climate and covers cities like St. Louis, NYC. The Midwest and New England regions have frozen winters and include cities like Chicago and Boston. The Pacific Northwest has a humid oceanic climate and includes cities like Seattle and Portland. The Southwest has a hot desert climate and includes cities like Phoenix and Las Vegas. The southeast has a warm to hot, humid climate and covers cities like Houston and New Orleans.
UK
The UK is an island nation, much smaller than the USA and has a constitutional monarchy. The country has a variable climate, changing from day to day. It is difficult to predict the weather. In general, the summers are warm and winters see snowfall. Summers are cooler than those in India. Also, the rains are unpredictable, and it could rain at any time during the year. The average temperature in summers is around 25°C to 15°C; in winters it is around 7°C to 0°C.
Related Read: Difference between the Undergraduate application process to US and UK universities
Popular Courses in US and UK
Check out the most popular courses in the US and the UK in the table below.
| Popular Courses in USA Vs UK | |
|---|---|
| USA | UK |
| Engineering | Business and management studies |
| MBA | Law |
| PhD | Social Studies |
| IT and allied fields | Arts and Design |
| Sports and Sports Management | Psychology |
| Biotechnology | Nursing |
| Physiotherapy | Biosciences |
| Hospitality | Dentistry |
| Computer Science and Electrical Engineering | Education |
Eligibility for Courses in the US
For undergraduate (UG) courses, you need to have completed 12 years of schooling. To get admission though you need to appear for the SAT exam.
In postgraduate (PG) courses, you need 16 years of education. For Indian students, it translates to 12 years of schooling and four years of undergraduate education. But since most Indian colleges offer three years of education at the UG level, you might need to take up a one-year course to cover up the difference. If you have studied at a premier Indian institute, some US universities might accept your three years degree as well, although the cases are rare. You can check with the university’s admissions cell and ask about your case. To get admission in management courses you will have to appear for GMAT, and for science courses you need to give the GRE exam.
There are no cutoffs for colleges, so you need to score the best that you can in all the exams. Colleges provide average scores accepted to different courses on their websites. That will give some idea about what’s considered a good score. You will also need to appear for language exams like TOEFL or IELTS, irrespective of the degree. Even if the colleges may not require any language test for Indian students, you should still give either the TOEFL or the IELTS as they are important for the purpose of getting a visa.
Predict your IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE in just 4 steps!
In the case of an MBA, you might be required to have a few years of work experience.
Check: Which exam to give for which course to study abroad
Eligibility for Courses in the UK
For UG courses in the UK, premier universities used to require 13 years of pre-university education. This rule was recently changed, and now UK universities recognise CBSE plus-two certificates for admission to UG courses.
In PG courses, you can get admission after finishing a three-year UG degree. To get admission to management courses, you will have to appear for the GMAT. For science courses, you may not need to give the GRE exam so check with the university first.
Similar to the US, you might be required to have a few years of work experience in the case of management courses. TOEFL or IELTS may be waived by the university, but they are important for the purpose of getting a visa.
Costs for Undergraduate Courses in US vs in UK
The overall cost to study and live in the US and the UK is dependent on many factors like university, course, and location.
Particulars |
Undergraduate course in the US |
Undergraduate course in the UK |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition |
$20,000-$40,000 per year |
£11,400 - £38,000 per year |
| Room and Living expenses |
$10,000-$25,000 per year |
₹ 14-24 Lakhs per year |
| Duration of the course |
4 years |
3 years |
| Total |
$20,000-$45,000 per year |
£20,000-£30,000 |
Costs for Postgraduate Courses in US vs the UK
The average costs to study PG courses and live in the US and the UK are given below.
Particulars |
Postgraduate course in the US |
Postgraduate course in the UK |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition |
$20,000-$45,000 per year |
£17,000 - £22,000 per year |
| Room and Living expenses |
$10,000-$25,000 per year |
₹ 14-24 Lakhs per year |
| Duration of the course |
2 years |
1-2 years |
| Total |
$25,000-$60,000 per year |
£22,000-£27,000 per year |
Check: Student Visas for Study Abroad
US Student Visa
A full-time student visa is called an F1 visa. This visa has the following regulations -
- A F1 visa personal interview is compulsory, and you will be required to appear for an additional appointment to provide Biometrics (fingerprints).
- You can remain in the US for up to 60 days beyond the length of time it takes to complete your academic program unless you have been approved to stay and work for a period of time under the OPT Program (Optional Practical Training).
- It costs USD$185 to apply for this visa. You will be required to pay an additional $350 for the SEVIS fee.
- You cannot work more than 20 hours per week. During holidays, breaks, and summer sessions, the student may work up to 40 hours per week. The student can only work on campus for a commercial firm that provides services to the college, such as a bookstore or cafeteria.
UK Student Visa
A full-time student visa is called a Tier 4 (General) student visa. Due to the tightening of visa rules over the last few years, getting a British student visa is more difficult than before. For this visa, these rules apply -
- It is granted only for a full-time study program.
- If you are applying for a diploma course, the length of the visa would be three years (maximum).
- If you are applying for a degree from a university, then the length of the visa would be four years (maximum).
- The UK student visa fee is £524. You will be required to pay an additional healthcare surcharge per year (which typically costs £776) for your period of stay in the UK.
- You may or may not be called to the consulate to appear for a personal interview.
- You may or may not be allowed to work part-time during your studies, depending on individual cases. The two types of work that International Students are allowed to do are 1. Part-time – Up to 20 hours a week during term, full-time during vacations (only on-campus), and 2. Full-time work placements which are part of a 'sandwich course'.
Check the cost of tudying comparison between the UK and the USA in the video below.
Post-Study Work Visa Requirements
Both countries provide permission to stay back and look for work for international students after the completion of their studies, but with different conditions. Check out the differences below.
US
- If students want to stay back in the US to gain practical knowledge in their subject, they have the option to do so through OPT. It is a temporary employment permission allowing students the opportunity to gain practical experience in their field of study for a 12-month period. You can apply for OPT after being enrolled for at least 9 months, but you cannot begin employment until you receive your Employment Authorisation Document
- The Student Co-Op Program is a formally structured program where the intent is to recruit students, while still in school, to fill permanent positions upon graduation. Co-op programs are generally undertaken at colleges and universities. In most cases, you will have to apply for a Work Visa upon getting a full-time job of a permanent nature.
UK
- If you want to work there after your studies, then you need to apply for a Graduate Visa, which allows you to stay and look for work for a period of 2 years (3 years in case of doctoral courses).
- In order to be eligible to apply for a UK post-study work visa or Graduate Visa, you must be present in the UK and have completed a bachelor's/master's/doctorate degree on a UK Tier 4 student visa.
- The application fee for this UK Graduate Visa is £880.
Check: Top Study Abroad Intakes: Types and Countries
Jobs in the US
Jobs in fields like management, advertising, finance, dentistry, software engineering, etc. are some of the top jobs in America.
Jobs in the UK
Top jobs in the UK are corporate managers, directors, mechanical engineers, aircraft pilots, nurses, etc.
Note - The Indian concept of campus placements and on-campus recruitment does not apply to American or British universities. Students are expected to look for internships and jobs on their own.
Immigration Policies
US
A permanent residency option is possible but it is a very long-drawn and slow process. It is a complicated process and requires the person applying for it to reside in the US for at least five years on the grounds of employment. After that you will be granted a “Green Card”, but the whole process might take years to complete.
UK
Due to changes in government and legal policies recently, immigrating to the UK is deemed really difficult. The UK govt. has taken a lot of measures to delist "bogus" colleges and limit non-EU migration. If you are staying back in the UK on a Student or Work visa, then in most cases you will be required to leave the country
Scholarships and Financial Aid
Abroad, most universities have a provision for financial aid. You can find out about the scholarships your university offers through its Financial Aid department. Apart from universities, there are a lot of scholarships made available to organizations, funds, etc. here are a few scholarships for Indian students interested in studying in either US or UK.
This was all about "Is UK or US better for international students?". Get free Counselling Services from Shiksha to start your study abroad journey today!
UK vs US for Indian Students FAQs
Q. Which country is better to live US or UK?
A. The US and UK’s living standards are high compared to other countries. The UK is often considered a cheaper place to live. The cost of living in both countries is not the same and can vary depending on where people choose to live. It's also important to note that the average salary for someone in the US is significantly higher than what it would be in the UK due to taxes.
Q. Is the USA richer than the UK?
A. Compared to the American GDP per capita in 2023, the British economy remains significantly behind. GDP per capita (current US$) in the United States was reported at 82,769 USD in 2023, while GDP per capita (current US$) in the United Kingdom was reported at 49,464 USD in 2023. Current GDP per capita in the United States is estimated to be USD $85,951 at the end of 2025. Therefore, on this measure, the UK continues to lag significantly behind the US, with American GDP per capita being approximately 67% higher than the UK's.
Q. How is the UK better than the US?
A. The United Kingdom offers a high standard of education at a much cheaper cost. You get a chance to enjoy British life and culture. It's better than anything else and you know it. The country has many world-ranked universities for UG and PG study.
Q. Why are UK salaries lower than the US?
A. A significant contributing factor to the difference in pay in the UK and the US boils down to British subsidized social benefits, specifically the NHS, our free healthcare system. Apart from this, the US holds some of the big giants of the industry that hire graduates at a healthy package.
Q. Is the cost of living in the USA higher than in the UK?
A. There is such a big difference in the living cost of both countries. According to cost-of-living comparisons, the cost of living in the UK compared to the US is broadly equal, with the UK being slightly less expensive by some measures. The average cost of student living in the UK is around £547 a month if you are not spending too much on your accommodation. The estimated living cost for the US is around $10,000 to $18,000 per year, which averages around $1,000 to $1,500 per month.
Q. Is a UK Master's degree valid in the US?
A. Yes, a master's degree from the UK is considered valid in US institutions for research positions as well as university appointments. The weightage of the UK master's degree is quite high for research and work.
Q. Which is more powerful UK or usa?
A. The USA is generally considered more powerful than the UK in terms of military strength, economy, and global influence. The USA has the world's largest economy and strongest military, while the UK remains influential but on a smaller scale.
The minimum IELTS score for USA depends on the university requirements. Tier 1 colleges and universities usually require a score of 7 and above.
Students should secure a minimum ‘D’ grade to be declared pass in the UK 12th board exam. As per the rules of the UK Board 12th exams, those who obtain an 'E' grade in a subject will not be declared as pass in that subject. Those who could not clear the UK 12th exam can appear for the UK 12th supplementary exam. The UK 12th supplementary exam will be held in July. Through proper preparation and planning, students can easily clear the UK Board 12th exam.
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Comments
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3 years ago
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2 years ago
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3 years ago
Hello Dev. The best way for you to decide is to check the curriculum, internships, and placements opportunities from both the colleges. Besides these factors, you can also take into consideration other aspects such as fee, location, campus facilities, etc. You can contact our experts here for coun
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3 years ago
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3 years ago
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4 years ago
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4 years ago
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4 years ago
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4 years ago
While the Felician University is not ranked nationally, US news ranks the institute #115 as part of the Regional Universities North category.
Moreover, it also ranks Felician #455 for Nursing courses & #18 for Social Mobility in the US.