Which University?

matty_c608

Hi all.

I am about to apply for Universities. However, I need an oppinion!

Which are better? UK or US Universities, in General?

I hear the UK Education System is considerably harder, and therefore, to a much better standard. How ever, does this apply to Universities as well? Is it even true?

My preference is to study abroad (For many reasons, not to be discussed here!), but funding can be difficult! I know of sponsorships for Universities, but would a UK Company/Organisation fund for someone who will study over there? And what are the usual commitments that come as part of sponsorship? Is it 'Work for them for X Years' or whatever?

I'd appreciate some oppinions, experiences, and anyone with expert advice! Perhaps someone who has lectured at Universities in both countries too?

Thanks a lot

matty_c608

melancholly

I think the best univeristy will entirely depend on the course you want to do, and what you're looking for...... studying in the US will be very very expensive relative to over here, and getting a place at a top uni over there with funding isn't easy, so prepare to work hard!!

http://www.fulbright.co.uk/eas/studyus/undergraduate/index.html
this page from the fulbright commission may give more info, they're the people i've heard of who give funding (although i think they mainly give postgrad funding) - they have a page on undergrad funding here:
http://www.fulbright.co.uk/eas/studyus/funding/undergrad.html

HTH

matty_c608

That's really great! Thanks a lot!

Anyone else got somethin' to add ?

pin

Remember there is more to university than just studying.Keep that in mind when choosing your university.Its a great experience wherever you end up though.

matty_c608

That is partly why I want to study over there - for the Experience, the slightly different culture etc!

I think my next move is to ask potential employers what they'd rather me have - A UK Degree or a US Degree!

Bumbp - Such a hard decision.

And Visas are a pain! What's the easiest way to become a Citizen (Apart from Marriage!)? I mean, they only want you if you have a Skill, or are dependant on someone who is granted residence there, right?

Midas

Why not look at courses at universities in the UK that allow you to take spend a year of your course abroad? Many universities have arrangements with universities in the States so that students can do this.

As has already been said, it really depends on what you are going to study.

With regards to where, British employers are probably going to be generally more predisposed to you if you have a British degree (rather than an American one), partly as this is what they're most used to and partly because (as a rough rule of thumb), British degrees are more highly regarded. It really depends where you study though - a Harvard degree obviously carries a lot more weight than one from Luton University... equally an Oxbridge degree is going to be a lot more valuable to you than one from a middle-ranking US university that the average British employer hasn't even heard of.

hattie_pea

I believe that British degrees from good universities are very well respected across the world, but remember its 3/4 years of your life and you need to be sure that you'll be happy where ever you choose long term...chances are you'll have a love/hate relationship with your degree from time to time so make sure you're in the right setting! Good luck in making your decision! x

kar

From what I'm aware of american degrees are a very different set up to UK ones. They only choose their major by taking a certain number of courses in it and the rest can be anything under the sun and i think that you must pick some from certain bands.

In the UK you generally study the subjects in your degree title from day one and no (or limited) others. Therefore the standard obtained in the specified subject at the end is, I believe, considered to be higher. The reasoning I have been told for this is that it only takes 1 further year to top up a UK degree to a Masters but 2 further years in the States. (Master degrees are considered the same level). However the USA system does allow you to become a more rounded student studing a variety of subjects. It would be extremely hard to find funding for a course in the states though it is far more expensive than the UK in fees etc and you problably wouldn't get accepted without evidence of your funding.

On my degree (chemistry) there was an option to study for a year in canada or the states. I think this is the best option for experiencing time abroad during your degree.

Dead_Eye_Jones

yep as above my Chem degree offered a year out in industry, or you could do it with a language and then spend a year in Germany or whichever language you study etc. A mate doing sociology won a place to do the 2nd year in California and have it count. I forget the name of the scheme, is it Erasmus, or Socrates or something?

I guess cost is also a massive factor, am I right in thinking an American degree will cost like $40,000 and at a top 'school' it will be more like $100,000? Are you American, or British?

As to where to study, in the UK id look at London for a full on experience. Something a bit more chilled, try Bristol.

As to qulity of degrees, im not sure it really matters, employers arent that fussy really, I think you dont realise that until youve been working. In my City based company we check to see you have a degree, not fussed what, after that we look for bright dynamic people who we feel can do the job. Qualifications cant help if you dont have the social skills, charisma, presentation, etc... but much of that you'll learn from the Uni experience !

Good luck.

Rad

There was a section about going to how the UK universities should try and stop students going to US universities and the grants that are available for those that chose to go on Radio 4 last night. You can listen to it through the bbc's website.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/news/worldtonight/

matty_c608

Yep $40000 is a lot of money.

I am British, I have my reasons for going there though.

I think I can find the funding anyway! $40000 includes accomondation, board, food, supplies and books, medical insurance, the lot, for the 4 year period. At $10000 a year, that's not that bad i'd say - I mean Fees alone here are looking at about £3000 per year now. Plus any 'living' expenses, books food, I think it's roughly the same in the end!

I think I'm going to persue this then! Work my butt off, get money, bank it, interest for a while. May find some funding sources/scholarships.

Thanks all for help, it's really helped me. I'd still like to hear anyones experiences of going there to study though!!

matty_c608