Every year thousands of Americans enroll in UK universities, excited by the prospect of studying abroad. And while there are some similarities in the university experience of both countries, there are also many key differences that set it apart.
If you intend to study in the UK, you need to know these differences as they can have a huge impact on your academic experience and student life.
1. No ‘Exploration’ Phase
In US universities the first year or two is an ‘exploration phase’ where students take a variety of courses from different departments before declaring their ‘major’. That isn’t the case in UK universities, and you’ll be expected to decide on a specialized course as early as when you put in your application.
Unlike the US switching majors is not common – so you need to be sure of your decision. Take your time to research different courses by looking them up on university websites, and check out the course structure to find out exactly it covers and whether it matches your goals.
2. Personal Statement is King
All UK applications go through the UCAS system and it is very different to what US students expect. Extracurricular activities don’t really matter as much to UK universities – unless they directly relate to your course.
Instead, the focus of your UCAS application will be your personal statement – a 4,000 character pitch that is focused on your passion for the subject you want to pursue. It can make or break your application, so you’ll want to carefully plan, draft, proofread and maybe even ask others for their opinions.
Always keep an eye on the UCAS deadline and get your personal statement ready well in advance.
3. Don’t Expect Professors to Hold Your Hand
The overall academic vibe in the UK is more independent than the US. Generally UK universities have a lecture-based and research-focused approach with fewer assignments and quizzes than US universities. Instead, you’ll be expected to independently study, prepare for class, and form your own learning plans.
Although you’ll have to work more autonomously, there’ll be professors or tutors who you can visit during their office hours if you have questions or need clarification.
4. Final Exams Matter – A Lot!
In US universities you’ll normally have frequent assignments and tests – most of which will count towards your final grade. However in UK universities that isn’t the case, and the grade of some courses may be based solely on the final exams.
As you can imagine this means that the pressure will be on during finals as you’ll need to nail them if you want to score well. On one hand some students prefer this as they can get away with falling behind a little as long as they study for the finals. However it also means that if you don’t plan things out you could end up playing catchup at the last minute and not doing well.
5. Drinking Culture is a Thing
Drinking is legal at 18 in the UK, and that has a big impact on the social scene at universities. It is something you’ll find yourself thrust into right from the start with all the ‘freshers week’ parties that are out there – and after that you’ll quickly find that a lot of socialization takes place on pubs and clubs that are on or near campus.
Student life in the UK is somewhat tied to drinking culture. There are sports as well as clubs and societies – but they aren’t quite as large or omnipresent as they are in the US, and there’s certainly no Greek life either. Pubs are normally a social hub of sorts where students go to have a pint or two of beer, or grab a quick meal with their friends.
6. Work While You Study
To study in the UK you’ll need a Student Route visa. Applying for one is pretty straightforward as long as you receive your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from a university and can prove you have the funds to cover your tuition and living expenses.
Unlike student visas in the US that are normally fairly restrictive, the UK Student Route visa will let you work part-time during term (about 20 hours or so a week) and full-time during the holidays. While this isn’t going to let you entirely fund your studies, picking up jobs here and there can help ease your financial burden significantly.
Conclusion
So do you think that studying in the UK is a good fit? It should be noted that there are other differences in the student experience so you should definitely do your research and carefully weigh all your options before making a final decision.
But if you’re comfortable with embracing a very different student experience and new culture – it could be the start of an amazing experience that gives you the chance to grow and open up new opportunities.
