UK vs US: Which is Better for International Students

US vs. UK: Cost of living

One can expect 1,635 - 2,345 USD as the living cost in the US, which varies significantly across the states. As per the US government data, the price for living categories differ by around 27% across the states.

Similarly, the price differs for London and other parts in the UK. One can expect an average monthly living cost between 1,094 - 1,351 USD, and the UK government instructs international students to have at least 1,660 USD per month to live in London and 1,273 USD outside London. 

The table below compares major living costs in the US and the UK:

Accommodation in the US and the UK

There are two types of accommodation available for international students in the US and UK: On-campus and off-campus. The stay on campus is allocated by the university, depending on the availability of space, and the off-campus stay is managed by the students themselves. 

On-campus housing:

• On-campus stay will help you reduce your overall expenses since the monthly fee will be lower, and you can get food at a lower price from the university mess
• Average annual on-campus rent in the US: 6,000 - 11,000 USD
• Average annual on-campus rent in the UK: 9,000 - 10,000 USD 

Off-campus housing:

• Shared houses or flats, homestays, and private rentals are the top off-campus housing options for international students in the US or the UK
• It is better you share the house with someone and cook your meals to save big in rent and food
• Average annual off-campus rent in the US: 11,000 - 20,000 USD
• Average annual off-campus rent in the UK: 12,000 - 14,000 USD

US: Top scholarships

In the US, there are numerous university/college/course/nationality-specific scholarships to students based on academic merit and financial needs. 

UK: Top scholarships

International students can apply for scholarships in the UK specific to the course, university, country, financial status, etc. 

US student visa

To get a US student visa, you need to follow the steps below: 

• Get admission to a SEVP-approved school in the US. You will be registered in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), the electronic system by the US government to track international students.
• Pay the SEVIS fee (350 USD) and get Form I-20 from your university.
• Apply for a student visa by filling out Form DS-160 and paying the US visa fee of 160 USD.
• Schedule a VAC (Visa Application Centre) appointment and give your biometric data, such as fingerprints and webcam face capture
• Book and attend the consular interview 

A US student visa is valid for up to 5 years, after which you must return to your home country within 60 days unless you get an employment visa. 

You can work up to 1 year after the completion of your studies if you are eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, which can be extended to one more year. 

US student visa: Documents required

• Passport valid for at least 6 months
• Form DS-160 confirmation page.
• Application fee payment receipt, if you are required to pay before your interview.
• Photo – You need to upload your photo while filling out Form DS-160. If you can’t upload it successfully, you need to bring it for the visa interview. See the photo requirements for the US visa.
• Entrance test results (IELTS/TOEFL/GRE etc.)
• Bank statements as proof of funds to study in the US

You can apply for a US visa 120 days before the course start date. It will take approximately 21 working days to process your application once it is received, plus 2-3 days will be required to return your passport.

UK student visa

Follow the steps given below to obtain a student visa for the UK:

• Get an offer letter from a UK university (which must be a licensed Tier 4 sponsor).
• Receive a CAS letter (Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies) from your university, a crucial document for your visa application. Learn more about the CAS letter to study in the UK
• Apply for the UK student visa online and provide biometrics data and photographs to a visa application center. The UK visa application fee is 363 GBP (INR 38,425)

Student Route is the new points-based visa system for international students to study in the UK. International students must obtain a valid Student Route visa to study in the UK, which allows them to stay up to 5 years.

After the completion of studies, students can apply for the Graduate Route visa to stay in the UK for 2 years (3 years for Ph.D. graduates) to explore professional opportunities. 

UK student visa: Documents required

• A valid passport
• A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your course provider
• Proof of money to study and live
• A valid ATAS certificate if asked for
• Your tuberculosis test results
• Entrance test results (IELTS, TOEFL, etc.)

Note: You need to show the money to study and live in the UK while applying. The course fee will be what is documented in the CAS, and living costs will be 1,334 GBP (INR 1,41,065) per month (for up to 9 months) for courses in London and 1,023 GBP (INR 1,08,187) per month (for up to 9 months) for courses outside London.

As a reminder, a timely application can avoid chances for last-minute disappointment. You can apply for a UK visa 6 months early, and it takes nearly 3 weeks to make a decision on your visa.

US vs. UK: Post-study work opportunities

National Association of Foreign Student Advisers (NAFSA) report states that international students in the US got enrolled in 3,35,423 jobs in the US, contributing 33.8 billion USD to the economy in 2021 - 2022.

Similarly, one in every three international students gets employment in the UK. According to the UK Office for National Statistics data, the number of vacancies from April to June 2023 was 1,034,000 across various levels. Job opportunities rose significantly after 2019, and more vacancies are expected for international students. 

The table below shows career prospects and median yearly salary for professions in popular study areas, according to data gathered from multiple sources:

Path to permanent residency in the US and UK

Like many students, if your concern is working and getting a PR in the US, obtaining a Green Card will pave your way to becoming a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) in the US. 

• You can get a Green Card through employment, which means that you should find a permanent employer in the US. 
• There are three priorities for workers: 

• 
  EB-1 (first preference) for jobs in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics, college teaching, certain multinational management, etc.
• 
  EB-2 (second preference) for jobs for professions holding advanced degrees or who have exceptional ability (including requests for national interest waivers)
• 
  EB-3 (third preference) for skilled workers, professionals, or other workers.

For a PR in the UK, you must have 5 years of work experience with a minimum salary of 31,887 USD per year or 13 USD per hour. 

• The salary requirement combining annual and hourly rates is known as the ‘going rate’ and varies with various departments offering jobs. 
• For a job, you will be switching your student status to Tier 2 (T2) or Skilled Worker status, as every year, the UK government publishes job roles having skill shortages in different areas.

Concluding remarks

While studying in the US or the UK is advantageous for your academic, professional, and settling goals, it is crucial you meet the eligibility requirements applicable to your targets. For MS in the US, check out the admit predictor and see the list of colleges that match your eligibility. For other courses in the US and admission in the UK, reach out to the discussion forum or book a counseling session to learn in depth about the processes. 

Having compared the US and UK in terms of academic and professional concerns, here are the key differences summarized for you: 

• Academic preference: The US and the UK excel in academic opportunities. Both countries house top-ranking universities and are excellent in integrating the most modern studies into the academic curriculum and offer flexible study options.

• 
  If you are curious about courses related to a sustainable environment across various industries, the US or the UK can be your preference. The US and the UK top the QS World University Rankings for sustainability, with 30 and 20 universities in the top 100, respectively. According to the World Economic Forum’s Future Job Prospects Report - 2023, structural market changes will affect job roles across various industries, but the vacancies where green skills are required raise by 8% annually. 

• Course duration: The UK offers short-term postgraduate courses compared to the US. Many MBA and other courses in the UK take only 1 year, getting the real value for money and letting you work sooner. 1.5 - 2 years is the duration of postgraduate courses in the US. Undergraduate courses in the UK take 3 years to complete, while it takes 4 years in the US
• Post-study stay: You can stay in the US for 1 year and in the UK for 2 years after your studies. To work in the US, you can change the visa status to H1-B by getting Form I-129 and, in the UK, by changing the visa status from Graduate Route to Skilled Worker visa
• Cost of study and living: The study and livings costs are higher for New York, compared to London. However, the median salary is also higher in the US than in the UK. 
• Quality of life index: According to Numbeo, the US ranks 16 in the Quality of Life Index, and the UK stands 22nd in the list
• Job opportunities: International students have ample job opportunities in the US and the UK, according to the National Association of Foreign Student Advisers (NAFSA) in the US and the UK Office for National Statistics data

Choosing the US or the UK to study abroad can be tougher, but possible if you weigh the pros and cons. List down and consider discussing your concerns with us on the discussion forum to make an informed choice, as your decision will have sway in your career journey ahead.

Read also:

• Education Loan for Abroad Studies
• Foreign Education Loan for Abroad Studies
• The Best Country to Study Abroad
• Education Loan Interest Rate

Frequently asked questions