Comparison Table
There are excellent universities in both the UK and the US, and UK students are fortunate to have both options open to them. But there are important differences in the styles of learning, teaching and living between the two systems, and each student must decide which style is best suited to him or her academically and personally. The chart below gives an overview of the most important differences between them.
US and British Universities compared:
American Colleges
British Universities
Broad curriculum + one area in depth over 4 years (liberal arts degree)
More contact time with teachers and a greater emphasis on classroom teaching and discussions
More emphasis on continuous assessment
More emphasis on end of year exams
Extracurricular activity is strongly encouraged
Extracurricular activity in own time
Housing often provided on campus for all 4 years
Housing often off-campus or with parents
Admission based on ‘whole person’ review
Admission based primarily on academic ability
Professional degrees are separate and post-graduate
Undergraduate degree can be professional (medicine, law etc.)
American Colleges
Broad curriculum + one area in depth over 4 years (liberal arts degree)
More contact time with teachers and a greater emphasis on classroom teaching and discussions
More emphasis on continuous assessment
Extracurricular activity is strongly encouraged
Housing often provided on campus for all 4 years
Admission based on ‘whole person’ review
Professional degrees are separate and post-graduate
British Universities
More emphasis on end of year exams
Extracurricular activity in own time
Housing often off-campus or with parents
Admission based primarily on academic ability
Undergraduate degree can be professional (medicine, law etc.)