5 Key Differences Between the Education System in the UK and USA

 

Originally from the United States, I attended a small liberal arts college in Pennsylvania for two years of my undergraduate career. For my third year, I travelled across the pond to begin study at the London School of Economics and Political Science. Already, I’ve noticed some pretty stark contrasts between the two educational systems. Below are 5 of the most notable, though keep in mind this is my personal schooling experience and some may fluctuate depending on the school or program you attend.

1.  Yearly Structure

In the US, school years typically begin from the middle to end of August and conclude in early May. Though some universities have a trimester-based system, a majority adheres to a semester schedule, with one large break in between the two terms. Of course there is also time off of class for holidays, such as Thanksgiving, that are exclusive to America. Meanwhile, in the United Kingdom the school year begins a bit later, usually the end of September or early October, and runs more evenly throughout the year. Most schools use trimesters, and sizable breaks are often given between terms, ending in June.

2. Homework

Coursework also varies greatly between the two nation’s academic settings. In the US, homework is more straightforward; assignments for the week are handed out at the beginning of the course so the professor’s expectations for each class are clear. In the UK, I’ve noticed there is a lot more focus on independent study as students are encouraged to branch out and explore topics that interest them (conversely they’re also expected to clarify and read more themselves about topics that confuse them). UK professors will kindly provide a list of “suggested” and general reading materials that can be useful to achieve the aforementioned goals. I use quotations, however, because “suggested” in this scenario is used to mean “you should really read this if you want high marks on the exam.”

 3. Program Format

Back in the States, undergraduate educations are commonly seen as a time for broad learning. Customarily, and definitely for liberal arts school like the one I attended, general classes are a part of graduation requirements. This means you may be focusing on a History degree, but you will still have to take a few classes in Biology, for example, in order to graduate.  Here in the UK, education is much more streamlined, and there are fewer opportunities to explore outside your degree. One positive, however, is a focus on your strengths!

4. Assessment

Final marks for a course also vary immensely between cultures. In the United States, your final score will depend on how you perform on various tests, quizzes, essays, and even class participation or attendance. While there is often an emphasis placed on mid-term or final exams, supplementarys assignment also contribute. Meanwhile in the UK, scores for a certain course predominantly depend on one major test at the end of the year. Since courses are often yearlong, this creates a lot more pressure for exam time then in the States when courses last only a semester.  While this year at LSE I am taking courses that’s final marks also include an essay during the term, none weigh the exam as worth less than 75% of the final evaluation. Naturally, the stress levels are extremely high for UK students during exams.

 5. Length of Degree

One of the most obvious distinctions is time spent pursuing degrees! In the United States students pursue an undergraduate education for four years, while in the UK the same degree is only three. Similarly, because the programs are often less focused, kids in the US have to attend graduate school for much longer as well. For example, to obtain a US law degree an additional three years of law school (after your four years of undergraduate studies) would be required. Contrarily, in the UK you may only need one additional year as students focus almost exclusively on law for their three undergraduate years.

Hopefully these categories have helped to illustrate some of the important changes between the two education formats. There are many, and I am still trying to grow accustomed to the differences!