US vs. UK Higher Education

As per the Times Higher Education statistics, above fifty percent of the world’s 200 top-quality higher education institutions are in the US or the UK (Bhardwa, 2017). The two countries are similar in that they have rich cultures of quality higher education, outstanding research amenities, and traditions that encourage intellectual thinking and reward academic liberty. Having said this, though the two countries provide a great structure of educational learning, there also exists a stark contrast in the quality of the education imparted in both countries and the state funding appropriations. This paper intends to explore the major differences between the American and British systems of education in terms of quality and funding.

Both England and United States universities offer great environments for study, but there are differences in the quality of education imparted. The research sector of United States universities is great as they provide some extraordinary, excellent amenities. England’s higher educational institutions are lacking in this regard. Having said that, teaching is much more superficial in US universities as compared to its counterpart in England. The teaching quality of universities in England is of par excellence as compared to those in America. England teaching is better than The S as they emphasize teaching smaller batches of 20 or fewer students. Further, the quality of professors is also better as they are experts in their respective fields and have gone through rigorous training in teaching. On the other hand, tS universities comprise batches of 25 to 425 students (FreelanceHouse Blog, 2017). Further, the number of lectures is only once a week, and that too in such large batches, where the discussion is undertaken just for the sale of it. The learning component takes a backseat in such classes. American universities also score low in the critical thinking and analysis part of their curriculum. Most of their evaluation process covers the general familiarity with the curriculum using mere multiple-choice and short essay-style questions (Auerbach, 2014). Further, attending seminars are open for only third and fourth-year students, and most of the part of higher education is spent on learning and writing assignments (International Student, 2017). On the contrary, the universities in England place importance upon one’s major right from the first year and are centered upon critical thinking and analysis of their chosen discipline.

With regards to the funding of higher education in the U.S. and UK educational institutions, one of the greatest differences would be the diversity and uniformity that lies in their state funding appropriations. The U.S. universities get funding from diverse options, whereas the universities in England are in the purview of the equal budget distribution criteria. The US grants from the government come in the purview of need as well as merit, among others. The UK grants, on the other hand,d come only in one criterion, which is based on equal competition. Under these grants, both old and new, top private and second-rate state institutions are all categorized under equal criteria for getting governmental grants (Barr, 1993). However, in both countries, the grants can be carried forward by the student to the university he or she opts for.

In the U.S., there is a trend of competitiveness and selectivity playing a crucial part in deciding tuition fees (Getz, 2007). Selecting a college in the elite category comes at a higher price. In contrast, though in England, the maximum funding comes in the form of tuition fees, there is a crucial role of government in deciding the limit of the amount the universities charge from the student (Seville and Tooley, 1997). The maximum limit set for the tuition fees is 40% less than the real cost. However, these limits do not work in the case of international students and are limited only to UK/EU students.

Conclusion

The environment for higher education, both in England and in the great. While the research sector U.S. has better facilities and traits counterpart to England, the teaching quality is much better in the latter as it emphasizes teaching smaller batches of 20 fewer students. In the US, the number of lectures is only once a week, with more focus on written assignments and readings. Thus, the learning component takes a backseat. England universities stress more critical thinking and analysis than their US counterpart. The US universities have more diversity in terms of the funding they get from the state government than the educational institutions in England. Further, competitiveness and selectivity play a crucial part in deciding tuition fees in US institutes. In England, the government plays a vital role in setting a ceiling upon the amount the universities can charge from the students. However, this is not the case with US universities, where the more elite the university, the more price the student has to shell out.

References

Auerbach, S. (2014). Don’t be seduced by the US – UK universities offer a richer education. 

Barr, N. (1993). Alternative Funding Resources for Higher Education. The Economic Journal, 103(418), p.718.

FreelanceHouse Blog. (2017). British vs. American Education System – FreelanceHouse Blog.

Getz, Malcolm. Investing In College: A Guide For The Perplexed. Cambridge, MA, London, England: Harvard University Press, 2007.

International Student. (2017). UK vs. USA Education System | Study Abroad Guide. 

Seville, A. and Tooley, J. (1997). The debate on higher education. Challenging the assumptions. Studies in Education No 5. IEA Education and Training Unit

“International Student Table 2017: Top 200 Universities.” Times Higher Education (THE).