Study in the United States

Education system in the United States

The US offers undergraduate (associate and bachelor’s) degrees and postgraduate (master’s and doctorate) degrees. Associate degrees are offered by colleges and can either be used to bridge the gap between high school and university, or can teach you technical and industry-related skills.

Applied arts and science associate degrees focus on vocational skills – skills that are hands-on and are aimed at getting you ready for the workforce with industry-related experience. The courses train you for careers such as web developers, paralegals and air traffic controllers. The others are for those who want to transfer to a bachelor’s degree at a later stage.

Associate degrees take half as long as bachelor's degrees and the costs tend to be lower. As a result, associate degrees can be done part-time and stretched over four years, similar to a bachelor’s degree.

Bachelor’s degrees in the USA take four years to complete and you only need to declare your major in your second year. This allows you to explore your options in your first year to get a better understanding of what is available.

Postgraduate studies in the USA

Postgraduate degrees obtained from a US university are recognised by employers and educational institutions around the world. They are respected for the standard of teaching on offer, the research options, the transfer of knowledge and for having an international outlook.

Pre-master’s

If you haven’t finished a bachelor’s degree in the USA, getting admitted to a graduate or master’s program can be difficult. A pre-master's is a support program that helps students with a bachelor's degree make an easier transition towards their master's studies.

Master’s

A master’s degree in the US is known commonly as a “grad” programme and takes around two years of full study to complete. The main differences between postgraduate studies in the US compared to their international equivalents are structural. You will usually enrol in a graduate programme where you will work towards your degree with regular assessments and training tasks.

PhD

A PhD from an American university is one of the most sought after and highly ranked degrees in the world. A PhD in the US differs from others around the world in that it normally begins with one or two years of taught classes and examinations before a student defines their thesis topic. It also takes longer to complete a PhD in the US than the UK. It can take anywhere between four and eight years. US students are expected to undertake a great deal of teaching and marking, as opposed to PhD students in Europe.

Cost of studying in the United States

The price of tuition will change depending on what you study:

• Two-year courses, will cost less than $10,000.
• Four-year courses at public institutions cost between $20,000 and $50,000 per year.
• Four-year courses at private institutions cost between $30,000 and $100,000.

Room and board costs will vary depending on the institution, but will cost between $10,000 and $25,000. Universities often have meal plans where you can dine at on-campus facilities. You will also need to pay for health insurance and textbooks.

Student visas for the United States

To apply for an F-1 US Student visa, you will need to complete an I-20 form and register for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). More information on this will be provided from your institution after it accepts your enrollment. You will also need to complete a DS-160 form and provide a photograph of yourself. You will be interviewed at your nearest US embassy or consulate.

You will need to prove you have a good understanding of English. Usually, your secondary school English results will be enough to prove your English capabilities. If this is not enough, most institutions in the US will accept tests from large testing companies such as IELTS, TOEFL and PTE if they cannot test your English themselves.

Health insurance

F-1 student visa holders do not require health insurance to study in the USA but it may be required by the institution. However, even if it is not required by the institution, international students are encouraged to get health insurance as not having it can be costly.

Working in the United States (as a student)

First year international students can work up to 20 hours per week in on-campus jobs. This includes jobs such as baristas, admin assistants and dining hall servers but can also include jobs which train you for popular careers after graduation such as research assistant, social media manager or radio DJ. After your first year at a US institution, you may apply for permission to work off-campus for 20 hours per week. Another popular option is to undertake practical training or internships in exchange for university credit.

Post-study opportunities in the United States

The US has the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme which allows students to remain in the US for up to 12 to 24 months to work in their chosen field after graduation. Some companies may sponsor you for a H1-B temporary work visa. US institutions also have career services on campus which help with important skills such as interview training, CV assistance and finding students job opportunities.