UK, USA and Australia as study destinations
Studying abroad is a dream of many international students, but choosing which country to study in is a confusing task especially when it comes to choosing between the global hotspots for education; the UK, USA and Australia.
Wondering why these countries are so popular among international students?
These countries have top universities, internationally recognized for their standard of education, with quality lifestyle and ample job opportunities for prospective students. International students also have the option to apply for various courses, universities and scholarships making these degrees more viable.
For students considering applying to the UK, USA or Australia there are many factors to account for, making the application process complex and unclear, therefore this is the right moment to get in touch with Education and Career consultants to make this process easier with their expert knowledge and guidance. These consultants can skillfully guide you towards selecting the appropriate universities, courses, supporting documents, SOPs, etc.
This comparative guide will inform you of the important factors to consider while applying to any of these 3 countries.
Note: If further guidance is needed, you may contact Edvise Hub for expert consultants
Quality of Education
All three of these countries have exemplary universities and courses globally recognized for their standard of education.
These are the top 10 universities from these countries according to the QS rankings
Quality of Education: UK
| S.No | University | Ranking |
| 1 | University of Oxford | 2 |
| 2 | University of Cambridge | 3 |
| 3 | Imperial College London | 7 |
| 4 | UCL | 8 |
| 5 | The University of Edinburgh | 16 |
| 6 | The University of Manchester | 27 |
| 7 | Kings College London | 35 |
| 8 | The London School of Economics and Political Science | 49 |
| 9 | The University of Warwick | 61 |
| 10 | University of Bristol | 62 |
Quality of Education: USA
| S.No | University | Ranking |
| 1 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 1 |
| 2 | Stanford University | 3 |
| 3 | Harvard University | 5 |
| 4 | California Institute of Technology | 6 |
| 5 | University of Chicago | 10 |
| 6 | University of Pennsylvania | 13 |
| 7 | Yale University | 14 |
| 8 | Columbia University | 19 |
| 9 | Princeton University | 20 |
| 10 | Cornell University | 21 |
Quality of Education: Australia
| S.No | University | Ranking |
| 1 | The Australian National University | 27 |
| 2 | The University of Melbourne | 37 |
| 3 | The University of Sydney | 38 |
| 4 | The University of New South Wales | 43 |
| 5 | The University of Queensland | 47 |
| 6 | Monash University | 58 |
| 7 | The University of Western Australia | 93 |
| 8 | The University of Adelaide | 100 |
| 9 | University of Technology Sydney | 133 |
| 10 | University of Wollongong | 193 |
Choosing which university to study at requires good research and knowledge, to make this selection process easier it might be a good idea to get in touch with some educational consultants who can guide you with their expertise.
Note: You may contact educational consultants at Edvise Hub to receive help regarding university selection.
Cost of Education
Cost of education mainly relies on the tuition fees of the university you are accepted to, however that tuition fee could be minimised through internal or external scholarships.
Tuition fees
| Level of study | UK | USA | Australia |
| Undergraduate(fees per year) | £11000-£40000 | $10000-$40000 | $15000-$35000 |
| Postgraduate(fees per year) | £10000-£37000 | $20000-$45000 | $14000-$44000 |
Note: all costs mentioned are not fixed and are subjected to change
The tuition fees differ across each university and course, make sure to check your university website or portal to get the fixed costs or contact an education consultant to select universities under your budget.
Note: You may contact educational consultants at Edvise Hub to receive help regarding university selection.
Scholarships
Scholarships: UK
| Chevening Scholarship |
| Commonwealth Scholarship |
| GREAT Scholarship |
| Undergraduate International Student Scholarship |
| School of Psychology – International undergraduate Gold Scholarship |
| Gates Cambridge Scholarships |
Scholarships: USA
| American University Emerging Global Leader Scholarship |
| Fulbright Foreign Student Program in USA |
| Fully Funded Rotary Peace Fellowships |
| Knight-Hennessy Scholars at Stanford University |
| AAUW International fellowships in USA for Women |
Scholarships: Australia
| Carnegie Mellon University |
| Deakin University Scholarships |
| Melbourne Research Scholarships |
| Charles Darwin University scholarships |
| Griffith University Scholarship |
| Swinburne International Excellence Scholarship |
| Australia Awards scholarships |
Cost of living
| Cost per month | UK | USA | Australia |
| Accommodation | £600-£1000 | $700-$1000 | $800-$1200 |
| Food | £180-£300 | $400-$600 | $500-$800 |
| Transports | £50-£60 | $45-$100 | $80-$120 |
Note: all costs mentioned are not fixed and are subjected to change
Admission requirements
Depending on what course and country you plan to study in, eligibility criteria and entry requirements differ for universities, making the procedure a bit complicated. Reach out to an education consultant to make this lengthy process easier.
These are the generalised requirements for each country and their level of studies:
Admission requirements: UK
To study for a bachelor’s degree in UK universities, students must have prior education of at least 11 years. These universities require you to submit proof of receiving at least 3 years of higher education or an equivalent to this in your home country. For a master’s degree, you need to have a bachelor’s from a recognised institution and for PhD research degrees, students must have both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from a recognized university with a proper research proposal.
It is also crucial for students to receive “Confirmation of Acceptance for studies” (CAS). After a student has been accepted by their chosen university, they must receive an unconditional offer from the CAS. Then only you may apply for a student visa.
Admission requirements: USA
Admissions into a bachelor’s degree in the US involve providing a high school diploma with at least a GPA of 2.50 to 3.60, or equivalent. For post-graduate courses like a master’s degree, a bachelor’s degree is required with a GPA of 3.00 to 3.25 in previous studies and for PhD courses, some universities offer a place without needing a master’s degree.
The university after accepting you will issue the form I-20, which is needed to apply for a student visa in the USA.
Admission requirements: Australia
To acquire a bachelor’s degree, students must have scored 65% or higher in their examinations of class 12. For postgraduate courses, a 3-year graduation degree or qualifications equivalent to an Australian Honours degree is required for a master’s and proof of a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree is required for a PhD.
A student may apply for a student visa after receiving their letter of offer.
NOTE: To receive clarification on admission procedures, you may contact Edvise Hub for consultancy.
Language Proficiency Test Requirements
Certain universities and visa offices require international students to show their English proficiency to study in their country. The following scores are required:
Language Requirements: UK
| Test | Average score required |
| IELTS | 6.0-6.5 |
| PTE | 56-61 |
| TOEFL | 80-90 |
| LanguageCert | B1/B2 |
Language Requirements: USA
| Test | Undergraduate score required | Postgraduate score required |
| IELTS | 5.5 | 6.0 |
| BAU Placement | 70 | 75 |
| TOEFL | 70 | 80 |
| TOEIC | 650 | 700 |
Language Requirements: Australia
| Test | Minimum Requirements |
| IELTS | 6.0 – 6.5 |
| CAE | 169-176 |
| TOEFL | 60-90 |
| PTE | 50-60 |
Employment and Immigration Opportunities
During one’s degree abroad, many students look for work to manage their day-to-day expenses or even fund their tuition fees themselves and after completing their degree they may look for a permanent job. Every country has their own rules and regulations for international students seeking work.
UK
International students that are in the UK, holding a student visa are permitted to work 20 hours per week during their semesters, full time on vacations. However, if a student holds a student visa for a part-time course, they are not permitted to work in the UK at all.
After your course has been finished, your time periods will be marked as “on vacation” for up to 4 months and until the visa has expired. To remain in the UK even after that, you will have to change your visa status. International students may apply for a Postgraduate Work Visa for 2 years.
You can apply for permanent residency after completing 5 full years of a graduate job.
USA
International students may work in the USA depending on what visa they hold. International students with an F-1 visa and an M-1 visa may work on campus for 20 hours per week while taking their classes and full-time on vacations, however, they cannot work off-campus during their first academic year.
Students can work off campus, after completing their first year in specialised programs for international students such as Optional Practical Training (OPT), Science Technology Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and Curricular Practical Training (CPT).
After finishing your degree in the USA, an F-1 visa holder can work up to 1 year of post-completion training. The student then may apply for a Non-immigrant H-1b visa, if they have an employer sponsoring them after their bachelor’s degree. It can be granted for no more than 6 years, and spouses and children are automatically given H4 visas, however, they are not permitted to work there.
Obtaining employment-based immigration may take years, therefore it is encouraged to apply under alternative categories, which do not need labour certification. The first preference is priority workers, the second is Advanced degree professions and the third is labour certification.
Australia
An international student studying in Australia has permission to work 40 hours per fortnight if they hold a valid student visa. There is no limit on the hours of work done during school holidays. Students, however, are only allowed to work once their course begins. Any compulsory work in their course is not included in these 40 hours per week limit, however, volunteer and unpaid work are. If a student works more than the limit set by the Australian government, their visa might be dissolved.
Recently, the Australian government announced a temporary relaxation of working hours for student visa holders. This means students now can work more than 40 hours a fortnight in any sector of the economy. These temporary measures remain in place until further notice.
To get permanent residency in Australia after finishing your studies, you may apply for a skilled independent visa or use the Employer Nomination scheme. Both of these visas can be requested by submitting an EOI through the “SkillSelect” portal.
The skilled independent visas are for students who are not being sponsored by an employer or a family relative residing in Australia. Securing this visa will allow you to live and work in Australia permanently while also including your family members. Although, it does require a positive skills assessment before an EOI. The employer nomination scheme is a type of visa that allows employers to sponsor their international employees by giving them job opportunities and giving them the allowance needed to work and live in Australia permanently.
Conclusion
Concluding this comparative guide, the above factors mentioned should give a clear view of the UK, USA and Australia as study abroad destinations. Which country might be the best for you? That depends on the student’s requirements. If the standard of education matters the most, students may opt to study in the UK or USA due to the high rankings of universities in these countries. If the end goal is permanent residency in another country then considering the UK might be better due to the long and complex immigration procedures in the USA and Australia. If living costs are a major factor influencing your study abroad dreams, you may consider the UK due to the low restrictions regarding finding work. The best country out of these three depends on which country suits your needs the most.
About us
EdviseHub is an education consultancy centre recognizing students’ difficulties regarding abroad admissions and procedures. Applying to universities like the UK, USA or Australia tends to have long and stressful application procedures, we are here to make these processes easier and guide you every step of the way!
