There are a lot of things to consider when you are thinking of pursuing your higher education abroad. And when it comes to STEM courses, then two countries come on top of the list: the United States of America and the United Kingdom. Both of the countries have excellent computer science programs in several universities, however, when one is deciding to study abroad, there are many more factors to consider than just excellent courses. The field of computer science is said to witness a 13% growth between the year 2016 to 2026, which means it will introduce new job opportunities. So, if you aspire to pursue your degree in this field but can’t figure out which country would be best to study abroad in, then this article will help you.
What is Computer Science?
Computer science is the study of computers, computation and information. The study is all about learning and understanding how a computer system works and the scientific approach to its application. It is one of the most popular disciplines for international students as it is a fast-paced and ever-changing field.
UK Vs USA: Major Differences
| Features | USA | UK |
| Ranking | In the QS World Rankings for Computer Science, there are five universities in the USA that are listed in the top ten: | There are two universities in the UK that are listed in the top ten:
|
| Tuition Fees | (Note: Tuition Fees vary from one university to another) The average cost of computer Science tuition at USA universities for international students is $46,500 approximately. | For Bachelor’s and Master’s in Computer Science, the average annual can be between 10,000 to 30,500 GBP ($12,225 to $37,287) |
| Cost of Living | The estimated cost of living for a year for an international student is approximately $10,000 to $18,000 | The estimated cost of living for a year for an international student is approximately 13,200 to 15,600 GPB ($16,137 to $19,071) |
| Length of a Degree | Undergraduate: 4 Years Postgraduate: 2 Years
PhD: 5-7 Years |
Undergraduate: 3/4 Years Postgraduate: 1 Year
PhD: 3 Years |
Some Other Things to Consider
University Organization
Many universities in the UK are made up of colleges that are dedicated to a specific subject major. While the college is still under the university, each college has quite a lot of autonomy from each other as well as the university itself.
While in the USA, you choose from a variety of fields and only choose a major at the end of your second year, it is beneficial as it gives you time to explore your interests more. However, even after you choose a major, you are expected to take classes outside of that field. The American education system believes in getting different knowledge about a range of subjects, whereas the UK education system believes more in getting an in-depth knowledge of your chosen subject.
Homework and Grade System
In the USA, courses require weekly readings, as well as other assignments throughout the course and the courses are more practical based, where they try to increase your practical knowledge of your chosen topic. Your overall grades are based on your performance on the assignments and final exams. In the UK, there are occasional assignments throughout the semester and sometimes your entire grades depend on your final exams. The courses are more lecture-based.
Cost
Education in both countries is far from affordable, but in the UK, the government has set up a limit on tuition fees and each university sets its own fees according to that limit. By contrast, the US government has little to no control over how much tuition fees a university charges. The USA, in terms of tuition fees, is a little more expensive. However, many universities in both countries offer scholarships as well as financial aid.
Student Visa and Work Opportunities
The US student visa allows international students to work up to 20 hours per week during school sessions and full-time during school breaks. However, there is a catch. you can only work on-campus or at an off-campus location that is affiliated with the university. While in the UK, international students are allowed to work 20 hours per week, but they can work off-campus as well. This way, students have the liberty to choose jobs that are related to the program they are studying.
Top Universities in the USA that are Popular for Computer Science
| QS Subject Rankings | University | Programs |
| 1 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
|
| 2 | Stanford University |
|
| 3 | Carnegie Mellon University |
|
| 4 | University of California, Berkeley |
|
| 7 | Harvard University |
|
| 13 | Princeton University |
|
| 14 | Cornell University |
|
| 16 | University of Washington |
|
| 18 | University of California, Los Angeles |
|
| 19 | New York University |
|
Top Universities in the UK that are Popular for Computer Science
| QS Subject Rankings | University | Programs |
| 5 | Oxford University |
|
| 8 | University of Cambridge |
|
| 17 | Imperial College London |
|
| 22 | UCL |
|
| 23 | University of Edinburgh |
|
| 58 | King’s College London |
|
| 66 | University of Manchester |
|
| 78 | University of Warwick |
|
| 118 | University of Bristol |
|
Conclusion
There is no doubt that both countries offer the best computer science courses, but they do have some advantages and disadvantages. If you are considering getting your computer science degree in either the USA or the UK, it is advisable to take into consideration the various differences mentioned in the article.
