UK vs USA which country is better for Indian students in 2025?
With the ongoing trend of studying abroad, an increasing number of Indian students choose from a mix of renowned and unique destinations for their higher studies. As per the Ministry of External Affairs, the total number of students from India pursuing graduate and post-graduate studies in foreign countries reached 1.3 million (13 lakh) in 2024. Among the various study abroad destinations students choose, the UK and the USA remain the top choices for Indians pursuing their higher education abroad. In the 2023-24 academic session, Indian students comprised the largest group of international students in the US. According to the Open Doors 2024 report, a total of 3.31 lakh Indian students chose to study in the US, accounting for 29.4% of its 11 lakh international student population. The Office for Students, the regulator of UK higher education, mentioned that around 111,329 students from India chose to study in the UK in 2023-24. With this clash going on for years, let’s choose which country is the best for you if you’re planning to study abroad in 2025! Major factors to be considered when choosing UK or USA Choosing where you’d pursue your bachelor’s or master’s program involves a lot of research. To choose the most suitable foreign country for your higher education, ensure keeping numerous factors in mind, including: UK vs USA: Education System The US education system divides into four categories. Tertiary education includes higher education such as associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, and doctoral programs. US universities place great significance on diversity, meaning classes will consist of students of different ages, religions and ethnicities. This provides a stimulating and interesting learning atmosphere that motivates cross-cultural understanding and socialising. Most classes will have no more than 20 students and the faculty member will take the time to get to know students and their strengths. Interactive and practical learning is the basis of American teaching. Most American universities and colleges commence their classes in August/September usually known as the Fall session. A few others also provide a January/February intake, called the Spring intake that goes on till April. A Summer intake is also available for limited programs and colleges between May and August. The unique factor of the education system in the UK is its Quality Assurance Agency (QAA). It is an independent body that assesses and compares universities and colleges in the country through regular audits and reviews. Higher education in the UK mostly comprises bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. The education goes beyond textbook learning – you’ll be engaged in various activities such as workshops, seminars, tutorials and conferences. Education in the UK will eventually enhance your communication skills and help you build critical thought-process, creativity and analytical skills. The standard academic year in the UK begins around September-October. Two other intakes available for programs in the UK are January and April, which are usually smaller than the September intake. Top Universities in the UK vs USA As per the QS World University Rankings 2025, here’s a list of the top 20 universities in the US and the UK. These schools produce successful, high-earning, and influential graduates from all economic backgrounds with less student debt. University QS World Ranking 2025 Country City Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) 1 United States Cambridge Imperial College London 2 United Kingdom London University of Oxford 3 United Kingdom Oxford Harvard University 4 United States Cambridge University of Cambridge 5 United Kingdom Cambridge Stanford University 6 United States Stanford UCL 9 United Kingdom London California Institute of Technology (Caltech) 10 United States Pasadena University of Pennsylvania 11 United States Philadelphia University of California, Berkeley (UCB) 12 United States Berkeley Cornell University 16 United States Ithaca University of Chicago 21 United States Chicago Princeton University 22 United States Princeton Yale University 23 United States New Haven The University of Edinburgh 27 United Kingdom Edinburgh Johns Hopkins University 32 United States Baltimore Columbia University 34 United States New York University of Manchester 34 United Kingdom Manchester King’s College London 40 United Kingdom London University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) 42 United States Los Angeles Popular Courses in the UK vs USA Check out the list of the most popular courses offered in the UK vs the US: United Kingdom United States Business and Management Studies IT and applied fields Law Engineering Social Studies Business and Finance Arts and Design Sports and sports management Psychology Biotechnology Nursing Cybersecurity Dentistry Healthcare and medicine Education Environmental science and sustainability UK vs USA: Admission Requirements and Eligibility Eligibility Criteria to Study in the UKSome of the basic eligibility criteria accepted in UK universities are: Documents Required to Study in the UKSome of the basic documents required by universities to study in the UK include: Eligibility Criteria to Study in the USSome of the basic eligibility criteria accepted in American universities are: Documents Required to Study in the USSome of the basic documents required by universities to study in the USA include: Cost of Studying and Living in the USA vs UK With public and private universities available for higher education, tuition fees are the primary expense for studying in the USA. The cost of education in the USA for Indian students typically ranges from $35,000 (INR 29,49,504) to $85,000 (INR 71,62,759) per year, depending on the type of institution (public or private) and city. While the cost of studying in the UK can range from £30,000 to £45,000 per year. Let’s take a look at the estimated annual cost of studying for international students in the USA and the UK, including tuition fees, room and board, and other expenses. Expense Category Cost in USA Cost in UK Tuition and fees $20,000-$40,000 £8,000-£15,000 per year Room and board $10,000-$15,000 £12,000-£15,000 per year Books and supplies $1,000-$1,500 £20-£40 per month Internet $2,000-$3,000 £40 per month Health Insurance $1,000-$2,000 £470 Scholarships to Study in the USA vs UK Here are some popular scholarship programs you can apply to study in the UK as an Indian student: Here are some popular scholarship programs