The first places in the ranking of the most prestigious universities in the world are occupied by educational institutions of the USA and Europe. However, the very processes of admission and education in these two large regions are quite different. So when choosing an educational establishment to apply to, it is necessary to take into account many factors that will ultimately determine what your study experience will be like.
#1 – Admission: Harsh Selection vs. Minimum Package of Documents
Although each university sets its own rules for admission, some general principles for the selection of applicants can be observed in almost all European universities. The same refers to American educational institutions.
- USA – admission to an American university is more difficult than almost any European educational institution. In the United States, applicants are faced with a large number of requirements and the need to submit a much larger number of documents;
- Europe – admission to a European university generally requires fewer documents. Some universities simplify this procedure so much that all applicants who apply are automatically enrolled even without any formal interview. But in this case, the selection is made in the learning process. As a rule, within 1–2 semesters it becomes clear whether the student is able to cope with the chosen program.
#2 – Cost: Large Costs vs. Flexible Pricing Policy
The cost is often the deciding factor when choosing a university. When it comes to American and European universities, there are two different “pricing” approaches.
- US universities are “famous” for their high fees. North America is one of the most popular but also the most expensive countries for those who want to get higher education. Tuition fees can range from $ 5,000 to $ 50,000 per year. Do not forget about all sorts of additional costs and administrative fees. In 2017, they averaged $ 34.5 thousand per year;
- The key advantage of European universities is their extremely flexible pricing policy. You can study in Denmark or Austria, where higher education is free of charge. Or, conversely, you can go to one of the expensive universities in the UK. In addition, the cost of studying even at expensive universities can vary significantly depending on the chosen specialty.
#3 – Approach to Learning: Control vs. Autonomy
It is generally accepted that teachers in American universities devote significant time to building relationships with students, while in European universities, more attention is paid to developing critical thinking in students. The validity of this opinion can be easily verified by studying how the educational process is organized in American and European universities.
- In the USA, students and teachers interact with each other constantly – at lectures, seminars, during numerous midterm assessments and additional classes. Each professor’s work schedule has a significant number of hours devoted to helping lagging students. It is also possible to resort to https://papersformoney.com and ask for the professional help from certified academic experts;
- In Europe, students live with much greater autonomy. Getting knowledge is your own task. It is possible that you will only meet face to face with your teacher at the exam at the end of the course. At the same time, it is believed that in European universities, in contrast to American ones, students not only acquire knowledge but also learn to think independently.
Decide yourself which learning style suits you best. Do you prefer to plan yourself when and what to do, or would you rather follow a rigid schedule? There is no good or bad – different students prefer different academic approaches.