Study in the United States, the land of opportunities. Choose from some of the world’s top-ranking universities and earn a degree that is recognised all around the world.
Study in the USA
Study in the United States, the land of opportunities. Choose from some of the world’s top-ranking universities and earn a degree that is recognised all around the world.
The United States is one of the most popular destinations for students looking for higher studies abroad. This is no surprise because American institutions consistently feature in the list of top universities in the world.
Why study in the USA?
The beauty of the USA
Though getting quality education would be your priority, you will agree that the opportunity of experiencing and exploring a new country matters too. Well, the USA has so much to offer you in that aspect.
The USA is made up of 50 states and is one of the largest countries in the world, in terms of landmass and size. It is the largest English-speaking country in the world. That gives us an advantage as most of us are used to the English medium of education. If experiencing different season can excite you, you will love the USA with its distinct summers, winters, fall (autumn) and spring. Remember that the country covers different time zones and the climate can vary widely – from the freezing cold of Alaska to the pleasant tropical climate of Hawaii.
With breath-taking natural beauty from the Grand Canyon to the Niagara Falls and man-made marvels like the Statue of Liberty, The Golden Gate Bridge, Disney Land, The Smithsonian Museum and The Library of the Congress, there are many things that one can explore in the country.
The universities in the USA
Take any university league tables or world university rankings, you will find universities from the US monopolising the list. Some of the names that you have been hearing for years, such as Harvard University, Stanford University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of California are all located in the United States. Did you know that the United States has had the most number of Nobel Prize winners? Universities in the united states also get ranked first for specific subjects, such as the MIT for Engineering and Technology, Harvard for Life Science and Medicine, New York University for Philosophy and so on.
The education system in the USA
There are three types of higher education institutions where Indian students can opt to study in the USA:
Universities
Universities in the USA offer a range of graduate programmes, including doctoral programmes. Universities are usually larger than colleges in terms of size and opportunities. There are two types of universities in the USA – public and private.
Public universities are funded by the US state government. These universities are often rooted in their local communities, thus making themselves dynamic and vibrant. State/public universities have a variety of courses on offer and are home to a large number of students from all over the world. These types of universities are usually located in both, large cities and small towns. The tuition fees at public universities are lesser when compared to private universities.
On the other hand, private universities are run by student tuition fees, research outcome, donations, and other funding sources. These universities are not owned by any government body. Since private universities are not state-funded, they have the flexibility to choose their funding scheme and decide whether to invest the funds towards research opportunities. Now it is up to you to decide whether you would like to enrol in a public university or a private university.
Liberal arts colleges
Liberal arts colleges in the USA emphasise on providing undergraduate degrees in liberal arts and sciences. These colleges could be either private or public institutions. Compared with a usual vocational or technical or professional degree, a liberal arts degree lasts for four years of full-time study.
Speak to our experts if you would like us to help you choose the right type of institution for studying in the USA.
Community colleges
Community colleges in the USA are small community-based two-year colleges that offer vocational and certificate programmes to students. These colleges work closely with some employers, and also offer different pathways programmes for students. Class sizes in community colleges are relatively small. International students can choose such colleges to opt for any bridge programmes or enhance specific skills before taking it to the next level. Learn more about studying at U.S. community colleges.
Life as a student in the USA
As a student in the USA, it is important that one is aware of one's rights and local laws. All leading institutions conduct a Student Orientation Programme, which helps the student acclimatise to life in the USA.
Most US institutions offer some flexible programmes for all students, which help them find their interest before deciding on a major. Students who are interested to study in the USA, but who are unsure about their course choice in the first year of undergraduate programme can get adequate time to choose their major. Students can opt for a double major, i.e., a degree in two different subjects.
Most US colleges are well equipped with advanced technology and facilities. They have plenty of clubs and societies where students can engage themselves, outside classrooms. Students get the opportunity to participate in extra-curricular activities and get better at it.
Read more about student life in the US.
Course options in the USA
At the undergraduate level, some of the most popular courses include Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering and Business Administration. At the postgraduate level, Computer Science, Business Analytics, Data Science and Engineering courses are some of the most popular ones preferred by Indian students applying to U.S. institutions. You will also be able to find other specialised postgraduate courses in streams like medicine, cosmetic surgery, para-psychology, diabetes and genetics. These are also quite popular.
Academic pattern and intakes
Some of the US institutes have three academic years/admission cycles for students. But mostly admissions happen during the fall and spring semesters. The curriculum comprises of short-term or mid-term assessments for students, with assignments to complete. The overall performance of students is based not on the final exams, but on how they perform in each assessment.