US vs UK for Master’s: A Look at Differences and Similarities

Pursuing a master's degree can improve your knowledge & skills, get high-paying job opportunities, and help you make great connections while upskilling your career. The US and UK are leading destinations for people who want to pursue higher education. Are you contemplating the US vs UK for a master’s? Let's learn more about top universities in the US and UK, eligibility criteria, cost of living, and more.

US vs UK: Higher Education Highlights  

MS in UK vs MS in US: Top Universities 

Here is the list of the top universities for MS in UK vs MS in US. We have picked the top 5 universities from the US and UK based on the 2024 Quacquarelli Symonds World University Ranking. 

Eligibility Criteria for MS in US and UK

If you want to study MS in the US, you need to satisfy the following eligibility criteria. The requirements include: 

• You should possess a relevant bachelor's degree with at least 3-4 years of academic courses. 
• You must secure an average GPA of 3.0 (or 65 to 70% and above) in a bachelor's degree 
• You must show proof of your English-language Proficiency test (IELTS score should be above 6.5) 
• You should have 290 or above GRE score 
• You should submit 2 or 3 letters of recommendation
• Statement of Purpose (SOP)

Planning to study MS in the UK? Then, the first thing you need to check is the eligibility criteria, which are listed below: 

• You should hold a 2:1 or 2:2 bachelor’s degree that is relevant to the MS course you want to apply for 
• Your grade must be around 75% for 2:1 course and about 60% for 2:2 course 
• You need to pass English language proficiency tests like IELTS and TOEFL 
• You should acquire good GMAT and GRE scores. 
• Statement of Purpose (SOP)

Post-Study Requirements: US vs UK

International students studying in the US have an F1 visa, which can be used to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT), which allows students to work for 12 months after completing their master's degree. If you have already received a job with a US-based company, you can apply for an H-1B visa. The H-1B visa is valid for 3 years, and you can renew it for 6 years.

After completing your studies, you need to apply for a post-study or graduate visa to work in the UK legally. The graduate visa is valid for 2 years and can not be renewed. However, you can apply for a skilled worker visa after the time period of the graduate visa is over. 

Jobs 

When considering US vs UK for masters, it is important to think about the job prospects and potential salaries. Below is a brief overview of the career opportunities and average annual salaries in the US and UK. 

*As per Payscale

Read More:

• Jobs in UK 
• Paid Internships in UK
• Online Part-Time Jobs in UK for students
• Jobs in USA for Indian Freshers
• Part - Time Jobs in USA for Indian & International Students

Cost Of Living: UK vs US

Comparing the cost of living in the UK and the US can help you determine whether you should study master's in the US or the UK. This is because understanding the cost of living can break down the budget you need for accommodation, food, transportation, internet, and other expenses. 

London, Oxford, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Milton Keynes, Reading, Bath, and Portsmouth are some of the cities in the UK with a higher cost of living. Whereas, cities like Derby, Liverpool, Newcastle, Birmingham, Exeter, Sheffield, Belfast, Southampton, and Cardiff have a relatively lower cost of living. 

Cities with the highest cost of living in the US are San Francisco, Honolulu, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Seattle, Boston, Los Angeles, San Jose, Santa Rosa, Miami, Salinas, San Juan, New York, and Fairfield. In the US, Hickory, Youngstown, Fort Wayne, Huntington, Green Bay, Beaumont, Huntsville, and Peoria are the cities with a lower cost of living. 

More Resources:

• Cost of Living in UK
• Cost of Study in UK
• MS in London for Indian Students
• How to choose STEM courses in UK
• Requirements for studying in UK
• Cost of Studying in USA
• Best Universities in USA for MBA
• MS in Project Management in USA
• MS in Data Analytics in USA
• One Year MS Programs in US