Graduate Study in the USA

With over 1700 universities and colleges offering graduate degrees in a multitude of subject areas, it is easy to see why thousands of students from around the world pursue graduate studies in the USA. Every year, approximately 573,000 international students go to the US to study, comprising 4.2% of total student enrolment. At graduate level, students travel to the US to take advantage of the small classes with world-renowned faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, and variety of funding sources. The quality of a US graduate education is unsurpassed, with highly esteemed experts and masters in their field serving as Professors. The US degree is the most highly regarded degree a person can achieve, ensuring that the graduate's work and credentials are recognized around the globe.

Life in the USA

Beyond the classroom, students flock to the US for the array of experiences available. As a large country, the US has a place for everyone. Whether a person is after the fast-paced urban lifestyle of New York or Chicago, the laid-back wide open spaces of the South, the warm beaches of Southern California, Hawaii and Florida, or the green mountains and blue rivers of the Northwest, whatever a person's fancy, it can be found in the US. The great benefit of having so much space to travel is the chance to just pack up and go.

The life and cultural experiences each student finds will effect who they are for the rest of their lives. Whether it be the lifelong friendships forged over 'tailgating' before football games, weekend camping trips to the lake, or pulling an 'all-nighter' in the library, life as a graduate student in America is truly unique.

Graduate Education in the USA

The structure of a US graduate degree is different than any other country. There are no pure research degrees. Master's and Ph D programs will always involve a combination of research and taught courses and the evaluation of performance is continuously assessed through classroom participation, examinations and papers. While this may produce a workload that British students often find heavy and highly structured, the US system is also highly flexible. Additionally, programs will often allow students to take courses outside their own departments and interdisciplinary degrees are also offered.

How the US Education System Works

For the graduate student, there are two different kinds of Universities: public and private. Public Universities are funded by public means through a national or regional government. Although public Universities only comprise 25% of total US Universities, 75% of US students attend public Universities. Public Universities are generally less expensive than private Universities and have relatively easier admissions standards.

Private Universities are run without any government control. The infamous 'Ivy Leagues' are private Universities, however there is a very large number of private Universities that are not as well known. Private Universities make up 75% of all US Universities, though only 25% of US students attend them. Private Universities often have a much smaller student pool, and many have religious affiliations. Private Universities are more costly than public Universities.

The US Academic Year

The academic year in the US lasts nine months and is divided into terms. The number of terms per year varies depending on which system the university follows. The most common is the semester system, which breaks the academic year into two terms, usually called "Fall" and "Spring" semesters. Universities express their postgraduate coursework requirements in terms of a specified number of "credits", "hours" or "units", instead of having a specific timescale as in UK universities. Each individual course taken each semester is worth a certain number of credits, hours or units. A realistic full-time course load for a graduate student is likely to be 24 semester hours, which translates to between three and four courses per term.

VISA Information

Contrary to popular belief, obtaining a visa to do graduate studies in the US should not be problematic.

While certain procedures have changed post-9/11, including the introduction of the Student & Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), students should not face any particular hurdles.

Upon notification of admission to a US university, an international student will receive either a form I-20 or a form DS-2019, which forms the basis of the visa application. This, along with a visa application form, valid passport, documentation showing sufficient funds to cover living expenses and fees for the first year of study, evidence of intent to return to country of origin at the conclusion of the academic program in the US, proof of SEVIS fee payment, a photograph, and the visa fee are required. While processing times for some immigration applications have become notoriously backlogged post-9/11, as a general rule, student visas processing times are quite reasonable.

Aside from academics, American universities have well-developed offices to support the international student every step of the way. Apart from helping with course-related tasks, the international office often arranges social events throughout the academic year.

Though the process of applying for graduate study in the US is unique to the UK system, many resources exist to support UK applicants. With a little hard work and determination, students can open up another world of opportunities for themselves.

For further information, please contact the Educational Advisory Service closest to you http://educationusa.state.gov/centers/