An American in England (Part One): The Differences in Higher Education
Adjusting to the British education system should be approached the same way you'd approach any change or new experience: with an open mind, an excitement to learn, and the ability to ask for help if needed.
By Clara Wodny — November 28, 2023
When I was preparing for my year at University in England, I received a lot of advice and warnings about how different my educational experience would be versus what I get in the US. I always found this confusing because my experience would be different, not just because I would be in a foreign country. The way I see it, every institution has its traditions, norms, and ways of doing things. When you partake in any off-campus study (abroad or domestic), that is exactly what you are signing up for: new experiences and new ways of learning.
At the same time, that can make it even harder to feel fully prepared for study at a UK institution, as you have to navigate not only the larger cultural and linguistic differences that come with being in a different country but also the specific customs and practices of your particular host institution. There are a few key differences between the US and UK higher education systems to make note of that will help you feel more up-to-speed when you start interacting with people in the UK.
College VS. University
In the US, the terms "college" and "university" are often used interchangeably, referring to higher education institutions you attend after high school. However, in the UK, these are two very different things.
UK students will attend "secondary school" from ages 11-16, at which point many students will choose to continue their education and enroll in something called "sixth form." In the US, students who graduate high school usually go directly to undergrad at a college or University. In the UK, sixth form is a step between secondary school and University, where students often have the choice to remain at the same institution they attended secondary school at (if it offers sixth form) or attend a more specialized institution, which is often called college. Colleges in the UK also typically offer community education for adults and community members who are not full-time students but wish to learn new skills.
When students are ready to pursue their Undergraduate degrees, they will enroll in a University where the typical course length is three years, as opposed to the usual 4 in the US. Most institutions also offer Post-Graduate programs, such as Master's degrees, which can be completed in one additional year of study.
Majors, Courses, and Modules
The next major difference between US and UK higher education is the terminology that refers to what subjects you study and how you receive your instruction.
In the US, your selected area of study is considered your "Major"; in the UK, this is referred to as your "Course." For example, in the UK, you are often asked, "What course are you on?" When people ask this, they are asking after your major and general area of study, not which classes or courses you are taking.
Along those same lines, what we would refer to as a class or course in the US is called a "module" in the UK. Most will use a combination of lectures and seminars (and sometimes other formats) when delivering your module. This means you might have one large, 2-3 hour lecture in addition to a smaller, 1-hour discussion-based weekly seminar for one course.
Class Delivery and Coursework
Unlike in the US, UK modules do not usually have one professor who will lecture for the whole semester. Instead, each module will have a "convenor" who oversees the assessments and the overall structure of the course. Still, actual lecturers will rotate weekly, usually dependent on subject matter and areas of expertise.
Regarding grading in the US, your grade for a particular course is often made up of various assignments, including tests, essays, other homework, and even class participation. In the UK, your grade is typically determined by just one or two assessments per module. Depending on the module and your course, these might be tests, essays, or projects. For example, one of the modules I am currently enrolled in requires one essay at the halfway point worth 40% of the final grade and a final essay worth 60%.
Attending lectures and seminars is not necessarily required and doesn't directly affect your ultimate grade. However, the more you attend and engage with your teaching, the more likely you will do well on the assessments.
Semesters, Terms, and Breaks
This is another area where common terminology means slightly different things in the US versus the UK. In the US, an academic year is typically split up into two semesters— fall and spring — lasting between 14 to 16 weeks, with an extended break between the two over the holiday season.
In the UK, the academic year is split up into three 'terms'— autumn, spring, and summer. These refer to the times that courses are in session rather than the length of time that each module will take place. Instead, 'semester' is used here to indicate the length/dates of each module, which typically last only 10—11 weeks.
Is it Really That Much Different?
Overall, higher education in the UK is not all that different from the US. The biggest differences I've had to adjust to have been the different usages of terminology (which can be quite confusing at first!) and the significantly lower volume of graded coursework. Ultimately, adjusting to the British education system should be approached the same way you'd approach any change or new experience: with an open mind, an excitement to learn, and the ability to ask for help if needed!
Clara Wodny
Clara Wodny is a junior at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, where she studies English and Visual Communications. Her junior year will be spent in Nottingham, England, as part of the University of Nottingham’s exchange program.
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