A British student currently studying in the United States has ignited a lively transatlantic conversation about the distinctions between British and American universities.
James Edward, a 21-year-old student at Imperial College, London, recently posted a TikTok video in which he highlighted the differences between the two countries' higher education systems while attending a college football game.
While watching a University of Notre Dame vs. Ohio State game, James, who is also a model, pointed out some aspects of the American college system that he appreciates, such as scholarship programs that enable some students to attend university for free. However, he acknowledged that those students who do pay fees in the US often end up paying significantly more than their British counterparts due to the much higher tuition fees in the United States.
American viewers, in particular, expressed their shock at the relatively low cost of tuition fees in the UK, as James noted that sports scholarships make it possible for many American students to attend university for free, covering not only tuition but also accommodation and food. However, James emphasized that if you do not play a sport in the US, attending university can be prohibitively expensive, with the average cost of tuition fees estimated at $60,000.
James also highlighted the enthusiasm of American students for their universities, noting that they display their school pride through various means, such as having statues of their university logo on their lawns or hedges cut into the university's logo. British students, he mentioned, also feel pride in their universities, but the intensity of this pride seems to be stronger among American students.
The video drew responses from both British and American viewers, with many expressing their astonishment at the differing university experiences on opposite sides of the Atlantic. Some in the UK couldn't imagine someone wearing a University of Coventry shirt, while others in the US inquired about the cost and duration of UK university programs, with a reminder that in Scotland, university is free. Photo by Know1one1, Wikimedia commons.