Which on will it be?

Will it be a British, Australian, American or Canadian university? Will it be abroad or will it be here in the UAE? These are questions on the minds of students as they leave high school and journey into the world of higher education.
According to the website of the Australian higher education agency, IDP.com, global demand for international higher education is growing; from 2.173 million international students in 2005 to 3.72 million in 2025. This is a growth of 71 per cent over 20 years.

But what is an ‘American' university? What is a ‘British' university? What identifies each of these universities as one or the other in terms of both curriculum and location? And which one is best suited to you?

Notes gives you a preview of the curricula and tuition provided by some of the world's top educational hubs - Canada, the US, the UK and Australia -to help you decide.

Study in the UK

Students from this region often choose the UK for higher education for two reasons: proximity and quality. Compared to other educational hubs, the UK is the closest to the Middle East, the Gulf and Western Asia.

The UK curriculum

The UK university curriculum is more rigid compared to the others. In degree programmes, some subjects are compulsory while others remain optional, allowing students to tailor the programme to suit their interests. The core topics of a student's course are outlined to them through lectures.

If students choose a technical subject, they are likely to spend much of their time in supervised laboratory work in order to develop their technical skills.

UK schools also provide English language support for international students. Many have language centres equipped with language-learning materials. Many also offer English classes for international students, focusing on the language skills needed for their major.

Study in Australia

Australia is known for its diversity and safety. Australian universities offer students affordable quality education.

The Australian curriculum
According to Kheng-Fui Chew, head of operations of IDP in the Gulf states, the Australian curriculum falls between those of the US and UK.

"UK universities often have rigid curricula while US universities are known for their flexibility in allowing students to choose a majority of their subjects and topics for study," he said. "The Australian curriculum falls somewhere in the middle."

Pocket savings

One of the key advantages to studying in the UK is the quality education, says Chew.

"Tuition rates in Australia are 10 to 15 per cent less than those in the UK and the US," he added.

Study in Canada

Colleges vs. universities

Canada has more than 135 colleges. Compared to universities, colleges typically provide a more career-oriented curriculum featuring smaller classes, off-campus courses, greater laboratory space, a more interactive teaching style and more inclusive entry criteria. Many university graduates attend college upon completion of their degree in order to acquire vocational skills for employment. As a result, the average age of a full-time college student is between 26 and 28.

More than 10,000 undergraduate and graduate degree programmes are offered in Canada. Universities receive public funding, thus the quality remains high among all institutions.

Value for money

According to Deborah Schuck, education and training trade commissioner at the Canadian Embassy in the UAE, the average cost of a one-year undergraduate university degree for an international student, including tuition, on-campus accommodation, meals, medical insurance, textbooks and student fees, is approximately C$16,000 (Dh57,090). Several universities and colleges offer scholarships for international students, usually based on merit.

The Canadian curriculum

Similar to the US curriculum, the Canadian curriculum provides students with a great deal of flexibility, allowing students to mix and match their courses depending on the requirements of their major.

A bachelor's degree is typically four years in duration however requirements vary between institutions.

Graduate programmes involve in-depth research, and in most cases involve a thesis component. Some masters programmes require a minimum of two years' work experience as part of the admission criteria.
As always, we advise you to visit the website of your university of interest to obtain more specific information. We gave you the options. Now it's up to you to make the decision.

Tuition rates in Australia
Undergraduate programmes
- Most majors: A$15,000 - A$20,000 per year (Dh51,735 – Dh68,980)
- Sciences: A$18,000 to A$22,000 (Dh62,080 – Dh75,880)

Graduate programmes
- General range: A$15,000 - A$30,000 depending on the major (Dh51,735 – Dh103,470)
- Masters in Business Administration: A$18,000 - A$20,000 (Dh62,080 – Dh68,980)
- Masters in Engineering: A$20,000 - A$25,000 (Dh68,980– Dh86,230)
- Undergraduate degrees can usually be completed in three years with the exception of medicine and some sciences.
— Information provided by Kheng-Fui Chew, head of operations of IDP in the Gulf states

Study in the US

Characteristics of the American curriculum:
- Flexible curricula and educational decentralisation
- An emphasis on independent and individualised study.
Open academic environment offering:
- Freedom of inquiry
- Personal freedom
nHeuristic approach to learning that sharpens a student's skill of self-motivation
- Independent inquiry and research

Tuition fee: The tuition fees for a bachelor's and master's programme in the US vary between public and private universities. International students pay higher tuition fees in public universities than American students. Depending on the institution, the range is between $16,000-$45,000 (Dh58,770 – Dh165,290) including the cost of living.
— Information provided by EducationUSA Centre at the US Embassy

Approximate tuition rates in the UK

Undergraduate study
The figures below show approximately what you can expect to pay, but it's worth bearing in mind that course fees can vary considerably between institutions. You can find more details on individual institutions' fees on www.educationuk.org.

Average course fees
- Foundation courses: £4,000 to £12,000 per year (Dh29,025 - Dh87,080)
- Arts courses: £7,000 to £9,000 per year (Dh50,800 – Dh65,310)
- Science courses: £7,500 to £12,000 per year (Dh54,425 – Dh87,080)
- Clinical courses: £10,000 to £21,000 per year (Dh72,565 – Dh152,390)

Postgraduate study and MBA
Average course fees

- Arts and humanities courses: £7,000-£9,000 per year (Dh50,800 – Dh65,310)
- Science courses: £7,500-£12,000 per year (Dh54,425 – Dh87,080)
- Clinical courses: £10,000-£21,000 per year (Dh72,565 – Dh152,390)
- MBA: £4,000 to more than £30,000 per year (Dh29,025 – Dh217,780)

Most UK degrees are three years in duration with the exception of medicine, dentistry and veterinary science. There are also options to pursue a four-year degree. The two options would be:

a) A MEng for example is a four-year course giving the student a full master's in engineering.
b) A sandwich degree in which students study for two years followed by a year working in the industry before completing their final year.
— Information provided by Alison Devine, deputy director of the British Council in the UAE, and from EducationUK.org
nFor more information visit www.educationuk.org