USA vs UK vs Canada vs Australia: What makes each degree system unique

India Today

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For Indian students looking at higher education abroad, four countries lead the way -- the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. Each has its own way of running universities, naming degrees, and deciding how long a course should take.In the US, a bachelor's degree takes four years. The first two years are broad -- you can study literature, maths, or even music before picking a major. In the UK, it's straight to the point.advertisementMost degrees take three years, and you focus on your subject from day one. Canada and Australia follow a more balanced model, offering three or four-year degrees, often with options like honours years, research projects, or work placements.
One difference that often confuses students: in these countries, the Bachelor of Science (BSc) is the standard degree in technical or scientific fields.If you're studying engineering, you usually get a Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) or Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc) -- not BTech like in India.This matters. The name and length of your degree can affect where you work, study further, or how it's seen by employers.So, before applying, it's worth understanding not just the course, but how that course fits into the bigger system -- whether it's at the University of Toronto, University of Melbourne, Oxford, or MIT.DEGREE NAMES VARY -- BUT BSc IS COMMON ACROSS COUNTRIESIn most foreign countries, the Bachelor of Science (BSc) is considered the default degree for technical, scientific, or quantitative fields.For example:BSc is common in courses like Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, and Economics.For engineering, the degree is usually titled Bachelor of Engineering (BE) or Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSc Eng), depending on the university.These naming patterns help differentiate between pure science programmes and professional degrees.Below is a straightforward comparison to help students and parents understand the basics.CountryUS DegreeDurationPG DegreeDurationPhD DurationUSABA/BS4 yearsMA/MS2 years4-6 yearsCanadaBA/BSc3-4yearsMA/MSc1-2 years4-6 yearsUKBA/BSc3 yearsMA/MSc1 year3-4 yearsAustraliaBA/BSC3-4 yearsMA/MSc1-2 years3-4 yearsUNITED STATES: BROAD START, LONGER DURATIONIn the US, undergraduate degrees are called Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) and typically take four years to complete. Students study general subjects in the first two years before selecting a 'major' to specialise in.Popular US universities among Indian students include University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Purdue University, University of Texas at Austin, and New York University (NYU).Postgraduate options include Master of Arts (MA) and Master of Science (MS), which usually take two years. A PhD can take anywhere from four to six years, depending on research requirements.SIMILAR SYSTEM, PRACTICAL FOCUSCanada offers Bachelor's degrees in three or four years, depending on whether students pursue a general or honours programme. Degree names are the same -- BA and BSc.advertisementCanadian universities like University of Toronto, University of British Columbia (UBC), and McGill University are widely known for quality education.Master's programmes run for one to two years. PhD programmes typically require four to six years. Colleges in Canada also offer skill-based diplomas, which are more practical in nature.UNITED KINGDOM: SPECIALISATION FROM DAY ONEIn the UK, students begin specialising immediately after joining. The undergraduate degree -- Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BSc) -- takes three years, or four in Scotland.Universities such as University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, King's College London, and University of Edinburgh are popular choices.Master's degrees (MA, MSc) typically last one year. A PhD takes three to four years. The UK is known for short, intensive courses with limited general education.AUSTRALIA: THREE YEARS, WITH HONOURS OPTIONAustralia offers three-year BA and BSc programmes. An optional Honours year extends this to four years and can lead directly to a PhD.Common universities for Indian students include University of Melbourne, University of Sydney, Monash University, and Australian National University (ANU).advertisementPostgraduate degrees run for one to two years. PhDs usually take three to four years.Each system has its own strengths. Some offer flexibility, others offer speed. What matters most is the fit between the student's goals and the course structure.- EndsMust Watch