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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I don't know all the details for how Canadian universities operate but I do know a few things about UK universities.

1. There is a lot of drinking. Probably even more drinking that at comparable US universities.

2. There is plenty of drugs for people who want to abuse drugs.

3. #1 and #2 are also irrelevant if you don't drink or do drugs, just like they are irrelevant in the US for kids who don't drink or do drugs. Find like minded friends and you're set.

4. UK universities are not as well-funded as their US peers. You won't find the same depth of resources. This is largely irrelevant for most students but it is still a difference.

5. UK instruction style is different from US instruction style. You are likely to get a more in depth exposure in your degree and it will be a more intense experience while also requiring more independence. Fewer graded coursework during the term, most of your grade depends on the final exam and maybe a paper. The ability to blow off studies till the finals and then blow the final is there. US instruction tends to have a bit more structure with more graded obligations during the academic term.

6. You study your degree. That's it. If you are studying history, you study history. You don't really have many options to explore other courses or disciplines. US universities offer much greater flexibility, including changing majors and taking classes outside your majors. Great for the student who only wants to study history, but less so if he gets burned out after a year or two and wants to study something else.

7. UK academic departments are increasingly just as politicised as American academic departments. This was less the case 10 years ago, but there are still some exceptions.

8. Your typical "good" UK university and good American state university are going to be broadly similar enough, 3 years versus four years and very little flexibility to change majors/course of study.

9. Class snobbery is largely irrelevant in UK universities. People who care about class are not going to be your friends anyway. They exist in a world unto themselves (don't start dreaming that you'll be hanging out with the son of a duke). This is not different from the rich kids at the Ivies from elite families. Your classmates and friends will be nice ordinary kids from nice ordinary families.

10. Just be careful at how it translates into ease of post-graduation employment back in the US.

[/quote]

I'm British, agree with all of this. The most important difference I think (apart from the course structure, which is key) is how much less hand-holding there is and how much more independent your kid will need to be. [/quote]

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