Why Study in USA

Colleges North America

Reasons to study in the United States

Reputation

More than 565,000 international students from more than 100 countries study at American universities. Many US colleges and universities in the world are known for the quality of their academic education. Universities such as Harvard, Princeton and Stanford are known to every researcher and business leader. International awards go to researchers at American universities on a regular basis. In contrast to the German universities, student support is very intensive. There are often less than twenty students per professor.

Career springboard – studies in the USA

Studying at such a university opens the door and is often the springboard for a career in Europe. In addition to expanding your own horizons, studying abroad in the USA offers a wealth of the latest technology and the latest research thanks to the very good equipment of the universities. Due to the close connection between science and business, the course is practical and prepares the students better for their later professional life.

Language skills through studying in the USA

Language skills are becoming more and more important: English is the number 1 language for science and business – an integral part of working life and especially important for all those who want to move internationally. There is no easier way to improve your language skills.

Make contacts while studying in the USA

The established American universities are internationally oriented. This leads to a lively exchange between internationally renowned researchers. Contacts can be made that prove to be very useful even after your studies. The diverse range means that everyone can find something that suits their needs and abilities.

Universities in USA: companies

Private and public universities see themselves as independent companies and service providers and are paid by the students for lectures and seminars. They are not supervised by the state and make completely independent decisions in all matters, including the definition of the study titles and content. That is why you have to carefully check the study program of the individual universities when choosing a university. However, the respective state decides which universities can award academic degrees. Accreditation is the assessment criterion.

Study in the United States at elite universities

Everyone has heard of Harvard, Princeton or Yale: traditional, private elite universities with very good facilities, renowned professors and a small number of students. However, studying at such a university also has its “high” price : In Harvard, a student has to pay $ 47,047 for studying in 2017, including accommodation and health insurance.

Study in the United States at elite state universities

If you would like to study at a very good university in the USA, but lack the necessary financial support for the extremely high costs at the private elite universities, you can alternatively try one of the state universities, some of which are very good have a good reputation for staying. Here is an overview of the best state universities in the United States.

University types in the USA

There are different categories of public and private universities, but you cannot rely on the name: there are universities that correspond to a college and institutes that correspond to a university. The different types of universities: community colleges, colleges, universities and institutes.

Community colleges offer a two-year course and predominantly impart professional knowledge. The training ends with the acquisition of the “Associate Degree” in the academic branch, in the professional branch with a vocational training certificate. The “Associate Degree” is not recognized in Germany. However, the “Associate Degree” can be credited to a total of four years of undergraduate studies at universities or colleges.

Colleges offer their first professional qualification in about four years: the degree of Bachelor. In the first two years there is a broad general study (English, natural sciences, social sciences, as well as basic courses in the chosen subject area): “Lower Division”. This is followed by the “Upper Division” with the specialization in the department. This study is also referred to as “undergraduate studies”.

Universities also offer undergraduate studies up to a bachelor’s degree and also graduate studies up to a master’s or doctoral degree.

Institutes are technical universities (e.g. Institute of Technology), departments (e.g. Institute of English) or advanced training courses (e.g. Summer Institute of English Education).

Accreditation

The accreditation is a kind of seal of approval for American universities, which guarantees compliance with minimum standards of facilities and teaching.
There is accreditation to guarantee a uniform quality standard for the institutions and programs of the American secondary education system. Accreditation of educational institutions is carried out by the accreditation bodies or associations, which check whether an institution fulfills the standards of a particular body or association and adheres to them. Here you will find a list of trustworthy accreditation associations.
There is no accreditation requirement in the United States, so there are many educational institutions that do not meet these standards and do not have accreditation.

More information on accreditation

When choosing a course, you have to make sure that the university is accredited, because that means that it offers a good level of education and that degrees obtained there are recognized everywhere.

Before you apply for a place in the United States, it makes sense to inquire about the restrictions on the recognition of American degrees or universities. The contact person is the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB).