Studying abroad is a dream for many international students, but the cost of tuition and living expenses can be overwhelming. Both the UK and USA are top destinations for higher education, and each offers unique opportunities for scholarships and financial aid.
In this guide, we’ll compare scholarships in the UK vs USA, with special insights into Rowan University (New Jersey, USA) and Arizona State University (ASU, Arizona, USA)—two popular American universities for international students.
🌍 Why Compare Scholarships in the UK and USA?
- UK Advantage: One-year master’s programs and government-backed scholarships like Chevening reduce costs.
- USA Advantage: More scholarships, research funding, and assistantship opportunities at universities like ASU and Rowan.
- International Students: Both countries attract students worldwide but offer different financial aid models.
By understanding the differences, students can make better decisions about where to study in 2025.
🎓 Scholarships in the UK
The UK offers both government-funded and university-specific scholarships.
1. Chevening Scholarships
- Fully funded by the UK government.
- Covers tuition, living expenses, and travel.
- Open to students from over 160 countries.
- 🔗 Chevening Official Site
2. Commonwealth Scholarships
- For students from Commonwealth nations.
- Covers tuition, airfare, and living costs.
- Competitive and aimed at high-achieving students.
- 🔗 Commonwealth Scholarships
3. Rhodes Scholarship (University of Oxford)
- One of the world’s oldest scholarships.
- Covers full tuition and living expenses at Oxford.
4. University-Specific Scholarships
- Many UK universities offer their own funding:
- University of Warwick Chancellor’s Scholarship
- UCL Global Scholarships
- University of Edinburgh Global Excellence Scholarship
- 🔗 British Council Scholarships
💡 Tip: UK scholarships focus on leadership, academic merit, and future impact rather than financial need.
🎓 Scholarships in the USA
The USA has more institutional scholarships and assistantship programs compared to the UK.
1. Fulbright Scholarships
- Prestigious government program.
- Covers tuition, living, and travel.
- Open to international students worldwide.
- 🔗 Fulbright Program
2. University-Based Scholarships
Most U.S. universities offer merit-based or need-based aid:
- Arizona State University (ASU)
- New American University Scholarship for international students.
- Awarded based on academic performance (GPA, SAT/ACT scores).
- Tuition discounts of $5,000–$15,000 per year.
- 🔗 ASU Scholarships
- Rowan University (New Jersey)
- Offers Rowan International Scholarship for first-year and transfer students.
- Covers $2,000–$10,000 annually.
- Additional graduate assistantships available.
- 🔗 Rowan University Scholarships
3. Graduate Assistantships (GA/RA/TA)
- Many U.S. universities offer paid research or teaching positions.
- Covers tuition + stipend (rare in the UK).
💡 Tip: U.S. scholarships are often renewable each year, whereas UK scholarships are mostly one-time awards.
📊 Comparison: Scholarships in UK vs USA
| Factor | UK | USA |
|---|---|---|
| Types | Gov’t (Chevening, Commonwealth) + university awards | University scholarships + assistantships + Fulbright |
| Coverage | Tuition + partial/full living | Tuition waivers + stipends + on-campus jobs |
| Duration | Mostly 1 year (Master’s) | 2–4 years (Undergrad/Grad) |
| Focus | Leadership, merit, international collaboration | Academic merit + financial need |
| Flexibility | Limited renewals | Renewable annually |
| Examples | Chevening, Rhodes, UCL Global | ASU New American, Rowan International, Fulbright |
💰 Tuition and Cost of Living
Even with scholarships, students need to budget for costs.
UK Costs
- Tuition Fees: £10,000 – £25,000 per year
- Living Costs: £10,000 – £15,000 annually
- Shorter degree = lower overall cost
USA Costs
- Tuition Fees: $20,000 – $40,000 per year (Rowan/ASU average)
- Living Costs: $12,000 – $18,000 annually
- Longer programs = higher cost, but more scholarships available
🌟 Case Study: Arizona State University (ASU)
ASU is one of the largest public universities in the USA and offers numerous scholarships for international students.
- New American University Scholarship: $5,000–$15,000 annually
- Graduate Assistantships: Full tuition + stipend
- Why Choose ASU? Strong programs in Engineering, Business, and Computer Science.
- 🔗 ASU Scholarships
🌟 Case Study: Rowan University
Rowan University is a fast-rising U.S. university known for affordable education.
- International Scholarship: $2,000–$10,000 annually
- Graduate Assistantships: Available for master’s and PhD students
- Why Choose Rowan? Excellent student support, affordable tuition, and research opportunities.
- 🔗 Rowan International Admissions
🌟 Case Study: UK Scholarships
Example: University of Warwick Global Excellence Scholarship
- Covers partial tuition (£5,000–£10,000).
- Awarded to academically outstanding students.
- 🔗 Warwick Scholarships
💼 Career Outlook After Scholarships
In the UK
- With the Graduate Route Visa, students can stay 2 years post-study.
- High demand for AI, Business, Healthcare, and Engineering graduates.
In the USA
- OPT (Optional Practical Training) allows up to 3 years of work for STEM graduates.
- Higher average salaries compared to the UK but competitive job market.
📌 External Resources
- Chevening Scholarships
- Commonwealth Scholarships
- British Council – UK Scholarships
- UK Student Visa Requirements
- ASU Scholarships
- Rowan University Global
🎯 Final Thoughts
Both the UK and USA offer exciting opportunities for international students.
- If you want shorter programs and globally recognized scholarships, the UK is a better fit.
- If you want more options for renewable scholarships, assistantships, and funding opportunities, the USA (ASU, Rowan, and beyond) is ideal.
Your choice depends on your career goals, budget, and preferred study environment. Either way, scholarships in both countries can make studying abroad more affordable in 2025.