Courses and degrees in the US
US higher education is known for its flexibility — you often don't declare a major until your second year, and you can combine subjects freely. Admissions are holistic, weighing grades, tests, essays, and references together.
Levels of study
Associate degree
2-year qualification, often at community colleges; can transfer into a bachelor's.
Bachelor's degree
Typically 4 years, with a broad first year (a 'liberal arts' core) before you major.
Master's degree
Usually 1–2 years. Strong funding through assistantships in many fields.
Doctoral (PhD)
5+ years, frequently funded with a stipend in exchange for teaching or research.
Popular courses
Bachelor of Computer Science
Bachelor's 4 years
A four-year undergraduate degree covering programming, algorithms, and systems, often paired with a broad liberal-arts first year.
Bachelor of Science
Bachelor's 4 years
A flexible four-year science degree spanning subjects from biology to physics, with a broad liberal-arts first year before majoring.
Master of Business Administration
Master's 2 years
A flagship postgraduate management degree, typically two years, combining core business training with electives, internships, and networking.
Master of Engineering
Master's 1-2 years
A postgraduate engineering degree, usually one to two years, deepening specialist skills before entering industry or doctoral study.
How you apply
- Undergraduates often apply through the Common App to multiple universities at once.
- Tests vary: the SAT or ACT for undergraduates (now optional at many schools), and the GRE or GMAT for many graduate programmes.
- Most international students must show English proficiency via TOEFL or IELTS.
- Once admitted, the university issues your Form I-20 so you can apply for an F-1 visa.
Official source: EducationUSA (U.S. Department of State).