When deciding between studying in the United Kingdom, Australia and the U.S., Nigerian doctor Ugwoke Sunday Paul says the final decision came easy – he chose the U.K. Paul says he favored everything from the shorter degree time to few required standardized exams for graduate school admission.

Prospective international students weighing which of these three countries to pursue graduate studies in may find that the U.K. and Australia – rather than the U.S. – offer them a quicker, more affordable master's degree without the required GRE or GMAT.

Here are three reasons to consider the U.K. and Australia over the U.S. for grad school.

1. Shorter, less expensive degree: In the U.S., a master's degree typically requires two years of study; however, in the U.K. and Australia, students can complete the degree in as little as a year. This shorter time frame can help students spend less on tuition and living expenses.

"The shorter duration comparatively saves cost both in terms of physical cash and time cost," says Paul, who attended the University of Nottingham.

Seeking to address global infertility, Paul chose Nottingham's master's in medical sciences program in assisted reproduction technology. He says it is the "U.K.'s longest running master's course specializing in ART" and takes only a year. Paul also secured the Chevening Scholarship, which the U.K. government awards to international students with demonstrated leadership skills, to help cover his expenses.



Prepare for the hidden costs of earning a degree overseas. ]

Michael Peak, education adviser for the British Council, a U.K. organization focused on cultural and educational opportunities, says many U.K. graduate courses can be completed in under a year, "which can prove more affordable and allows students to enter or re-enter the job market earlier than students in other study locations." He says international students can also work part time while studying in the U.K.

However, one disadvantage Paul notes is that international students can only remain for four months following graduation due to U.K. immigration policy. In Australia – where master's programs vary between one year, 18 months and two years – the latter degree option allows students to work after graduation.

Laurie Pearcey, executive director, international, at the University of New South Wales in Australia, said via email that international master's degree students can apply for a post-study work stream visa, "provided that the degree is at least two years of duration." According to the Australian government's website, this visa can be granted for up to four years.



Read about the rules for working while studying in Europe. ]

2. Lower tuition: Not only can the shorter degree duration provide international students with cost savings, but universities in the U.K. and Australia typically charge lower grad school tuition than programs in the U.S.

In the U.K., for example, a one-year Master in Science in Sustainability and Environmental Management at Middlesex University London costs 12,500 British pounds or roughly $15,200 for full-time international students.

In comparison, the first year of tuition for a Master of Science in Environmental Management at the University of San Francisco is $20,720 for all students. The second year of tuition is around $18,130.

See global universities where tuition is low or free. ]

Pearcey says the average postgraduate coursework fees in Australia for international students are around 29,000 Australian dollars or about $21,600, with average fees at the University of New South Wales around 34,000 Australian dollars or roughly $25,400.

Cameroon national Eric Ngang, a University of South Australia grad, says compared to the U.S., his tuition costs were lower. Ngang, who received a scholarship, completed his year-and-a-half master's program in environmental management and sustainability in 2013.

At the time, his tuition costs were 22,500 Australian dollars or around $16,800. That same degree's tuition was 30,000 Australian dollars for international students in 2016 or roughly $22,400.

Experts say even with lower tuition, universities in the U.K. and Australia can offer international students a quality education. Peak, of the British Council, says the U.K. has a range of internationally ranked universities, with many that "have close links to research, commerce and industry."

Pearcey says that research opportunities and programs that integrate work experience at Australian universities, as well as the country's global economy, resonate with career-focused students.

3. Few or no required standardized tests: Many U.S. graduate programs require students to take standardized tests like the GRE or GMAT. But in the U.K. and Australia, the requirements differ, with many universities only requiring international students to take English language proficiency exams.

"I only took the IELTS," says Chinese national Cindy Zhao, referring to the International English Language Testing System. Zhao is pursuing a master's in global media communication at the University of Melbourne in Australia. For the U.S., she would likely have had to also take the GRE, which she preferred not to do, saying the exam can be challenging and require significant preparation.

University of Nottingham grad Paul says he appreciated not having to take the GRE, which he felt allowed his application for admission to be evaluated on its own merit, rather than on how well he performed on the standardized exam.

However, a few U.K. schools, like the London School of Economics and Political Science, may require the GRE or GMAT to demonstrate an applicant's quantitative skills.

Pearcey of the University of New South Wales said via email that in Australia standardized tests are used for MBA programs, but in general graduate admissions is based on "a quality bachelor's degree with strong academic results and in many cases work experience, portfolios or other forms of evidence to meet requirements set by universities."

Ngang, who took the GRE years earlier and was unable to secure admission to a U.S. university, says not having to take the exam again "was very helpful and informed my choice of Australia as a destination for my academic pursuit."