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Thomas already answered this question, but I wanted to contribute my experience as well. Just for the record, I will compare the US system with German universities, but the curriculum at German universities is very similar to that in the UK (students take classes for their major only, you get a Bachelor’s degree after 3 years, etc).</p>
<p>I am rising junior math major in the US. I took 3 math classes at a German university while in high school, which allowed me to dive directly into upper-level classes in the US. After 2 years of college in the US I have already taken as many <em>pure</em> math classes than I would have taken in my 3 years at a German university. By the time I get my degree, I will have probably taken enough math for a Master’s degree in Germany. That is possible because my American college puts much less restrictions on which classes I have to take. As an undergraduate math major at a German university, I would have to take a mix of pure and applied math courses as well as courses in an allied field (e.g. computer science or physics). In the US I don’t need to bother with applied classes, nor am I required to complete a minor (I am choosing to do that anyway, but I don’t have to.) </p>
<p>The US is also much more flexible about accelerating students. In Europe it is rare for students to take college classes while in high school, while in the US that is pretty standard procedure. The US is also much more open to undergraduate students taking graduate-level classes (=> more depth than an undergraduate student would get in Europe). </p>
<p>I prefer the US college system because it gives students a choice whether to study for breadth or depth, and lets them progress at their own pace. Europe is too concerned about making everything standardized.</p>