Higher Education in the USA

There is no national system of higher education in the United States. American higher education developed its own pattern by the adaptation of two traditions: the collegiate tradition of England and the university tradition of the continent.

American colleges and universities are either publicor private. A public institution is owned and operated by a government, either a state or municipal government. But it does not mean that it is absolutely free. The state colleges or universities charge a fee for tuitionor registration. This fee is higher for those who come from outside the state. A private institution receives no direct financial aid from any government, municipal, state or federal. The money used to pay the operating expenses has a threefold origin:

· tuition fees paid by the students;

· money given in the form of gifts;

· the income from invested capital in the possession of the institutions.

Of the nation’s nearly 1,900 institutions of higher learning are state or city institutions. About 1,200 are privately controlled. Approximately 700 of these are controlled by religious groups.

In general, higher education in the USA may be divided into two broad fields: liberal arts (languages, history, science and philosophy) and professional (agriculture, law, engineering, medicine, etc.).

Admission to colleges and universities is by selection the results ofSAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test). SAT results are not the only items requested by institutions of higher education. Most schools will ask for

* aPersonal Data Form;

* a High School Transcript;

* a Standardized Freshman Application Form;

* teacher’s recommendations;

* essayson various topics.

The selection for admission is complex. No single factor carries overwhelming weight and the final decision is based on many factors, both academic and non-academic.

The course of studies usually lasts four years for Bachelor’s Degree. Students are classified as freshmen, sophomors, juniors and seniors. A freshman is a first-year student, a sophomor - a second-year student, a junior - a third year student, and a senior - a fourth-year student. A student working for the Bachelor’s Degree (BA or BS) is called an undergraduate; one working for the Master’s (MAor MS) or Doctor of Philosophy Degree (PhD) is called a graduate student. Some students receive scholarships which pay all or part of their tuition. A person on such a fellowship is called a university fellow.

The American academic year usually runs from the middle of August to the beginning of May. If one takes summer classes, it runs until the beginning of July. Most schools divide the academic year into 3 terms or 2 semesters. Achievement is measured by grades which are given on papers and tests during the course of semester and a final examination at the end of the term.

A grade point average (GPA) is determined at the end of term to show student’s overall achievement. Grades are usually on a four-point scale, with letters to indicate the levels of achievement. “A” is the highest mark, the letters go through “B”, “C”, “D”, “F”, the last of which denotes a failure.

Higher educational institutions usually are governed by a board of regents or aboard of trustees.

The executive head of a college or university is usually called the president. The various colleges or schools which make up a university are headed by deans. The subject groups within each school are headed by a professor who is designated as department head or chair. Other members of the department hold academic ranks, such as instructor, assistant professor, associate professor, and professor. Graduate students who give some part-time service may be designated asfellows or GAs (Graduate Assistants).

THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND

THE BASICS:

Official name:The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK)

Status:a constitutional monarchy

Area: 244,100 square kilometres

Population: over 57 million people

Capital: London, over 7 million people

The Geography of the UK

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland comprises the four countries of England, Scotland (including the Orkney and Shetland Islands), Wales andNorthern Ireland. Their capitals are London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast.

The chief regional administrative units are called “counties” in England and Wales, “regions” in Scotland, and “districts” in Northern Ireland. In addition there are "Dependencies "of the Crown.

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the official name of the state which is sometimes referred to as Great Britain or Britain (after its major isle), England (after its major historic part) or theBritish Isles.

Great Britain is situated on the British Isles. The British Isles consist of two large islands, Great Britain (in which are England, Wales and Scotland) and Ireland (in which are Northern Ireland and the independent Irish Republic), and 5,500 smaller islands.

The North Sea, theStrait of Dover (or Pas de Calais), and the English Channel (or La Manche) separate Great Britain from the European continent. The western coast of Great Britain is washed by the Atlantic Ocean and theIrish Sea.

The surface of the British Isles varies very much. It is flat in Eastern England, Scotland and Wales are hilly and mountainous. The main mountain ranges are:

· thePennines (the backbone of England);

· the Cheviot Hills;

· the Cambrian Mountains (Wales);

· the Highlands of Scotland.

There are sixteen lakes to the north-west of England. This part of the country, called the Lake District, is the most beautiful part of Great Britain.

There are many rivers in Britain. The principal ones are the Severn and the Thames.The Severn is the longest river in Britain while the Thames is the busiest and the most important river in England.

The climate is generally mild and temperate due to the influence of the Gulf Stream. The weather is subject to frequent changes and it is the favourite topic of conversation in Britain.

Great Britain is a highly developed industrial country. It is a great producer of iron and steel, electronics and machinery, chemicals and textiles. It also has a highly developed shipbuilding industry.

Great Britain is not very rich in mineral resources. It imports all of its oil, cotton, rubber and sulphur, four-fifths of its wool and half of its food staffs and iron ore.

Great Britain exports machinery, motor-cars, aircrafts, locomotives, chemicals, woolen and synthetic textiles, radio, TV and navigation equipment.

Britain has a very developed agricultural system. For centuries the country has been famous for its cattle and sheep and still remains a leading producer of wool. Once wool made Britain powerful. The red woolsack on which Lord Chancellor sits symbolizes the power of England.