The University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is one of the world's oldest and most prestigious academic institutions. The story of the Cambridge University 
begins in 1209 when several hundred students and scholars arrived in the little town of Cambridge after having walked 60 miles from Oxford. These students were all churchmen and had been studying in Oxford at that city's well-known schools. It was a hard life at Oxford for there was constant trouble, even fighting, between the townsfolk and the students. Then one day a student accidentally killed a man of the town. The Mayor arrested three other students who were innocent. In protest, many students moved elsewhere, some coming to Cambridge. And so the new University began. It was the Cambridge University.
Cambridge is situated about 50 miles (80 km) north of London. The university was basically established to study for religious purposes. The earliest teaching sessions of the University were carried out in churches or private houses. This was obviously unsatisfactory, and so the University authorities began to establish buildings for their own use. Some of these early 'schools' still exist on the site known, appropriately, as the 'Old Schools'. During the 14th and 15th Centuries, the University gradually gained its independence from the church, with the Chancellor taking on both religious and civil duties.
Cambridge University is composed of more than thirty constituent colleges. The oldest building is in St John's College but the oldest college as institution is Peterhouse, dates from 1284. Many of the university's buildings, including the most famous one King's College Chapel and two chapels designed by Christopher Wren, are rich in history and tradition. The library houses numerous important collections, and the Fitzwilliam Museum contains noteworthy collections of antiquities.
The University at present has more than 16,500 full-time students. About 17% of the student body is from overseas, coming from over 100 different countries. Because of its high academic reputation, admission to the University is highly competitive, and most overseas students already have a good degree from a university in their own country.
The University also has a worldwide reputation for other aspects of its work. Cambridge University Press (one of the world's oldest and largest publishers) and UCLES (University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate) are world leaders in their respective fields and allow the University to make a direct educational and academic contribution to the lives of millions of people around the world.
Cambridge University is more renowned than its rival for mathematics and natural sciences, and has produced 80 Nobel-prize winners, 13 British Prime Ministers and 8 Archbishops of Canterbury, among others.
The list of illustrious alumni is endless. Among the most famous are Newton, Lord Byron, Charles Darwin, Vladimir Nabokov. The great Russian scientist Pavlov came to Cambridge to receive the degree of the Honorary Doctor of Cambridge. University of Cambridge is known as a great centre of science, where many famous scientists have worked.
Key words and phrases
college- The precise usage of the term varies among English-speaking countries. Usually this is an institution of higher education that offers only undergraduate programs and limited graduate programs, but it also can be a separate unit within a university like a college of business or college of arts and sciences. In the context of the university it is also known as Faculty. Often colleges within a university have different admission requirements.
graduate - A student who has completed a course of study, either at high school or university level. A graduate program at a US university is, in British English terms, a postgraduate study program. Graduate study is designed to lead towards a master's or doctorate and generally is open only to students who have completed an undergraduate degree.
undergraduate - In some educational systems, an undergraduate is a post-secondary student pursuing a Bachelor's degree. Students of higher degrees are known as postgraduates (or often simply graduates).
Hall - dormitory: a college or university building containing living quarters for students.
alumnus (plural alumni) MAINLY U.S. - someone who has left a school, college or university after completing their studies there.
UCLES (University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate) - one of the best-known organizations in the world of English Language Teaching and the world's largest and best known educational assessment agencies with examination centers in over 150 countries. Examinations in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) were started at UCLES in 1913, with the Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE). The First Certificate in English (FCE) was introduced in 1939.
Exercise 25. Complete the sentences:
1. England is famous for …… .
2.The University of Oxford was given a boost in 1167 when …… .
3. Since 1974, all but one of Oxford's colleges have changed their statutes …….
4. A characteristic feature of Oxford is …… .
5. …… offer support for international students.
6. There is central administration, providing services such as …… .
7. The story of the Cambridge University begins in 1209 when …… .
8. …… the University gradually gained its independence from the church.
9. The library houses numerous …… .
10. …… , admission to the University is highly competitive, …… in their own country.
11. …… are world leaders in their respective fields and allow the University to make …….
12. The great Russian scientist Pavlov came to Cambridge to …… .
Exercise 26. Fill in the table according to the text:
| University | The time of foundation | Number of colleges | The oldest college | The most famous college | The main characteristic feature | Outstanding exponents |
| Oxford | ||||||
| Cambridge |
Exercise 27. Role play. Work in three groups. Make up presentations about Oxford University, Cambridge University and the Ukrainian State Academy of Railway Transport. Represent them to your group-mates.
МЕТОДИЧНІ ВКАЗІВКИ
до розмовної теми “Our Academy”
з розвитку комунікативної компетенції
для студентів 1 курсу факультетів
(англійська мова)
Відповідальний за випуск: викл. Дзюба О.А.,
викл. Печій І.О.
редактор
Підписано до друку
Формат папіру 60х84 1/16. Папір писальний.
Умовн.-друк.арк. . Обл.-вид.арк. .
Замовлення № . Тираж 700 . Ціна
Друкарня ХарДАЗТу,
310050, Харків – 50, пл. Фейєрбаха, 7