History of University and College
Universities originated in Europe during the eleventh century, but they were not the first in the world. Perhaps, the University of Al-Azhar founded in Cairo in 970 is one of the oldest still operating universities in the world. European universities developed from monastery schools and. their development took place so slowly that it is difficult to know the point at which they became universities.
Many scholars believe that the oldest European University is the University of Bologna, Italy. It was founded in the late tenth century, but it had existed as a law school since 890. The University of Paris developed during the eleventh century. Many other universities appeared in Europe during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. These first schools were founded largely to serve the professions. They provided the first unified teaching of law, medicine, and theology. The lessons were conducted in the Latin language, which the students were to speak even among themselves.
The oldest universities in Britain Oxford and Cambridge were founded in the Middle Ages. They have much in common and are, therefore, often spoken together, and are sometimes called collectively for convenience as Oxbridge. The word "college" originated later. There were no colleges in those early days and students' life was very different from what it is now. Students were of all ages and came from everywhere. When the students began to settle in Oxford in the 12th century they lived as they could, lodging in inns and with townsfolk, or grouping themselves together and renting a house for their use.
The first college (Merton College) was founded in 1249 and it was associated only with the residence for students to lodge. Life in college was strict. Students were not allowed to play games, to sing or dance, to hunt or even to fish. Later however colleges developed into complete educational institutions.
The University of London
In 1836 the University of London was created to conduct the examination and to grant degrees upon the students from any institution situated anywhere in the British Empire. Up until 1900 the University of London was only an examining and degree-awarding body, but in that year an Act of Parliament permitted to provide lecture rooms, museums, laboratories, work shops, etc. for both teaching and research.
Today the University of London is a federation of colleges, each largely independent. There are faculties of Theology, of Arts, of Medicine, of Science, etc. The University of London grants degrees to all who satisfy its examinations, with the exceptions of engineering and medical degrees (for which the study at an approved institution is required). The London external degree has been of great importance in the development of the university system. Many of the new independent universities were at first university colleges (i. e. university institutions which could not award their own degrees) and for them the University of London became the degree-awarding body. The London external degree is very important to students in technical colleges and some teacher-training colleges, as well as for private students working on their own, away from educational centers. The development of new qualifications (e.g. the new Diploma in Technology) and increasing enrollments in regular university courses have made the external degree less important.
Higher Education in the USA
Out of more than three million students who graduate from high school each year, about one million go on for "higher education". It is not easy to enter a college at a leading university in the United States. Such a college may accept only one out of every ten who apply. At present there are over 3,300 different institutions of higher education in the USA with more than 12 million students. Successful applicants at colleges of higher education are usual - chosen on the basis of (a) their high school records which include all the grades received in high school, test results; (b) recommendations from their high school teachers; (c) the impression they make during interviews at the university, which is in fact a serious examination; and (d) their scores on the Scholastic Aptitude Tests (SATs).
The SAT is a test in mathematics and English language which was introduced in 1947. If a student gets 1600 scores it is considered as a good result, if he or she gets 400 scores such a result is considered to be poor. A SAT can be taken two or three times, so that the student can improve the results if he or she wishes to do so.
The system of higher education includes 4 categories of institutions;
(l)the two-year, or community college, which is financed by the local authorities and which is intended to satisfy the needs of the local community in different professions. Tuition fees are low in these colleges that is why about 40 percent of all American students of higher education study at these colleges. On graduation from such colleges American students can start to work or may transfer to four-year colleges or universities
(2) the technical training institution, at which high school graduates may take courses ranging from six months to three-four years, and learn different technical skills, which may include design, business, computer programming, accounting, etc.
(3) the four-year college which is not part of a university. The graduates receive the degree of Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS)
(4) the university, which may contain (a) several colleges for students who want to receive a bachelor's degree after four years of study; and (b) one or more graduate schools for those who want to continue their studies after college for about two years to receive a master's degree (Master of Arts (MA) or of Science (MS) or a doctoral degree (Ph. D. — Doctor of Philosophy, in some science).
There are 156 universities in the USA. Any of these institutions of higher education may be either public or private. The public institutions are financed by the state. Of the four-year institutions 28 percent are public, and 72 percent are private, but most of the students, about 80 percent, study at public institutions of higher education, because tuition fees here are much lower. If at the end of the 1980s tuition fees at private institutions were 12 thousand dollars a year and even higher, at public institutions they were 2—5 thousand dollars a year.
Many students need financial aid to attend college. When a family applies for aid, an analysis is made of the parents' income. The aid may be given in the form of a grant, or stipend which the student doesn't need to pay back. It may be given as a loan, which the student must pay back after college. The third type of aid may be given in the form of some kind of work, which the student has to do at the university or college, for which he gets some money. Most students work, especially during the summer vacation.
The academic year is usually nine months, or two semesters of 4 and a half months each. Studies usually begin in September and end in July. There are summer classes for those who want to improve the grades or take up additional courses.
Students who study at a university or four-year college are known as undergraduates. Those who have received a degree after 4 years of studies are known as graduates. They may continue with their studies and research work for another 2 years as graduates in order to get a higher degree.
The undergraduate students who study for four years are called as follows: (a) the first-year student is called a freshman; (b) the second-year student is called a sophomore; (c) the student of the third year is known as a junior; and (d) the fourth-year student— a senior.
During one term or semester a student will study four or five different subjects. The students' progress is controlled through oral or written tests, term or course papers and a final examination in each course. Each part of a student's work in a course is given a mark which helps to determine his final grade. A student's record consists of his grade in each course. College grades are usually on a five-point scale: A— is the highest mark and is usually equal to 5 points, B=4, C=3, D=2, E or F means failure. The points make it possible to calculate the GPA (grade point average). Normally, a minimum GPA of 3,5 points is necessary to continue their studies at the college or university and to graduate.
Each college or university has its own curriculum. There are courses that every student has to take in order to receive a degree. These courses or subjects are called major subjects or "majors". At the same time there are subjects, which the student may choose himself for his future life. These courses are called "electives". A student has to earn a certain number of "credits" (about 120) in order to receive a degree at the end of four years of college. Credits are earned by attending lectures or laboratory classes and completing assignments and examinations. One credit usually equals one hour of class per week in a single course during the semester.
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
Thomas Jefferson was perhaps the greatest person the Enlightenment produced, a universal man in the full Renaissance sense, a man who wanted to explore every branch of knowledge, who turned hand and mind wherever interest or necessity led him. Of all his many achievements there were three he wished to be remembered, and which are engraved in his tombstone: "Author of the Declaration of American Independence, of the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom and Father of the University of Virginia." The University of Virginia provides the irrefutable proof of Jefferson's talents, indeed genius, as an architect: few buildings in America cast such immediate and unforgettable spell. Jefferson had begun thinking of founding a University as an academic village. In his enthusiasm Jefferson began work before the state legislature gave official backing. In 1818 the State Assembly appointed a commission with Jefferson as chairman to select a site and draw up plans for the design and organization of the University. The first 68 students arrived for the opening of classes on March 7, 1825 —just 16 months before Jefferson's death.