The system of higher education in great britain
Fig. 12.
Higher Education in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, which currently consists of some 96 universities and about 70 colleges of higher Education. The General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCEA) and good A-level results in at least two subjects are necessary to get a place at a university. However, good certificate and exam scores are not enough. Universities choose their students after interviews.
Universities in Great Britain are divided into three types:
- The old established universities, such as Oxford, Cambridge and Edinburgh.
- The 19th century universities such as London and Manchester.
- The new universities established after World War II, such as Essex, Lancaster, the New University of Ulster and others.
The higher education system consists of universities, colleges of higher education and a number of small specialized colleges in areas of study such as Fine Art, Music and Agriculture.
The two «intellectual eyes» of Britain – Oxford and Cambridge Universities –date from the 12 -13th centuries. They are known for all over the world and are the oldest and most prestigious universities in Britain. They are often called collectively Oxbridge, but both of them are completely independent. The basis of teaching there is organized by weekly tutorials. Each student has a tutor who controls and guides his training. Normally a student writes an essay which his tutor criticizes both in writing and in person with the student. Oxford and Cambridge cling to their traditions such as the use of Latin at degree ceremonies. Full academic dress is worn at examinations.
Fig. 13. Cambridge
Fig . 14. Oxford
Many great men studied at Cambridge, among them Desiderius Erasmus, the great Dutch scholar, Roger Bacon, the philosopher, Milton, the poet, Oliver Cromwell, the soldier, Newton, the scientist, Kapitza, the famous Russian physicist and others.
Degree titles vary according to the practice of each university; the most common titles for a first degree are Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.). Usually they are awarded after four years of study. Law degrees and some others require four years of study, while, medicine takes longer. The second degree titles are Master of Arts (M.A.) and Master of Science (M.S.).
Universities also offer research degrees (Doctor’s Degrees), which have a very limited taught element, and are an opportunity to undertake research over a period of, generally, at least three years. The period for the award of a research degree is not laid out: it depends on the progress made. Students working for their Master’s and Doctor’s Degrees are called postgraduates.
Tuition fees are high at the British higher schools, especially for overseas students, and they are increased each year in line with inflation.
UK universities offer full-time programs and also part-time and
distance learning programs. An academic year is divided into three terms
of about 10 weeks each.
The general pattern of teaching at other universities remains a mixture of lectures, seminars and tutorials. Each university and department has its own method of assessment, but, in general, progress is measured through a combination of coursework, dissertation and finals.
In addition to universities, there are also polytechnics and a series of different types of assisted colleges, such as colleges of technology, art, etc., which tend to provide more work-orientated courses than universities.
Some of these courses are part-time, with the students being released by their employers for one day a week or longer periods.
Virtually all students on full-time courses receive grants or loans from the Government which cover their tuition fees and everyday expenses (accommodation, food, books, etc.).
There is an interesting form of studies which is called the Open University. It was established in 1971. It is intended for people who study in their own free time and who «attend» lectures by watching television (the BBC) and listening to the radio. They keep in touch with their tutors by phone or Internet and attend summer schools. More than 6000 students, of all ages, get degrees this way every year.
Comprehension check
1. Answer the following questions:
1. How many universities and colleges of higher education are there in Great Britain?
2. What qualifications are necessary for admission to university in the UK?
3. What are three types of universities in the UK?
4. What are the two «intellectual eyes» of Great Britain?
5. What is the tutor system?
6. What famous people did graduate from Cambridge?
7. What is the minimum period of time for completing a Bachelor’s Degree?
8. How can one receive a Master’s degree?
9. What is the difference between undergraduates, graduates and postgraduates?
10. What is the normal route for the award of a research degree (a Doctor’s Degree)?
10. How long does the term last in the UK?
11. How do the polytechnics and assisted colleges differ from other universities?
12. How is the process of the education organized at the Open University?
2. Decide whether these statements are true, false or information is not stated:
1. Universities in Britain are divided into two types.
2. The higher education system consists of universities, colleges of higher education and a number of small specialized colleges.
3. Law degrees and some others require three years of study.
4. Students awarded their Bachelor’s Degree are called postgraduates.
5. Students working for their Master’s and Doctor’s Degrees are called graduates.
6. UK universities offer full time programmes and also part-time and distance learning programmes.
7. An academic year is divided into three terms of about 12 weeks each.
8. Oxford is a branch of Cambridge.
9. Each student of Cambridge has a tutor who controls and guides his training.
10. Many great men studied at Cambridge.
13. The best students of the Russian universities are recommended to continue their education in Cambridge.
14. The Open University was established in 1981.
15. Many famous scientists graduated from the Open University.
Grammar in Focus
1. Give the correct translation of «it» .
1. It is a new subject. It is very important for our future profession.
2. It is not easy to study without leaving he job.
3. It is winter and it is very frosty in the street.
4. What is it? It is our interesting project.
5. It is necessary to know English well in order to go abroad.
6. It seems to me that she is a good teacher.
7. It is this college that I want to study.
8. He finds it useful to go to the south in summer.
9. It was Bell who invented the telephone.
10. It is known that Mathematics is the queen of sciences.
11. It is getting colder and colder these days.
12. It is difficult to study Latin.
2. Give the correct translation of «one»:
1. One should be careful while crossing the road.
2. The general opinion was that Socks’s theory was a correct one.
3. One must pass all exams well to enter the university.
4. We are going to do only one project.
5. One can translate such a magazine without a dictionary.
6. The new laboratory is equipped better than the old one.
7. We had a sunny day – almost the first one without a cloud for three weeks.
8. One can take this book from the library.
9. One can have a good knowledge of many subjects to become a good specialist.
10. The chance is too good a one to be lost.
11. Last year I saw many English films, but my brother saw some French ones.
12. Engineer is one of the most interesting profession, it is the one that is taught at technical institutes.
3. Give the correct translation of «that»:
1. That poem was written by Pushkin many years ago.
2. The lesson that you taught last week was very interesting.
3. Everybody knows that this professor is the cleverest one.
4. That the profession of an architect requires a good training is
a well-known fact.
5. There are many interesting articles in textbook, read those on your specialty.
6. The aim of this project is that our inventions should be useful for many people.
7. Can you answer all those questions which the professor asked?
8. It is this film that I am going to watch tonight.
9. Do you know those librarians? They are from our university.
10. It is the high qualification of future specialists that will determine the scientific and technological progress of any country.
11. It is known that the good knowledge of Russian language for foreign students is the basis for the study of all subjects at the university.
12. The program for the first-year students differs from that for the third-year students.
Speaking Workshop
1. Read the conversations and answer the questions below. Make up your own conversations using these models:
1. Taking Classes
1. Who moved from the small town to study in the big city?
2. What class is Alex going to take as a major ?
3.What other classes is he going to study?
Alex: Mike, I’m so glad you have some time to give me some pointers for beginning my first term here.
Mike: Oh, it’s no problem at all. I know just what it’s like, moving from a small town into a big city, like this. And starting college is a real change.
Alex: I don’t really know what I want to major in, but I saw a huge line for undecided majors, so I just picked something for the record. The lines were much shorter in the English department.
Mike: So what classes are you taking this semester?
Alex: I have a biology class that sounds real interesting – it’s called eco-logy, society and evolution.
Mike: Yeah, I took that. I think everyone takes those introbiology classes – it’s the easiest way to get you two semesters of the same science.
Alex: That’s good to know.
Mike: So what else are you taking?
Alex: Some Greek civilization class, German and American History.
Mike: So you’re taking 12 hours, then?
Alex: Yeah, but I placed out of freshman English, so I’ll get credit for
taking 15 hours.
Mike: Sounds like you’re on the right track.
Changing the Major
1. What was Samon’s major before changing?
2. What subject does he want to change to?
3. How does Samon explain his choice to the tutor?
Samon: Dr. Williams, I need to talk with you about changing my major.
Dr. Williams: Good morning, Samon. Come on in.
Samon: Thanks.
Dr. Williams: Let me look at your file. Have you declared your major yet? Officially, I mean?
Samon: Yes, I’m majoring in chemical engineering.
Dr. Williams: Oh yes, here’s the form. And what do you want to change to?
Samon: Business. It’s not because engineering is hard, though,
Dr. Williams. I’ve finished all the math courses already. I just like the
business courses I’m taking.
Dr. Williams: Well, you have eighteen hours in engineering, Samon, and only six hours in business. And the problem is you don’t need any more electives, so the eighteen hours in engineering will be extra work for you on your program. I just don’t have any place to put them except under additional electives.
Samon: I see. So how much longer will it take me to graduate if I change to business?
Dr. Williams: One semester, full time. You’ll have to take twelve hours of business courses that term including accounting.
Samon: That’s okay. I really want to do this.
2*. Act out the following situations:
1. A freshman is discussing the classes he/she is taking his/her term at the University with a sophomore (второкурсник) who is eager to give some useful advice.
2. You are discussing the reasons for and the possibility of changing your major with your academic faculty adviser.
3.* Use the Internet to search for information about the possibilities of studying in Great Britain. Take into consideration the following aspects: place, university, tuition fee, scholarship, duration of the course, accommodation. Give a five -minute talk to your group.
4*. Discuss with your partner the differences and similarities in the educational systems of Russia and Great Britain. Use the following phrases:
Let’s begin with…
There is no doubt that …
Taking everything in account …
On the one hand ..
On the other hand …
However ..
There are also some advantages …
My personal view is that …
To sum up …
Listening
1. Listen to the text college scholarship on http://www.esl-lab.com