Higher education

The term "higher education" is not often used in Britain. When it is used it refers to degree courses at universities after 12 years of elementary and secondary schooling.

In order to get higher education school leavers may hand in applications to different universities. The final decision is taken by Universities and Colleges Admission Service (UСAS) which, in accordance with the students’ results of the "A" level exams, offers a place to this or that university. The better results of the exams are the better university or college place can be offered.

After three years of studies at the university a student may get the first degree, it is Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree. The first degree is usually an honours degree. The letters BA or BSc are often added after the graduates' names. However, the title of a degree does not necessarily reflect the field in which the student has studied. For example at some universities the Bachelor of Arts is awarded to students in all, or almost in all, disciplines – Science, Engineering, etc., as well as Arts subjects.

Those graduates who want to continue their studies at the university may work for a Master's degree or a Doctorate. To get a master's degree a student needs one more year of study. After that he or she gets the degree of Master of Arts, Master of Science or Master of Business Administration. Doctorate is the highest degree in Britain's universities. The letters "Dr" before a person's name indicate that he or she has the title of "Doctor", the highest title at the university - PhD (Doctor of Philosophy).

University teaching combines lectures, practical classes (in scientific subjects) and small group teaching in either seminars (discussion groups) and tutorials or supervisions (run by tutors or supervisors). The teachers at the university may be: a professor (a senior member of the staff or the person in charge of a department), lecturers (teaching and research staff) and research associates (junior academic staff).

The oldest and most famous universities in Britain are Oxford and Cambridge. Other not less famous and respected universities are London, Durham, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh and some others.

At most universities in Britain the academic year is divided into three terms. Examinations are not necessarily taken annually. At many universities students study one or two main subjects throughout their degree course. Most courses end in a series of exams called finals. At some universities the student’s work may be assessed at regular intervals, and the results of these assessments are taken into consideration in determining the degree classification. If the student's results are not up to the standard for an honours degree this student may be awarded a pass degree.

University education may be not only full-time but also part-time. Some people want to get a degree but they need only evening or correspondence courses. At some universities there is a department of continuing education which runs four, five or even more year courses for students combining their work and education.

There is no single body or organization responsible for the planning and development of university education in Britain. All the universities and colleges are independent, self-governing institutions, although they receive substantial aid from the state through the University Grants Committee.

British universities are known to have high standards of professors and lecturers. Technical equipment, made on a solid production base, different kinds of visual aids, the internet service, TV and computers are widely used in university teaching. Students have every opportunity for discussing, brainstorming, critical thinking and self-assessment so necessary for a person with university education.

Exercise 2. Match the words in pairs:

A person, the title of, run by, throughout, responsible for

The degree course, tutors, in charge, planning work, “Doctor”

Exercise 3. Find English equivalents.

Не менее известные и популярные университеты, государственные экзамены, в соответствии с результатами, на протяжении всего курса на получение степени, младшие научные сотрудники, самоуправляемые учреждения, наглядные пособия.

Exercise 4. Use the correct preposition.

1) an application … a university 2) the academic year is divided … 3 terms 3) in accordance … the results 4) a decision taken … a university 5) a degree awarded … the students 6) to work … a Master’s degree 7) classes … scientific subjects 8) in charge … a department.

Exercise 5. Complete the sentences:

1. In order to get higher education school leavers may …

2. A student may get Bachelor of Science degree after …

3. The letters “Dr” before a person’s name indicate that …

4. In most English universities the academic year is divided into …

5. The results of the student’s work assessments are taken into consideration in determining …

6. English universities receive aid from the state through …

Text 6

Exercise 1. You will hear 5 utterances. Set up a correspondence between the utterances 1 – 5 and the statements given in the list A-F. Use each letter only once. There is one spare statement. You will hear the texts twice.

This speaker says that she/he

A. enjoyed the activities at the university.

B. liked the friendly atmosphere of the university.

C. traveled a lot when she/he was a student.

D. owes her/his success to the university teachers.

E. has been able to develop as a person.

F. studies the same university longer than she/he was going to.

Speaker
Utterance

Text 7

Exercise 1. Read two texts devoted to famous universities of Great Britain and do the test.