2. Oxbridge.

Two universities, Oxford and Cambridge, Oxbridge, as they are sometimes jointly called, for seven hundred years dominated British education, and today they dominate more than ever.

Many great men studied here. Among them Bacon, the philosopher, Milton, the poet, Cromwell, the soldier, and Newton, the scientist. Many prominent Conservative and Labour leaders and ministers, members of the Royal family studied there too.

Today Oxford and Cambridge have less than one-tenth of all British university students. Only a small per cent of the 'candidates are chosen — mainly on the results of the written examinations.

Both Oxford and Cambridge now consist of self-governing colleges where students live. The students have lectures and tutorials. Each student has a tutor who tells him to write papers on the subjects he is studying. Tutors are responsible for the students' progress.

3. The Open University.

The Open University was founded in 1964 by the Labour Government for those people who, for some reasons, had not had a chance to enter any of the other universities, especially those above normal student age. It takes both men and women at the age of 21 and over. The first course began in 1971.

It is a non-residential university. In teaching the university uses a combination of television and radio broadcasts, correspondence courses and summer schools, together with network of viewing and listening centres. Lecturers present their courses on one of the BBC's television channels and by radio. They have also produced a whole library of short course-books, which anyone can buy at bookshops. Students write papers based on the courses and discuss them with tutors at meetings or by correspondence once a month.

Degrees are awarded on the basis of credit gained by success at each stage of the course. Six credits are necessary for a BA degree and eight credits for a BA Honours degree. The time of staying on at the Open University is unlimited.

4. The BSU.

The Belorussian State University is a centre of culture and science, the major higher educational establishment in the Republiс of Belarus. It is the oldest University in our Republic. It was founded in 1921.

During the Great Patriotiс War the University was razed to the ground by the nazi invaders. In the post-was years the University was quickly restored and in a short period of time it turned into one of the largest institutions of higher education of the country.

There are 13 faculties at the University at present: Physics, Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Chemistry, Geography, Biology, Philology, Journalism, History, Economy, Law, International Relations which train specialists in 17 professions and 50 specializations. It has day and correspondence departments where thousands of students study. They attend lectures and seminars. All the students study foreign languages. Students` practical work is given much attention to.

The University course lasts 5 years. An academic year is divided into two terms, each ending in an examination session.

In 1967 the Belorussian State University was awared the Order of the Red Banner of Labour for its contribution to the developent of science and academic training.

6. The UK. Geographical position and culture.

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is situated on the British Isles. It consists of four parts: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. England, Wales and Scotland occupy the territory of Great Britain. Northern Ireland is situated in the northern part of Ireland.

The territory of the United Kingdom is about 244000 square kilometers, it takes the 75th place among other countries in the world. The population is over 56,5 million. About 80% of the population is urban. The capital of the country is London.

The surface of The United Kingdom varies greatly. The northern and western parts of the country are mountainous and are called the Highlands. All the rest (south, east and center) is a vast plain which is called the Lowlands. The mountains are not very high. The rivers are not long. The most important of them are the Severn end the Thames. The are many beautiful lakes in the mountainous parts of the country.

The mountains, the Atlantiс Ocean and the warm waters of the Gulf Stream influence the climate of Great Britain. It is mild the whole year round.