Higher Education in Britain

After completing secondary education only 25 per cent of the student population goes on to higher education. Competition to get into one of Britain’s universities is fierce and not everyone who gets A levels can go.

Britain has more than 90 universities which are divided into three types: 1. The old established universities, such as Oxford and Cambridge (Oxbridge). 2. The 19^th century universities such as London and Manchester. 3. The new universities established after World War II, such as Essex and Lancaster.

The higher education system consists of Universities, Colleges of Higher Education and a number of small specialised colleges in areas of study such as Fine Art, Music and Agriculture.

Universities offer two types of studies: undergraduate and postgraduate ones.

Students or undergraduates can complete their first (Bachelor’s Degree) in a minimum of three years. Law degrees and some others require four years of study, while medicine takes longer. Students awarded their Bachelor’s Degree are called graduates.

Universities, and to a limited extent Colleges of Higher Education, offer a wide range of one-year, or sometimes two-year, taught graduate courses leading to a Master’s Degree.

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.

Most British universities are keen to increase their numbers of postgraduate students. Many of the leading universities are looking forward to the development of Graduate Schools. British universities offer full-time programmes and also part-time and distance learning programmes. An academic year is divided into three terms of about ten weeks each.

In 1971 the Open University was established, where the formal qualifications (GCSE A-levels) are not necessary. Nearly a quarter of all part-time students participate in its degree courses on radio and television.

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Culture commentary

College and University: In the United States, the terms "college" and "uni­versity" do not have restrictive legal meanings, as they do in many countries.

Traditionally, a "college" (sometimes called "school") refers to the same thing a "faculty" means in many European countries: for example, the Col­lege (Faculty) of Fine Arts, the College of Medicine, or the College of Liberal Arts. An educational insti­tution that is primarily undergraduate may also use the word "college" in its institutional name. This usually means that there are a number of colleges or departments for study but limited opportunities for graduate study — perhaps a few master's degrees only, and that teaching will be emphasized over research.

An institution that calls itself a "university" usually offers many graduate programs as well as undergraduate programs, and concentrates on re­search as well as teaching. However, there are notable exceptions: Harvard, an institution renowned for its many excellent graduate programs, has the official name of "Harvard College".

Ivy League: a group of old and highly-respected universities of the east­ern US. These are Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Harvard, Princeton, and Yale Universities, Dartmouth College, and the University of Pennsylvania. All these colleges are very competitive with 4—10 applicants to a place. The most fa­mous professors teach at them and the academic standards are very high.

Public school: Public school or institution in the, USA is a school or in­stitution controlled and operated by publicly elected or appointed

officials and deriving its primary support from public funds. While "public school" in the UK means private, independent school.

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