Matching

E xercise 18. Match the following words with their definitions: campus, gatehouse, chapel, accommodation, hostel, hall, lodgings.

Reading for comprehension

1. Read the story of Joanne Topping, 3^rd year history undergraduate at the Queen's College who describes her experience of life at Oxford University. Compare the information about the admission procedure you received earlier.

2. Speak about the structure of learning at Oxford. Compare it with your system of academic work.

An Undergraduate's Story

When I was 16 years old my history teacher told me about Oxford University. I spent the next 12 months with my head buried in books and with one aim – to win a place at the University of Oxford.

The admission procedure to Oxford is unique. The majority of applicants sit a specific entrance exam. One applies to a particular college. If that college approves of the exam papers, the candidate is called to interview. If, in turn, the interview is satisfactory, an offer of a place at the college will be made.

All new undergraduates are formally accepted as university members in a matriculation ceremony at the Sheldonian theatre. With students in academic dress, the Latin ceremony is a grand way to begin Oxford life.

Our year is split into three terms of 8 weeks. Our academic work load varies from subject to subject. As an historian, I generally work alone, lectures are voluntary and I have one tutorial a week. It is this one-to-one tutorial system which sets Oxford apart.

Oxford entertainment can be quite special, with plenty of opportunities to dress up for society dinners, cocktail parties and balls. However, if Oxford undergraduates ever lived a leisurely and extravagant life, those days have long since disappeared. Many of us work through vacations to supplement our grants.

At first I was overawed by the whole 'Oxford experience'; eating in beautiful candlelit halls, attending lectures given by men and women whose books I'd read and admired. Even after three years a little of that awe remains, but college has certainly become a second home for me.

Jigsaw reading

Read the texts about major British universities one more time to comment on the statements in Exercise 19.

Exercise 19. Of what British University is this true?

1) This university is the ancient seat of English learning.

2) It was the first to abolish religious tests and to admit women for degrees.

3) This university consists of Queen's College, University College, Magdalen College and quite a number of others.

4) The university was created to conduct examinations and to confer degrees upon students of University College and King's College.

5) Bacon, Milton and Cromwell studied here.

6) Great emphasis is laid on 'tutorials'.

7) The Institute of Education is part of the university.

8) The applications are sent directly to the university.

9) The degree examinations are called "Tripos" examinations.

10) In this university students learn through a combination of radio and television programmes.

Essential Vocabulary

Using the essential vocabulary given below translate the following texts:

application – подача документов на поступление

application package – пакет документов на поступление

admission board – приемная комиссия

transcript – академическая справка об успеваемости

deadline – крайний срок

financial aid – финансовая помощь

accommodation – проживание (место в общежитии)

scholarship - стипендия

grant - грант

loan - заем

to study full-time/part-time – учиться очно/заочно

part-time/ distance learning – заочное/дистанционное обучение

diploma/ graduate course – полный курс обучения в вузе

department - отделение

major - специальность

(undergraduate) student - студент

postgraduate student - аспирант

faculty – преподавательский состав

administration - администрация

professor - профессор

dean - декан

rector/chancellor - ректор

supervisor – научный руководитель

student card/id – студенческий билет

student record – студенческая зачетка

curriculum/programme – учебный план/программа

academic year- учебный год

term/semester - семестр

year of study – курс (год обучения)

lesson/class (am.) - урок

to attend (follow)/skip classes – посещать/пропускать занятия

required (compulsory) course – обязательный предмет

elective – факультатив

The application procedures for overseas students are very similar to the procedures for UK students, with a few variations as follows: students who have successfully reached the interview stage will not be required to attend in person. Normally telephone interviews will be conducted. Portfolios can be in transparency format or original work. If your first language is not English, you will be required to produce evidence of proficiency in English. This is in the form of the TOEFL¹ scale or the IELTS² scale where minimum scores of 550 and 6,0 respectively will be required. You will need to provide proof that you have sufficient funds to support yourself financially for the duration of your course.

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1 TOEFL – Test of English as a Second Language

2 IELTS – International English Language Testing System

Длительность общего курса обучения составляет два года по три семестра каждый. В программу первого курса входят дисциплины, направленные на усвоение базовых знаний и развитие общих навыков в выбранной сфере. Помимо обязательных предметов студентам предлагается широкий выбор факультативных занятий. К окончанию курса студенты должны определиться с выбором своей специализации. Акцент в программе второго года обучения смещается к развитию специализированных навыков и умений посредством исследовательской и проектной работы. По окончании курса студенты должны представить в качестве дипломной работы свой собственный проект по выбранной специальности.

Higher Education in Russia