Supplementary reading

I. Study the vocabulary notes.

a hall – зд. административное здание

eminent – выдающийся

hallmark – признак, критерий

gowns – мантии

mortarboards – разг. академические шапочки с плоским квадратным верхом (у

английских студентов и профессоров)

II. Read the text. Consult the dictionary. Write out and learn the new words.

University Life at Oxford Today

The population of Oxford is about 115.000 of whom approximately 14,000 are university students (about 72% of them are undergraduates). The University consists of a federation of 36 independent colleges and five halls. For its part the University provides central libraries, laboratories and services; meets a major part of the total bill for the academic salaries; establishes the staff of the various faculties and through them prescribes the curricula, conducts examinations and awards degrees. It also publishes the schedules of the lecturer to be given each term by professors, tutors and eminent visiting academics. The colleges on the other hand, choose their own students and provide them with tutors (known as 'dons' from the Latin dominus), pay for the upkeep of their own buildings and maintain their own libraries, sport teams, having very considerable, financial resources.

Attendance at lectures is not оbligatоrу. The basis of tuition is the tutorial for which students are required to meet with their tutor once or twice a week. For every tutorial the student in the arts of social sciences will prepare a written essay in which the case must be argued. The system, which is built on the strong motivation and encourages independent work, is the hallmark of an Oxford education. Although traditionally renowned for the study of the arts, Oxford is now also one of the world's great scientific universities (over 40% of its students pursue degrees in science). Tutorials for the sciences may involve essays or working through problems with one's tutor, but students must also spend long hours on practical work in the laboratories.

All students live in college for at least their first year, usually with a single room of their own. These days the restrictions on coming and going or on having guests are few. British students receive grants for tuition fees at Oxford, as they do at all British universities. Many also receive maintenance grants as well for although Oxford demands outstanding talents in its students, it is no longer an exclusive preserve of the social elite. Today about 43% of its students arrive from state-funded schools. The ratio of applicants to available places is about 3:1.

After three, or for a few courses four year study the undergraduates prepare for their 'finals' or degree examinations. These are held from late May/June in the Examination Schools, an impressive Victorian building off High Street. For three successive weeks up to 3000 candidates spend some six days on their papers, some returning by the end of July for oral examination upon their written answers. Students dress formally for the examinations, in black and white, with gowns and mortarboards or hats to indicate that at this time, as they receive their degrees, they are members of the University rather than just their individual colleges. Degrees for women were first introduced at Oxford in 1920.

III. Discussion:

1. What is special about the life of first-year students at Oxford? Give your opinion.

2. What are the strong points of the system of education at Oxford?