2. Match the words and phrases with their definitions:
1. overseas |
1.a period of tuition given by a university or college tutor to an individual or very small group: |
2. keen on |
2. from, to, or relating to a foreign country |
3. tutorial |
3. interested in or attracted by |
4. assessment |
4. end-of-course examinations |
5. finals |
5. the action of assessing someone or something |
6. assisted college |
6. (In the UK) a college where fees are wholly or partially subsidized by the state |
7. employer |
7. a sum of money that is borrowed, that is expected to be paid back |
8. loan |
8. a person or organization that employs people |
9. accommodation |
9. regularly or frequently behave in a particular way or have a certain characteristics |
10.to tend |
10. a room, group of rooms, or building in which someone may live or stay |
3. Complete the gaps with the words and phrases below:
1.Award; 2.cling to their traditions; 3.date from; 4.weekly tutorials;5.method of assessment; 6.virtually; 7.keep in touch; 8. Remain; 9. work-orientated; 10.tuition fee.
1. The old established universities in the UK … the 12 -13th centuries. 2. The basis of training at the universities in Great Britain is organized by ... .
3. Oxford and Cambridge … such as wearing full academic dress at examinations.
4. The most higher schools over the world …… the first degree (B.S.) after four years of study.
5. … is known to be rather high at the most prestigious universities in the UK.
6. Each higher school both in Russia and abroad has its own … .
7. … all students on full-time courses have an opportunity to receive scholarship.
8. The students of the distance learning department … with their tutors by using the Internet.
9. The general pattern of teaching at the universities throughout the world … a combination of lectures, seminars and tutorials.
10. Polytechnics and different types of assisted colleges in Great Britain provide more … courses than universities.
Reading
THE SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN GREAT BRITAIN
Fig. 12.
Higher Education in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, which currently consists of some 96 universities and about 70 colleges of higher Education. The General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCEA) and good A-level results in at least two subjects are necessary to get a place at a university. However, good certificate and exam scores are not enough. Universities choose their students after interviews.
Universities in Great Britain are divided into three types:
- The old established universities, such as Oxford, Cambridge and Edinburgh.
- The 19th century universities such as London and Manchester.
- The new universities established after World War II, such as Essex, Lancaster, the New University of Ulster and others.
The higher education system consists of universities, colleges of higher education and a number of small specialized colleges in areas of study such as Fine Art, Music and Agriculture.
The two «intellectual eyes» of Britain – Oxford and Cambridge Universities – date from the 12 -13th centuries. They are known for all over the world and are the oldest and most prestigious universities in Britain. They are often called collectively Oxbridge, but both of them are completely independent. The basis of teaching there is organized by weekly tutorials. Each student has a tutor who controls and guides his training. Normally a student writes an essay which his tutor criticizes both in writing and in person with the student. Oxford and Cambridge cling to their traditions such as the use of Latin at degree ceremonies. Full academic dress is worn at examinations.
Fig. 13. Cambridge
Fig . 14. Oxford
Many great men studied at Cambridge, among them Desiderius Erasmus, the great Dutch scholar, Roger Bacon, the philosopher, Milton, the poet, Oliver Cromwell, the soldier, Newton, the scientist, Kapitza, the famous Russian physicist and others.
Degree titles vary according to the practice of each university; the most common titles for a first degree are Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.). Usually they are awarded after four years of study. Law degrees and some others require four years of study, while, medicine takes longer. The second degree titles are Master of Arts (M.A.) and Master of Science (M.S.).
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.
Tuition fees are high at the British higher schools, especially for overseas students, and they are increased each year in line with inflation.
UK universities offer full-time programs and also part-time and distance learning programs. An academic year is divided into three terms of about 10 weeks each.
The general pattern of teaching at other universities remains a mixture of lectures, seminars and tutorials. Each university and department has its own method of assessment, but, in general, progress is measured through a combination of coursework, dissertation and finals.
In addition to universities, there are also polytechnics and a series of different types of assisted colleges, such as colleges of technology, art, etc., which tend to provide more work-orientated courses than universities.
Some of these courses are part-time, with the students being released by their employers for one day a week or longer periods.
Virtually all students on full-time courses receive grants or loans from the Government which cover their tuition fees and everyday expenses (accommodation, food, books, etc.).
There is an interesting form of studies which is called the Open University. It was established in 1971. It is intended for people who study in their own free time and who «attend» lectures by watching television (the BBC) and listening to the radio. They keep in touch with their tutors by phone or Internet and attend summer schools. More than 6000 students, of all ages, get degrees this way every year.
Comprehension check