British Universities

Read Text A and answer the questions.

1. What institutions provide higher education in England?

2. What universities belong to ancient ones?

3. When were Red Brick and Plate Glass Universities established?

4. What is special about The Open University?

5. What universities can be called new?

Text a. Classification and History

Higher education in England is provided by many different types of institutions: universities, colleges, specialist art institutions, business schools and agricultural colleges. But most UK higher education courses are taught by universities and colleges. There are 160 universities and colleges in the UK. Universities range in size, subject mix and history.

The first universities were established in the 13^th century in Oxford (1249) and Cambridge (1284). They belong to the so-called ancient universities. Universities of St. Andrews, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Dublin are also among these universities. The ancient universities in the British Isles are among the oldest universities in the world.

In the 19^th century some other universities appeared such as the University of London (the second-largest university by number of full-time students) and Durham University.

At the beginning of the 20^th century Red Brick Universities were established. They are Universities of Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield, Bristol and Victoria University. These six civic universities were founded in the major industrial cities. They gave technological training emphasizing practical subjects rather than classical.

Plate Glass Universities were founded during the 1960s. They are called this because of their modern architectural design. They are Universities of Sussex, York, East Anglia, Kent, Dundee and many others.

In 1968 The Open University was also established. It is a famous distance learning and research institution. The Open University uses different methods for distance learning, including written and audio materials, the Internet, disc-based software and television programmes.

Those universities that predate 1992 may be called ‘old’ or ‘traditional’. New Universities appeared after the passage of the Further and Higher Education Act 1992. It allowed all Polytechnics and Colleges of Higher Education to become universities and award their own degrees. Thus about 115 new universities were created.

Notes:

Edinburgh [ˈɛdɪnb(ə)rə] – Эдинбург (столица Шотландии)

Durham [ˈdʌr(ə)m] – Дарем

Birmingham [ˈbɜːmɪŋəm] – Бирмингем

Bristol [ˈbrɪstl] - Бристоль

disc-based software – программные средства на дисках

the Further and Higher Education Act – Закон о высшем и профессиональном образовании

Read Text B and answer the questions.

1. What makes qualifications very flexible in Britain?

2. What bachelor’s degrees can you name?

3. Enumerate the undergraduate qualifications. How long can they last?

4. What postgraduate qualifications can you name?

Text b. Courses and Degrees

UK institutions offer a vast range of higher-level courses and qualifications. The qualifications are now more flexible and can be transferred between institutions.

First degree courses are commonly known as bachelor’s degrees, for example Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BSc), and generally take three years when studied full-time. They are normally awarded ‘with honours’ (‘BA (Hons)’).

Sandwich courses, which include periods of practical work in organizations outside the university or college, usually last four years, as do certain specialist courses. Some vocational degrees are longer, for example in medicine, dentistry and architecture.

Foundation degrees take two years to complete and are mainly vocational. After successful completion of a foundation degree it is possible to progress to a full honours degree.

Other undergraduate qualifications include: Higher National Certificate (HNC), Higher National Diploma (HND), and Diploma in Higher Education (DipHE). The attainment level of a Higher National Certificate is equivalent to one year of university but being less than that of a Higher National Diploma (HND). Studied full-time, the qualification normally takes one year or two years part-time. Higher National Diploma is equivalent to the second year of three year (hons) degree. An HND takes two years of full-time study, or one year full-time following successful completion of a Higher National Certificate; part-time study takes longer. It is quite common for those who have achieved a HND to progress to other levels such as professional qualifications, or a degree. Many colleges and further education institutions nationwide offer HND and HNC courses. For different ways of getting a degree see Table 2 (Appendix 3).

A Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE) is a higher education qualification in the United Kingdom. It is awarded after two years of full-time study at a university or other higher education institution. If a student is undertaking a full Bachelor of Arts, a Diploma of Higher Education marks two-thirds of his or her undergraduate degree.

Postgraduate courses usually require students to have a degree-level qualification. Qualifications include diplomas and certificates, such as the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE); master’s degrees, for example Master of Science (MSc); and doctorates, for example, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

Postgraduate courses usually last one year full-time or two years part-time. Research programmes normally last three years for full-time students and more than four years for part-time students. These normally require the student to complete a written thesis to present their research and findings.

Notes:

can be transferred between institutions – могут переводиться из одного учебного заведение в другое

after successful completion of a foundation degree – после успешного получения профессионально-технической степени

findings – заключение, выводы

Read Text C and answer the questions:

1. How many terms are there in the British academic year?

2. When does the first term usually begin and end?

3. When does the second term usually begin and end?

4. When does the third term normally begin and end?

5. What is a "reading week"?