1. Pronunciation

Listen and repeat the subjects. What do you call a person who is a specialist in them? Listen and complete the list. Mark the stress and pronounce the words.

physics philosophy psychology sociology architecture history mathematics chemistry astronomy engineering public relations

physicist … … … … … … … … … …

2. Reading and vocabulary

2.1 Read the text about higher education in Great Britain. Check the meanings of the underlined words with a dictionary.

In Britain your first degree is a BA (Bachelor of arts or humanities) or a BSc (Bachelor of science). If you do post-graduate study, you can get an MA (Master of arts or humanities) or an MSc. After some years of original research and publishing a thesis, you can get a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy). Undergraduates usually write essays. A long essay is called dissertation. A thesis is longer still and contains original research.

University teachers are called lecturers. In the UK the heads of university departments and some very important academics are Professors. A university usually consists of faculties, or colleges. They are headed by Deans. The head of a university can be called Rector, Chancellor, Master or Principal. Going to university is expensive. First, there are the tuition fees. If you live away from home, you have to pay for your accommodation. University halls of residence are not cheap. Some students get a grant, but most have to take out a student loan from the bank.

2.2 Complete the sentences with the words from 2.1.

1. Higher education means doing a ____ at a university.

2. There are students’ protests against high ____ ____ in Britain these days.

3. In the USA ____ ____ ____ are called dormitories.

4. A student ____ can take years to pay off.

5. A ____ is a person who gives lectures.

6. In UK, a head of a faculty must be a ____.

7. If you are good at sport, you can apply for a ____.

8. The mathematics ____ at Moscow State University is very popular and prestigious.

9. This website helps students find ____ if they plan to live away from home.

10. Students who do their first degree are called ____.

11. If you complete your first university degree, you become a ____.

12. The Master’s ____ is a long essay.

13. The Doctor’s ____ must contain original research.

2.3 Use the words form the box to complete the sentences.

graduation academic assignment specialise tutorial term seminar course

1. The …… year begins in September and runs to the end of June.

2. Next year I have to decide which area of medicine I want to …… in.

3. It’s my first …… at university, and I don’t know many things about it yet.

4. I’m doing a …… in business administration.

5. On Tuesday I have to give a short presentation at my History …… .

6. Dr Barnes is very helpful and friendly when you have a …… with him.

7. When I have a big ……, I have to spend several evenings to do it.

8. It’s my …… ceremony next week. My parents are very happy for me.