Studying at university in England.

Guess what words are defined. All of them are connected with education and university life. Make your own sentences with these words.

1) A person who is studying at a university or college;

2) A talk given to a group of people to teach them about a particular subject, often as part of a university or college course;

3) An institution at the highest level of education where you can study for a degree or do research;

4) A formal written spoken or practical test to see how much you know about a subject, or what you can do;

5) A person who gives a lecture;

6) One of the three periods in the year (in Britain and the USA) during which classes are held in universities;

7) A building in which collections of books, newspapers, journals, etc, are kept for people to read, study or borrow.

4. Do you know anything about studying at university in England? Do you think the following statements are true or false? Then read the text and check your ideas.

1) You must pass exams to become a student of a university. 2) The first degree a student obtains is called PhD. 3) Studying at university usually takes 10 years.

STUDYING AT UNIVERSITY IN ENGLAND.

If you want to enter university, you must first pass examinations that most students take at the age of 18 (they are called “A” levels). Most students take 3 “A” levels – three examinations in three different subjects. And they must do well in order to obtain a place at university because the places are limited. If you get a place at university, the tuition is free, and some students also get a grant – money to pay for living expenses, e.g. food and accommodation – as well. Students at university are called undergraduates while they are studying for their first degree.

Most university courses last 3 or 4 years, and some may be even longer. During this period students can say that they are studying history, or studying for a degree in history, for example. When they finish the course and pass their examinations, they receive a degree in a certain subject – the qualification when you complete a university course successfully. This can be a BA (Bachelor of Arts) or a BSc (Bachelor of Science), for example, a BA in history.

When you complete your first degree, you are a graduate. Some students then go on to do a second course or degree (postgraduate course/postgraduate degree). These students are postgraduates. There are usually three possible degrees: MA (Master of Arts) or MSc (Master of science), usually one year; MPhil (Master of Philosophy) - usually two years; PhD (Doctor of Philosophy), at least 3 years.

5. Can you find synonyms to the following words and expressions in the text?

To go to university, teaching, to get a place, to receive a grant, to continue, to do a subject.

6. Can you guess what the following words are and explain what each word means?

1) G..... t.; 2).. d... r... a..; 3). o.... a. u.. e