Higher Education in Great Britain

Higher education is provided at universities and polytechnics and other establishments of higher and further education. Polytechnics prepare students for particular jobs in science and industry. Today there are more than forty universities in Britain. The two oldest universities in England are Oxford and Cambridge. These date from the Middle Ages. Oxford is the oldest of these two universities. It pays more attention to philosophy, classical languages and literature. The history of Oxford began in 1249, that of Cambridge – in 1348. Among the English universities Oxford and Cambridge have a special eminence.

All British universities are private institutions. Every university is independent, and responsible to its own governing council. Although they all receive financial support from the state, the Department of education and science has no control over their regulations, curriculum, examinations, appointment of staff, or the way they spend money.

Each university decides every year how many students it supposes to admit. Most British universities have no special entrance examinations now. Students are accepted on the basis of their result of General Certificate of Secondary Education at ordinary (0) level or advanced (A) level. Minimum entrance requirements for British universities are 5 passes at “0”level and two passes at “A” level. The students receive grants from public and private funds, which provide for the payment of their tuition fees and other expenses.

Most students take jobs in summer for about six weeks, but they do not do outside work during academic session.

Normally it takes 3 or 4 years to graduate from the university. About a quarter of students read science, about a fifth read arts subjects and social studies, a slightly smaller proportion – engineering, medicine and dentistry. Students have lectures and tutorials. Each student has a tutor who is responsible for the student’s progress.

Students of the first, second and third years of study are called undergraduates. Those students who pass examinations at the end of their third or fourth year get Bachelor’s degree. Generally, the B.A. degree is regarded as a preparation for further graduate or professional study. The B.Sc. is regarded as a preparation for immediate professional work. After graduation any student (he is called a graduate then) may get a Master’s degree. This degree is conferred for a thesis based on at least one year’s full time work. But it is necessary for a postgraduate to spend three years carrying out research and writing thesis for getting the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.

The universities have their own traditions, which they preserve carefully. A student must wear a cap and a gown. It is a custom from the time when students were clergymen. Students correctly dressed have their meals in the college dining room and mustn’t be late for dinner. Sporting activities are very popular.

Many great men studied at Cambridge and Oxford. Among them is Bacon, the philosopher, Milton, the poet, Newton, the scientist, John Galsworthy, the writer. Many prominent Conservative and Labour leaders and ministers, members of the Royal family studied there too.

7. Translate the following words into Russian.

Provide, polytechnics, further, industry, philosophy, among, science, curriculum, special, requirements, quarter, slightly, tutor, bachelor, generally, confer, carefully, wear, gown, clergyman, preserve, wear.

8. Give other words of the same root.

Depend, response, govern, exam, appoint, pay, normal, dentist, graduate, prepare, read, establish, general, slight, act.

9. Give the English for.

Высшее образование, общественные фонды, выдающиеся лидеры, сдать экзамен, учебный план университета, научно-исследовательский центр, получать стипендию, степень бакалавра, среди них, основать, контроль над правилами, назначение штата сотрудников, тратить деньги, требовать, написать диссертацию, королевская семья, удовлетворительная оценка, магистр искусств, получить степень магистра естественных наук, выполнять исследовательскую работу, аспирант, присуждать звание, сохранять традиции, носить шапочку и мантию, вступительные экзамены, изучать гуманитарные науки, быть ответственным за, получать финансовую поддержку, плата за обучение.

10. Suggest the Russian equivalents for the following.

Particular job, to date from the Middle ages, to pay attention to philosophy, in 1849, special eminence, although, financial support, to spend money, at ordinary level, to receive grants, to study art subjects, to confer a degree, to carry out research, to write thesis, to preserve traditions, to have meals, correctly dressed, five passes.

11. Agree or disagree with the following statements. Support your judgement.

1.Polytechnics prepare students for social work. 2.The two oldest universities of Great Britain are the universities of London and Manchester. 3.Oxford pays much attention to art subjects. 4.All British universities receive financial support from the state. 5. Three passes at “O” level and two passes at ”A” level are necessary to enter the university. 6.students receive grants from public to private funds. 7. It is necessary to write a thesis to get the Bachelor of art degree. 8. The degree of Doctor of Philosophy is conferred after the graduation from the university. 9. Oxford students must wear casual clothes at the university. 10. All members of the royal family studied at Cambridge.

12. Fill in the missing words.

Universities and polytechnics and … provide higher education in Great Britain. Today there are … forty universities in Britain. Oxford …philosophy, classical languages and literature. Every university is independent, and responsible to its own …. Students are accepted … their result of GCSE at ordinary (0) level or advanced (A) level. As a rule, it takes 3 or 4 years … the university. All students have tutors who are responsible for the student’s …. Students … at the end of their third or fourth year and get Bachelor’s degree.

13. Answer the following questions:

1.How many universities are there in Great Britain? 2. What are the oldest British universities? 3. What universities have a special eminence among the English universities? 4. British universities are private institutions, aren’t they? 5. How long do studies at the university last? 6. What university degrees can graduates be awarded? 7. When is the Bachelor’s degree awarded? 8. When is the Master of Art degree conferred? 9. When is the doctor of Philosophy degree awarded? 10. What are the special traditions in Oxbridge? 11. What are the famous alumni of these two universities?

14. Translate these sentences into English.

1.В Британии высшее образование можно получить в университетах и политехнических вузах. 2. Старейшие университеты Великобритании, история которых началась в 13-14 веках, Оксфорд и Кембридж. 3. Они имеют особый статус среди всех британских вузов. 4. Каждый университет является независимым учреждением. 5. Все вузы получают финансовую поддержку от государства, но они сами распоряжаются своими финансами. 6. Министерство образования и науки не может контролировать их деятельность. 7. Каждый университет сам решает сколько студентов он набирает. 8. Студентов принимают в зависимости от баллов в их аттестате о среднем образовании. 9. В университете учатся 3 - 4 года. 10. По окончании выпускники получают степень бакалавра. 11. После получения степени бакалавра выпускник может получить степень магистра. 12. Он должен минимум в течение 1 года заниматься научной деятельностью. 13. Такие знаменитые англичане как Исаак Ньютон, Джон Милтон, Джон Голсуорси и многие другие были выпускниками Оксфорда и Кембриджа.

15. When reading the text about further education in Great Britain answer the following questions:

a) Where can one apply after finishing secondary school?

b) How is the academic year in British universities divided?

c) What marks are necessary to get a place at the university? Are they enough to be admitted?

d) In which areas do British universities differ from each other?