Английский язык. Higher education

You are going to read the text about the systemof higher education in Great Britain. Before you read, look at the sentences below and decide if you think they are true or false.

Students of the Open University get their education through the medium of television and radio.

Undergraduate courses in British Universities normally take three years of full-time study.

The Academic Year starts in October.

It is not necessary for pupils going on to higher education to take any qualifications at all.

ACTIVITY B

READING

DIRECTIONS:

Now read.

Higher Education in Great Britain

The UK post-school institutions of higher education are universities, polytechnics and other higher education colleges.

In general, there are forty-seven universities in Britain and thirty former polytechnics (now also universities), plus 350 colleges and institutes of higher education (some of which train teachers).

They are divided into three types: the old universities (Oxford, Cambridge and Edinburgh Universities), the 19th century universities such as London and Manchester universities, and the new universities.

Pupils going on to higher education or professional training usually take «A» level examinations in two or three subjects. Universities accept students mainly on the basis of their «A» level results, although they may interview them as well.

In 1971 the Open University was started. It is a unique institution, which, as its name suggests, is open to all. It is not necessary for students of the Open University to have any previous qualifications. Nearly a quarter of all adult part-time students follow its degree courses through the medium of television and radio. The first graduates received their degrees in 1973.

Besides the Universities there are other institutions such as Polytechnics and Technical Colleges. These tend to offer courses of vocational nature as well as academic courses. Colleges of Education provide training and education for prospective teachers.

Undergraduate courses normally take three years of full-time study, although a number of subjects take longer, including medicine, architecture and foreign languages (where courses include a year abroad). They lead in most cases to a Bachelor's degree in Arts or Science. There are various postgraduate degrees, including Master and Doctor of Philosophy. The last two are awarded for research in arts or sciences. It may take any number of years to finish the original research work necessary to get these degrees.

Degrees are awarded either by the institution itself, or by the Council for National Academic Awards, particularly in vocational areas. Students of law, architecture and some other professions can take qualifications awarded by their own professional bodies instead of degrees.

At present, students who have been accepted by universities or other institutions of higher education receive a grant from their local authority, which covers the cost of the course, and may cover living expenses.

Parents with higher incomes are expected to make a contribution. Until 1990 the grant did not have to be paid back, but now a system of loans has been introduced.

The Academic Year has three terms; it starts in October, each term lasting eight weeks at Oxford and Cambridge, or ten weeks at other universities. Students have vocations at Christmas, at Easter, and the so called «Long Vac» in summer.

British universities greatly differ from each other. They differ in date of foundation, size, history, traditions and general organization. The most famous universities are Oxford and Cambridge, called «Oxbridge». They are famous for their academic excellence.

ACTIVITY C

VOCABULARY STUDY

PART I

DIRECTIONS:

Match the synonymous pairs.

to go on

a qualification

a scholarship

to interview

a postgraduate degree

to cover the cost

training

a student of correspondence courses

to inquire

a part-time student

an academic title

preparation

a grant

to continue

to defray the expenses

an examination

PART II

DIRECTIONS:

Match the words from the list with their definitions:

vocational, graduate, grant, academic, fee, term, tuition, undergraduate, keep, course, degree

1. - concerning education, esp. in a college or university (adj.)

2. - necessary goods and services, esp. food and lodgings

3. - a title given by a university to a student who has completed a course of study

4. - a set of lessons or studies

5. - a sum of money paid for professional services

6. - instruction or teaching

7. - a person who has completed a university degree course for a first degree