Higher Education in Great Britain

The system of higher education in Britain includes universities, colleges of higher education and advanced courses of further education. The British educational system on the higher level is still more selective and class-divided than secondary education, particularly so far as the oldest universities are concerned.

Most big towns in Britain have both a university and a college of higher education. There are 91 universities and 47 colleges of higher today. Universities offer 3-and – 4-year degree courses, though a number of subjects take longer, including medicine, architecture and foreign languages (where courses include a year abroad). Colleges of higher education offer both two-year HND (Higher National Diploma) courses, as well as degree courses.

Undergraduate courses normally take 3 years of full-time study and lead in most cases to a Bachelor degree in Arts, Science or education. Undergraduates, students who study for degrees, go to large formal lectures, but most of the work takes place in tutorials: lessons in groups of ten or more when the students discuss their work with the lecturer.

There are various postgraduate one-or-two- year research courses leading to degree of Master of Philosophy (PhM); Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is awarded for some original research in Arts or Sciences on completion of a three-year period of work. Students of law, architecture and some other professions can take qualifications awarded by their own professional bodies instead of degrees.

Uniformity of standards between universities is promoted by the practice of employing outside examiners for all examinations. The general pattern of teaching is similar throughout Britain – a combination of lectures, small group seminars or tutorials with practical classes where necessary.

Only 25% of the student population go on to higher education. Competition to get into one of Britain’s university is fierce and not everyone who gets A-level is admitted. Students usually need three A-levels degree with high grades to go to university. Grades at A-level go from A to E. One university may require higher A-level grades than another. Most universities require two Bs and one C (BBC) grades.

Students apply to universities months before they take their A-levels. They are given a personal interview and then the universities decide which applicants they want, offer them a place which depends on A-level results. The more popular the university, the higher the grades will ask for.

British universities are popular among foreign students. In spite of the high fees a large number (over 70000) foreign students are getting high education there.

Although universities accept mainly on the basis of their A-level results, there is an exception. The Open University, which was started in 1971, caters for adults who did not have these formal qualifications and who regret missed opportunities earlier. It conducts learning through correspondence, radio and television, also through local study centres.

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