Topic 5. University Education in Great Britain

5.1. Read and translate the text:

There are about a hundred universities in Great Britain. They are divided into three types: the old universities (Oxford, Cambridge and Edinburgh universities), the 19-th century universities such as London and Manchester universities, and the new universities. Some years ago there were also polytechnics. After graduating from a polytechnic a student got a degree, but it was not a university degree. 31 former polytechnics were given university status in 1992. But not all universities are equal. They differ greatly from оne another in history, tradition, academic organization.

Oxford and Cambridge, called «Oxbridge», are known as the oldest unique universities founded in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, respectively. These universities developed from a great number of independent colleges and still remain unique in the strength of their collegiate traditions. Cambridge (Fig. 17) is a federation of 20 colleges, while Oxford (Fig. 18, 19) consists of 48 colleges, of which some admit only men, other admit only women, and some are coeducational. The general proportion of men to women students in the country is about three to one; at Oxford and Cambridge it is over four to one.

Fig. 17. Cambridge

The colleges of Oxbridge are residential institutions and they mainly use a tutorial method of teaching, which brings the tutor into close and personal contact with the student. Every student has a tutor who practically guides him through the whole course of studies. Each tutor has 10-12 students. The tutor plans the student’s work, suggests the books he should read and sets the work for him to do, for example, lectures to attend, an essay to write, etc. Each week the student goes to his tutor, and the tutor discusses with him the work he has done, criticizes in detail the essay he has written and sets him the task for next week’s work. Oxford and Cambridge are famous for their academic excellence.

Fig. 18. One of the collegesof Oxford Fig. 19. Oxford

The University of London (Fig. 20) has the size and breadth to rank among the United Kingdom’s top universities. The University of London was created in 1836 to conduct the examinations and to grant degrees upon the students from any institution situated anywhere in the British Empire. Until 1900 the University of London was only an examining and degree-awarding body, but in that year an Act of Parliament permitted to provide lecture rooms, museums, laboratories, work shops, etc. for both teaching and research. Today the University of London is a federation of some forty-four schools, institutes and colleges which together register over 40, 000 internal and external students. There is a number of faculties: theology, arts, medicine, science, etc. The University of London grants degrees to all who satisfy its examination with the exceptions of engineering and medical degrees (for which the study at an approved institution is required).

Fig. 20. The University of London

A British university usually consists of colleges which are organized into a number of faculties: theology, medicine, arts, philosophy, law, music, natural sciences, economics, engineering, agriculture, commerce, education and others. The University staff are at the foreground of knowledge in their subjects.

University teaching in the UK differs greatly at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels from that in many other countries.

An undergraduate programme consists of a series of lectures, seminars, tutorials and laboratory classes which in total accounts for about

15 hours per week. Following a particular programme students take series of lecture courses which may last one academic term or the whole year. Associated with each lecture course are seminars, tutorials, laboratory classes which illustrate the topics presented in the lectures.

Lectures are given to large groups of students (from 20 to 200). Seminars and tutorials (small groups) are much smaller than lecture classes and in some departments can be on a one-to-one basis (one member of staff and one student). Lectures, seminars and tutorials are all one hour in length, laboratory classes last two or three hours.

Students prepare work in advance for seminars and tutorials. And this can take the form of researching, a topic for discussion, writing essays or solving problems.

The majority of students, including many postgraduates, live in the halls of residence. Other students live in private bed-sitting rooms, flats or houses in the town.

The academic year is divided into three terms. Formal teaching takes place in the first two terms which last for twenty-four weeks in total. The third term is reserved for classes and examinations and lasts for six weeks.

The universities grant their own degrees. Full courses of study offer the degree of Bachelor of Arts or Science which is awarded on the results of examinations. Most degree courses at universities last 3 years, language courses 4 years (including a year spent abroad). Medicine and dentistry courses are longer (5-7 years).

There are various postgraduate degrees including Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy. A master degree is usually awarded after a further year or two years study. The highest degree is the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph. D. or D. Phil.) awarded for research and the submission of a thesis normally after a minimum of three year’s full-time work after either the bachelor or master degree.

There are not only universities in Britain but also colleges. Colleges offer courses in teacher training, courses in technology and some professions connected with medicine.

Students have to pay for their tuition, examinations, living accommodations, the use of libraries, laboratories, transport and food. Students may receive grants from their Local Education Authority. This grant depends on the income of their parents.

Students don’t usually have a job during term time because the lessons, called lectures, seminars, classes or tutorials (small groups), are full time. However many students now have to work in the evenings.