Higher Education

Higher education, consisting of degree and equivalent courses, has experienced a dramatic expansion. Today one in three young peo­ple enters higher education compared with one in six in 1989. Higher education is provided at universities, " the new universities" (former polytechnics which became known as " new universities" in the early nineties) and other establishments of higher and further education.

There are some 170 universities and higher education institu­tions, which enjoy academic freedom. First degree courses are mainly full time and usually last three years (four in Scotland), with longer courses in subjects such as medicine. Universities offer courses in a wide range of subjects. The oldest and best known universities are in Oxford, Cambridge, London, Liverpool, Durham, Edinburgh, Bris­tol, Cardiff, Birmingham. A university consists of a number of facul­ties: divinity / theology, economics, engineering, agriculture, com­merce and education. After three years of study, a student may proceed to a Bachelor’s degree and later to the degree of Master and Doctor. The Bachelor’s Degree (Bachelor of Commerce, Science or Music) is given to students who pass exams at the end of three to four years of study. Bachelors’ degrees are at two levels, Honours and Pass. In some cases the Honours Degree is awarded for intensive study and examination in one, two or perhaps three related subjects, while the Pass (or General) degree may be somewhat broader. In some cases the Honours degree is given to the students who are more successful in their examination.

The first post-graduate degree is that of Master, conferred for a thesis based on at least one year’s full-time work. Everywhere the degree of Doctor of Philosophy is awarded for a thesis which is an original contribution to knowledge.

The British universities have their own way of life and traditions which are carefully preserved. For example, sometimes you can see students at Oxbridge wearing a cap and gown – it’s a custom from the time when students were clergymen.

Academic life in universities is exciting and very busy. Students attend lectures given by professors and lecturers, have seminars and work on their own in universities’ libraries and laboratories.

Higher education is largely financed by public funds although students who have begun their studies since September 1998 are ex­pected to make a contribution of up to Ј1, 000 towards their tuition fees. This contribution is means-tested, so that tuition is free for stu­dents from lower income families.

The maintenance grant has been replaced by a maintenance loan. The loan is partly means-tested, so that only students from lower income families are entitled to the full loan.