Text A. Classification and History

Higher education in England is provided by many different types of institutions: universities, colleges, specialist art institutions, business schools and agricultural colleges. But most UK higher education courses are taught by universities and colleges. There are 160 universities and colleges in the UK. Universities range in size, subject mix and history.

The first universities were established in the 13^th century in Oxford (1249) and Cambridge (1284). They belong to the so-called ancient universities. Universities of St. Andrews, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Dublin are also among these universities. The ancient universities in the British Isles are among the oldest universities in the world.

In the 19^th century some other universities appeared such as the University of London (the second-largest university by number of full-time students) and Durham University.

At the beginning of the 20^th century Red Brick Universities were establish ed. They are Universities of Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield, Bristol and Victoria University. These six civic universities were founded in the major industrial cities. They gave technological training emphasizing practical subjects rather than classical.

Plate Glass Universities were found ed during the 1960s. They are called this because of their modern architectural design. They are Universities of Sussex, York, East Anglia, Kent, Dundee and many others.

In 1968 The Open University was also established. It is a famous distance learning and research institution. The Open University uses different methods for distance learning, including written and audio materials, the Internet, disc-based software and television programmes.

Those universities that predate 1992 may be called ‘old’ or ‘traditional’. New Universities appeared after the passage of the Further and Higher Education Act 1992. It allowed all Polytechnics and Colleges of Higher Education to become universities and award their own degrees. Thus about 115 new universities were created.

Notes:

Edinburgh [ˈ ɛ dɪ nb(ə)rə ] – Эдинбург (столица Шотландии)

Durham [ˈ dʌ r(ə)m] – Дарем

Birmingham [ˈ bɜ ː mɪ ŋ ə m] – Бирмингем

Bristol [ˈ brɪ stl] - Бристоль

disc-based software – программные средства на дисках

the Further and Higher Education Act – Закон о высшем и профессиональном образовании

Read Text B and answer the questions.

1. What makes qualifications very flexible in Britain?

2. What bachelor’s degrees can you name?

3. Enumerate the undergraduate qualifications. How long can they last?

4. What postgraduate qualifications can you name?