In the United Kingdom, people can get higher education at universities and colleges of higher education. Universities award a bachelor's degree, a master's degree and a doctor's degree. A bachelor's degree and a master's degree are academic qualifications; a doctoral degree is a scientific qualification. Colleges of higher education confer both diplomas (HNDs – High National Diplomas) and degrees.
At universities, students take three- or four-year degree courses and are awarded a bachelor's degree – a BA (Bachelor of Arts); BSc (Bachelor of Science); BEd (Bachelor of Education) or BEng (Bachelor of Engineering).
After a further year or two years of studies, students are awarded a master's degree. The two main types of the master's degree are an MA (Master of Arts) and MSc (Master of Science).
A PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) is the highest university degree. People get it after doing research for three or more years and writing a thesis.
At universities students major in philosophy, philology, law, history, sciences, medicine, engineering and other branches of knowledge. Undergraduates, students studying for degrees, attend lectures and tutorials. Tutorials are lessons in small groups when students discuss their work with the lecturer or tutor. The tutor is a teacher who directs the studies of a number of students and gives them advice about personal matters. The tutorial system is very effective. It helps organize students' work and research.
British higher education is considered to be one of the most prestigious in the world. It combines deep-rooted traditions and modern approaches to instruction and learning. It is based on cutting-edge technologies, innovations and progressive ideas.
The symbol of the high quality of British education is Oxbridge. Oxford and Cambridge are the two oldest and most reputed universities in the United Kingdom. Oxbridge graduates hold high positions in British society and professions.
In the United Kingdom professional engineers are trained in universities. Some people can start in a technical apprenticeship (4-5 years) before going to university. Also, people can enroll in the Engineering Council UK examination program administered by the City and Guilds of London Institute. After getting a degree, people have professional practice and take further exams to become a corporate member of the relevant professional body. The term "Chartered Engineer" is regulated by Royal Assent. The professional institutions authorized by the Engineering Council award this status.
In the UK, most engineering courses take 3 years for a bachelor's degree (BEng) and 4 years for a master's degree.
Many courses include a year in industry before completion. They are called sandwich courses. As a result, students are awarded a Sandwich degree.
The BEng may be registered as an Incorporated Engineer by the Engineering Council. They get the degree after professional practice and professional practice peer review. If required, they take further exams to become a member of the relevant professional body. The term "Incorporated Engineer" is regulated by Royal assent. This status is awarded by the professional institution authorized by the Engineering Council.
Exercise 4. Find in the text the equivalents of these words and word combinations.
Присуждать степень бакалавра, степень магистра, степень доктора; главные виды; выполнение научного исследования; области знаний, преподаватель; руководит учебой; консультирует; считается; укоренившиеся традиции; новейшие технологии; проходить профессиональную практику; перед окончанием (курса); соответствующая профессиональная ассоциация.
Exercise 5. Answer the following questions in pairs.
1. In what educational institutions can people get higher education in the United Kingdom?
2. What degrees do universities award?
3. How long do students study to get a bachelor's degree and a master's degree?
4. What disciplines do students specialize in at universities?
5. What are the oldest universities in the UK?
6. In what educational establishments are professional engineers trained?
7. What are sandwich courses?
Exercise 6. Speak about higher education in the United Kingdom.
1.2. Higher Education in Russia
Exercise 1. Answer the questions below.
1. Have you heard about the Bologna declaration?
2. What do you think about the reforms in the Russian system of education?
3. Are you satisfied with the quality of education you get at your higher educational establishment? Why?
Exercise 2. Learn the following words and words combinations.
guarantee ["gxrqn'tJ] гарантировать
citizen ['sItIzqn] n гражданин
to provide [prq'vaId] v обеспечивать
unified ['jHnIfaId] единый
to comprise [kqm'praIz] v включать, заключать в себе
level ['levl] n уровень
preschool ["prJ'skHl] a дошкольный
compulsory [kqm'pAlsqrI] a обязательный (об образовании)
the disabled [dIs'eIbld] a нетрудоспособные, инвалиды
postgraduate ["pqVst'grxdjuIt] a послевузовский; аспирантский; относящийся к усовершенствованию квалификации
accord [q'kLd] n соглашение; договор; договоренность
the Bologna Process [bq'lqVnjq 'prqVses] Болонский процесс
purpose ['pE:pqs] n цель
comparable ['kAmpqrqbl] a сравнимый, сопоставимый; соизмеримый
compatible [kqm'pxtqbl] a совместимый
throughout [TrH'aut] prep через, на всей территории
to adopt [q'dPpt] v принимать
to replace [rI'pleIs] v заменять
science ['saIqns] n наука; естественная наука
humanities [hjH'mxnItIz] n гуманитарные науки
field [fJld] n область
law [lL] n закон; право
pharmaceutics ["fRmq'sjHtIks] n аптечное дело
metallurgy [mq'txlqGI] n металлургия
electrical engineering [I'lektrIkql "enGI'nIqrIN] n электротехника
curriculum [kq'rIkjulqm] (pl curricula [kq'rIkjulq] n программа обучения
senior ['sJnIq] a старший
certain [sE:tn] a определенный
obligatory [qb'lIgqtqrI] a обязательный
optional ['PpSqnql] a факультативный, необязательный
Exercise 3. Read the text and say what common features, from your point of view, Russian higher education and foreign higher education have.