Only 25 per cent of the student population goes on to higher education. Competition to get into one of Britain’s universities is fierce and not everyone who gets A-levels can go. Students usually need three A-levels to go to university and grades at A-level go from A, the highest grade to E.
Students apply to universities months before they take their A-levels. The students are given a personal interview and the universities then decide which students they want. They offer them a place which depends on A-level results. The more popular university, the higher the grades it will ask for.
Most big towns in Britain have both a university and a college of higher education. A British university usually consists of colleges. The departments of the colleges are organized into faculties. There are 91 universities and 47 colleges of higher education in Britain. The most famous and prestigious universities are those in Oxford and Cambridge.
Universities offer three- and four-year degree courses. A degree is the qualification you get from university when you pass your final exams. You are then awarded a BA (Bachelor of Arts), BSc (Bachelor of Science) or a Bed (Bachelor of Education).
Students who are studying for degrees are called undergraduates. They go to large formal lectures, but most of the work takes place in tutorials: lessons in groups of ten or more when students discuss their work with the lecturer.
Most British students choose to go to university a long way from their home town. University is seen as a time to be independent, to live away from home and develop new interests. British students do not have to pay to go to university, but do need money to live away from home while they are studying. Some students whose parents do not earn a lot of money are given a grant from the local education authority. If students do not get a grant, parents are expected to pay for their children. In fact, the grant is not a lot of money. Students used to work during holidays to earn more money, but it is now difficult to find such jobs. The result is that more students are dropping out, failing to finish their courses.
Not all students study full time at university or college. Many people combine their studies with work. Large companies often have their own in-house training schemes. The British government is very enthusiastic about such training schemes, because so few people go to university.
Exercise 10. Find in the text English equivalents for these words and word combinations:
Студенты подают заявления; проходить собеседование; предлагать места; место зависит от; состоять из; факультеты; организованы в; престижные университеты; сдать выпускные экзамены; получить степень; студенты первого курса; практическое занятие с руководителем; заплатить, чтобы учиться, не зарабатывать много; получить стипендию от местных органов народного образования; работать во время каникул; трудно найти работу; бросить учебу; не закончить обучение; учиться очно; совмещать учебу и работу; внутренние обучающие схемы; относиться с энтузиазмом.
Exercise 11. Fill in the gaps with the missing words in the following sentences; the first letter of each word has been given to help you:
1. Not everyone who gets A-__________ can enter one of Britain’s universities.
2. The personal i___________ is very important for getting into the Britain’s university.
3. Universities o___________ students places which depends on the results.
4. The d_______________ of the colleges are organized into faculties.
5. Students who are studying for degrees we call u___________________.
6. If students do not get a g__________, parents are expected to pay for them.
7. You should study well and not to d________ out, not to fail to finish your course.
8. Many people c____________ their studies with work.
Exercise 12. Translate the words in brackets into English and make sentences, then translate them into Russian:
1. They’ve applied for a (стипендия) __________________.
2. The course helps people to gain (навыки) _____________ they need for their future career.
3. I’ve got an (собеседование) _________________ for a job as a secretary.
4. Today we had a very interesting (практическое занятие) _____________ on the theme: Education.
5. He (закончил) _____________ from Yale University in 1936.
6. She doesn’t (зарабатывает) __________________ much money, but she enjoys the work.
7. The (конкурс) ________________ for jobs is fiercer than ever.
8. The department has introduced several new training (план, схема, программа) ______________.
Exercise 13. Answer the questions using the text in exercise 9:
1. Is it difficult to get a place at a university in Britain? 2. How long does a student have to study to take a UK degree? 3. What kind of degrees can students be awarded? 4. Does University teaching in the UK differ from that in other countries? 5. What are the advantages and disadvantages of going to university or college in Britain? 6. What can students do if they don’t get a grant and their parents refuse to pay for their education? 7. Do many British go on to higher education? 8. Would you like to enter any British university or college? Why? 9. What is necessary for a Russian student to go to university in Britain? 10. Can you compare British and Russian universities?
Exercise 14. Read, translate, and study the use of the new words:
1. To include. The American system of higher education includes 4 categories of institutions.
2. Tuition fees. Tuition fees are low in the community college.
3. Graduation. After graduation she worked as a teacher.
4. “Associate degree”. You can get your first degree after two years of studying.
5. To transfer. I’m transferring to our American office next year.
6. To contain. This box contains my books.
7. An applicant, a successful applicant. Successful applicants at colleges of higher education are usually chosen after the interview.
8. Impression, to have/to get the impression (that). I have the impression that she’s very good at her studying.
9. Scores, scores on the Scholastic Aptitude Test. Successful applicants at colleges of higher education are usually chosen on the basis of scores on the Scholastic Aptitude Test.
10. Curriculum. Each college or university in the USA has its own curriculum.
11. Assignment. Students must attend all lectures and do all assignments.
12. To complete. The work should be completed.
Exercise 15. Read the text and translate it: