Life at college and university

The academic year in Britain’s universities, Polytechnics, Colleges of Education is divided into three terms, which usually run from the beginning of October to the middle of December, from the middle of January to the end of March, and from the middle of April to the end of June or the beginning of July.

There are 46 universities in Britain. The oldest and best-known universities are located in Oxford, Cambridge, London, Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Southampton, Cardiff, Bristol, Birmingham.

Good A-level results in at least two subjects are necessary to get a place at the university. However, good exam passes alone are not enough. Universities choose their students after interviews. For all British citizens a place at a university brings with it a grant from their local education authority.

English universities greatly differ from each other. They differ in date of foundation, size, history, tradition, general organization, methods of instruction, way of student life.

After three years of study a university graduate will leave with a Degree of a Bachelor of Arts, Science, Engineering, Medicine, etc. Later he may continue to take the Master’s Degree and then the Doctor’s Degree. Research is an important feature of university work.

The two intellectual eyes of Great Britain – Oxford and Cambridge Universities – date from the twelfth and thirteenth centuries.

The Scottish universities of St. Andrews, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Edinburgh date from the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.

In the nineteenth and early part of the twentieth centuries the so-called Redbrick universities were founded. These include London, Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Sheffield, and Birmingham. During the late sixtieth and early seventieth some 20 new universities were set up. Sometimes they are called “concrete and glass’ universities. Among them are the universities of Sussex, York, East Anglia and some others.

During these years the Government set up thirty Polytechnics. The Polytechnics, like the universities, offer first and higher degrees. Some of them offer full-time and sandwich courses. Colleges of Education provide two-year courses in teacher education or sometimes three years if the graduate specializes in some particular subject.

Some of those who decide to leave school at the age of 16 may go to a further education college where they can follow a course in typing, engineering, town planning, cooking, or hairdressing, full-time or part-time. Further education colleges have strong ties with commerce and industry.

There is an interesting form of studies which is called the Open University. It is intended for people who study in their own free time and who “attend” lectures by watching television and listening to the radio. They keep in touch by phone and letter with their tutors and attend summer schools. The Open University students have no formal qualifications and would be unable to enter ordinary universities.

Some 80,000 overseas students study at British universities or further education colleges or train in nursing, law, banking or in industry.

2.1.3. Прочитайте текст ещё раз. Укажите, какие предложения соответствуют содержанию текста. Подтвердите свои ответы фактами из текста:

1. The students of Polytechnics can get only the first degree.

2. There are three terms in the academic year in British universities.

3. One can enter the university if he or she has good result in one subject.

4. College of Education provides four-year courses.

5. The students of the Open University should attend lectures during the academic year.

6. All the universities in Britain have the same traditions and general organization.

7. The students of Polytechnics may work and study at the same time.

8. The universities of Sussex, York and East Anglia are sometimes called “concrete and glass” universities.

9. Children at the age of fourteen may go to a further education college.

10. There are no overseas students at British universities.

2.1.4. Ответьте на данные вопросы (работа в парах).

1. Who gets grants at the universities?

2. How do the universities differ?

3. What degree does the university graduate get after three years of studying?

4. What degrees do Polytechnics offer?

5. What courses do they offer?

6. What courses do the Colleges of Education provide?

7. What course can the young people follow after leaving school at the age of 16?

8. What is the method of instruction at the Open University?