University education in Great Britain

There are more than 60 universities in Britain. But not all universities are equal. They differ from one another in history, tradition, academic organization. Not all British universities have a well-known reputation. Oxford and Cambridge, the oldest uni­versities, are world-known for their academic ex­cellence. The University of London has the size and breadth to rank among the UK`s top universities. A university usually consists of colleges. The depart­ments of the colleges are organized into faculties.

University teaching in the UK differs greatly at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels from that in many other countries. An undergraduate programme consists of a series of lectures, seminars, tutorials and laboratory classes which in total ac­count for about 15 hours per week.

Following a particular programme students take series of lecture courses which may last one academic term or the whole year. Associated with each lecture course are seminars, tutorials, laboratory classes which illustrate the topics presented in the lectures.

Lectures are given to large groups of students (from 20 to 200). Seminars and tutorials are much smaller than lecture classes and in some departments can be on a one-to-one basis (one member of staff and one student).

Students prepare work in advance for seminars and tutorials. And this can take the form of a topic for discussion by writing essays or by solving prob­lems.

Lectures, seminars and tutorials are all one hour in length, laboratory classes last two or three hours. Each student has a tutor whom he can consult on any matter whether academic or personal.

The academic year is split into three terms. For­mal teaching takes place in the first two terms which last for twenty four weeks in total. The third term is reserved for classes and examinations and lasts for six weeks.

Universities teach in all major subject areas: arts, science, law, engineering, medicine, social sciences.

University staff are chosen for the best knowl­edge in their subject. The teaching encourages stu­dents to learn in the most effective way. University degree courses extend from three to four years. Af­ter three years of study at the University graduates will leave with the Degree of Bachelor of Arts or Science. They can continue to take their Master`s Degree and then the Doctor`s Degree.

Questions:

1. How many universities are there in the UK?

2. What are the most famous universities in Britain?

3. What are two levels in university education?

4. What are the forms of study in British universities?

5. What subject areas do universities teach?

6. What degrees do British universities offer?

 

Vocabulary (transcribe the words, learn them by heart):

account — счет

Bachelor of Arts — бакалавр искусств

Bachelor of Science — бакалавр наук

breadth — широта

Degree — степень

Doctor`s Degree — степень доктора

equal — равный

following — следующий

in advance — заранее

length — длительность, протяженность

levels — уровни

Master`s Degree — степень магистра

particular — определенный, конкретный

per week — в неделю

postgraduate — аспирантский (магистерский) уровень обучения

rank — ранг

series — зд. ряд

staff — зд. профессорско-преподавательский состав

term — семестр

to be split into — делиться на

to encourage — поощрять, стимулировать

to graduate — оканчивать учебное заведение

to last — длиться

tutor — репетитор, наставник

tutorials — индивидуальные консультации с препо­давателем

undergraduate — студенческий уровень обучения

 

Exercises

 

I. Compose your own sentences with the following words:

account, equal, in advance, length, level, particular, rank, series, staff, term, to be split into, to encourage, to graduate, to last, tutor, tutorial.

 

II. Writing

Today some people choose to start working after school, but there are still those who want to get a University degree to start their career.

What is your opinion? Is it important to enter the University and get a de­gree? Why?

Write 200 —250 words.

Use the following plan:

• make an introduction (state the problem)

• express your personal opinion and give reasons for it

• give arguments for the other point of view and explain why you don't agree with it

• draw a conclusion

 

TEST 8

I. Match the English idioms in the left column with the Russian equivalents in the right column:

1. to go into details 2. to drum something into somebody`s head 3. a brain twister 4. two and two make four 5. a stumbling block 6. the key word 7. the brain of a pigeon 8. to come easy 9. to start from scratch 10. a blue stocking

a. начать с азов b. как дважды два - четыре c. куриные мозги d. синий чулок e. вдаваться в подробности f. головоломка g. легко даваться h. ключевое слово i. камень преткновения j. вдолбить что-либо в голову