Anyway the 3 university terms are only ten weeks each, and during vacation times families are reunited.

Universities and colleges of higher education accept students with “A” levels from 18. Students study for a degree which takes on average 3 years of full-time study. Most students graduate at 21 or 22 and are given their degree at a special graduation ceremony.

Most Scottish universities offer a 4-year undergraduate degree course. (Compared with the usual three-year courses in England and Wales).

Good “A” Level results in at least 2 subjects are necessary to get a place at one. However, not everyone in Britain with “A” Levels will be offered the chance of an interview, good exam results are not enough. Entrance to British universities is via strict selection process based on an interview. Universities choose their students after interviews on the basis of exam results. And competition for places at university is fierce. If the student does not get the grades specified in the offer, a place cannot be taken up.

Grants and loans, sponsorship

The main post-war education reforms were intended to create opportunities for equality in education. For all British citizens a place at University brings with it a grant from their LEA. A grant system was set up to support students through university.

Students may receive a grant(money) paid by their Local Education Authority on the basis of parental income. The grant covers tuition fees,transport, books, food and some of the living expenses. The amount depends on the parents’ income. If the parents do not earn much money, their children will receive a full grant which will cover all their expenses.

In the late 80s the government decided to stop increases in these grants, which were previously linked to inflation. Instead, students will be able to borrow money in the form of a low-interest loan which then has to be paid back after their course has finished. However, many citizens argue that students from less affluent families will think twice before embarking on a course.

Some organizations such as companies, government departments give financial help to students. Sponsorship often involves an agreement between the company and student whereby the student works in the company during holidays and is then expected to work for the company when qualified. Some employers think that a new graduate with work and travel experience is likely to be more mature.

Specialization

Students usually specialize in one subject, for example, French or History, and they study only that subject with maybe a related subsidiary (extra) subject for all three years at college.Full courses of study offer the degree of BA or BSc.Most degree courses last 3 years, languages 4 years (including a year spent abroad). Medicine and dentistry courses are longer (5-7 years).

Freshers

When they first arrive at college, first year university students are called “freshers”. A fresher’s life can be exciting but terrifying for the first week.

Often freshers will live in a Hall of Residence on or near the college campus, although they may move out into a rented room in their second or third year, or share a house with friends. Many freshers will feel very homesick for the first week or so, but living in hall soon helps them to make new friends. They learn how difficult it is to change from a school community to one of many thousands. They also learn a new way of studying.

As well as lectures, there are regular seminars, at which one of a small group of students (probably not more than ten) reads a paper he or she has written. The paper is then discussed by the tutor and the rest of the group. Once or twice a term, students will have a tutorial. This means that they see a tutor alone to discuss their work and their progress. Attending lectures in some universities, for example, inOxbridge universities, is optional for students.

After 3 or 4 years (depending on the type of course and the university) these students will take their finals. Most of them (over 90 per cent) will get a first, second or third class degree and be able to put BA (Bachelor of Arts) or BSc (Bachelor of Science) after their name. It will have been well earned!

Date: 2015-12-11; view: 943