British Universities

Pupils going on to higher education or professional training usually take “A” level examinations in two or three subjects. Universities accept students mainly on the basis of their “A” level results, although they may interview them as well. In 1971 the Open University was started, where these formal qualifications are not necessary. Nearly a quarter of all adult part-time students follow its degree courses on radio and television.

There are forty-seven universities in Britain and thirty former polytechnics (now also universities), plus 350 colleges and institutes of higher education (some of which train teachers).

Undergraduate courses normally take three years of full­time study, although a number of subjects take longer, including medicine, architecture and foreign languages (where courses include a year abroad). They lead in most cases to a Bachelor’s degree in Arts or Science. There are various postgraduate degrees, including Master and Doctor of Philosophy. The last two are awarded for research in arts or sciences.

Degrees are awarded either by the institution itself, or by the Council for National Academic Awards, particularly in vocational areas. Students of law, architecture and some other professions can take qualifications awarded by their own professional bodies instead of degrees.

At present, students who have been accepted by universities or other institutions of higher education receive a grant from their local authority, which covers the cost of the course, and may cover living expenses. Parents with higher incomes are expected to make a contribution. Until 1990 the grant did not have to be paid back, but now a system of loans has been introduced.

The most famous universities are Oxford and Cambridge, called “Oxbridge”. They are famous for their academic excellence.

Students don’t usually have a job during term time because the lessons, called lectures, seminars, classes or tutorials (small groups), are full time. However, many students now have work in the evenings.

University life is considered “an experience”. The exams are competitive but the social life and living away from home are also important. The social life is excellent with a lot clubs, parties,concerts, bars.

There are not only universities in Britain but also colleges. Colleges offer courses in teacher training, courses in technology and some professions connected with medicine.

Higher Education in the USA

Many students, upon finishing high school, choose to continue their education. The system of higher education includes 4 categories of institutions.

The community college, which is financed by the local community in different professions. Tuition fees are low in these colleges, that’s why about 40 per cent of all American students of higher education study at these colleges. On graduation from such colleges American students get “associate degree” and can start to work or may transfer to 4-year colleges or universities (usually to the 3rd year).

The technical training institution, at which high school graduates may take courses ranging from six months to three-four years, and learn different technical skills, which may include design business, computer programming, accounting, etc. The best-known of them are: the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Technological Institute in California.

The four-year college, which is not a part of a university. The graduates receive the degree of Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS). There are also small Art Colleges, which grant degrees in specialized fields such as ballet, film-making and even circus performance. There are also Pedagogical Colleges.

The university, which may contain:

• several colleges for students who want to receive a bachelor’s degree after four years of study;

• one or more graduate schools for those who want to continue their studies after college for about two years to receive a master’s degree and then a doctor’s degree. There are 156 universities in the USA.

Any of these institutions of higher education may be either public or private. The public institutions are financed by state. Most of the students, about 80 per cent, study at public institutions of higher education, because tuition fees here are much lower. Some of the best-known private universities are Harvard, Yale and Princeton.

It is not easy to enter a college at a leading university in the United States. Successful applicants at colleges of higher education are usually chosen on the basis of:

• their high-school records which include their class rank, the list of all the courses taken and all the grades received in high school, test results;

• recommendation from their high-school teachers;

• the impression they make during interviews at the university, which is in fact a serious examination;

• scores on the Scholastic Aptitude Tests.

The academic year is usually nine months, divided into two terms. Studies usually begin in September and end in July. Each college or university has its own curriculum. During one term a student must study 4 or 5 different courses. There are courses that every student has to take in order to receive a degree. These courses or subjects are called major subjects or “majors”.

At the same time there are subjects which the student may choose himself for his future life. These courses are called “electives”. A student has to earn a certain number of “credits” (about 120) in order to receive a degree at the end of four years of college. Credits are earned by attending lectures or laboratory classes and completing assignments and examinations.

Students who study at a university or four-year college are known as undergraduates. Those who have received a degree after 4 years of studies are known as graduates. They may take graduate program for another 2 years in order to get a master’s degree. Further studies are postgraduate which result in a doctor’s degree.

Higher Education in Russia

High education plays an important role in the life of any country as it provides the country with highly qualified specialist. In our country higher education is very expensive. It trains people to become teachers, engineers, doctors and other professional workers.

There are many colleges and Universities in our country. It’s not easy to enter a university or a college as the competition is rather high. Most of the universities and colleges are public and students don’t have to pay for their education. Students who do well in all subjects receive state grants.

The academic year usually last nine months and is divided into two terms. Students take exams at the end of each term. Twice a year they have vacations - two weeks in winter and two months in summer.

As the rule the first – and second year students get thorough instruction in the fundamental sciences. In the third year students begin to study specialized subjects. Specialized courses and practical training help students to become specialist and prepare them for the future work.

After four years of study students cam pass examinations and get a bachelor’s degree. Then the students can go on with their studies and get the qualification of an engineer at the end of the fifth year or a master’s degree at the end of the sixth year. After graduating students can take a postgraduate course and get a still high degree.

Universities and colleges have their own student’s hostels and some of them have large and excellent spots centers. Most higher educational institutions have modern computer centres.

At present a new system of education is being introduced in Russian. It’s distance education system with helps working professionals to continue their education while remaining at their jobs. Education is a way to success.

Date: 2015-12-24; view: 1883