to interview smbd.
провести собеседование с кем-либо
the Open University
открытый университет
formal qualifications
формальные результаты
a part-time student
студент-заочник или вечерник
to follow a degree course
проходить курс, ведущий к получению степени
a former polytechnic
бывший политехнический институт
an institute of higher education
институт, вуз
a Bachelor's degree in Arts or Science
степень бакалавра гуманитарных
или естественных наук
a postgraduate degree
ученая степень (присуждается после обучения в аспирантуре или докторантуре)
Master of Philosophy
to be awarded for smth.
research in Arts or Sciences
магистр гуманитарных наук
присуждаться за что-либо
исследования в области гуманитарных или естественных наук
the Council for National Academic Awards
Национальный совет по присуждению ученых степеней
a vocational area
область профессионального обучения
to take qualifications
сдавать экзамены
a professional body
профессиональный орган
to receive a grant
получать стипендию
a local authority
местный орган власти
to cover the cost of smth.
покрывать расходы на что-либо
living expenses
стоимость проживания
to make a contribution
зд.: возместить часть расходов
to pay smth. back
возвратить что-либо
to introduce a system of loans
ввести систему займов
to be famous for academic excellence
быть известным за великолепное
качество обучения
VOCABULARY EXTENSION:
Study the following words, which are often confused by students of English:
I. diploma — degree — certificate — licence — qualifications.
A diploma is often a lower qualification than a degree and may be awarded for a practical or more specialized skill.
E.g. Pat has a degree is maths. I did/took my degree at York. I did a course in hairdressing and gained a diploma.
A certificate is a document marking official recognition of smth.: a birth/marriage/death certificate.
A licence (Am.E.: license) is an official written/printed statement giving permission to do something, usually for a fixed payment and sometimes after a test: a driving licence/a dog licence.
E.g. When did you get your driving license/diploma?
Qualifications: proof of having passed essential exams.
E.g. What qualifications do I need to teach English as a Foreign language?
II. college — university
A university is an institution that awards degrees.
A college is any institution of higher learning, not always leading to a degree; in the UK a university may consist of different colleges; some independent schools use College as part of their title: e.g. Eton College.
E.g. Ann’s at York University.
Our daughter started college last October. Tom’s at college for three years to study engineering.
Ann’s going to college next October.
GETTING STARTED
What do you know about the system of higher education in Great Britain?
Do you think British universities differ much from those in your country?
ACTIVITY A
SCAN THE TEXT 1 HIGHER EDUCATION IN GREAT BRITAIN
DIRECTIONS:
You are going to read the text about the systemof higher education in Great Britain. Before you read, look at the sentences below and decide if you think they are true or false.
Students of the Open University get their education through the medium of television and radio.
Undergraduate courses in British Universities normally take three years of full-time study.
The Academic Year starts in October.
It is not necessary for pupils going on to higher education to take any qualifications at all.
ACTIVITY B
READING
DIRECTIONS:
Now read.
Higher Education in Great Britain
The UK post-school institutions of higher education are universities, polytechnics and other higher education colleges.
In general, 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).
They are divided into three types: the old universities (Oxford, Cambridge and Edinburgh Universities), the 19th century universities such as London and Manchester universities, and the new 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. It is a unique institution, which, as its name suggests, is open to all. It is not necessary for students of the Open University to have any previous qualifications. Nearly a quarter of all adult part-time students follow its degree courses through the medium of television and radio. The first graduates received their degrees in 1973.
Besides the Universities there are other institutions such as Polytechnics and Technical Colleges. These tend to offer courses of vocational nature as well as academic courses. Colleges of Education provide training and education for prospective teachers.
Undergraduate courses normally take three years of full-time 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. It may take any number of years to finish the original research work necessary to get these degrees.
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 Academic Year has three terms; it starts in October, each term lasting eight weeks at Oxford and Cambridge, or ten weeks at other universities. Students have vocations at Christmas, at Easter, and the so called «Long Vac» in summer.
British universities greatly differ from each other. They differ in date of foundation, size, history, traditions and general organization. The most famous universities are Oxford and Cambridge, called «Oxbridge». They are famous for their academic excellence.
ACTIVITY C
VOCABULARY STUDY
PART I
DIRECTIONS:
Match the synonymous pairs.
to go on
a qualification
a scholarship
to interview
a postgraduate degree