Higher education in the UK topic in English. Education in Britain (topic). Pre-school education in England
All state schools in Britain are free, and schools provide their pupils with books and equipment for their studies.
Nine million children attend 35,000 schools in Britain. Education is compulsory from 5 to 16 years. Parents can choose to send their children to a nursery school or a pre-school playgroup to prepare them for the start of compulsory education.
Children start primary school at 5 and continue until they are 11. Most children are taught together, boys and girls in the same class. At 11 most pupils go to secondary schools called comprehensives which accept a wide range of children from all backgrounds and religious and ethnic groups. Ninety per cent of secondary schools in England, Scotland and Wales are co-educational.
At 16 pupils take a national exam called "G.C.S.E." (General Certificate of Secondary Education) and then they can leave school if they wish. This is the end of compulsory education.
Some 16-year-olds continue their studies in the sixth form at school or at a sixth form college. The sixth form prepares pupils for a national exam called "A" level (advanced level) at IS. Yon-need "A" level to enter a university.
Other 16-year-olds choose to go to a college of further education to study for more practical (vocational) diplomas relating to the world of work, such as hairdressing, typing or mechanics.
Universities and colleges of higher education accept students with "A" levels from 18. Students study for a degree which takes on average three years of full-time study.
Most students graduate at 21 or 22 and are given their degree at a special graduation ceremony.
Translation of the topic: The education system in the UK. public education
In all public schools in Britain education is free. Schools provide students with books and equipment for learning.
Nine million children attend 35,000 schools in Britain. Education is compulsory from the age of five to sixteen. Parents can send their children to a nursery or preschool to prepare them for compulsory education.
Children start going to school at the age of five and study there until the age of eleven. Most children study together, boys and girls, in the same class. At the age of 11, many students go to secondary school, called general education, which is attended by children of various social strata, religious and ethnic groups. In 90% of secondary schools in England, Scotland and Wales, education is coeducational.
At the age of 16, students take an exam to receive a certificate of secondary education. And after that, they can leave the school if they want. This is where compulsory education ends.
Some sixteen-year-olds go on to sixth grade school or a six-year college. In the sixth grade, students are prepared for a state exam called "A-level" - "advanced level". This exam is taken at the age of 18, it is required for admission to the university.
Other sixteen-year-olds go to college to continue their education and receive vocational diplomas that give them the opportunity to work, for example, as hairdressers, machinists, mechanics.
Universities and colleges of higher education accept students from the age of 18 who have passed the advanced level exam. Students study for degree. The study lasts an average of three years at the hospital.
Most students graduate at the age of 21 or 22. They are awarded degrees at a graduation ceremony.
In England and Wales compulsory school begins at the age of five, but before that age children can go to a nursery school, also called play school. School is compulsory till the children are 16 years old.
In Primary School and First School children learn to read and write and the basis of arithmetic. In the higher classes of Primary School (or in Middle School) children learn geography, history, religion and, in some schools, a foreign language. Then children go to the Secondary School.
When students are 16 years old they may take an exam in various subjects in order to have a qualification. These qualifications can be either G.C.S.E. (General Certificate of Secondary Education) or "O level" (Ordinary level). After that students can either leave school and start working or continue their studies in the same school as before. If they continue, when they are 18, they have to take further examinations which are necessary for getting into university or college.
Some parents choose private schools for their children. They are very expensive but considered to provide a better education and good job opportunities.
In England there are 47 universities, including the Open University which teaches via TV and radio, about 400 colleges and institutes of higher education. The universities in England are Oxford and Cambridge. Generally, universities award two kinds of degrees: the Bachelor's degree and the Master's degree.
[ translating to Russian language]
Education in Britain
In England and Wales, compulsory schooling starts at the age of five, but until that age children can go to school. Kindergarten, also called play school. Schooling is compulsory until children reach the age of 16.
In Primary School and Primary School, children learn to read and write, as well as the basics of arithmetic. In the upper grades of primary school (or secondary school), children are taught geography, history, religion and, in some schools, a foreign language. After that, the children go to secondary school.
When pupils reach the age of sixteen, they may take examinations in various subjects to obtain a qualification. Qualification can be as a sample O.S.S.O. (Basic certificate of secondary education), and the ordinary level. After that, students can leave school and take a job or continue their education at the same school. If they continue their studies, when they turn 18, they will have to take the following exams, which are required for admission to a university or college.
Some parents choose private schools for their children. They are very expensive, but it is believed that education is at a higher level and there are prerequisites for getting a good job.
There are 47 universities in England, including the Open University, which teaches on television and radio, about 400 colleges and universities. educational institutions. The oldest universities in England are Oxford and Cambridge. There are mainly two types of degrees awarded in universities: bachelor's and master's degrees.
Questions:
1. How long does a child stay in compulsory school?
2. When does compulsory school begin?
3. What kind of exam do students have to take when they are 16?
4. What subjects do children learn in Primary School?
5. How do private schools differ from the regular ones?
6. Do students have to leave school at the age of 16 or to continue their studies?
7. What is the Open University?
8. What kinds of degrees do universities award?
9. How many universities are there in England?
Glossary:
bachelor - bachelor
compulsory - mandatory
exam - exam
master - master
nursery school - kindergarten
opportunity - opportunity
private - private
subject
to award - give, assign
university
19.09.2017
Higher education institutions in the UK are divided into:
– classical universities (University)
– polytechnic universities (Polytechnics)
- University Colleges
– colleges of higher education (Colleges of Higher Education)
Most of them are public universities which are characterized by their autonomy. They are free to invest finances as they see fit and earn income, but at the same time, in order to receive government funding, which, by the way, can be from 30 to 90% of their total balance, they must demonstrate the excellence of research and teaching.
And it is worth noting that the state conducts a thorough control of the quality of education. British universities operate under the constant supervision of the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA). The responsibilities of the organization include monitoring compliance with all mandatory requirements, as well as encouraging universities to constantly improve their programs.
Stages of higher education in the UK: - Bachelor's degree (Degree courses or Undergraduate courses)
- Postgraduate studies - Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland there are three-year undergraduate programs, while in Scotland they take four years. After completing this program, applicants graduate with a Bachelor's Degree (or First Degree). According to research, the number of foreign students studying in undergraduate studies is 10%.
Types of programs for applicants and students of British universities:
Diploma
If you studied for a year or several years at a domestic university and decided to continue, then this program is for you. In 9 months you can master the material of the first academic year of a British university, get language training and adapt to studying in England. Successful completion of the Diploma program makes it possible to go directly to the second year of an English university without entrance exams. But we recommend that you familiarize yourself in advance with the list of universities that recognize this program and work on it.
Next steps master's and doctoral studies. Here, with the preparation for admission, things are much easier. A Russian certificate of higher education is enough to enroll in a British university. But sometimes it happens that the existing knowledge and language practice are not enough for successful admission and passing a master's course in England. And it turns out that preparatory programs are necessary in order to get used to the new system of the educational process, to understand the essence of British education and to adapt existing knowledge to it.
Pre-Masters, Pre-MBA
These programs are designed specifically for applicants whose second language is English. They provide active language and academic training and help students get comfortable in an English-speaking environment and study abroad. Education takes place in universities and colleges and the duration can vary from one to three semesters.
Graduate Diploma
Suitable as a preparation for admission to the magistracy who wish to change their specialization. First, students learn English and the basics of a new chosen specialty. At the second stage of preparation, they study in depth the core subjects of specialization. Exams are taken at the end of the program. If the scores are high, students are guaranteed admission to the master's program of the chosen university.
The master's and MBA programs themselves in the UK are designed mainly for one year, although in other countries they take two years. At this stage, the number of foreigners among future masters reaches 45%. Almost always, at the end of the training, it is necessary to pass written examinations in the field of specialization and submit a dissertation.
The third stage of higher education - Master of Philosophy, PhD. This stage is solely for research. This period lasts two years and ends with the defense of a dissertation, after which the degree of Master of Philosophy is awarded. Then you can continue your studies for another three years and apply for a Ph.D. Again, by submitting a dissertation.
The final step - Scientific research. This level of doctorate is awarded to professionals in the fields of law, natural sciences, humanities, medicine, music, and theology. To obtain the title, you must publish a certain number of research papers.
The variety and choice of preparatory and basic programs is impressive. Sometimes it can be difficult to figure them out on your own, and most importantly, to prepare the necessary documents in a timely manner. Therefore, so that your nerves and time are not wasted, it is better in this area.
For seven hundred years Oxford and Cambridge universities dominated the British education. Scotland had four universities, all founded before A. D. 1600. Wales only acquired a university in the 20th century; it consists of four university colleges located in different cities (Cardiff, Swansea, Bangor, and Aberystwith). The first English university after Oxford and Cambridge (sometimes referred to as Oxbridge) was Durham, in the North of England, founded in 1832. The University of London was founded a few years later in 1836.
During the nineteenth century institutions of higher education were founded in most of the biggest industrial towns, like Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield (sometimes called the Redbrick Universities). at first they did not have full university status but were known as university colleges; since 1945, however, all have become independent universities, and in recent years a number of other universities have been founded: Sussex, Essex, Warwick, and others.
In the middle 60s there was a further new development. Some of the local technical colleges are maintained by local authorities had gained special prestige. By 1967 ten of these had been given charters as universities. Many of them are in the biggest cities where there were already established universities; so now we have the University of Aston (Birmingham), Salford (close to Manchester), Strathclyde (Glasgow), Herriot-Watt University (Edinburgh), Brunei University (London).
When we add all these together we find that the number of universities in England increased within ten years from nineteen to thirty-six, and in Scotland from four to eight.
Oxford university is a federation of colleges, and it is impossible to understand its structure unless one first understands the nature and function of these colleges, which have no resemblance whatever with the institutions called "colleges" in America.
Oxford has twenty-three ordinary colleges for men, five for women. All these are parallel institutions, and none of them is connected with any particular field of study. No matter what subject a student proposes to study he may study at any of the men's colleges.
Each college has a physical existence in the shape of a dining-hall, chapel, and residential rooms (enough to accommodate about half the student membership, the rest living in lodgings in the town). It is governed by its Fellows (commonly called "dons"), of whom there are usually about twenty or thirty. The dons are also responsible for teaching the students of the college through the tutorial system. The Fellows elect the Head of the college (whose title varies from college to college).
The colleges vary very much in size and extent of grounds and buildings.
Colleges choose their own students, and a student only becomes a member of the University by having been accepted by a college. Students are chosen mainly on academic merit, but the policy of colleges in this respect varies from college to college. Some tend to be rather keen to admit a few men who are very good at rugby or some other sport, or sons of former students or of lords, or of eminent citizens, or of millionaires.
The colleges and university buildings are scattered about the town, mostly in the central area, though the scientific laboratories and the women's colleges are quite a long way out.
The university teachers are mostly Fellows of colleges, who may at the same time hold university appointments as lecturers or professors. Part of the teaching is by means of lectures and any student- may attend any university lecture. At the beginning of each term (there are three terms in the Oxford academic year) a list is published showing all the lectures being given during the term within each faculty, and every student can choose which lectures he will attend, though his own college tutor will advise him which lectures seem likely to be more useful. Attendance at lectures is not mandatory, and no records of attendance are kept.
Apart from lectures, teaching is by means of the "tutorial" system, which is a system of individual tuition organized by the colleges. Each Fellow in a college is a tutor in his own subject to the undergraduates who are studying it. Each student goes to his tutors room once every week to read out an essay which he has written, and for an hour he and the tutor discuss the essay. A student does not necessarily go only to his own tutor but may be assigned to another don in his own college or in another college when he is studying some particular topic which is outside the special interest of his own tutor.
Higher education in the UK
For seven hundred years, Oxford and Cambridge universities were the main ones in the British education system. There were four universities in Scotland, all founded before 1600. The University of Wales was founded only in the 20th century, it included four university colleges in the cities of Cardiff, Swansea, Bangor and Aberystwiese. Next to Oxford and Cambridge (sometimes referred to as Oxbridge) is Durham in the north of England, which was founded in 1832. The University of London was founded a few years later, in 1836.
In the nineteenth century, higher education institutions were founded in the largest industrial cities - Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield (they are also called Redbrick universities). At first they did not have university status, but they were known as university colleges, and from 1945 all became independent universities. AT last years founded such universities as Sussex, Essex, Warwick and others.
In the mid-1960s, universities received a new development. Some of the local institutions of higher technical education supported by local governments have acquired a special status. By 1967, ten of them were given the rights of universities. Many are located in big cities where there were already universities. Today these are the universities Aston (Birmingham), Salford (near Manchester), Strathclyd (Glasgow), Harriot-Watt University (Edinburgh), University of Brunei (London).
Analyzing all this, we see that the number of universities in England has grown from nineteen to thirty-six in ten years, and in Scotland from four to eight.
The University of Oxford is a federation of colleges and one cannot understand its structure without understanding the structure and function of these colleges, which have nothing to do with American "colleges".
There are twenty-three ordinary - men's - colleges in Oxford and five women's. All of these are institutions with a common program, and none of them is associated with any particular field of science. Whatever subject a student is offered to study, he can study at any of these colleges.
Each college has a canteen, a church and living quarters (sufficient to accommodate half of the students, the rest live in apartments in the city). The university is run by members of the college council (faculty), usually twenty or thirty people. They are also responsible for educating college students through the advisory system. Council members choose the chairman of the college (each college has a different title for this title).
Colleges vary in size and area of land and buildings.
Colleges elect their students, and a student becomes a member of the university only after being accepted into the college. Students are selected primarily for academic merit, but college policies on this issue also vary. Some colleges tend to admit those students who are good at rugby or some other sport, or the sons of their former students, or lords, or eminent citizens, or millionaires.
Buildings of colleges and universities are scattered around the city, as a rule - in its central part, although scientific laboratories and women's colleges are located far from the center.
University lecturers are, as a rule, members of the college council, who hold the positions of lecturers and professors at the university. Part of the study is lectures, any student can attend any university lecture. At the beginning of each semester (in Oxford, for example, three semesters per academic year), the schedule of lectures for the faculties for the semester is published, and each student can choose which lectures he will attend. As a rule, his university curator can advise him which lectures are most important. Attendance at the lectures is not required, and no record of attendance is kept.
In addition to lectures, teaching is conducted with the help of a consulting system - a system of individual learning organized in colleges. Each college teacher is also a curator in his subject for final year students. Each student comes to his teacher once a week to read the paper he has written and discuss it with the mentor for an hour. A student does not have to attend only the lectures of his mentor. He can study with any teacher in his own or in another college, as long as he studies a topic that is not in the circle of interests of his mentor.
Education in Great Britain - Education in the UK
Education in Britain is compulsory (1) between the ages of 5 and 16 (4 and 16 in Northern Ireland).
Primary education includes three age ranges: nursery for children under 5 years, infants from 5 to 7, and juniors from 7 to 11 years old. About half the children under the age of 5 receive nursery education (2), and many other children attend pre-school playgrounds mostly organized by parents.
Compulsory primary education begins at the age of 5 in England, Wales and Scotland, and 4 in Northern Ireland. Children usually start their school career (3) in an infant school and move to a junior school or department (4) at the age of 7.
Pupils in England and Wales begin to tackle (5) a range of subjects including those stipulated (6) under the National Curriculum, which will form the basis of their education until the age of 16. Subjects covered include English, mathematics and science, along with technology, history, geography, music, art and physical education and, for older pupils, a modern language. Religious (7) education is available (8) in all schools, although parents have the right to withdraw (9) their children from such classes. Secondary schools are generally much larger than primary schools. A small proportion attend fee-paying (10) private, or 'independent' (11)(‘public’) schools. The large majority of schools teach both boys and girls together. The school year in England and Wales normally begins in September and continues into the following July. In Scotland it runs from August to June and in Northern Ireland from September to June and has three terms. Pupils of all ages take part in workplace activities (12) that, teachers believe, 'help them to develop personal as well as commercial skills (13)’.
At 7 and 11 years old, and then at 14 and 16 at secondary school, teachers measure children’s progress in each subject. Parents receive regular information about the way their child's school is performing (14), as well as their child is progressing.
The main school examination, the General Certificate of secondary education (GCSE) examination is taken in England, Wales and Northern Ireland at around the age of 16. If pupils are successful, they can continue to more advanced (15) education or training. Many studies for 'A' (Advanced) and 'AS' (Advanced Supplementary (16)) level qualifications. These are two-year courses in single subjects. Students usually take two or three subjects which may be combined with one or two ‘AS’ courses, which are offered by both schools and colleges. These exams are the main standard for entry university education and for many forms of professional training.
There is also a Certificate of Pre-Vocational (17) Education(CPVE) for those staying at school for a year after the age of 16; this provides (18) a preparation (19) for work or vocational courses.
Education in the UK is compulsory between the ages of 5 and 16 (4 and 16 in Northern Ireland).
Primary education includes three age groups: children under 5 years old, children from 5 to 7 years old, teenagers from 7 to 11 years old. About half of the children under 5 attend kindergarten and quite a few children go to pre-school groups, mostly organized by their parents.
Compulsory primary education starts at age 5 in England, Wales, Scotland, and at age 4 in Northern Ireland. Children start their school life in elementary school, then move on to high school or department at the age of 7.
Pupils in England and Wales begin to study the subjects provided by the national education program, which form the basis of their education until the age of 16. Subjects include English, Mathematics, Science and Technology, History, Geography, Music, Drawing, Physical Education and, for older children, Modern English. Religious education is provided in all schools, although parents have the right to prohibit their children from attending such classes. Comprehensive schools are larger than primary schools. A small number of students attend fee-paying private or "independent" schools. In most schools, boys and girls study together. The academic year in England and Wales usually starts in September and runs until July. In Scotland it lasts from August to June, and in Northern Ireland from September to June and consists of three semesters. Students of all ages work in workshops and in production, as teachers are convinced that this helps in the formation of personality and commercial skills.
At the age of 7 to 11 years, and later from 14 to 16 in secondary schools, teachers determine the progress of children in each subject. Parents are regularly informed about how their child is learning and in many ways has achieved the greatest success.
The main school examination for the certificate of secondary education is for children in England, Wales and Northern Ireland at the age of 16. If it is compiled successfully, one can continue education at the highest level of training or industrial specialization. Many continue their education at the "A" level (increased complexity) and the "AS" level - an additional level of qualification. This is a two-year study of a single subject. Students usually study in two or three subjects, which are combined into one or two "AS" programs, which are offered both in schools and colleges. These exams are the basis for university entrance and many professional activities.
There is also a vocational school certificate for those who have attended school for one more year after the age of 16. This provides preparation for the calling.
Vocabulary
1. compulsory - mandatory
2. nursery education - education in kindergarten
3. career - career
4. department - department
5. tackle - deal (with), deal with
6. stipulate ["stɪpjəleɪt] - to provide
7. religious - religious
8. available [ə "veɪləbl] - fit, useful
9. withdraw - withdraw, withdraw
10. fee-paying - paid
11. independent - independent
12. workplace activities - work in workshops or in production
13. skill - skill, skill
14. perform - here: learn
15. advanced - advanced, progressive, increased complexity
16. supplementary - additional
17. vocational - professional
18. provide - provide, provide
19. preparation - preparation
Questions
1. What is the compulsory schooling age in different parts of Great Britain?
2. What can you say about religious education?
3. What other schools besides comprehensive give (provide) secondary education?
4. How long does the school year last in Britain?
5. When do teachers measure children’s progress in each subject?
6. What is the main school examination?
7. When is the GCSE examination taken?
8. What are ‘A’ and ‘AS’ level qualifications?
9. What are these exams the main standard for?
