NEW Учебник_ Английский 2022 (3)-1. University Life Learning Process and Challenges Students Face while Studying
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PART 2. Structure OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE UK Read the text and point out the information dealing with entry requirements, degrees, learning process, assessment method, tuition fee. Higher education in the UK, according to the model adopted here, is divided into three main levels: bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate. Bachelor’s degree (or undergraduate) is the first stage of higher education in Britain, recognized by the Bologna process. Students may come directly from compulsory education to study at bachelor’s level or have been working a year out before starting. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, almost all undergraduate programs take 3 years (with the exception of medicine and architecture). In Scotland, obtaining an ordinary degree also takes 3 years, but students who wish to receive a degree with honours stay at the university for another year, after which they write their final thesis. It is believed that the latter option involves more in-depth and specialized training. Undergraduate program involves obtaining traditional BA* or BSc*. Moreover, there are other degrees depending on the specialization, for instance BEd (Bachelor of Education), BEng (Bachelor of Engineering), LLB (Bachelor of Law), MB and BS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery). Most universities in the UK classify undergraduate degrees into ordinary and with honours, based on the grade point average or the intensity of the program. For example, they may require 300 and 360 ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System*), respectively. The type of degree usually does not affect student’s future employment, but sometimes a student holding Bachelor’s degree with honours may transfer to doctoral studies without Master’s one. Master’s degree in the UK (MA/MSc), as a rule, belong to the so-called postgraduate degrees in higher education. A postgraduate or master’s course in the UK follows the successful completion of an undergraduate degree, generally lasting for just one year compared to two-year Master’s program found elsewhere in the world. It can be longer if studied part-time. Types of Master’s degree: Taught Masters There are four main types of taught program: Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MSc), Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Engineering (MEng), with each lasting 1-2 years full-time. On a taught program, students are expected to attend weekly seminars, tutorials and lectures, much like an undergraduate degree, and assessment can be via exam, dissertation or project. Research Masters Research degrees are more independent, almost without scheduled classes. A student focuses on one or more research projects receiving guidance from an expert supervisor. These are mostly designed for those who plan to enrol in PhD program in the future. Other types of Research degree include the Master of Science (MSc), Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Master of Research (MRes). Doctorate in the UK A doctoral degree (PhD, DPhil) is the third and final stage in the UK higher education system. Most PhD program take 3 years, during which students engage in carrying out their own research, work with a supervisor, publish their works in academic journals, participate in academic conferences, and sometimes teach at the undergraduate level. At the final stage, they write up a thesis, submit it as a dissertation and then defend it. Entry Requirements In Great Britain higher education starts at the age of 18. The applicants who have already attained such education qualifications as A-levels*, the International Baccalaureate (IB)* and even a foundation course from the UK or another country are eligible to study at British higher education institutions. For undergraduate admissions, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) handles all applications in the UK. The application process takes place online, and you can choose up to five different courses with some restrictions on how they may be combined. There is a fee for making an application via UCAS. Entry requirements for Bachelor’s degree include the following: a certificate of secondary education, a preparatory program completed, minimum language proficiency confirmed by Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Some universities, particularly Oxbridge, require an interview for competitive courses. For more niche course this option is not compulsory. Higher Education Courses Structure Most higher education courses in the UK have a modular structure, i.e. you can make a personalized course by choosing modules or units of study from different subject areas. Also, you can opt for more than one subject as part of your course. Students may choose the option «joint» which means the two subjects are studied equally and «major/minor» with the time spent 75% and 25% respectively. Each university has its own method of assessment, but, in general, the British education system uses a 100-point assessment system. For each exam or piece of coursework students receive a percentage mark. The UK Credit System An academic credit system is a standard one used by universities to assess students’ work and effort during their Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD program. The higher education credit framework in Great Britain outlines the credit values associated with the main higher education qualifications in terms of the minimum number of credits required for the degree. 1 UK credit is equivalent to 10 notional hours of student effort. Study Modes The general pattern of teaching is similar throughout Great Britain. It is a combination of lectures, small group seminars or tutorials with practical classes where necessary. UK higher education institutions offer both full-time and part-time courses of study. Full-time undergraduate courses take three years and full-time postgraduate courses can be from one year upwards. Part-time courses usually require a longer period of time, thereby allowing you to work alongside your studies. The time span for part-time courses varies from one course to another. Academic Year In the UK, the standard academic year starts in September or October and runs until June or July. Often universities follow three term pattern in a year, beginning in September/October, January and May. There are some universities that follow the concept of two semesters a year, beginning in September/October and January. Tuition Fees Higher education in the UK is paid for both citizens and foreigners. Fees to study at a British university are some of the highest in the world (especially for overseas students) with the annual fee regularly being increased. Until Brexit (the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union) there were two types of tuition fees in the United Kingdom: - the «home status fee»: in general, these are lower fees, paid by local students, Irish citizens, and students from the European Union (EU)/European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland. - the «international fee»: higher fees (sometimes 2 or 3 times higher) paid by all the remaining non-EU/EEA students. As a result of Brexit, the UK government officially confirmed that the European Union (EU)/European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss students had lost their home fee status from the autumn of 2021. All students coming from the EU/EEA and Switzerland cannot apply for student loans from 2021. Most undergraduate home students are eligible for loans. There are also various scholarships for international students (mostly postgraduate) funded by the British government, individual universities, organizations, and foundations. The majority can be found on the websites of higher education institutions. On average, undergraduate tuition fees vary from £4,030 to £9,250 a year for British and Irish students, depending on the country. As for international fees they are rather high: £17,105-30,540 UK universities and colleges offer a plethora of excellent courses, leading to qualifications that are honoured and acknowledged worldwide by employers and academics. In spite of high quality of education there are some problems UK higher education system face. Among them are early career planning, uncertainty over visa regulations after Brexit, difficulties in naturalization for international students and others. Note* *The A-Level (Advanced Level) is a subject-based qualification conferred as part of the General Certificate of Education, as well as a school leaving qualification offered by the educational bodies in the United Kingdom and the educational authorities of British Crown dependencies to students completing secondary or pre-university education. A-Level involves studying 2-4 specialized disciplines at the choice of students. Based on the results of training, students take exams, which are later accepted for admission to the universities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. A-Levels are equivalent to Highers or Advanced Highers in Scotland. *The International Baccalaureate (IB) is a nonprofit foundation headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and founded in 1968. It offers four educational programs: the IB Diploma Program and the IB Career-related Program for students aged 15 to 19, the IB Middle Years Program for students aged 11 to 16, and the IB Primary Years Program for children aged 3 to 12. To teach these programs, schools must be authorized by the International Baccalaureate. A-Level and International Baccalaureate provide access to many universities worldwide. *BA stands for «bachelor of arts» and is typically associated with languages and the humanities (history, literature and philosophy). This type of degree is often broader in focus, allowing students some flexibility in terms of tailoring their degree to their career goals. A bachelor of arts degree focuses on skills like writing, critical thinking and expression of ideas. *BSc means «bachelor of sciences» and provides generalized knowledge at the university level in subjects like chemistry, mechanical engineering, mathematics, physics, botany, zoology, etc. In addition, there are a few subjects, like economics, psychology, architecture, and business, which are offered as a BA or BSc depending on the institution. The main difference between a BA and BSc is usually the content of the course, but the scope is also an important factor. Whereas a BA has a relatively broad focus, BSc degrees are more specialized and often less flexible in terms of elective options. *European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) is a standard means for comparing academic credits, i.e., the «volume of learning based on the defined learning outcomes and their associated workload» for higher education across the European Union and other collaborating European countries. For successfully completed studies, ECTS credits are awarded. One academic year corresponds to 60 ECTS credits that are normally equivalent to 1500–1800 hours of total workload, irrespective of standard or qualification type. ECTS credits are used to facilitate transfer and progression throughout the Union. ECTS also includes a standard grading scale, intended to be shown in addition to local (i.e. national) standard grade. Comprehension Check 1. Answer the following questions: 1. How is the higher education characterized in the United Kingdom? 2. What kind of higher education institutions are there in the UK? 3. When were Cambridge and Oxford founded? 4. What other Old universities are mentioned in the text? 5. How can you describe the tutor system? 6. How did Redbrick universities get this name? 8. Why are the universities established after the World War II known as New ones? 9.How is the process of the education organized at the Open University? 10.What famous people did graduate from the British universities? 11.What are the levels of higher education in the UK? 12.What are the peculiarities of Bachelor’s (undergraduate) program? 13. What are the types of Master’s degree in Great Britain? 14. What qualifications are necessary to apply for a British university? 15.What are the admission requirements for Bachelor’s, Master’s and doctoral degrees? 16. What is the structure of higher education courses in the UK? 17. What forms of education do British universities offer? 18. When does the academic year start in the UK? 19. Who cannot apply for student loans in British universities? 20. Are there any scholarships for international students? 2. Decide whether these statements are true, false or information is not stated: 1. The United Kingdom created the multi-stage educational model. 2.Universities in Britain are divided into two types. 3. Each student of Cambridge has a tutor who controls and guides his training. 4. Redbrick universities have a lot of branches in Europe. 5. Among the new universities are Queen’s University Belfast, University of Glasgow and University of Reading. 6. Many famous scientists from Russia studied at Cambridge. 7. The applicants who have attained further education qualifications such as A-levels, the International Baccalaureate or a foundation course from the UK or another country are eligible to study at British universities. 8. Bachelor’s degree is the first stage of higher education in Great Britain. 9. The UK classify undergraduate degrees only into ordinary ones. 10. There are four main types of Master’s program. 11. All British universities require an interview as one of admission requirements. 12. An academic credit system to measure and assess students’ work and effort was adopted within the Bologna process. 13. Higher education in the UK isn’t paid for British students. 14. Brexit resulted in great changes in terms of tuition fees in the United Kingdom. 15. Most undergraduate students in the UK are eligible for loans. 3. Find synonyms to the following words: Impeccable, fairly, approach, to provide, prominent, qualification, undergraduate, to acknowledge, compulsory, in-depth, grade, program, to belong, assessment, to focus. 4. Find antonyms to the following words: Final, admission, restriction, proficiency, competitive, to opt, to increase, local, eligible, plethora, excellent, ordinary, to believe, to affect, distinction. Grammar in Focus 1. Give the correct translation and function of «it»: 1. It is very important to choose a right major at the university. 2. It is our new campus. It is equipped better than the old one. 3. It is not easy to get loans for the overseas students at this college. 4. It is necessary to confirm English proficiency by TOEFL or IELTS in order to study at British universities. 5. It seems to me that tuition fee for the international students at Oxford is one of the highest in the world. 6. It is our professor who taught at Queen’s University two years ago 7. My fellow student finds it necessary to apply for student loans as soon as possible. 8. It is known that Great Britain is the founder of a multi-stage educational model. 9. It is getting more problematic for applicants from European Union to enter British universities after Brexit. 10. It is a well-known fact that almost all Bachelor’s programs take 3 years in the UK. 2. Give the correct translation and function of «one»: 1. One should be careful when applying to a university online. 2. The Scottish universities of Edinburgh, St. Andrews, Glasgow date from the 15th and 16th centuries and belong to the Old ones. 3. One must attain such qualifications as A-levels or the International Baccalaureate to study at British higher education institutions. 4. Great Britain is known as one of the countries with impeccable quality of education. 5. One can choose up to five different courses to make an application via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Services. 6. A student of Master’s program focuses on one or more research projects receiving guidance from an expert supervisor. 7. One should have a good knowledge of many subjects to become a competitive specialist. 8. An academic credit system is a standard one to assess students’ effort during their Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD program at UK universities. 9. Data scientist is one of the most demanded professions, it is the one that is trained at this university in Great Britain. 10. Some British universities require an interview for competitive courses, for other ones this option is not compulsory. 3. Give the correct translation and function of «that»: 1. That university was founded in Scotland in 16th century . 2. The course that Prof.Hamton taught at Oxford was rather innovative one. 3. Everybody know that choosing the right higher education institution is crucial. 4. That Oxbridge has a unique weekly one-to-one tutorial to students is the well-known fact. 5. There are various IT courses for Bachelor’s degree at University of St Andrews, choose those on Computer Science. 6. We didn’t know that a lot of famous people from Russia had graduated from Cambridge. 7. It is Imperial College London that is part of the ‘Golden Triangle’ including six elite British universities. 8. Do you know those foreign students from India? 9. It is the high qualification of future specialists that will determine the scientific and technological progress of any country. 10. The program for the undergraduate students differs from that for Master’s one. Speaking Workshop Read the conversations and answer the questions below. Make up your own dialogues using these models: 1. Taking Classes 1. Who moved from the small town to study in the big city? 2. What class is Alex going to take as a major? 3. What other classes is he going to study? Alex: Mike, I’m so glad you have some time to give me some tips for beginning my first term here. Mike: Oh, it’s no problem at all. I know just what it’s like, moving from a small town into a big city, like this. And starting college is a real change. Alex: I don’t really know what I want to major in, but I saw a huge line for undecided majors, so I just picked something for the record. The lines were much shorter in the English department. Mike: So what classes are you taking this semester? Alex: I have a biology class that sounds real interesting – it’s called ecology, society and evolution. Mike: Yeah, I took that. I think everyone takes those biology classes – it’s the easiest way to get you two semesters of the same science. Alex: That’s good to know. Mike: So what else are you taking? Alex: Some Greek civilization class, German and American History. Mike: So you’re taking 12 hours, then? Alex: Yeah, but I placed out of freshman English, so I’ll get credit for taking 15 hours. Mike: Sounds like you’re on the right track. 2. Changing the Major 1. What was Samon’s major before changing? 2. What subject does he want to change to? 3. How does Samon explain his choice to the tutor? Samon: Dr. Williams, I need to talk with you about changing my major. Dr. Williams: Good morning, Samon. Come on in. Samon: Thanks. Dr. Williams: Let me look at your profile. Have you declared your major yet? Officially, I mean. Samon: Yes, I’m majoring in chemical engineering. Dr. Williams: Oh yes, here’s the form. And what do you want to change to? Samon: Business. It’s not because engineering is hard. I’ve finished all the math courses already. I just like the business courses I’m taking. Dr. Williams: Well, you have eighteen hours in engineering, Samon, and only six hours in business. And the problem is you don’t need any more electives, so the eighteen hours in engineering will be extra work for you on your program. I just don’t have any place to put them except under additional electives. Samon: I see. So how much longer will it take me to graduate if I change to business? Dr. Williams: One semester, full time. You’ll have to take twelve hours of business courses that term including accounting. Samon: That’s okay. I really want to do this. 2*. Act out the following situations: 1. Two students are discussing the classes they will take in the coming semester at the University and are eager to give each other useful advice. 2. You are discussing the reasons for and the possibility of changing your major with your academic adviser. 3.* Use the Internet to search for information about the possibilities of studying in Great Britain. Take into consideration the following aspects: location, university ranking, application requirements, tuition fee, loan, scholarship, degree, duration of the course, accommodation. Give a five -minute talk to your group. 3*. Speak on the topic Higher Education in Great Britain using these clichés: 1. I would like to tell you about /This text is about ... 2.According to the text … . 3.As I understood from the text ... . 4. As it is described in the text ... . 5.As seen from the text … . 6.As for me I learnt that … . 7.It is pointed out that … . 8. I didn't know that … . 9.Connecting words: moreover, you know, besides, nevertheless, however, therefore. 10. In conclusion I would like to tell /To sum up/Finally/To conclude ... . listening 1. Listen to the text College Scholarship on http://www.esl-lab.com 2. Do the tasks given to this text. VIDEO 1.Watch the video on https://www.esl-lab.com 2.Do the tasks given. WRITING Write an essay about benefits and drawbacks of getting higher education in British universities. UNIT 5.2. HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA VOCABULARY PRACTICE 1. Find the appropriate equivalent:
2. Complete the gaps with the words and phrases below: 1. associate degree; 2. venues;3. have retained; 4. syllabus; 5. look down;6. secular; 7. the Ivy League;8. vocational; 9. need-blind; 10. workload; entails. 1. US colleges and universities offer diverse educational … . 2. A two-year college awards an … after two years’ study. 3. Many employers … on degrees from for-profit colleges. 4. For historical reasons, some universities … the term college instead of «university» for their name. 5. The most famous higher education institutions include … universities. 6. Master’s programs are characterized by a strict … with fewer electives. 7. The number of credits is decided by the university depending on the … the course … . 8. The largest US universities accept local and foreign students on a … basis. 9. Some private universities are … and others are involved in religious education. Two-year community colleges offer … education leading to technical occupations. TEXT 2 |