Uiversities and colleges of Great Britain

Most big towns in Britain have both a university and a college of higher education. There are 91 universities and 47 colleges of higher education in Britain. They offer three- and four- year degree courses.

A degree is a qualification you get from university when you pass your final exams. You are then awarded a BA (Bachelor of Arts), BSc (Bachelor of Science) or BEd (Bachelor of Education). Undergraduates – students who are studying for degrees – go to large formal lectures, but most of the work takes place in tutorials: lessons in groups of ten or more when students discuss their work with the lecturer.

Only 25 per cent of the student population goes on to higher education. After finishing school students take exams where they get grades from A level (the highest) to E level (the lowest). Students usually need three A levels to go to university. They apply to universities some months before they take their A levels. The students are given a personal interview and the universities decide which students they want. The place which a student is offered depends on his or her A level results. The more popular a university, the higher grades must be. Oxford and Cambridge are the oldest universities in Britain and they have the highest academic reputation.

Most of British students choose to go to university a long way from their home town. They think going to university is time to be independent and to live away from home and develop new interests.

Until 1998, British students did not have to pay to go to university. Now they must pay about £ 1,000 a year as a tuition fee. They also need money to live away from home. Many students, whose parents do not earn a lot of money, are given a grant from the local education authority. If students do not get a grant, parents are expected to pay for their children. Some students borrow money from the bank, which must be paid back after they leave university. In theory, the grant pays for rent, food, books and transport. In fact the grant is not large enough. Students often work during their holidays to earn more money. About 38 per cent of the population under 24 years of age go on higher education.

Not all students study full-time at university or college. Many people combine their studies with work. Some companies release their staff for training one or two days a week or for two months a year. Large companies often have their own in-house training schemes.

The British government is very enthusiastic about such training schemes. It wants at least half the work force to have a formal professional qualification.

Дата добавления: 2015-09-01