Schools in Great Britain

      Virtually all students on full-time courses receive grants or loans from the Government which cover their tuition fees and everyday expenses (accommodation, food, books, transport, etc).  In fact, the grant is not a lot of money. Students usually have to work during the holidays to earn more money.

       There are 91 universities in Britain and 47 colleges of higher education. Universities offer three-and-four year’s degree courses; colleges of higher education offer both two-year HND (Higher National Diploma) courses, as well as 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) or Bed (of Education).

       Undergraduates, students who are studying for degrees, go to large formal lectures, but most of work takes place in tutorials: lessons in groups of ten or more when they discuss their work with the lecturer. Students who obtain their Bachelor degrees (graduates) can apply to take a further degree course, usually involving a mixture of exam courses and research. There are two different types of post-graduate courses- the master’s degree (MA or MSc), which takes one or two years, and the higher degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) which takes two or three years.

       Universities usually select students on the basis of А-level results and an interview (students who wish to enter Oxford and Cambridge have to take certain exams). Those who have better А-level results are usually accepted.

      Higher education has become more available in the second half of the 20th century. In 1960 there were less than 25 universities in Britain. By 1980 there were already more than 40, and by 1995 there were over a hundred institutions with university status.

       Universities take the better students that are why nearly all students complete their studies. The normal course of study lasts 3—4 years. Students are not supposed to take a job during the term. Quite a lot of students live on campus (or in college) or in rooms nearby.

       Unless their parents are rich, they receive a state grant, which covers most of their, expenses, including the cost of accommodation.

       However, nowadays the government reduces the amount of the students and encourages a system of top-up loans. That’s why quite a lot of students can’t afford to live in college and many more of them are forced to do a part-time job, but this reduces the traditionally high quality of British university education. And, in addition, the number of students from low-income families has been greatly reduced.

       English universities greatly differ from each other. They differ in date of foundation, size, history, traditions, general organization, methods of teaching and way of student life.

 First of all, so called OXBRIDGE. Oxford and Cambridge were founded in the medieval period. They are the oldest and most prestigious universities in Great Britain. Both universities are independent. Only the education elite go to Oxford and Cambridge. These Universities consist of semi-independent colleges, each of them having its own staff (“Fellows”).

        The “Fellows” teach the college students either one-to one or in very small groups. This system is unique in the world and known as tutorials in Oxford and supervisions in Cambridge.

      Then, Scottish universities. By 1600 Scotland had 4 universities — Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and St. Andrews. St. Andrews resembles Oxbridge very much. In the other three most of the students live at home or find their rooms in town. The process of study at these universities is very close to the continental one. There is less specialization than at Oxbridge.

       During the 19th century various institutions of higher education (usually technical ones) were founded in the industrial towns and cities such as Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds.

      Their buildings were of local brick, so they got the name “redbrick” universities. They contrasted chiefly with Oxford and Cambridge. At first, they prepared students for London University degrees, but later they were given the right to award their own degrees. They became universities themselves. Now they accept students from all over the country. These universities are financed by local authority.

        One of the developments in education in Britain is certainly the Open University. It was founded in 1971. Some people don’t have an opportunity to study full-time, and this university allows them to study for degree. The university’s courses are taught through television, radio and coursebooks. Its students work individually and with tutors, to whom they send their papers. The students discuss their work at meetings or through correspondence. In summer they attend short courses.

    Oxford and Cambridge are the oldest universities in Great Britain. They are called Oxbridge to denote an elitarian education.

   Only rich people send their children to these universities. The main characteristic feature of these universities is the tutorial (that means the individual tuition).

    The normal length of the degree course is three years, after which the students take the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Some courses may be a year or two longer.

     Oxford and Cambridge universities consist of a number of colleges, each self-governing and independent. Before 1970 most of all Oxbridge universities were single-sex (mostly for men). But now the majority admits both sexes. The administrative body of the University consists of the Chancellor (who is elected for life), the vice-chancellor (who is in practice the head of the University, and is appointed annually by the Chancellor) and two proctors, whose job is to maintain discipline and who are appointed annually. Each college has its staff called “Fellows”.

      The University is merely an administrative body, which organizes lectures, arranges examinations, grants degrees. Each college has its name. Most colleges have their own dining hall, library and chapel.

      The University has laboratories and research institutes and other educational facilities. All the lectures are organized by the University. In every college there are students of various specialties but each student follows his own course of study.

    The largest colleges have more than 400 students, the smallest have less than 30.

    Oxford is one of the oldest universities in Europe. It didn’t come into being all at once. Oxford had existed as a city for at least 300 years before scholars began to resort to it. The town of Oxford is first mentioned in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle in 911 A.D. The university’s earliest charter is dated to 1213.

     The end of the 12th century saw the real beginning of the University. The first group of scholars at Oxford may have been joined by others from Paris, from other parts of Britain. A characteristic feature of Oxford is that many traditions of the Middle Ages are still current there. One of them is that the students have to wear gowns.

      The earliest college buildings seem to have no definite plan. They expanded as the need for more room arose (the Queen’s College). New College had the first regular quadrangle.

      Perhaps the most famous colleges are Christ Church, University College and All Souls. Nowadays there are 29 colleges for men, 5 for women and another 5 have both men and women members.

    Oxford is a place of great beauty, but it is not just a shrine to the past. It is a living entity and its historic buildings are the homes of masters and students whose learning, thinking and ideas have a profound influence on culture, education, science and politics. Many eminent world-known scholars and scientists have been educated at Oxford. All the graduates of Oxford never forget “spirit of Oxford”.

    Cambridge University dates back as the 13th century. Today there are more than 30 colleges. The University is situated on the River Cam. The colleges line the right bank. The oldest university is Peterhouse (founded in 1284) and the most recent is Robinson College (1977). But the most famous is the King’s College. The building is the real example of English 15th century architecture.

Until 1871 the University was only for men. In 1871 the first women’s college was

opened. In 1970s most colleges admitted both men and women.

      Students at Oxbridge have different societies and clubs. Different sports are very popular. But the most popular Sports are rowing and punting. Every year at the end of March (or in early April) a contest between Oxford and Cambridge universities takes place on the River Thames. The course is the 4 1/4 mile stretch of river. The race usually starts at midday or at 3 o’clock. By 1966 Cambridge had won 61 times, Oxford — 50 times.

 

       

 

 

 

 

 

             

In conclusion I’d like to say that education has always been a very important part of the life of every country.

British education mirrors the country social system: it is class-divided and

selective. But every child has an opportunity to get the education they like.