Read the text paying attention the words and expressions in bold.

                               Going to University in Britain

The system of education is basically the same in most European countries, with division into primary, secondary and tertiary (higher) school. In Britain after getting General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) school-leavers apply to several universities through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admission Service) and receive offers of a place on condition that they achieve certain grades in their “A” levels. Most universities are state-funded and receive some money from the state. The oldest and the most famous are Oxford and Cambridge. Other much respected universities include London, Durham and St. Andrew’s. Some universities such as Birmingham and Manchester are so-called “red-brick” universities because they were built in the 19^th century with brick rather than stone. The newer universities have their buildings grouped together on a campus.

   A first degree which is usually an honor’s degree, generally takes three years. Most courses end with exams called finals. Results are given as classes: the first is the highest class, seconds are often split between upper second and lower second, and below that is a third. Graduates may add letters BA (Bachelor of Arts) or BSc (Bachelor of Science) after their names. Some students go on to study for a further degree, often a Master’s (MSc/MA/MBA) or a doctorate (PhD).

  Students in Britain formerly had their tuition fees paid by the state and received a government grant to help pay their living expenses. Now they get only a loan and have to pay 1000 pounds a year to cover their tuition fees.

 

                          Going to College in the USA

  Americans talk about going to college even if the institution they attend is a university. Most colleges offer classes only for undergraduate students studying for bachelor’s degree. Community college offers two-year courses leading to an associate’s degree. Universities offer courses for graduate students who study in graduate schools, e.g. a medical school or a law school.

American high school students who want to study at a college or university have to take a standardized test, e.g. the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) or the ACT (American College Test). Students from countries outside the USA who are not native speakers of English must take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), with each college deciding on the minimum score.

  Students apply direct to between three and six colleges in their last year of high school. Each college has its own application form and most include a question for which the student must write an essay. The student has also to send a script (an official list of all the subjects studied and grades received) and letters of reference.

All universities charge tuition and students pay extra for room and board. Students whose families cannot afford to pay a full amount apply for financial aid. Many students receive a financial aid package which may be a combination of grants from the government, a scholarship, a student loan and work-study (a part-time job at a college). The most famous American universities are those in the “Ivy League”, including Harvard and Yale. Caltech, Princeton and MIT are among the most renowned centers of education and research.

The US academic year may be divided into two semesters of about 15 weeks or three quarters of about 10 weeks each. Students take courses in a variety of liberal arts curriculum regardless of their main subject (major). They choose their major at the end of their sophomore year and sometimes take a minor which they study for two years. Students’ academic progress is assessed in grades, from A to F, F meaning that a student failed the course and will not be given credit for it. To check a student’s overall progress the university calculates a grade point average (GPA). Graduates with the best GPA are awarded Latin honours, of which the highest is summa cum laude.

 

TALKING POINT

6. Make up dialogues. You may use additional information from ex. 15 It’s interesting to know.

1. Your friend spent a term as an exchange student at MIT.

Ask him about his experiences. Ask him to explain the meaning of the following expressions liberal arts curriculum,  major, work-study, financial aid package, script, sophomore GPA,  summa cum laude, Latin honours, “Ivy League”.

2. You have called a British placement agency in order to get some information about the degrees awarded by different university programs. Ask the requirements for enrollment at British universities.

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