Higher education in England topic. Higher education in England. Admission to a British university

Every year a large number of foreign students, including Russians, come to England. The popularity of studying in this country is due to the thoughtfulness of the educational system and the unique methodology of conducting classes in English. The only negative is the high cost of training, which is explained by the prospects of obtaining a prestigious one in large organizations.

The cost of such classes depends on the intensity of the course and the financial policy of the institution.

Language courses in English schools

Many foreigners prefer to first go to England for one or two years to visit. Thus, you can improve your knowledge to the required level for admission to an English university. There are simply a lot of language schools in the homeland of the English language, and the country itself helps to learn the language - signs, local speech, the need for communication and much more have a positive effect on knowledge.In English language schools, groups are divided according to language level. This is how students will be more comfortable learning English and improving it. The level of knowledge is usually checked by a short introductory test.

In addition to language schools for youth and adults, there are various camps for schoolchildren in England. Parents can send their child to learn English during the summer holidays for several weeks. Typically, fees for such schools include both accommodation and meals.

The cost of completion directly depends on the chosen program: it can be intensive, in-depth or for beginners. Learning English in the UK is a cherished goal for many. If you need to quickly prepare to take a test in a foreign language (for example, or), you should contact any school or college that offers appropriate educational services.

University rankings in England

In total, there are about 600 universities in England, many of which occupy the top positions in the rankings of educational institutions not only in the country, but also in the world. Sometimes it is difficult for an applicant to make a choice in favor of one institution or another, because there are really many options.

  1. Oxford is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the UK. The campus is a whole complex located in the city of the same name, Oxford. Currently there are about 22,000 students studying at the university, approximately half of whom are foreigners. The University of Oxford offers a simply huge selection of programs. You can study medicine, law, management, physics and mathematics - it all depends on your desire and budget. Studying at a prestigious university costs a lot of money: one academic year will cost from 24,000 pounds sterling. The university itself advises you to start preparing for admission a year in advance and decide on the course in June. You must submit your application before October 15 (Attention! To start your studies in a year) and register for the tests that are required for the chosen program. The future student is given until November 15 to pass all exams and send their results to the university. Interviews with candidates are usually scheduled for the first two weeks of December and you can receive an official response with approval or refusal as early as January.

    The University of Oxford is one of the most prestigious and oldest universities in England.

  2. Cambridge - the second oldest university, which was founded a few years after the opening of Oxford. Like its big brother, Cambridge offers a large number of study programs to choose from. The cost of studying at a university starts from 20,000 pounds and increases depending on the chosen direction. The most expensive place to study medicine in Cambridge is from 55,000 pounds sterling for one course. As at Oxford, your application must be sent to Cambridge no later than October 15, and the decision on admitting a student is announced at the end of January. This also applies to funding for studies - future students can find out whether they have received a grant only after an interview and announcement of accepted people to the university.
  3. , located in the center of the capital of Scotland, opened its doors back in the 16th century. The university has a rich history and deservedly ranks third in the UK rankings. There are a lot of undergraduate and graduate programs at the University of Edinburgh. In addition to the main areas, you can also study highly specialized ones, for example, Japanese or Italian. It is worth noting that you do not have to move to England to study at the University of Edinburgh - the university also provides online courses that are no worse than full-time studies. The procedure for enrolling in online programs is no different from regular ones, but they cost much less. Also, for students from Russia and CIS countries, additional documents may be required for admission to some programs, so the University of Edinburgh strongly recommends that you write an email and clarify the requirements.

    The University of Edinburgh is one of the first universities to offer online study

  4. University of Bristol, the same one that Winston Churchill graduated from, has been operating for more than two centuries and annually accepts not only English but also foreign students. Everyone will be able to find the desired program and receive a bachelor's or master's degree. Biochemistry, engineering in various fields, pedagogy, philology and even music - all this can be studied at the University of Bristol.
  5. University of London is a prestigious metropolitan university, which consists of 9 colleges in different fields, where about 180,000 students from different countries, including Russia, study. In addition to the usual full-time faculty, the university also offers distance learning. A rather unusual form of receiving education via the Internet is gaining popularity every year, because you can study at any time and anywhere. The cost of one year at the University of London starts from 20,000 pounds sterling.

Budget British universities

Looking at the prices at prestigious universities in the UK, you may be disappointed that the dream of an elite education was not within your budget. However, not all English universities are so expensive. Of course, we are not talking about free education, but you can get higher education on a budget at the following universities (the cost is indicated for one academic year):

  • University of Stirling- from 12,000 pounds sterling;
  • Queen Margaret University— from 13,000;
  • Admission to a British university

    UK universities are considered among the best in the world, which is why they have a fairly strict student admission procedure. Each university can set its own rules, required documents and tests that an applicant must pass. Typically, the requirements for admission to a British university are as follows:

    1. Certificate and diploma (if any).
    2. Certificate of language proficiency.
    3. Test results (if required for admission).
    4. Motivation letter and resume (sometimes you also need recommendations from teachers/professors/employer).
    5. International passport to confirm your identity.

    Most English universities require preliminary tests, the results of which will play a key role in choosing a student for a vacant place. Typically, such exams are taken by specialty: future doctors must pass chemistry and biology, and engineers must pass physics and mathematics.

    As for the language proficiency certificate, British universities accept IELTS, TOEFL and UCLES.

    After passing the required exams and submitting documents, they are reviewed by the university, after which the candidate is scheduled for an interview. Typically, interviews with future students from abroad take place via the Internet, Skype or other video platform.


Hello my beloved readers.

Probably each of you at least once in your life thought about what it would be like to study in the UK! The country is famous for its excellent teachers, state-of-the-art classrooms, modern teaching methods and strict standards. All this is tightly controlled to ensure that the reputation for quality in British education is not undermined in any way.

So today I want to tell you how possible - but not so easy - it is to study in the UK. Let's go in order.

First and most important

Unlike our education system, where right after school we rush to conquer the open spaces of the university, in the UK school knowledge will not be enough for you. The higher education system there is created in such a way that without confirmation of passing the program tests A-level or Foundation No one will let you into the university!

What is A-level?

This is a 2 year program. Once a child reaches 16 years of age, compulsory education ends there. After that, he can go to college to study as an engineer, cook, hairdresser and other similar professions. But those who want to go to university remain in school for another 2 years. There they choose a few subjects that they plan to specialize in in the future and study them. And at the end of the program they take an exam, which is counted as an entrance exam.

What is Foundation?

This is a program designed specifically for foreign students, of whom there are a great many studying in the UK. The program lasts only a year, but in terms of intensity it will be more difficult than A-level. Here, in addition to their subjects, students also... Typically, these programs are organized by the institution where you want to enroll, so carefully study all the information about admission on the university website.

British education pyramid.

  • When you have successfully completed the A-level or Foundation stages, then your journey begins on the ladder of higher education in England. And the first step is here - bachelor's degree . A bachelor's degree program takes 3 years, and in some specialties - such as medicine, for example - several years longer. Upon completion, you receive a diploma and a Bachelor's degree. With this degree you can begin your professional activities.
  • The next step is master's degree . The duration of this step is only 1 year. Here, students take classes to improve their knowledge acquired at the undergraduate level. At the end of the program, exams are taken again and students receive a diploma.
  • The last level of higher education in the UK is graduate school , or in other words - doctor degree . This is a complete analogue of Russian graduate school, although in terms of complexity it can be compared more with doctoral studies in Russia. Here students engage exclusively in research. They choose a topic, study it and prepare for it. dissertation. And it lasts 3-4 years. Just))

Order of admission!

The procedure for enrolling in the university is not that complicated, but it requires special attention. You submit an application form, where you indicate the scores in the previously mentioned exams, a motivation letter, where you need to indicate why you want to work in this field, as well as a list of institutions where you would like to study, and a description from the place of study. All this must be submitted no later than January.

Please note that the requirements not only for documents, but also for knowledge vary from university to university. For example, to enter Oxford or Cambridge, it is not enough to present an A-level or Foundation certificate. There, the system requires you to take internal exams. Therefore, always carefully study the necessary information on the university website.

Cost of education

Another problem is the cost of training. After all, you don’t have to go to Cambridge or, where the fee for a semester can be equal to the annual salary of a resident of Russia. It is quite possible to find a university that will give you equally good knowledge in the desired specialization, while the payment will be much less and quite affordable. On average, 1 year at a university costs about 15,000 euros, not taking into account the costs of accommodation, food and flights.

Online courses

Recently, online courses from world universities, including British ones, have become very popular. Therefore, in order to at least minimally experience the quality and system of British education, try to go through them. You will immediately understand whether you like this or that item or not. Whether you like the teacher at this university or not. And at a minimum, you can improve your abilities. Isn't it great?

I hope you remember everything! Now let's practice a little.

Topic in English

I offer you to study the topic of everything I just wrote about. The text in English will allow you to study this topic in a linguistic interpretation.

Higher Education in Great Britain.
Higher Education in Great Britain consists of several steps.

After finishing school you can enter some colleges where you will get some manual skills, and also learn t typing, engineering, cooking, hair-dressing and so on.
In case you want to go to the university, you need to get the A-level or Foundation examination. A-level is a program where you are supposed to study 5-6 subjects that you will study at university then. It lasts for two years.

If you are not an Englishman you are supposed to go through a Foundation program. It lasts for a year and is more intensive than the A-level program. Usually this program is conducted at the college or university you are going to enter.

The first step is the Degree of Bachelor. It takes you 3 years to get it. And if you are going to be a doctor, then it will take several years more.

Then if you want you can take a Master’s Degree Course. Here you deepen your knowledge from the Bachelor Degree. And in case you want to get more - you can go to the Doctor’s Degree. It is the most complicated part. Here you need to conduct a deep research of the topic. Usually it takes 3-4 years to finish it.

So, that is how the British Higher Education system works.

Useful phrases:

to enter a college - go to college

manual skill - working skills

to be supposed to - to be assumed

to go through - to go through

to last for a year - last a year

it will take 3 years - it will take 3 years

to conduct a deep research - conduct a thorough study

Well, my dears, congratulations! By the end of today's lesson, you will be able to talk about higher education in the UK, and also do it all in English. By the way, I have 2 more texts for you (with translation into Russian) about higher education in the UK - this is, and this is.

I hope this was helpful to you. I will be glad to see your answers in the comments. Moreover, by becoming a subscriber to my blog, you can instantly stay up to date with the latest events and news. Don't miss anything.

All the best, see you again!

Education in Britain

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 oldest universities in England are Oxford and Cambridge. Generally, universities award two kinds of degrees: the Bachelor's degree and the Master's degree.

Education in Britain

In England and Wales, compulsory schooling begins at the age of five, but until this age children can attend nursery school, also called play school. Schooling is compulsory until children reach the age of 16.

In primary and primary school, children learn to read and write, as well as basic arithmetic. In upper primary school (or secondary school), children learn geography, history, religion and, in some schools, a foreign language. After this, children move on to secondary school.

When students reach the age of sixteen, they can take examinations in various subjects to gain qualifications. Qualification can be as follows: O.S.S.O. (Basic Certificate of Secondary Education) and ordinary level. After this, students can leave school and get 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 to enter a university or college.

Some parents choose private schools for their children. They are very expensive, but it is believed that education is provided at a higher level and there are prerequisites for getting a good job.

There are 47 universities in England, including the Open University, where education is provided on television and radio, and about 400 colleges and higher education institutions. The oldest universities in England are Oxford and Cambridge. There are mainly two types of degrees awarded at universities: bachelor's and master's degrees.

Questions:

1. When does compulsory school begin?
2. How long does a child stay in compulsory school?
3. What subjects do children learn in Primary School?
4. What kind of exam do students have to take when they are 16?
5. Do students have to leave school at the age of 16 or to continue their studies?
6. How do private schools differ from the regular ones?
7. How many universities are there in England?
8. What is the Open University?
9. What kinds of degrees do universities award?


Vocabulary:

compulsory - mandatory
nursery school - kindergarten
exam - exam
subject - subject
university - university
private - private
opportunity - opportunity
to award - give, assign
bachelor - bachelor
master - master

The UK education system is perhaps one of the most conservative in the world. This is partly due to its age - the appearance of the first secondary schools in the country and Oxford University dates back to the 12th century. From those times to this day, discipline and a high level of teaching quality have remained the main distinguishing features of the British educational system. However, this does not mean that it does not undergo any changes. On the contrary, the English education system not only keeps up with the times, but is often ahead of it: the desire for excellence and reverence for tradition here coexists perfectly with the latest educational programs and practices.

Preschool education in England

Preparation for school in the UK it starts in kindergarten. From 2 to 5 years old, children learn to read, write and count. The academic load is light, the emphasis is on discipline and general education. At the same time, the state funds only 15 hours of kindergarten classes per week, so if you plan to send your child for a longer period, you will have to pay extra from your own budget. Parents send their children to preschool institutions at will, but only the school level is compulsory - from 5 to 18 years.

England's secondary education system

Secondary education in England includes four main stages(Key Stages): primary from 5 to 7 years old and from 7 to 11, secondary for children from 11 to 14 years old and from 14 to 16. Set compulsory subjects(Core Subjects) varies depending on age. In primary school, children study English, mathematics, history, geography, music, industrial technology and art. From the age of 11, Core Subjects include English, mathematics and science (basics of chemistry, biology and physics). The student, together with his parents, chooses the remaining subjects based on his own preferences. From 14 to 16 years of age, schoolchildren prepare to take the GCSE exam (General Certificate of Secondary Education).

In 2015, English legislation on compulsory education underwent changes: it was previously limited to the age of 16 years. Today's students will have to spend another 2 years at their desks. Those who plan to start working as quickly as possible enroll in vocational colleges. After 2 years of study they receive GNVQ's (General Vocational Education Certificate) or BTEC's (Secondary Technical Education Diploma). Those who are interested in further admission to university remain in school for Sixth form. During this period - 16 to 18 years old - schoolchildren prepare to take A-levels in selected subjects.

By type of funding, UK schools are divided into public and private. Unlike many countries, the gap between municipal and private educational institutions in England is not so wide: the level of secondary education in the country is monitored at the state level. Although, of course, private schools are distinguished by stronger preparation: the presence of a material and technical base, the high level of teaching staff, the intimacy of classes, and even the historical heritage that a considerable part of boarding schools can boast of have an impact. Many of them have been working for more than one century, and the oldest ones appeared at all - they appeared in the 12th century under the Catholic churches.

It is worth noting that historically, separate education has developed in England. Some private schools have retained this approach to this day: many Britons believe that this makes it easier for boys and girls to concentrate on their studies. State schools are mostly mixed.

The grading system in British schools is letter grade: from A* (excellent) to U (extremely unsatisfactory). Some private educational institutions also give a second grade - for diligence, from 1 (active work and interest in the subject) to 5 (the student does not try at all). Two-time assessment is very convenient for both the student and his parents. It seems to restore justice, because it often happens that some subject is not given, despite great efforts, and bad grades completely demotivate.

The academic year in an English school is divided into trimesters, each lasting 12 weeks. The number of lessons depends on the age of the students, but always includes creative and sports activities. Much attention is paid to general education: schools try to develop in children leadership qualities, curiosity, to raise free individuals who know how to make choices, defend their point of view, strive for professional development, and at the same time be worthy members of society, who have the right to be called true ladies and gentlemen. It is noteworthy that educational traditions in private boarding schools for boys are especially strong.

In general, the secondary education system in England is assessed positively, although the level of student preparation has shown some reversibility in recent years. Thus, according to the monitoring of the quality of education in schools PISA (Program for International Student Assessment) for 2015, the UK took 15th place. In 2009 - only 24, and in 2000 - 7. According to experts, the fluctuations are mainly due to the less stable level of teaching in the public school sector. As for private institutions, their performance remains fairly consistently high from year to year.

UK higher education system

The UK higher education system is considered one of the most perfect in the world - this is demonstrated by the world rankings of higher education institutions and the demand for specialists who have graduated from the universities of Foggy Albion. It is believed that it was the British educational model that formed the basis of the Bologna educational system.

The higher education sector in the country includes:

  • classical universities And university colleges(University Colleges), in which great attention is paid to research activities.
  • polytechnic institutes(Polytechnics) and colleges of higher education(Colleges of Higher Education), where specialists in applied specialties are trained.

Training includes 3 levels: bachelor's degree (3 years of study, with the exception of Scotland), master's degree (1-2 years) and doctoral study (2-3 years). The academic year consists of 3 trimesters. Classes are held both in classic formats of lectures and seminars, and in the form of independent work and tutorials (work in small groups with a mentor-tutor). Students' performance is assessed based on intermediate work (essays, coursework, projects) and the results of final exams. The system for calculating the average score depends on the university and can be either a point score or a percentage.

Despite the inherent conservatism of the British, they are constantly working on improving the education system, introducing innovative teaching methods and actively using modern technologies. Thus, under the influence of market needs, so-called “sandwich courses” have appeared in many universities - periods of industrial practice that can last up to a year and are considered part of the training.

But, of course, British higher education institutions are mainly famous for their strong academic preparation, which has absorbed the best from the centuries-old history of education in this country. Students from all over the world come here for quality, ready to pay a lot of money for the coveted diploma: a year of study at an English university costs from 10,000 to 25,000 pounds sterling.

Understanding the importance of higher education not only in terms of reputation, but also economic benefits, the government regulates the quality of education at the state level. To achieve this, the country has an Educational Quality Assurance Authority (QAA), which checks the “academic standards” and “academic quality” of universities. Thus, a student from any UK educational institution can be sure that he will receive an up-to-date education, and his diploma will be valued in any country in the world.

The UK education system very successfully combines commitment to tradition and advanced educational technologies. Its goal is not so much the encyclopedic knowledge of students in any field, but rather the comprehensive development of the individual, a focus on gaining knowledge and professional development. It is not surprising that graduates of British educational institutions are so in demand on the global labor market and show excellent career growth.

In Great Britain children begin to go to school at the age of five. First they study at infant schools. In these schools they learn to draw with colored pencils and paints. They also make figures out of plasticine and work with paper and glue. They play much because they are very young. Later they begin to learn letters and read, write and count.

At the age of seven English schoolchildren go to junior schools. They do many subjects: English and Maths, History and Music, Natural History and Drawing, Handicrafts, French and Latin.

They do not go to school as early as we do, but they stay there longer. The first lesson usually starts at 9 o’clock. There are 3 lessons with short breaks of 10 minutes between them and then an hour break for lunch. After lunch they have two more lessons which are over by half past three.

If you have a look at an English pupil’s school record, you will see that the marks in it differ from the marks we have. Our schoolchildren get marks from 1 to 5 (12). At English school there are marks from 1 up to 10 and at some schools from 1 up to 100.

Junior school ends at the age of 11 when pupils take the Eleven Plus examination and then secondary school begins. At the age of 16 schoolchildren take their exams. Only 45 per cent continue with fulltime education after 16. The rest go to work or join employment training schemes.

Schooling in the UK

In the UK, children start school before the age of five. First they study in preschool institutions. In these schools they learn to draw with colored pencils and paints. They also make figures out of plasticine and work with paper and glue. They play a lot because they are very small. Then they begin to learn letters and read, write and count.

At the age of seven, English schoolchildren go to primary school. They study many subjects: English and mathematics, history and music, science and drawing, handicrafts, French and Latin.

They don't go to school as early as we do, but they stay there longer. The first lesson usually starts at 9 o'clock. There are 3 lessons with short breaks of 10 minutes between them, and then a break for lunch. After lunch they have two more lessons, which end at half past three.

If you look at the performance of English students, you will see that the grades are different from ours. Our schoolchildren receive grades from 1 to 5 (12). In English school grades range from 1 to 10, and in some schools from 1 to 100.

Primary school ends at age 11, when students take the 11+ qualifying exams, and then secondary school begins. At the age of 16, schoolchildren take final exams. Only 45 percent continue their education after 16. The rest go to work or join the vocational training system.