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 up to this age children can attend kindergarten, 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 in them is given for more high 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. Oldest universities England - 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
Education in Great Britain: Higher Education (1)
There is a significant choice of post-school education in Britain. In addition to universities, there are also polytechnics and a series of different types of assisted colleges, such as colleges of technology, art, etc., which tend to provide more work-oriented courses than universities.
Some of these courses are part-time, with the students being released by their employers for one day a week or longer periods.
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, etc.).
Universities in Britain enjoy complete academic freedom, choosing their own staff and deciding which students to admit, what and how to teach, and which degrees to award (first degrees are called Bachelor degrees). They are mainly government-funded, except for the totally independent University of Buckingham.
There is no automatic admission to university, as there are only a limited number of places (around 100,000) available each year. Candidates are accepted on the basis of their A-level results. Virtually all degree courses are full-time and most last three years (medical and veterinary courses last five or six years).
Students who obtain their Bachelor degree (graduates) can apply to take a further degree course, usually involving a mixture of exam courses and research. There are two different types of postgraduate courses - the Master's degree (MA or MSc) and higher degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
Education in the UK: Higher education (1)
There is a significant choice of post-school education in the UK. In addition to universities, there are also polytechnics and a number of different types of satellite colleges such as colleges of technology, arts, etc., which tend to provide more job-oriented courses of study than universities.
Some of these courses are for part-time students, with employers releasing them for one day a week or for longer periods.
Virtually all students on full-time courses receive grants or loans from the government that cover their tuition fees and daily expenses (housing, food, books, etc.).
Universities in the UK have complete academic freedom, recruiting their own staff and deciding which students to admit, what to teach, and what degrees to offer (the first degree is called a Bachelor's). They are mainly funded by the government, with the exception of the fully independent University of Buckingham.
There is no automatic admission to the university as there are only a limited number of places available each year (approximately 100,000). Applicants are accepted on the basis of their A-level results. Virtually all degree courses are full-time and most last three years (medical and veterinary courses last five or six years).
Students who are completing a BSc (Graduate) degree can apply to study a course towards a further degree, usually involving course examinations and research. There are two different types of postgraduate degrees - the Master's degree (MA or MSc), and the higher Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree.
Education in Britain (6)
The British system of education has a very long history, but in the past few years there have been many changes in it. British education was traditionally decentralized, but now the Education Reform Act has led to a compulsory National Curriculum for pupils aged five to sixteen in state schools. The Act also aims to give parents a wider choice of schools for their children. Thus they have the right to express a preference for a school.
Boys and girls are taught together in most schools. Non-selective comprehensive education caters for children of all abilities. Most children receive free education financed from public funds. 7% of children attend private fee-paying schools.
Around half of 3- and 4-year-olds in Britain receive nursery education and many children attend preschool play groups, mostly organized by parents. Compulsory primary education begins at the age of 5. Children usually start their school career in an infant school and move to a junior school or department at seven. In some schools they move to middle school at the age of eight, nine or ten. These three stages form the primary school, covering the following subjects: English, Maths and Science, History, Geography, Music, Art and Physical Education.
At seven and eleven years old (and at secondary school at fourteen and sixteen) teachers measure children's progress in each subject against achievement targets. For each target there are ten levels of achievement.
The secondary level includes the children from eleven to eighteen. Here they expand the knowledge they have acquired at primary school. And according to the National Curriculum they start to learn a modern foreign language. At the age of (GCSE) sixteen they can get General Certificate of Secondary Education qualifications on the basis of examinations and course work.
If pupils are successful, they can continue to more advanced education and training. After a further 2 years of study the General Certificate of Education Advanced level exam is taken at the age of 18 and can be combined with the Advanced Supplementary level exam to provide a wider range of subjects. These exams are the main standard for entry to university education and to many forms of professional training. There is also a Certificate of Pre-Vocational Education for those who stay at school until seventeen. This provides a preparation for work on vocational courses.
For those leaving school at sixteen there are Further Education colleges. Most of them are work-related and vocational.
The next stage is higher education. All British universities enjoy complete academic freedom. There are seventynine universities, Oxford and Cambridge being the oldest of them. Over 90% of students receive awards covering tuition fees and maintenance.
Education in Britain (6)
The British education system has a long history, but has seen many changes over the past few years. British education has traditionally been decentralized, but now the Education Reform Act has led to the creation of a compulsory National Curriculum for pupils from 5 to 16 years of age in state schools. The act also aims to give parents more choice of schools for their children. Thus, they gain the right to give preference to any school.
In most schools, boys and girls study together. Indiscriminate general education accessible to children of all abilities. Most children receive free education financed by public funds. 7% of children attend private fee-paying schools.
Around half of 3-4 year olds in the UK receive preschool education, and many others attend preschool playgroups, mostly run by parents. Compulsory primary education begins at age 5. Children usually start their studies at an infant school and move to a junior school or department at age 7. In some schools they move to intermediate school at 8, 9 or 10 years old. These three levels form the primary school, in which the following subjects are taught: English, mathematics, natural sciences, history, geography, music, art and physical education.
Children's achievements at 7 and 11 years old, and in secondary school at 14 and 16 years old, are compared with established goals for each subject. At each specified stage, these achievements are assessed according to a ten-level gradation.
Secondary school educates children from 11 to 18 years of age. Here they expand the knowledge acquired in primary school. According to the National curriculum they begin to learn modern foreign language. At the age of 16 they can obtain the General Certificate of Secondary Education based on examinations and coursework.
If students are successful, they can move on to more advanced education and training. After two years of study, at the age of 18, you can take the Advanced Certificate of Secondary Education exam, which can be combined with an additional Advanced Level exam to expand your choice of subjects. These examinations are the main standard of admission to university education and many forms of vocational training. There is also a Pre-Vocational Education Certificate for those who remain in school until age 17. It provides preparation for work through professional courses.
For those who leave school at 16, there are further education colleges. Most of them are professional and work related.
The next step is higher education. All British universities enjoy complete academic freedom. There are 79 universities, the oldest of which are Oxford and Cambridge. More than 90% of students receive subsidies to cover tuition fees and living expenses.
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 wonderful teachers, equipped according to latest technologies classes, 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 - doctorate . 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. That's all))
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 on 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.
Tuition fees
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!
Twelve million children attend about 40,000 schools in Britain. Education in Great Britain is compulsory and free for all children between the ages of 5 and 16. There are many children who attend a nursery school from the age of 3, but it is not compulsory. In nursery schools they learn some elementary things such as numbers, colors, and letters. Apart from that, babies play, have lunch and sleep there. Whatever they do, there is always someone keeping an eye on them.
Compulsory education begins at the age of 5 when children go to primary school. Primary education lasts for 6 years. It is divided into two periods: infant schools (pupils from 5 to 7 years old) and junior schools (pupils from 7 to 11 years old). In infant schools children don"t have real classes. They mostly play and learn through playing. It is the time when children just get acquainted with the classroom, the blackboard, desks and the teacher. But when pupils are 7, real studying begins. They don't already play as much as they did it in infant school. Now they have real classes, when they sit at desks, read, write and answer the teacher's questions.
Compulsory secondary education begins when children are 11 or 12 and lasts for 5 years. Secondary school is traditionally divided into 5 forms: a form to each year. Children study English, Mathematics, Science, History, Art, Geography, Music, a Foreign language and have lessons of Physical training. Religious education is also provided. English, Mathematics and Science are called "core" subjects. At the age of 7,11 and 14 pupils take examinations in the core subjects.
There are 3 types of state secondary schools in Great Britain. They are:
1) comprehensive schools, which take pupils of all abilities without exams. In such schools pupils are often put into certain sets or groups, which are formed according to their abilities for technical or humanitarian subjects. Almost all senior pupils (around 90 per cent) go there;
2) grammar schools, which give secondary education of a very high standard. Entrance is based on the test of ability, usually at 11. Grammar schools are single sexed schools;
3) modern schools, which don't prepare pupils for universities. Education in such schools gives good prospects for practical jobs.
After five years of secondary education, at the age of 16, pupils take the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) examination. When they are in the third or in the forth form, they begin to choose their exam subjects and prepare for them.
After finishing the fifth form pupils can make their choice: they may either leave school and go to a Further Education College or continue their education in the sixth form. Those who stay at school after GCSE, study for 2 more years for "A" (Advanced) Level Exams in two or three subjects which is necessary to get a place at one of British universities.
There are also about 500 private schools in Great Britain. Most of these schools are boarding ones, where children live as well as study. Education in such schools is very expensive, that "s why only 5 per cent of schoolchildren attend them. Private schools are also called preparatory (for children up to 13 years old) and public schools (for pupils from 13 to 18 years old). Any student can enter the best university of the country after leaving this school. The most famous British public schools are Eton, Harrow and Winchester.
After leaving secondary school young people can apply to a university, a polytechnic or a college of further education.
There are 126 universities in Britain. They are divided into 5 types:
The Old ones, which were founded before the 19th century, such as Oxford and Cambridge;
The Red Brick, which were founded in the 19th or 20th century;
The Plate Glass, which were founded in the 1960s;
The Open University It is the only university offering extramural education. Students learn subjects at home and then post ready exercises off to their tutors for marking;
The New ones. They are former polytechnic academies and colleges.
The best universities, in view of "The Times" and "The Guardian", are The University of Oxford, The University of Cambridge, London School of Economics, London Imperial College, London University College.
Universities usually select students basing on their A-level results and an interview.
After three years of study a university graduate get the Degree of a Bachelor of Arts, Science or Engineering. Many students then continue their studies for a Master's Degree and then a Doctor's Degree (PhD).
Text translation: Education in Great Britain - Education in Great Britain (5)
In the UK, 12 million children attend about 40 thousand schools. Education here is compulsory and free for children from 5 to 16 years old. Many children start kindergarten when they turn 3, but this is not required. In kindergartens, children learn basic basics such as numbers, colors and letters. In addition, they play, eat and sleep there. No matter what they do, there is always someone watching over them.
Compulsory education begins at age 5, when children enter primary school. Primary education lasts 6 years. It is divided into 2 periods: school for children (from 5 to 7 years old) and primary school(from 7 to 11 years old). In elementary school, children do not have lessons. They mostly play and learn through play. This is the time when children are just getting acquainted with the classroom, blackboard, desks and teacher. But when children turn 7 years old, real learning begins for them. They no longer devote as much time to the game as they did in elementary school. Now they have real lessons: they sit at their desks, read, write and answer the teacher’s questions.
Compulsory secondary education begins when children are 11 or 12 years old and lasts 5 years. Secondary school is traditionally divided into 5 classes - one class per year of study. Children studying native language, mathematics, science, history, fine arts, geography, music, some foreign language and do physical education. Religious teaching is also provided. English, mathematics and science are the core subjects. At the ages of 7, 11 and 14, schoolchildren take exams in core subjects.
There are 3 types of public secondary schools:
1) General education schools. They accept students of all abilities without entrance exams. In such schools, children are usually divided into different groups, depending on their level of proficiency in technical or humanitarian subjects. Almost all high school students (about 90%) go to these schools.
2) Grammar schools. They provide secondary education at a very high level. Admission to such a school depends on the results of a written examination, which children take at the age of 11. Separate education for boys and girls is practiced in grammar schools.
3) Modern schools. They don't prepare children for university. Studying in such schools gives prospects only in the working sphere of activity.
After five years of secondary school, at the age of 16, students take the Leaving Certificate exam high school. Already in the 3rd or 4th grade, they begin to choose subjects to take exams and prepare for them.
At the end of the 5th grade, children are given a choice: they can either graduate from school and continue their education in college, or move to the 6th grade. Those who remain in school after the GCSE study for a further 2 years, after which they take the A-level exams in two or three subjects, which are required for entry into a British university.
There are also around 500 private, or independent, schools in the UK. Most of them are boarding schools, where children not only study, but also live. Education in such schools is very expensive, so only 5% of all schoolchildren attend them. There are preparatory private schools (for children up to 13 years old) and privileged private schools (for children from 13 to 18 years old). The most famous private schools in Great Britain: Eton, Harrow, Winchester.
Once a student has graduated from school, they are eligible to apply to a university, technical school or college for further education.
There are 126 universities in the UK. They are divided into 5 types:
- ancient. Founded before the 19th century, these include Oxford and Cambridge;
— "Red Brick" (Red Brick). Founded in the 19th or 20th century;
— “Glass” (Plate Glass). Founded in the 1960s;
— Open University. It is the only university offering distance education. Students study subjects at home and then send completed assignments to teachers for checking;