Higher Education in The U.K.
There aremore than 60 universities in the U.K. The leading
universities areCambridge, Oxford and London. English universities
differ from eachother in traditions, general organization, internal
goverment, etc.British universities are comparatively small, the
approximatenumber is about 7-8 thousand students. Most universities
have under 3000students, some even less than 1500 ones. London and
Oxforduniversities are international, because people from many parts
of the world cometo study at one of their colleges. A number of
wellknownscientists and writers, among them Newton, Darvin, Byron
were educated inCambridge.
A university consists of a number of departments: art, law,
music, economy,education, medicine, engineering, etc.
After three years of study a student mayproceed to a Bachelor's
degree, andlater to the degrees of Master and Doctor. Besides
universitiesthere are at present in Britain 300 technical colleges,
providingpart-time and full-time education.
The organization system of Oxford andCambridge differs from that
of all otheruniversities and colleges. The teachers are usually
called Dons. Partof the teaching is by means of lectures organized by
the university.Teaching is also carried out by tutorial system. This
is the system ofindividual tuitio organized by the colleges. Each
student goes tohis tutor's room once a week to read and discuss an
essay which thestudent has prepared.
Some students get scholarship but thenumber of these students is
comparativelysmall. There are many sociaties and clubs at Cambridge
and Oxford. Themost celebrating at Cambridge is the Debating Sociaty
at which studentsdiscuss political and other questions with famous
politicians andwriters. Sporting activities are also numerous.
The work and games, the traditionsand customs, the jokes and
debates — all areparts of students' life there.
It should be mentioned that not many children from the
working-classfamilies are able to receive the higher education as the
fees are veryhigh (more than L1000 a year). Besides that special fees
are taken forbooks, for laboratory works, exams and so on.