Universities in the UK

(from bbclearningenglish.com)

Universities in Britain are a magnet (магнит; то, что притягивает, привлекает) for overseas students. There are currently over 200,000 from outside Britain studying at British universities. The largest single group is Chinese students. There are currently 50,000 in the UK. The British government expects the total number of overseas students to be around 900,000 by 2020, and also thinks that a quarter of these will be Chinese. But why is the UK such a popular destination for university students? Well, the quality of your course is guaranteed. All courses are assessed by an independent system, so you can be assured that your course is officially approved and has wide international recognition.

The British education system is very flexible in order to provide for the needs of a modern, complex society. It is also cost-effective. Degree courses are usually shorter and more intensive than in other countries. There are lots of scholarships (зд. стипендия для студентов очной формы обучения выплачиваемая из спонсорских фондов) available. You normally need 3 A-levels, which are the exams taken by people leaving school at 18, in order to enter an undergraduate degree course. You also need an IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score of at least 5.5, but many universities offer foundation or access courses to prepare students for their studies.

British universities offer a personalised but independent approach. The emphasis is on creative and independent thought, which helps develop the skills you will need to compete in the global job market. Tutors not only teach but also provide support and guidance. As a result, international students have a very low drop out rate and a very high pass rate. It is very simple to become an international student in the UK. The British Council offers a free and impartial service to anyone who is interested in studying in the UK, and an organisation called UCAS assists you in finding a course and making an effective application.

The UK is a dynamic and cosmopolitan place. The countryside is beautiful, and the theatres, museums, architecture and rich history make it a fascinating place to live and study. Why not give it a go?

Reading Quiz

4. Explain the meaning of the following words:

overseas students, cost-effective, global job market, drop out rate, pass rate, dynamic, cosmopolitan.

5. Are these sentences true or false? Circle the correct answer.

1) Chinese students make up the largest group of international students in

the UK. True/False

2) The number of overseas students will rise by 2020. True/False

3) By 2020, 50% of overseas students will be Chinese. True/False

4) British degrees are not recognised outside of the UK. True/False

5) You can get a scholarship to study in the UK. True/False

6. Answer the following questions about the text.

1) What do many universities offer to prepare students for their studies?

2) Who provides support and guidance?

3) Who can help you make an effective application?

4) What is “A-levels”?

5) What IELTS score do oyu need to enter a British University?

6) What are the main features of the UK Universities?

7.Complete the summary with words from the list.

British universities are a 1.___________ for overseas students. There are over 200,000 2.___________ students studying in the UK, and 50,000 are from China. British courses are 3.___________ by an independent system. Therefore, the quality of your course is 4.___________. Courses are cost effective, and take less time than in many other countries. The British Council can tell you about 5.___________. You will need 3 A-levels and an IELTS score of at least 5.5 to enter a British university, but you can also do a 6.___________ or access course to prepare you for your studies.

British universities use a personalised but independent approach. The 7.___________ is on creative and independent thought. This will help you compete in the 8.___________ job market.

Overseas students have very high pass 9.___________, and get a lot of support and guidance from the tutors.

The UK is a fascinating, dynamic and 10.___________ place to live and study. Why not give it a go?

8. Make up 5 questions on the information given in the text.

9. Choose a partner and discuss with him/her the advantages and disadvantages of the British system of education as compared to the Russian one.

10. Supplementary – Reading for Fun.

In one of college classes the professor was unable to stay for the class (провести занятие), so he placed a sign (записка) on the door which read as follows:

“Professor Blank will be unable to meet his classes (зд. – группы) today”

Some college lad, seeing his chance to display (проявить) his sense of humour after reading the notice, walked up and erased (стёр) the “c” in the word “classes” (lasses – девушки). The professor noticing the laughter turned around (обернулся), walked back, looked at the student, then at the sign with the “c” erased - calmly walked up and erased the “l” in “lasses” (asses – ослы), looked at the flabbergasted (ошеломлённый) student and proceeded on his way (продолжил путь).

Unit 8.