Answers on the Questions About the Higher Education.

Higher Education in Britain and the USA

1. What are the admission requirements to the colleges and universities in the USA/Britain?

Britain

Students normally enter university from age 18 onwards and there are separate admission processes for applicants. Firstly they write a UCAS application and submit it to UCAS by the relevant deadline (September to December) and select five courses at higher education institutes. Nowadays the most common qualification for entry to higher education is the General Certificate of Education at ‘Advanced’ (A) level, which students take in the sixth form college. Still some universities or colleges may ask also secondary admissions criteria: results at GCSE or Standard grade examinations (or equivalent), the information provided on the personal statement that generally describes why the applicant wants to study the subject, what makes them suitable to study that subject, etc. Some universities ask candidates to attend an interview or pass additional exams, results of which can be the deciding factor between two similar candidates.

The USA

Talking about the admission it is important to mention that as the United States has no national secondary school curriculum or high school exit examination, colleges rely on 2 privately developed admission – examinations — the SAT and ACT. However, the admission decisions at highly selective institutions are so complex and take into consideration such factors as extracurricular activities, Grade Point Average (a calculation of the average of all of a student's grades for all semesters and courses completed), a general college admission essay with personal statement and general equivalency diploma.

2. What are the three types of schools in higher education?

They are universities, colleges and institutions.

3. What degrees are offered by schools of higher learning in the USA/Britain? What are the requirements for these degrees?

Britain

Degree courses provide students with a three-year bachelor's degree. Many institutions offer an undergraduate master's degree as a first degree, which typically lasts for four years.

The diplomas and vocational courses are generally completed in 1-2 years with the Vocational and Technical Education Councils conferring the degree certificate.

Postgraduate courses include master's degrees, either taught or by research, and the doctorate, a research degree that usually takes at least three years.

The USA

Associate degrees prepare students to complete a bachelor’s degree at a 4-year institution or colleges. The Bachelor degree is awarded on successful completion of 120 credits (about 4O courses) for institutions operating on a semester system, and 180 credits for a quarterly calendar. A Bachelor’s degree program is designed to last 4 years, the first year being called ‘Freshman’ year, the second ‘Sophomore’, the third ‘Junior’, and the fourth ‘Senior’. The bachelor’s degree is by far the most common type of degree awarded, preparing students for most jobs that require a college degree and for further graduate study. The next step is the Doctorate Degree that covers many fields of specialization and requires a minimum of 3 to 4 years of study beyond the Bachelor’s degree; 2 to 4 years of study after the Master’s degree; examinations in one or more foreign languages; a thesis which is the result of original research and an oral examination.

4. What is a credit in the US system of higher education? How many credits must an undergraduate student earn to receive a bachelor’s degree? How can they be earned?

A credit is a system of taking marks for your study. The Bachelor degree is awarded on successful completion of 120 credits (about 4O courses) for institutions operating on a semester system, and 180 credits for a quarterly calendar. They can be earned on seminars or different projects.

5. What steps do students have to take to enroll in a college/university for admission? Speak about the exams they take – PSAT, SAT, ACT.

PSAT – a preparatory test for admission to universities or colleges.

SAT – a standard assessment test for entering high school institutions.

ACT – a test for entering to high school in the USA or colleges.

6. What financial assistance are applicants eligible for? What are college scholarship, grants, and loan? Explain and bring out the essence of student financial aid.

 They are eligible for scholarship, but it depends from their study, grants, which can be given for their good project work or loan, if they are representatives from families, which are not able to pay for their study. The fees for students from the poorest backgrounds are paid by the state. Besides, some postgraduate positions come with funding attached. These are called studentships or grants. Studentships are mainly funded by the seven UK Research Councils and can cover both fees and living expenses, but there tends to be a lot of competition.

7. What is a GPA (Grade Point Average)?

Grade Point Average (a calculation of the average of all of a student's grades for all semesters and courses completed)

8. What is the role of a student’s counselor? Specify the function of career development and job placement within a university.

The role of the student’s counselor is to help students to avoid the problems. People who are educated in the Ivy League have a good chance of finding a well-paid job, and many political leaders have been to Ivy League universities.

10. What are the sources of funding for universities and colleges (both public and private)?

Private are very expensive so they fund themselves, for example with tuition costing well over $20 000 at some universities, although scholarships are available to help students who cannot pay for themselves.

11. What is an undergraduate student? A graduate student?

An undergraduate student – who finishes his education and is looking forward to seek his/her bachelor degree.

A graduate student – these who study for the Magister.

12. Are you for written or oral examinations? Which ones are more objective?

I am for both written and oral. This or that is not an objective, without another. It is not possible to realize the knowledge of a man, without an interview, but the written part is also important, as it is our written speech.

13. What examinations (oral or written) are more popular with Russian students? Describe the psychological types of students of your group.

Written examinations are less popular, than oral. My group, except me and Andrew is always nervous, when it is smth about the mark.

14 Would you like to study in the USA or Great Britain? Why? Why not? What are the requirements for foreign students to study in the USA or Great Britain?

I would like to study in these countries, especially in Great Britain. I prefer England to the USA, because they are native speakers in correspondence with America. It is a grade chance to practice the language and to be within other culture. But I should pass on the TOEFL exam, as I am a foreigner.

15. What aspects of American or British higher education system would you like to introduce into our system?

Systems of credits and relationship between tutors and students. A student should choose a teacher, but not vise versa.