Studying in Britain

HISTORY n Today British education run by government n Government provides money and standards n Historically education was voluntary & set up by Churches n Church influence still strong today with daily prayers n All students given right to free secondary & good education n In 1989, National Curriculum was set: all must study English, mathematics, science, religious, history, geography, technology, music, art, modern foreign language, and all must pass National tests

PRESENT EDUCATION SYSTEM n OBLIGATORY: age of 5-15 (4-15 in Northern Ireland) n All may choose state (free) or private schools n Students usually go near home but may go a distance for better education n Students in the age of 5-11 attend primary school, are in secondary school n At the end of primary school, national test is held to get GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education), which shows progress/course pursue n After finishing secondary school, students may quit or continue to university or vocational training

Primary School Subjects n One teacher teaches: –Art –Analysis –Drama –English –Geography –History –Mathematics

Secondary School Subjects n Mathematics n Science n Technology and design n Information Technology n English n Foreign languages (French, German, Spanish) n Geography n History n Social Education n Religion n Cooking n Music n Physical education n Greek and Latin

HIGHER EDUCATION n Most Universities are paid by government n University of Buckingham is an exception (private university) n There is The Open University (TOU): no requirements to register, take courses through textbooks, TV, radio, correspondence, videos, and a network study centers n Students of TOU are from many backgrounds: coal miners to housewives

Undergraduate Courses n Usually only three years n Specialise in one subject n Entrance requirements –Good English proficiency –Previous examinations

Postgraduate courses n Masters –Can be teaching or research based –Usually examined by dissertation –One or two years n Doctorate –Always research, never taught

University degrees Bachelor ’ s degrees –B.A., B.Sc., B.Ed. Master ’ s degrees –M.A., M.Sc., M.Phil. n Doctorates –Ph.D.

Oxford University

Students at Cambridge

Questions to Ponder n What are the main differences between education in Britain and in your own country? n Do you think education should be free? Are there advantages in a fee-paying system? n Is a university education necessary for professional jobs? What other ways are there to get professional qualifications?