THE SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN GREAT BRITAIN
UNIT 1 EDUCATION
Higher education in the world
Group work (home group):
- Are systems of higher education different from country to country?
- What are their special features?
Complete the table with specific features of different systems of higher education. Match the specific feature to the country it belongs to.
| France Germany UK USA | a) This country consisted of strong principalities in the past and even now, the regional universities have autonomy in determining their curriculum under the direction of rectors. b) Through colonial influence and through the work of missionaries, this country introduced many aspects of their system in North and West Africa and the Caribbean. c) The doctoral degree, or Ph.D., invented in this country, has got popularity all around the world. d) Its universities has almost complete autonomy from national or local government in their administration and the determination of their curricula, but the schools receive their funding from the state. e) In this country there is a national idea that students who have completed secondary school should have at least two years of university education. f) For most undergraduates of this country it is possible to complete a degree course in three years rather than the standard four years. g) This model of higher education has been copied to varying degrees in Canada, Australia, India, South Africa and New Zealand. h) The curriculum in this country is uniform and each university has little to distinguish itself. i) A marked feature of this education is the de-emphasis on lecture and examination. Students are evaluated according to their performance in individual courses where discussion and written essays are important. j) Higher education in this country is free and open to all students who have passed examination. |
Reading
1. Group work (expert group):
Each group will read one of the texts about some systems of higher education and will make a summary of its specific features.
SYSTEMS OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN FRANCE AND GERMANY
Both France and Germany have systems of higher education that are basically administered by state agencies. Entrance requirements for students are also similar in both countries. In France an examination called the baccalauréat is given at the end of secondary education. Higher education in France is free and open to all students who have passed this examination. A passing mark admits students to a preparatory first year at a university, which finishes in another, more strict examination. Success in this examination allows students to attend universities for other three or four years until get the first university degree, called a licence in France.
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Basic differences, however, distinguish these two countries’ systems. French educational districts, called academies, are under the direction of a rector, who is appointed by the national government and is in charge of the university. The uniformity in curriculum in the country leaves each university with little to distinguish itself. That is why many students prefer to go to Paris, where there are better accommodations and more entertainment for students. Another difference is the existence in France of higher-educational institutions known as great school, which give advanced professional and technical training. Different great schools give a scrupulous training in all branches of applied science and technology. Their diplomas have higher value than the ordinary licence.
In Germany, a country made up of what were once strong principalities, the regional universities have autonomy in determining their curriculum under the direction of rectors. Students in Germany change universities according to their interests and the strengths of each university. In fact, it is a custom for students to attend two, three, or even four different universities in the course of their studies, and the professors at a particular university may teach in four or five others. This mobility means that schemes of study and examination are free and individual, what is not typical for France.
Each of these countries has influenced higher education in other nations. The French, either through colonial influence or through the work of missionaries, introduced many aspects of their system in North and West Africa, the Caribbean, and the Far East. In the 1870s Japan’s growing university system was remodeled along French lines. France’s great schools have been copied as models of technical schools. German influence has come in philosophical concepts regarding the role of universities. The Germans were the first to stress the importance of universities in the sphere of research. The doctoral degree, or Ph.D., invented in Germany, has gained popularity in systems around the world.
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THE SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN GREAT BRITAIN
The autonomy of higher-educational institutions is important in Great Britain. Its universities enjoy almost complete autonomy from national or local government in their administration and the determination of their curricula. However the schools receive nearly all of their funding from the state. Entry requirements for British universities are rather difficult. A student must have a General Certificate of Education (corresponding to the French baccalauréat) by taking examinations in different subjects. If they have greater number of “advanced level” passes, in contrast to General Certificate of Secondary Education (“ordinary level”) passes, then the student has better chances of entering the university of his choice. This selective admission to universities, and the close supervision of students by a tutorial system, makes it possible for most British students to complete a degree course in three years instead of the standard four years. Great Britain’s academic programs are more highly specialized than the same programs in other parts of Europe. Great Britain’s model of higher education has been copied to different degrees in Canada, Australia, India, South Africa, New Zealand, and other former British colonial territories in Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific.
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