Higher Education in Britain and the USA

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

Britain: Applicants to U.K. colleges write “personal statements,” but these focus on academic interests, not general passion; otherwise, admissions decisions are reached based on test scores and, at some universities, performance at academic interviews, where professors pose open-ended questions designed to gauge candidates’ potential for intellectual engagement. (When I applied to Oxford in 2009 to study anthropology, I was asked questions like whether human nature exists; when I applied to American colleges, my interviewers were more interested in what I do for fun and what vegetable I identify with.)Entrance to British universities is via a strict selection process based on an interview. After the interview a potential student is offered a place on the basis of exam results. If the student does not get the grades specified in the offer, a place cannot be taken up. Some universities, such as Oxford and Cambridge, have an entrance exam before the interview stage.

The US: American high school students who want to study at a college or university have to take a standardized test, e.g. the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) or the ACT (American College Test). Each college or university decides on the minimum score it will accept, though test scores are never the only factor taken into account. Students apply direct to between three and six colleges in their last year of high school. Each college has its own application form and most include a question for which the student must write an essay. The student also has to send a transcript (= an official list of all the subjects studied and the grades received) and letters of reference.

The usual debates rage, too, about whether certain qualities—like race, legacy and athletic ability—should factor into college admissions. And yet, few Americans question whether “character” should count. We take it for granted that, say, being president of the chess club and volunteering with the elderly should matter to admissions officers, as should overly edited essays and enthusiastic endorsements from our favorite teachers. But it's time we reconsider, if not overthrow, these assumptions—and we need only look across the pond, to Britain, for a better model.

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

Upon completion of high school, individuals have the opportunity to further their education through vocational or technical schools, universities, both public and private, for-profit schools, and community colleges. The following will examine the types of educational institutions established within the realm of higher education. The educational philosophy guiding the principles of the institution and structure will be discussed, as well as, how the institutional structure impacts various elements of the institution

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

The Associate degree is the first academic or professional degree that can be awarded in U.S. postsecondary education. Programmes of study for this degree are usually designed to take 2 years of full-time study, but some take longer to complete. be awarded in the liberal arts and general studies as an academic qualification or it may be awarded in a professional occupational field.

The Bachelor's degree is the second academic degree that can be awarded in U.S. postsecondary education, and is one of two undergraduate (first) degrees that qualify a student to apply to programmes of advanced (graduate) study (the other such degree is the first-professional degree).. These generally require the completion of additional requirements such as preparation of an undergraduate thesis, honours paper or project, advanced coursework, or special examinations. Advanced certificates requiring a year or less of study following (and sometimes accompanying) completion of a Bachelor's are sometimes awarded to signify a concentration in a sub-specialization or completion of a related set of competences.

The Master's degree represents the second stage of higher education and is the first advanced (graduate) degree. U.S.Most Master's degrees are designed to take 2 years of full-time study, although the time may vary depending upon the subject, the preparation achieved by the student at the undergraduate level, the structure of the programme, and whether the degree is pursued on a full- or a part-time basis

The Research Doctorate represents the third and highest stage of higher education in the United States and may be awarded in academic disciplines and some professional fields of study. This degree is not awarded by examination or coursework only, but requires demonstrated mastery of the chosen subject and the ability to conduct independent, original research. Doctoral programmes require intensive study and research in at least one subfield and professional level competence in several others.

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?During each semester, you will take a variety of courses, each of which is awarded a number of 'credits.' A credit is a unit of study. Most courses carry 3 credits, although varying amount of credit can be awarded for lectures, independent project work, laboratory time and internships. Universities usually expect students to complete:

• 120-130 credit hours for an undergraduate degree
• 30-64 credit hours for a Master's degree

As an international student in the USA, you are required to maintain a full course load of at least 12 credits per semester in order to maintain your visa status.
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.

SAT and ACT tests are primarily used for college admission purposes or financial aid. If your child is college bound, these tests are important. Even if your home school child is not currently thinking about attending college, you may still want to consider having your child take either the SAT or ACT (primarily used for east coast schools). Your child's post high school plans may change one day, and having an SAT or ACT score on file will facilitate the college entrance process.

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

For all British citizens a place at university brings with it a grant from their Local Education authority. The grants cover tuition fees and some of the living expenses. The amount depends on the parents’ income. If the parents do not earn much money, their children will receive a full grant which will cover all their expenses.

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

GPA – an average academic score for a student in a US high school, college or university. The highest grade A receives 4 points, В is 3, С is 2, D is 1 and F is 0. Points received during an academic period of weeks or months are added together and the average calculated. A high GPA helps a high school student to get into a good college or university. High points received at a college or university can result in a student being named on the dean's list and other honors. Students with low GPAs can be dismissed.

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

I think, student counselors provide vital services to all students who want to make the most of their time in college. When visiting Counseling Services, students will receive caring, knowledgeable assistance. 

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

Universities that provide four-year study courses are either privately funded foundations or are state or city foundations that depend heavily on the government for financial support. Private universities and colleges depend largely on tuition charges levied on students. The individual state governments fund the nation’s highly developed system of state universities, which ensure the provision of higher education for the vast majority of those willing and academically qualified to receive such education.

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

An undergraduate student is one who is pursing either an associate's or bachelor's degree.

A graduate student (also, grad student or grad in American English, or postgraduate student in British English) is an individual who has completed a bachelor's degree (B.A., B.S./B.Sc., or another flavor) and is pursuing further higher education, with the goal of achieving a master's degree (M.A., M.S./M.Sc., M.Ed., etc.) or doctorate (Ph.D., Ed.D., D.A., D.Sc., D.M.A., Th.D., etc.).

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

The oral exam is a long held tradition in many schools and disciplines, which poses questions to students in spoken form. Students must then answer questions as appropriate, from material they have studied in preparation for the exam. Demonstrating sufficient knowledge in the subject results in passing the exam or an actual grade.

There are many instances in college and career studies where oral exams are used. As part of graduation from a program at the undergraduate or graduate levels, students might need to prove knowledge of material and demonstrate sufficient understanding of a subject area. Many science majors finish bachelors’ studies with oral exams, or a particular program may require oral and written exams that show how a student has taken in all material studied in a four-year period. Usually study guides or a syllabus is available for these exams so prepared students tend not to be surprised by the questions they’re asked.

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

In the past, every Russian graduate wrote an essay on a literary topic, an exam on mathematics and three exams on elective subjects, which could be conducted in oral or written form. On top of that, when applying to universities, every applicant wrote additional preliminary exams as set by the institutes of higher education they applied to.

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?

Yes, I would like to study in the USA. First thing you should do is decide what are you going to study, where, and in which university/school?When choosing the school you must make sure that it is on the SEVP (student and exchange visitor program) approved list of the US Citizenship and Immigration Services.

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

U.S. colleges and universities offer a vide variety of programs ranging from highly academic courses to very practical ones. Students can be educated not only for academic professions, but also for technical professions, such as mechanics, nursing, medical technology, computer technology and book-keeping.