Higher Education in Great Britain

Higher education in Britain has a long and distinctive history. The system of higher
education in Britain includes universities, colleges of higher education and
advanced courses in the further education. The British educational system on the
higher level is still more selective and class-divided than secondary education,
particularly so far as the oldest universities are concerned.

Higher education in Great Britain is provided by a great number of universities

and colleges. There are about 50 universities in the country. They are divided into
three types: the old universities (Oxford, Cambridge and Edinburgh Universities),
the 19th century universities such as London and Manchester universities, and the
new universities. 

Out of more than three million students who graduate from high school each year,
about one million go on for higher education. A college at a leading university
might receive applications from two percent of these high school graduates, and
then accept only one out of every ten who apply. Successful applicants chosen on
the basis of a) their high school records; b) recommendations from their high
school teachers; c) their scores on the Scholastic Aptitude Tests (SATs).

The academic year in Britain is divided into three terms, which usually run from
October to December, from January to March and from April to June.
Undergraduate courses normally take three years of full-time study.

After three years of study a university graduate will leave with the Degree of
Bachelor of Arts, Science, Engineering, Medicine, etc. Some courses, such as
languages and medicine, may be one or two years longer. The degrees are awarded
at public degree ceremonies. Later the graduate may continue research to get
Master's Degree. This degree is conferred for a thesis based on at least one year’s
full time work. But it is necessary for a postgraduate to spend three years carrying
out research and writing thesis for getting the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.

At present, students who have been accepted by universities or other institutions of

higher education receive a grant from their local authority, which covers the cost of
the course, and may cover living expenses. Parents with higher incomes are
expected to make a contribution. Until 1990 the grant did not have to be paid back,
but now a system of loans has been introduced.

The most famous universities are Oxford and Cambridge, called "Oxbridge". They
are famous for their academic excellence of higher education.