Homework 2

Grammarway Ex. 6 p. 9
a) Put the verbs in brackets into the correct tense.
Dear Kathleen,
I’m writing (1) to tell you my news. My school has chosen (2) me to spend
six weeks at a school in the USA. I’m very happy about it!
At the moment, I’m packing (3) things for my trip, because I’m leaving (4)
next week. My mother has booked (5) me the ticket.
I have been waiting (6) for this opportunity for ages, so I’m very excited. I
have finished (7) reading two books about the USA and I have borrowed (8)
another one from the school library. I’m becoming (9) more and more nervous
every day!
Well, I must go now. I’ve got a lot of things to do. I’ll write you from the
USA.
Love,
Tracy.

b) Which of the present forms in the text above are used to express:
1) actions which happened at an unstated time in the past –
Present Perfect (2, 5, 7, 8);
2) actions which started in the past and continue up to the present with
emphasis on duration – Present Perfect Continuous (6);
3) actions happening at or around the moment of speaking –
Present Continuous (1, 3);
4) changing and developing situations – Present Continuous (9);
5) actions that we have arranged to do in the near future –
Present Continuous (4).

Ex. 5 p. 88
Rewrite the sentences in the passive, where possible.
 1) Her mother drives her to school every day.
She is driven to school by her mother every day.
2) Paul drives to work every day.
It cannot be changed.
3) I woke up late on Sunday morning.
It cannot be changed.
4) Her mother woke her up at seven o’clock.
She was woken up by her mother at seven o’clock.
5) Sue asked the waiter to bring some water.
The waiter was asked by Sue to bring some water.
6) David asked for some help.
It cannot be changed.
7) Simon is moving house next month.
It cannot be changed.
8) Michael moved the boxes out of the way.
The boxes were moved out of the way by Michael.
9) Sandra walks on the beach regularly.
It cannot be changed.
10) The boys walk the dog every day.
The dog is walked by the boys every day.

TYPES OF DEGREES IN THE UK

What’s the difference between undergraduate and postgraduate?
While both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees are higher education
qualifications, only undergraduate degrees are available to students once they
finish school. You’re typically only eligible for a postgraduate degree once you’ve
completed an undergraduate degree.
Studying an undergraduate degree usually involves broadly covering
different areas of a subject, whereas postgraduate degrees are about specialising
within a particular area of that subject. Postgraduate degrees are also more self-
driven and research-intensive, with fewer lectures, tutorials and labs in most cases.
Unless you’re doing a PhD, postgraduate courses generally take less time to
complete.
Undergraduate degrees
What is an undergraduate degree?
An undergraduate degree is typically the next level of academic qualification
that follows high school. They’re usually a student’s first degree, studied at
university or another higher education provider. Students either move into
employment or further study once they’ve completed an undergraduate degree.
There are different undergraduate courses you can study:
Bachelor’s degree, Foundation year/foundation diploma, Foundation degree, Top-
up degree, Higher National Certificate, Higher National Diploma, Certificate of
Higher Education, Diploma of Higher Education, Certificate of Continuing
Education (CertCE). They are different from each other because of practical or
academic base and they have different duration of studying.
Postgraduate degrees
A postgraduate degree is the next level of study after an undergraduate
degree. It can be a level 7 or level 8 qualification, where you’ll begin to specialise
in a specific area of the subject you studied as an undergraduate student.
Postgraduate degrees are either ‘taught’ or ‘research’. Taught degrees often
involve lectures, tutorials and labs like an undergraduate degree. Academic tutors
mostly lead this teaching and types of taught postgraduate degrees include
master’s degrees, postgraduate certificates and diplomas.
Research degrees are for those looking for more independent study. Guided
by an academic tutor or professor, you’ll conduct your own academic research
based on an original research question you’ve come up with. Types of research
degrees include doctorates and some master’s courses.
There are different postgraduate courses you can study:
Master’s degree, Doctorate, Postgraduate Certificate/Postgraduate Diploma,
Conversion courses.
You can also study such degrees as Accelerated degree, Degree with placement
year.

1) Bachelor’s degree
A bachelor’s degree involves studying one, or sometimes two, subjects in
detail. It’s the most common undergraduate degree in the UK. Typical
classifications include:
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Bachelor of Science (BSc)
Bachelor of Education (BEd)
Bachelor of Engineering (BEng)
Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MB ChB)
Choosing a course in one subject is known as a single honors degree. You
may also be able to study a minor subject alongside the major subject for a portion
of your degree, also known as a major/minor honors degree. The degree title
names the major subject with the minor subject afterwards, for example
Psychology with Criminology or Law with International Relations.
 Studying two or three major subjects as part of a bachelor’s degree is called
a combined or joint honors degree. You’ll pick several modules per subject, rather
than doing every module for each subject. Each subject you take will hold equal
weight towards your final degree grade. Examples of joint honors degrees include
Law and Spanish or Accounting and Business.
How long it takes to study
It’ll typically take three years if you’re studying full-time. Some courses, such as
those with a year abroad or with a placement year, can take four years. Medicine or
Architecture can take up to five years. Your degree will take longer if you study
part-time.
Intercalated or integrated degrees
Some courses may give the option to take a break in the main undergraduate
programme to study a separate qualification – an intercalated degree. This may be
an option if you are studying medicine or dentistry. It means you could finish your
studies having graduated with two degrees.
An integrated master’s course incorporates a master’s-level qualification
into an undergraduate programme. Courses are usually four years long, with the
final year of study at postgraduate level.
Fees
UK students that choose to study in the UK will pay no more than £9,250 per year.
International students pay between £10,000 and £20,000 per year.
2) Foundation year/foundation diploma
A foundation diploma, or a foundation year, is an introductory course designed to
bridge the gap between finishing school and starting a bachelor’s degree. This one-
year qualification is for students who don’t meet the entry requirements for a
bachelor’s degree and is offered by most universities or further education (FE)
colleges.
How long it takes to study
A foundation diploma or a foundation year will only take one year studying full-
time.
Entry qualifications required
Entry requirements are much lower than a bachelor’s degree. Many courses will
also accept non-traditional qualifications. Specific qualifications will vary by
course and institution.
Fees
Expect to pay the same price per year as a bachelor’s degree. This will be up to
£9,250 for UK students, and more for international students.
3) Foundation degree
A foundation degree (FdA), different from a foundation year or a foundation
diploma, is a level that has an emphasis on practical-based learning. They’re
equivalent to the first two years of a bachelor’s degree and usually involve a mix
of academic study and workplace experience. Students either go straight into work
after a foundation degree or move into the final year of a bachelor’s.
How long it takes to study
Two years if you’re studying full-time. Part-time will be three to four years.
Entry qualifications required
Fees
Foundation degrees cost on average £2,600 per year, but this varies by course and
institution. Your employer may help cover the cost of fees if you’re already
employed.
4) Top-up degree
A top-up degree is for students looking to complete the final year of a bachelor’s
degree. Students who’ve done a foundation degree, choose this path to upgrade
their qualification to a full degree.
How long it takes to study
You’ll complete a top-up degree in one year if studying full-time. Part-time
students usually take 18 months.
Entry qualifications required
You’ll need to have finished a two-year qualification, which could be a foundation
degree, a Higher National Diploma or a level 5 Business and Technology
Education Council (BTEC) course. Most universities will want this qualification to
be in the same subject as the top-up degree.
Fees
A top-up degree will cost about the same as one year of a bachelor’s degree. This
will be no more than £9,250 for UK students but international students will pay
more.
5) Higher National Certificate
A Higher National Certificate (HNC) is a one-year undergraduate equivalent to the
first year of university. It’s a level 4 practical-based qualification taken by those
wanting to either train for a specific career or move into the second year of a
bachelor’s degree.
How long it takes to study
HNCs take one year to complete when studying full-time, and two years if
studying part-time.
Fees
An HNC course will cost between £4,000 and £8,000 a year for UK students,
depending on where and what you study. Fees can be more expensive for
international students.
6) Higher National Diploma
A Higher National Diploma (HND) is similar to an HNC, but it’s a two-year level
5 qualification equivalent to the first two years of a bachelor’s degree. This
vocational qualification is designed for those wishing to learn skills in a practical
area or to enter the third year of a bachelor’s degree upon completion.
How long it takes to study
HNDs take two years for full-time students, and anywhere between three and four
years for part-time students.
Fees
Each year will cost between £4,000 to £8,000 if you’re a UK student. Fees in
Scotland can be as low as £1,285. International students are charged more than
domestic students.
 7) Certificate of Higher Education
This level 4 vocational qualification is ideal for those unable to commit to a full
three-year degree. It’s equivalent to both an HNC and the first year of a bachelor’s
degree, often used by students to progress into further study. A Certificate of
Higher Education (CertHE) tends to be more academic- than practical-based.
How long it takes to study
Studying full-time will take one year, with part-time taking two. Some universities
offer the option to fast-track your studies, meaning it may only take you six
months. You’ll need to check this first with the university you’re applying to.
Fees
A CertHE should cost the same as one year of a bachelor’s degree. This will be up
to £9,250 for UK students and more for international students.
8) Diploma of Higher Education
A Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE) is a level 5 qualification holding the
same weight as an HND or two years of a bachelor’s degree. The focus will be on
academic study and completing a DipHE will allow you to move onto the final
year of a bachelor’s degree.
How long it takes to study
Studying a DipHE full-time will take two years. Part-time study will take longer.
Fees
Each year will cost up to £9,250 for UK students and more for international
students – the same as a bachelor’s degree.
9) Certificate of Continuing Education (CertCE)
A CertHE qualification is for those after a taste of higher education. It equates to
60 undergraduate degree credits, so about half a year of study, and can lead into a
full undergraduate degree. It takes between eight months and a year to complete
and will cost less than a full year of a bachelor’s degree.
Postgraduate degrees
What is a postgraduate degree?
A postgraduate degree is the next level of study after an undergraduate
degree. It can be a level 7 or level 8 qualification, where you’ll begin to specialise
in a specific area of the subject you studied as an undergraduate student.
Postgraduate degrees are either ‘taught’ or ‘research’. Taught degrees often
involve lectures, tutorials and labs like an undergraduate degree. Academic tutors
mostly lead this teaching and types of taught postgraduate degrees include
master’s degrees, postgraduate certificates and diplomas.
Research degrees are for those looking for more independent study. Guided
by an academic tutor or professor, you’ll conduct your own academic research
based on an original research question you’ve come up with. Types of research
degrees include doctorates and some master’s courses.
Master’s degree
A master’s degree is the most widely studied degree at postgraduate level. It’s a
level 7 qualification that you can take upon completing a bachelor’s degree or
equivalent. Common master’s degrees include:
Master of Arts (MA)
Master of Science (MSc)
Master of Education (MEd)
Master of Research (MRes)
Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Master's Degree in Law (LLM)
Taught master’s degrees are most common, but some universities also offer
research master’s. A research master’s is more self-driven and independent,
focused on completing a research project.
Master’s degrees can also be integrated into an undergraduate or doctoral
degree, as part of a single programme of study, such as Master of Engineering
(MEng).
Those wishing to study a doctorate (PhD) must first complete a master’s.
How long it takes to study
A master’s degree will usually take one year if studying full-time, but two years if
doing part-time. Some undergraduate courses have a master’s degree included.
These degrees take four years if studying full-time.
Entry qualifications required
Most master’s degrees will ask for at least a 2:2 bachelor’s degree in a related
subject. Some courses will want a 2:1 or higher. International students will need to
have the academic equivalent, which will be listed on the course page of the
university’s website.
Fees
Costs will vary based on what you choose to study and where. One year of a
master’s degree could be anywhere between £4,000 and £30,000 for UK students,
with the average price being around £8,000 to £11,000 per year. Prices are much
higher for international students.
Doctorate
A doctorate is the top postgraduate-level qualification you can earn. This
level 8 qualification consists of both research and academic learning but is
predominantly research focused. You’ll spend the entire course working on an
independent thesis, based on an original research proposal agreed with your
supervisor.
There are two common types of doctorate degrees. The first of these are
academic doctorate degrees which focus on conducting original research to
expand knowledge within a particular subject area. These include PhD and DPhil
(Doctor of Philosophy).
There are also professional doctorate degrees, which involve research and
broadening knowledge but incorporate more practical learning. These include MD
(Doctor of Medicine), DClinPsy (Doctor of Clinical Psychology) and
PhD(Eng)/EngD (Doctor of Engineering).
How long it takes to study
Full-time students usually finish their PhD in three to four years. Those
studying part-time can take up to six or seven years to complete their PhD.
Entry qualifications required
A 2:1 bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject is essential. Most PhDs will also want
you to have completed your master’s. You may be asked for evidence of research
work and your knowledge of research procedures. You may need to submit a
detailed research proposal of what you’d like to study for your thesis.
Fees
Doctorate fees sit between £3,000 and £6,000 per year for UK and EU students,
and more for non-EU students. Each year UK universities receive £4,237 for each
funded PhD student from the UK Research Councils, which is why most PhD
students are part or fully funded. Many grants, bursaries and scholarships are also
available
Postgraduate Certificate/Postgraduate Diploma
A Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) is a level 7 qualification for those
looking to bolster their future career prospects without committing to a master’s
degree. They’re studied at the master’s level but are shorter and don't require a
dissertation or research project. A PGCert is worth 60 credits towards a master’s
degree. You need 180 credits to graduate with a master’s.
A Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) is like a PGCert but twice as long. This
level 7 qualification is worth 120 credits towards a master’s and is an ideal
stepping-stone towards future career prospects or even a master’s degree.
Both qualifications are usually offered within a master’s degree. A PGCert is
seen as equivalent to one-third of a master’s degree, with a PGDip being
equivalent to two-thirds. Some master’s programmes will let you upgrade your
PGDip into a master’s by completing a dissertation or research project.
How long it takes to study
PGCerts will usually take 1 term to complete, which is about 15 weeks. PGDips
are twice as long, so can take up to 2 terms or 30 weeks.
Entry qualifications required
A 2:1 bachelor’s degree will be required for most PGCerts and PGDips. Some may
only ask for a 2:2 in a relevant subject. Entry requirements tend to be like the
course's master’s equivalent.
Fees
Expect to pay less than the course’s master’s equivalent. PGCerts are around
£3,000, with PGDips sitting around £5,000. This is for UK and EU students.
International students will have to pay more.
Postgraduate Certificate in Education/Postgraduate Diploma in Education
A Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) is a level 7 qualification for
students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland interested in teaching. A PGCE
course allows you to earn Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and therefore teach
around the world. There will be a mix of academic learning and practical
experience through placements.
A Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) is the equivalent teaching
qualification for students in Scotland.
How long it takes to study
Courses will take one year if you choose to study full-time, or up to two years if
doing part-time.
Fees
All UK and EU students can expect to pay the standard tuition fee of £9,250 per
year. International students will pay more.
Conversion courses
A conversion course is ideal for any student wanting to change careers. They’re a
postgraduate qualification allowing you to study a subject that you didn’t study as
part of your undergraduate degree. Most are taught degrees and are condensed
versions of an undergraduate degree. Students also take conversion courses to go
into further study at the master’s level.
How long it takes to study
Most courses will take one year to complete if studying full-time. An online
conversion course can take even less time, while part-time study can take longer.
Fees
Fees will differ based on what course you choose. You should expect to pay
around the same price as one year of a bachelor’s degree, which is £9,250 per year.
Accelerated degree
An accelerated degree allows you to complete your bachelor’s degree in a
shorter period. This will mean completing a three-year degree in two years, or a
four-year degree in three. You’ll be taught the same content as you would in a
normal bachelor’s degree, but you’ll have less holiday.
The fees can be more expensive than a bachelor’s degree, but remember,
you’ll be saving on an extra year of accommodation and day-to-day living.
Degree with placement year
Referred to as a ‘sandwich year’, this qualification is typically a four-year
degree with the third year spent either studying abroad or working in a placement.
This is a great opportunity to gain valuable experience learning in a new country or
working in the sector you wish to be employed in.
The fees per year, and the qualifications needed to gain entry onto a degree
with a placement year, will be the same as the bachelor’s equivalent.