Higher Education System in the United kingdom
英国的高等教育
摘编/牟牧

Degrees/Diplomas
Here is a list of the different levels and kinds of diplomas/certificates/degrees that are awarded within the higher education system of the UK: professional, vocational and university diplomas.
Undergraduate entry
The two types of higher education institutions are:
*universities, which have the power to award their own degrees at all levels
*university sector colleges, some of which award their own degrees but the majority of which do so through a university
Studying for your first degree can take three years for an honours degree. Some degree courses, particularly in Scotland, take four years to complete, and some even longer than that.
The following are examples of first degrees:
*Bachelor of Arts (BA)
*Bachelor of Education (BED)
*Bachelor of Engineering (BEng)
Postgraduate entry
Students with good degrees can go on to a postgraduate or higher degree.
Postgraduate study can lead to:
*a postgraduate diploma
*a master’s degree, such as an MA or MSc (normally a course lasts for one year, and can be either a taught course, or a piece of original research, or both)
*an Mphil, or a doctorate, normally a PhD
*study in a subject in depth for its own sake, or using postgraduate work to train for a profession (accountancy, architecture, banking and law have very specific requirements laid down by the relevant professional bodies)
Frequently, a taught master’s degree will lead to the chance to do some original research, perhaps at PhD level.

University Education
Undergraduate level
This level of education requires three or four years of university study and provides the student with a Bachelor’s degree in various subjects. In certain universities and ‘colleges of higher education’ a curriculum of two years permits a ‘Diploma of Higher Education’ to be awarded to the student.
Graduate level
After the Bachelor’s degree, the Master’s degree is obtained after one or two years of study in a specialized subject. The candidates must submit a report on the specialized subject.
Postgraduate level (Master of Philosophy (MPH), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
At this level, the curriculum is limited to pure research studies. It consists of two years of additional studies to attain a Master’s degree and if a thesis is presented a Master of Philosophy is awarded. An additional 1 to 2 years of research of a thesis is needed, in order to attain a Doctorate.

Teaching Methods
British students are obliged to attend 20 hours of courses per week, during which a significant part is dedicated to personal research. Courses are divided into three categories: lectures, seminars and tutorials.
The evaluation of a students’ course work is rarely based solely on final exams. Students are more likely to be evaluated throughout the academic year, through exams, homework, essays etc..

Reputable Schools and Universities
Art History: Royal College of Arts, London.
Design: St. Martin’s College of Art and Design, London.
Theater: Royal Academy of Dramatie Arts (RADA), London.
Law: Oxford University
Economics: London School of Economics (LSE), London.
Humanities and Literature: Oxford University
Medicine: University College, London.
Sciences: Cambridge University
Engineering: Imperial College of London
Geology: Imperial College of London

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摘自《新东方英语》7月号