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Monday 19 December 2011

Education abroad

There are 46 universities in Britain. Good "A" Level results in at least two subjects are necessary to enter one. However, good exam passes alone are not enough. Universities choose their students after interviews, and competition for places at university is fierce. 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.
When the time comes to pick a college, 18 and 19 year-olds usually choose one as far away from home as possible! So, many students in northern and Scottish universities come from the south of England and vice versa. It is very unusual for university students to live at home.

Although parents may be a little sad to see this happen, they usually approve of the move, and see it as a necessary part of becoming an adult.

Anyway, the three university terms are only ten weeks each, and during vacation times families are reunited.

When they first arrive at college, first year students are called "freshers". A fresher's life can be exciting but terrifying for the first week, because many freshers feel homesick for the first week.

During the first week, all the clubs and societies try to persuade the new students to join their society. The freshers are told that it is important for them to come into contact with many activities during their time at university.

At college students have lectures and seminars. Once or twice a term, students have a tutorial. This means that they see a tutor alone to discuss their work and their progress. In Oxford and Cambridge, and some other universities, the study system is based entirely around such tutorials which take place once a week. Attending lectures is optional for "Oxbridge" students!