HIGHER EDUCATION IN BRITAIN AND THE USA

1. The academic year is divided into three terms

2. The US academic year may be divided into

2.1. two semesters of about 15 weeks

2.2. three quarters of about 10 weeks each

3. IN THE USA

3.1. American high school students who want to studyhave to take a standardized test, e.g. the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) or the ACT (American College Test)/

3.2. Students from countries outside the US who are not native speakers of English must also take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language).

4. IN BRITAIN

4.1. apply to several universities through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admission Service) and receive offers of a place

5. Degrees in Britain

5.1. Bachelor

5.1.1. Bachelor of Arts (3 years)

5.1.2. Bachelor of Science (3 yaers)

5.2. Master

5.2.1. Master of Arts (4-5 years)

5.2.2. Master of Science (4-5 years)

5.3. Doctor

5.3.1. PhD = Doctor of Philosophy

5.3.2. Doctor of Laws

5.3.3. Doctor of Medicine

6. Degrees in the USA

6.1. Bachelor (after four years at college)

6.1.1. Bachelor of Arts

6.1.2. Bachelor of Science

6.1.3. Bachelor of Agriculture

6.1.4. Bachelor of Fine Arts

6.1.5. Bachelor of Chemical Engineering

6.1.6. Bachelor of Journalism

6.1.7. Bachelor of Architecture

6.1.8. Bachelor of Library Science

6.2. Master (after two years at university — thesis

6.2.1. Master of Arts

6.2.2. Master of Science

6.3. Doctor

6.3.1. Doctor of Philosophy (after four years at university — dissertation)

6.3.2. Doctor of Science (usually honorary)

7. Students study a main subject throughout their degree course, which is usually a mix of compulsory courses and electives.

8. At the end of their sophomore (second) year students choose

8.1. a major (main subject)

8.2. sometimes a minor (additional subject)

9. The oldest and most famous universities in the UK are

9.1. Oxford

9.2. Cambridge

10. The most famous universities are

10.1. Harvard

10.2. Yale