5. Education system
Almost 700 years of teaching at Cambridge University was the privilege of men, and only in the XX century in university women appeared. Now at 28 colleges have a system of mixed education, and in the other three - the knowledge obtained exclusively women. Who enroll in the school must first select a specific college, and only then to declare the discipline which he intends to explore, even if at this college selected by discipline is not currently teach. Pass exams in Cambridge not, but that does not indicate that there is easy to do. This requires several conditions. First: the applicant must have a certificate of completion is an English school, the second - the highest possible number of high points earned in the process of schooling, and - the presence of a letter of recommendation from the class teacher and the third - the need to pass through a series of three 20-minute interviews. Usually, this test overcomes the only one in second. If all documents provided are adequate, and all three interviews designed to find out how the applicant erudite, and what is the level of his education, as well as what his understanding of his chosen profession, completed successfully, the applicant may consider himself a student Cambridge University Press. On the one hand, received - this is a great joy, and with another - a huge responsibility and hard work, because the main principle of Cambridge is a postulate, which asserts that "life can not teach, but you learn." Its meaning is that in Cambridge the walls there is nothing binding, which means that the student must demonstrate the wonders of self-discipline in order to master the art of self-education. And for this the University has created all conditions: a modern laboratory, superbly-equipped library, the best teachers, and of course the system of individual training - more than two students, teacher training is not conducted, as well as lectures, mandatory only for students of engineering at the University of Specialty. Teach lasts 3 - 4 years (except that certain of future physicians and veterinarians who are on the full development of these specialties require at least 7 years). The academic year begins in October and ends in June. At the local student holidays three times a year - at Christmas, Easter and summer. Need to say that not all students maintain a rhythm of life and such loads. Screenings in the learning process (either voluntary or forced, the latter - a phenomenon quite rare), a small, but существует.Экзаменационные session students shall be in writing, without attribution. Such thing as a "ticket" is not here. Upon completion of a university course the student receives a bachelor's degree and his PhD - a doctorate. Degrees from Cambridge University are assigned to 25 spetsialnostyam.Za 100 years of existence of the most prestigious award in the world - Nobel laureates began its 60 graduates of the University. The price level for training is dependent on the nationality of the student. For the citizens of the UK provides for a system of incentives, including grants and bank loans. The average cost of tuition is 13 000 pounds, but foreigners pay in 3 - 4 times. And these amounts very few people stopped by the global prestige of Cambridge is so high that the university authorities could afford such a price policy. At the moment in Cambridge enrolled 15,500 students, 15% of them - foreigners from more than 100 countries. Annual turnover of the University (excluding colleges and publishers University Cambridge Press) is 250 million dollars.
6. What to do in Cambridge
For the first time the most famous UK universities open up the introductory requirements for arriving at the bachelor's program. Cambridge on its web site published a list of the least attractive things in terms of university admissions, thereby forcing both parents and school counselors, to think seriously on the topic of their choice for further study and exams for the course is full of high school.
Let us first consider the general conditions for admission to Cambridge. First of all, the university prefers applicants who have completed the program A-Level and passed the final examinations in four or five subjects studied in depth. The university must provide all the marks obtained in these disciplines, but pay attention mainly to those on which they intend to further study at Cambridge. It is desirable that candidates had very high marks - "A".
For example, from coming to Cambridge entrants in 2005 70% had the highest score in A-Level - 360 points, 120 points for each of the three-handed in the school final examinations. 95% of them gained places at university.
Permitted the replacement of one of the exams document establishing that the candidate has received from some of the administrative confirmation of their excellent knowledge of a subject (Advanced Extention Award - AEA). This would mean that the applicant is not simply handed the subject of increased level of complexity, but also that he spent extra effort to study it and to test their knowledge through an independent organization.
Therefore, the selection committee, with equal attention to treat the applicant, granted, instead of three "A" for A-Level Two "A", one "B" and evidence of AEA. Some colleges that are part of Cambridge even give preference to candidates with the AEA.
Those who decided to come to Cambridge for mathematics, it is necessary in addition to examinations in A-Level pass an additional test called "Test papers in mathematics for sixth form" (Sixth Term Examination Papers in Mathematics - STEP). The University believes that the estimates obtained for STEP, a candidate can describe better than exams A-Level. STEP rent only to those who focused on the study of mathematics in the leading universities in the country. In 2005, for example, STEP were 1.350 candidates.
However, each specialty, taught at the university has specific requirements. They can be found on the website of the university.
Applicants who have received secondary education in Scotland, Wales, Ireland and the successful candidates (Scottish Advanced Highers, Welsh Advanced Diploma in the Welsh Baccalaureate or the Irish Leaving Certificate), can compete for a place at the university in general practice.
Good chances to become a freshman at Cambridge University, are graduates of schools that teach the International Baccalaureate Program (International Baccalaureate - IB). On average, they need to score from 38 to 42 points out of 45 possible. Task is made easier by the fact that in the course of IB include a compulsory section called "creativity, action, service" (Creativity, Action, Service - CAS). Consider in detail the components of this extremely important part of the educational activities of schools IB.
"Creativity" - development of creative skills, such as participation in school musical productions, theatrical performances, production of the school newspaper or the school site, etc.
"Action" - participation in school and regional sporting events, classes group or individual sports.
"Serving" - work for the benefit of society, such as volunteer fire brigade, Red Cross chapter, social services, active participation in school government, in training guide dogs, etc. (the list of activities offered each school ).
Why is this part of the IB program is so important when you receive not only Cambridge but also in other famous universities in the world? The fact that Western society wants its citizens not only highly educated, but also able to assist its development, it is not possible without the active participation in public life. Therefore, graduates of foreign schools who intend to storm the tops of higher education may, at its end take a year to work as a volunteer in various charitable organizations. This will add the scores for admission to elite universities in the world.
Go to Cambridge are the chances of graduates of foreign schools that received a national diploma with good grades, for example, the French Baccalaureate (Baccalaureate), German entrants (Abitur), Italian maturita (Maturita). To applicants from the former Soviet Union, which still preserve the Soviet system of eleven secondary education, this does not apply. They lack the years of study, which can make up to one-year preparatory program Foundation. However, by its end chances for admission to Cambridge is extremely small.
In addition to excellent ratings in the certificate of foreigners must provide proof of English proficiency at a very high level (IELTS not less than 7,0, preferably 7,5). All those applicants need to submit recommendations from their schools and so-called "letter of intent, which must be motivated to explain what made them do it in Cambridge. May be asked to write another one or two additional essays on a particular topic.
But that's not all. Once the applicant passes all the stages of initial screening, he was invited for an interview. Questions asked during the interview can be provocative. For example, future physicians ask: "If before you had a choice - to kill a healthy person to transplant his organs to the other two, the terminally ill, or leave these two to die, what would you choose?"
Although the university because of financial circumstances is extremely interested in the Aliens coffers of its budget (for example, the number of foreign students accepted the university in 2005 for the first year amounted to 16,7%, and in 2004 - 13,4%), it does not mitigate the entry requirements. The competition is tough. Each year about 14 thousand candidates are fighting for one of 3.400 places at Cambridge. Therefore, those who graduated from vocational colleges and received certificates and diplomas (VCE, Applied A-Level, GNVQ, BTEC), go to the University of Cambridge will be difficult. It runs the installation, which adjust to study at leading universities (ie, to forge a career) should be started as soon as possible.
Returning to the unwanted items, quoting information from the site of Cambridge: "Applicants must submit results from the two traditional academic subjects (including two items not included in this list). For example, a variant of "mathematics, history and business" may be suitable for a certain number of our subjects. At the same time a combination of "history, business and media" usually cannot be regarded as acceptable, since it contains only one item not mentioned in the reducible list. Similarly, for applicants who have completed the program of the International Baccalaureate (IB), the diploma must be submitted no more than one of the above listed disciplines. "
Also, if the student how to not to choose their future profession, the selection committee recommends that, as subjects for the exams for the course is to choose A-level set of disciplines, wherever included: chemistry, English literature, history, mathematics, one of the modern languages as well as physics.
It should also be noted that while not entirely satisfied with the quality of final examinations in A-Level, in 2008, the International Examinations Board, University of Cambridge (CIE) is going to introduce a new exam, called Pre-U. The purpose of Pre-U - identify the most talented children are able to study in prestigious universities in the UK. The new test system was developed in conjunction with renowned British boarding schools and universities that make up the "Russell Group". To pass the Pre-U, students may require in-depth study three subjects over the past two years in school, pass exams on them and write an extended essay on a given topic. New tests do not replace the old system of A-Levels, and students can take a Pre-U, and A-Levels, however, for admission to universities the First Division will give preference to those who pass the new test. In parallel with the Cambridge London School of Economics posted a set of objects, more or less preferred for the selection committee of the University. "Mathematics, French and economics look better than" mathematics, French and business. " But a combination of "mathematics, accounting and Media examiners would react negatively. The best views will have the results of final examinations for the course A-Level in two academic subjects and only one subject from the list, which includes: accounting, art and design, business, communication, dance, design and technology, drama / theater studies, home economics, information technology communications, law, media and sport.
Conclusion
2006 The Cambridge Museum there was a curious case. Hapless visitor had not noticed that he had untied shoelaces and fell on the ancient Chinese vases era of the Qin Dynasty. They are more than forty years stood on a windowsill Fitzwilliam Museum, and were among the most popular exhibits. Museum director Duncan Robinson, commenting on the incident, said it was his nightmare became a reality.
Since 2006, Cambridge introduces changes in its course of Slavic languages. Previously, the department taught only Russian and Polish languages and literatures, and now this list will also include the Ukrainian language.
2007 Applicants with a low score on the high school graduation (aka known as A-level), will be able to demonstrate their abilities and go to Cambridge. This prestigious university until 2006, took no results, but different, but from next year on admission, students will take a new logical examination. He is a 90-minute test, developed by scientists at Cambridge, called Thinking Skills Assessment.
2007 Cambridge forced to seek alternative sources of funding due to the fact that the UK government is reducing its maintenance costs of students. Over the past 15 years funding has declined by 40%. The budget deficit of the whole university is 15.1 million. Pounds sterling - is on average 1,290 pounds per student.
Vice Cancer University Alison Richard said that they plan to attract financing in the amount of 1 billion. Pounds 2012. Investors may make graduates of Cambridge, and other individuals and companies.
2006 Members of the selection committees of the two most famous English universities - Oxford and Cambridge - characterized by good sense of humor. When accepting the university, they take into account not only the level of student knowledge, but his quickness, reaction to unusual questions. For example, one future student of the Faculty of Medicine suggested that logically prove that at the moment members of the selection committee watching how he dances. These questions are aimed at revealing the applicant's ability to think imaginatively and logically argue your answers.
2007 British scientists have laid down their arms at Cambridge from a variety of phosphorescent molecules of DNA, no thicker than a human hair. They managed to do it using a special technique that allows to work with tiny particles of living matter without harming it. Unique in size tool - micropipette, according to David Klenerman of Cambridge, permitting rapid, "the documentary filming of" work cells in the human body. Previously, there were ways to create high-precision images, but they all require the destruction of cells, and the researchers have not been able to see it at work. The accuracy of the image - the order of 10 nanometers.
In addition, the use of micropipettes to the study of small objects, such as ion channels in membranes, when transferring to other surface molecules, which is often used in microbiological research.