College and university: the UK system Places Key A Hails of residence1 B University Square, staff car park C Administration2 Building D Arts Faculty3 Building E Great Hall1 F University Health Centre 1 a college building where students live 2 the main offices of the university, often shortened to 'admin' 3 a group of departments or schools (see 6) in a college which specialise in a particular group of subjects 4 a large hall where graduation ceremonies and other important events are held 5 a building G University Bookshop, Cafeteria and visitors' car park H University Library I Student Union5 J Sports grounds K School6 of Engineering L Arts Lecture Theatre7 specially used by students to meet socially; the term also refers to the organisation of students which arranges social events and offers other services 6 part of a college or university specialising in a particular subject or group of subjects 7 a large hall with rows of seats, where lectures are held People, structures and activities Dr Ward, Adviser to International Students, is giving an introductory session for new international postgraduate students in the Department of English Language at Wanstow. Dr Ward: Let me tell you about the staff. The Head of Department is Professor1 Bradley. He will be giving some of the postgraduate seminars2 as well as giving some of the first-semester lectures3. Then there are two Senior Lecturers'1. They'll be handling lectures and tutorials5. Then there are six lecturers6 - they're all listed in your information pack. You'll also meet our Research Assistant, Angela Gorski, and there are four research students doing PhDs. Each of you will be given a personal tutor7, who will be one of us. If you want to talk to any of us, our office hours are on the noticeboard and on the web page. Any questions? Student: Is the personal tutor the same as our dissertation supervisor8? Dr Ward: No. You'll be given a supervisor when you choose your dissertation topic. He or she'll supervise you during the spring semester9 and the summer vacation10. Your personal tutor looks after your general academic welfare. You can also talk to a student counsellor11 if you have any personal problems, and there's also a postgrad rep12. "* and 6 professor is the most senior academic 9 the university teaching year is normally title; senior lecturers are below professors in academic rank, and lecturers are below senior lecturers 2| 3 and 5 seminars consist of a teacher and a group of students meeting to study and discuss something; lectures are more formal events where larger groups of students listen and take notes; tutorials are usually smaller groups where students discuss their work with a teacher 7 teacher who works with one student or a small group 8 teacher with responsibility for a particular student divided into two semesters; the word term is also often used for the periods when students are in residence at a university 10 period when universities or colleges are closed; the word holiday is also used by students 11 someone trained to listen to students and give them advice about their problems 12 (informal) short form of postgraduate representative (someone who acts officially for that group of students) Vocabulary in Use Applications and application forms Here we look at applying for a place at a UK college or university. Institutions following the US system have different processes, which are usually described on their web pages. Getting information Read this information about preparing an application for postgraduate study. What should I do first? Do all you can to learn about the careers' that will be open to you after studying - and what qualifications you will need in order to get the job you want. What qualifications do I need for postgraduate study? A first degree is required to study at postgraduate level. The specific entry requirements for each course of study are listed on the individual course pages. If needed, clarification2 may be sought3 from the department you are applying to. Your performance in previous schooling is very important to your application profile . What are the requirements for international students? In addition to the general admission requirements, international applicants must submit5: • A transcript6 of university courses and grades, translated into English, and • Results of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), unless you have received English-medium7 education for at least one year. Applicants must have a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 or a TOEFL score of 580. Are any grants or scholarships available for international students? Visit our International Office pages for details. 1 the job or series of jobs that you do during your working life 2 making something clear by giving more details or a simpler explanation 3 past participle of seek: 'to look for' 4 overall character of the application 5 give something for a decision to be made by others 6 official document listing courses completed and grades received 7 where all the classes are taught in English a money given specially by the government to a person to enable them to study 9 money given by a school, college, university, etc. to pay for the studies of a person with great ability The application process Look at this email from Tania to Liam. Tania is applying to study at Wanstow University. Hi Liam, At last I've filled in my application form and sent it off. It took ages. As well as all my personal details they wanted the names of two referees', financial guarantees2, and I had to attach a personal statement saying why I wanted to go to Wanstow. Anyway, the deadline3 is next Friday, then the website said they'd take about six weeks to process4 the application after they acknowledge5 it, then I might be called for6 an interview. By that time the references have to be in. I'm just hoping that because I'm a mature student71 might have a good chance of being offered a place - Wanstow has a lot of mature students and they have a strong equal opportunities policy8. The fees9 are pretty high, but I can get a student loan10 if I get in". Love, Tania 1 person who knows you and who is willing to describe and, usually, praise you, to support your application 2 formal acceptance of financial responsibility and ability to pay (e.g. proof of a bank account) 3 final date by which something must be done 4 deal with documents officially 5 say that they have received it, NOT accepted it 6 asked to attend 7 a student at a college or university who is older than the usual age 8 principle of treating all people the same, regardless of sex, race, religion, etc. 9 amount of money paid for a particular service 10 money which must be repaid when ,one has completed one's studies " (informal) if I am accepted and given a place Academic Vocabulary in Use