Mina writes:
Hearing Christopher Hood's talk, I first came
to know about the educational system of Britain. The people who
want to receive higher education take two national examinations.
These are GCSEs (taken at the age of sixteen) and GCE A-Levels
( taken
at the age of eighteen). Most children take six or seven GCSEs,
including English language and math. A-Levels are taken by students
who want to continue their education at university, as well as
those going into jobs. Students can achieve pass grades of A to
E.
The quality of A-Levels determines which university a student
can be admitted to. In Britain higher education is provided by
three main-types of institution: universities, colleges and art
and music colleges. A-Levels are still the most common entrance
qualifications through most universities. Recently it is said
to have become easier to pass A-Levels than before. However Oxford
and Cambridge Universities are still most ancient and difficult
to enter.
Mr. Hood works in the University of Wales, Cardiff. Cardiff is
the capital city of Wales. The university is famous in Britain.
For example, grades to enter Cardiff are AAAB in medicine and
BBB in law and A (BB) in education.
According to his talk, the percentage of students who advance
to higher education in England is between 40% and 50%. What is
more, the graduation rate in Britain is nearly 80%. Throughout
the higher educational system, women are the dominant number in
many subjects. Over the last few decades, the proportion of females
in the population at university (at 47%) is sometimes higher than
that of males (at 40%). In Japan the number of females that enter
college or university has also increased.
Thanks to his talk I want to know more about Britain, not only
the educational system but also other different things.