Comparisons Of Some Aspects Of British And Spanish Universities

COMPARISONS OF SOME ASPECTS OF BRITISH AND SPANISH UNIVERSITIES

INTRODUCTION

Changes on the universities are one of the main discussions on the news and newspapers from the UK these days. According to a BBC article (BBC 2010) future raises on the tuition fees have been the reason why students from all over the country have organised huge demonstrations. Another online article published onthe University World News (Warden 2008) shows that during the last years, student protests have also taken place in Spain. The reasons were different, since they were demonstrating against the implement of the Bologna process. However, all the mentioned complaints had the same objective: complain against unfair changes at Universities. It is obvious that not all the universities are the same,however I did not realised it until I came to England. During my experience in Sheffield Hallam University I have noticed many differences with my university in Spain therefore I decided to find out more information and focus my essay on this topic. Firstly I will start with some differences about the requisites when accessing to the high education. Secondly, some aspects about the education system andthe way how universities work in each country. Then, the tuition fees and financial aids that are offered to students by the government. Finally, I will end with some other interesting differences I have found out whilst studying in Sheffield.

MAIN PART

ACCESING TO THE UNIVERSITY:
Before accessing to Spanish Universities, all the students need to pass the Spanish University Access testcalled “ Selectividad” which is an exam taken by students after secondary school that last three days and includes written exams of all the subjects studied during the last year of secondary school. Then, an average between the access exam “Selectividad” and the secondary school education marks will be needed to enter to the University. All the degrees have a passing grad which is the minimum markyou need to be accepted in a specific degree at a specific university. This mark varies every year since is the mark of the last person able to get to the degree. Moreover, in most of the private universities, apart from the Spanish University Access test, students will also have to pass an exam as well as some interviews to enter to those Universities. In the United Kingdom, the usual minimumqualification for entrance to a British university is the A-Level. The number of A-Level exams taken by students can vary. Although 3 is usually the number of A-level required for university entrance, it generally depends on
the reputation of the university and the popularity of the course since it can increase the entrance qualification. However, A Sunday Times´ article ( Grimston 2010) explainsthat unfair raises in A-Level entry requirement have been introduced in some courses after students had already applied in order to reduce the number of applicants because of the government cuts.
In the UK, students chose the degree they want to study and then, the University they want to go. There is a list showing the most prestigious universities from where they will chose the best one even ifthey have to move to a different city and live independently since the University they chose will influence in their CV while looking for a job. In Spain, the student normally go to the nearest university depending on their grades and availability since all the Universities are mostly considered to have the same level therefore the place where students go will not be mainly important for theirfuture.

PRICES AND FINANCIAL AIDS:
Another important difference lies in comparing the tuition fees. In the UK this amount will depend on the type of course or the mode of study (part time / full time) the student chose, but the current fees in British Universities are around 3290 pounds per year. However, according to an article published on the BBC News (BBC 2010), these fees are expected to...