Record Scramble for British University Places 英国大学申请者人数大幅攀升
What do you do if you don't get into your first choice of university? That's thedilemmathat faces thousands of British students every year.
Many candidatesturn toClearing, the service that helps find university places for students at the last moment. If they don't have the marks to get into their first choice of institution, Clearing tells them about places available at other universities, though they might have to read anothersubject.
But this year has seen a record number of people applying to university. This,combined withthe weak economy, an uncertain job market and budget cuts at universities, means that there's been even more of ascramblefor places than usual. Some sources say six students have applied for eachremainingundergraduate university place.
The British university admissions service, UCAS, saysup toa quarter of this year's university applicants – almost 190,000 people – still don't have a place on a degree course. That's a rise of over 46,000 students from last year.
Faced with these figures, some British students might be thinking of an interestingalternative: studying abroad. The University of Nottingham, for example, is offering places at its campuses in Ningbo, near Shanghai, and Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia. Students here can gain University of Nottingham degrees in business, accounting, engineering and English. Similarly, the University of Bolton says it has 'unlimited' places at its campus in the United Arab Emirates.
Given the problems getting into university, the UK's Higher Education Minister, David Willetts, encourages students who haven't made the grade to consider alternatives to university, such asapprenticeships and studying at home.
"There are a range ofoptions available," he says. "People are able to reapply. They should think how they can spend their year adding that bit to their CV, which would help their application – getting practical work experience or extra skills – anything thatstrengthens their chances next year."
But some commentators say that rising university costs, poor long-term job prospects, and a drop in graduaterecruitmentmean it's the worst time to be a university student in the UK.
如果不能进入你第一选择的大学,你会怎么办?这是每年数千名英国学生面临的困境。
许多学生向Clearing求助,该服务帮助学生在最后一刻寻找入学机会。如果他们的分数不够第一意向的大学,Clearing帮他们寻找其他学校的入学机会,尽管他们可能要就读另外一门专业。
但是今年,申请大学的人数达到创纪录的高度。这与经济疲软,就业市场不确定和大学预算削减综合起来,意味着对入学机会的争夺超过平时。一些消息来源称,每一个本科就读机会就有六个人申请。
英国大学招生服务机构UCAS表示,今年仍有四分之一的申请,也就是190,000人没有机会就读学位课程。比去年增加了46,000人。
面对这些数字,一些英国学生可能会考虑一个有趣的选择:去国外留学。例如,诺丁汉大学在上海附近的宁波校区,马来西亚的吉隆坡校区都提供了就读机会。这里的学生可以获得诺丁汉大学商业,会计,工程和英语学位。同样,波尔顿大学在阿联酋校区也提供了有限的机会。
鉴于大学面临的问题,英国高等教育大臣David Willetts鼓励分数不够的学生考虑其他学则,例如实习计划或在家自学。
“这些学生可以有很多选择。他们可以在明年再次申请。他们应该考虑这些可以给自己的简历增加什么亮点,是否对自己的工作申请有帮助,是否有工作经验或额外技能,任何可以增加自己机会的方面都可以。”
但是一些评论家表示,大学学费的上涨,长期工作前景黯淡,毕业生就业率的下降意味着在英国读大学纯粹是浪费时间。
1.dilemma n.左右为难,窘境,困境
例句:She was in a dilemma whether to stay at school or get a job.
是继续求学还是找工作, 她感到难以决定。
2.subject n.学科, 科目; 课程
例句:She's taking three subjects in her exams.
她参加三门课程的考试。
3.scramble n.争夺, 抢夺
4.remaining adj.剩余的,剩下的
例句:Add all the remaining ingredients and bring to the boil.
加入所有剩下的用料,煮到沸腾。
Add the remaining flour to make a soft dough.
把剩下的面粉加进去做成一块软面团。
5.alternative n.取舍, 抉择, 可供选择的事物
例句:The only alternative to being taken prisoner was to die fighting.
除了当俘虏之外, 惟一的选择就是奋战至死了。
选择的余地, 可供选择的机会
例句:I'm afraid I have no alternative but to report you to the police.
恐怕除了向警方告发你以外, 我是别无选择了。
6.option n.选择,取舍,选择权,选择的自由
7.apprenticeship n.学徒身份,学徒资格
例句:He served his apprenticeship with Bob.
他跟鲍勃当学徒。
8.strengthen vt.vi.加强, 巩固
例句:The wind strengthened during the night.
夜里风刮得更大了。
They strengthened the city walls.
他们加固了城墙。
9.recruitment n.补充
例句:large-scale recruitment to the new industries
大批新人进入新兴行业
One source of recruitment is the civil service.
政府文职部门是招聘的部门之一。
1.Many candidates turn to Clearing, the service that helps find university places for students at the last moment.
turn to求助于
例句:He turned to me for help.
他向我求助。
She often turns to the book for guidance.
她经常参考那本书。
2.This, combined with the weak economy, an uncertain job market and budget cuts at universities, means that there's been even more of a scramble for places than usual.
combine with与…结合
例句:If your talent combines with diligence, you can excel in your pursuit.
如果你把天赋与勤奋结合起来, 你所追求的事业便会出类拔萃。
If he can combine his ability with hard work, he should be very successful.
如果他能把自己的才能和勤奋结合起来, 必定会很有成就。
3.The British university admissions service, UCAS, says up to a quarter of this year's university applicants – almost 190,000 people – still don't have a place on a degree course.
up to多达
例句:I can take up to four people in my car.
我的汽车最多能坐四个人。
4.Given the problems getting into university, the UK's Higher Education Minister, David Willetts, encourages students who haven't made the grade to consider alternatives to university, such as apprenticeships and studying at home.
given与provided意思一样,表示“如果有……,则……”,
但两者的区别是provided后面只能跟that引导从句,而不能跟名词或名词性短语。而given后既可跟从句,又可跟名词性短语。