(A talk between English and Ukrainian students)

Eng.: I’m pleased to come to Ukraine, and exchange information

about the system of dental education.

Ukr.: Talking about information I’d like to get acquainted with

var­ious aspects of the students life in your country. Do all

British dental schools belong to the system of higher

education?

Eng.: Most of them are part of the university system. In order to

gain entrance to a university or school it is necessary to pass

examinations in five subjects, at least two of which must be

passed at the advanced level.

Ukr.: And how is dental course allocated?

Eng.: The first two years provide a general theoretical and medical

course.

Ukr.: And what about special subjects?

Eng.: Special subjects also enter the teaching plan, such as

anatomy and phisiology of the oral cavity, pathology of the

teeth and oral cavity and in some schools - dental diagnosis.

Ukr.: How long does the dental course run?

Eng.: It runs five years, and now great attention is paid to the

technical training of the future dental surgeon.

Ukr.: You see, when I referred to some of the dentists by the title

“doctor” they looked confused and embarrassed.

Eng.: Oh, this because the English dental surgeon does not receive

the title “doctor” and the right to work in other specialities.

Ukr.: Oh, really! This information is so interesting. Thanks a lot.

Eng.: For me it was a most stimulating talk! Thank you.

Dental education in great britain. Part II.

Task 1 Read the text:

RECENT CHANGES IN UK DENTAL SCHOOL ADMISSIONS

The 1980s and early 1990s have been years of great change in admis­sions to UK dental schools. Applications to study dentistry reached a peak of 3065 in 1978 and fell dramatically to 2050 in 1987. This decline con­tinued until 1991 (approximately 1650 applicants).

Since 1991 the number of applications has increased by 1% in 1992 and 9% in 1995. At the same time as all these changes have occurred three UK dental schools have been closed (The Royal Dental School, London; University College Dental School, London; Edinburgh Dental School, Scotland). There have been other changes in higher education in the UK - wider access to university courses by women and mature stu­dents has been encouraged and there is an increased willingness by uni­versities to accept non-standard qualifications.

It seems likely that the characteristics of the population of students entering dental schools reflect at least some of these wider changes in society.

The vast majority of students admitted to dental courses in UK uni­versities apply through and are admitted following application through the UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service), Some entrants are admitted to pre-dental courses (physics, chemistry and biology) and are not starting the first year of a 5-year professional BDS course. In most universities UCAS entrants comprise 95-100% of entrant students. Students who come from other European Union (EU) countries have been counted as overseas and their payment for teaching is much higher amounting up to 15000 pounds per year.

Dental schools admit more mature students and one-third of them are over 25 on admission.

Despite the changes seen in the entrant dental student population, the academic achievement of entrant students has remained high. The average points score has remained at about 23 points-equivalent to A-level.

Dental schools at present are subject to two conflicting demands. The first is the need to take as many high quality students as possible. The other factor, until recently, is the reduced number of applicants for each place in dental school.

Task 2 Read the text once again and be ready to answer the following questions:

1 When was the most dramatical decline in admissions to dental schools?

2 How many dental schools have been closed?

3 Have women had a wider access to university courses since 1995?

4 How are majority of students admitted to dental courses in UK?

5 What is the total number of UCAS entrants?

6 What is payment for teaching in UK dental schools?

7 What average points score should be for admission to UK dental school?

8 What problems do UK dental schools face at present?

Task 3 Say whether the following statements are true:

1 Students from European Union have the same payment for teach­ing as UK students have.

2 Mature students have been encouraged to enter dental schools.

3 All entrants are admitted to dental courses in UK universities through pre-dental courses.

4 The average points score for admission is 23 points - equivalent to A-level.

Task 4 Complete the following sentences:

1 Higher education in the UK is open for ... .

2 A great decline in admissions to UK dental schools ....

3 There is an increased willingness by ... .

4 The vast majority of dental students apply to ... .

5 Teaching for students from other European Union countries is ...

6 The number of mature students admitted is ... .

7 Dental schools in UK at present have ... .

8 5-year professional BDS course includes ....

Task 5 Make up sentences using these words and word combinations:

1) to study / very often / additional courses / choose / according to their personal interests / students of medical schools

2) must be / of the faculty / by / The responsibilities and privileges

Task 6 Match the following terms with the definitions:

1 anatomy

2 physiology

3 microbiology

4 immunology

5 pathology

6 pharmacology

7 therapeutics

a) the science of the properties of drugs and their effects on the body

b) the science of microorganisms

c) the study of disease processes with the aim of understanding their nature and causes

d) the science of the functioning of living organisms and of their component parts

e) the study of the chemical processes and sub­stances occurring in living things

f) the study of the structure of living organ­isms

g) the branch of medicine that deals with dif­ferent methods of treatment and healing (“therapy”)

Task 7 Make a dialogue of your own. Ask your partner:

1 If he knows the cost for teaching in UK dental schools.

2 If there were some important changes in UK dental school admis­sions.

3 If pre-dental courses are necessary for admission.

4 If the number of mature students has increased recently.

5 If it is necessary to apply through UCAS.

6 If academic achievement of entrant students is high.

7 If women have the same access to university courses as men have.

8 If he knows the latest demands of UK dental schools.