Universities have a long history. Schools of higher learning were set up in Bologna in1088, in Paris in around 1150, and in several other places in Europe, England’s earliest universities were Oxford and Cambridge, established in the 12th and 13th centuries respectively.
Oxford University is in the center of the city of Oxford, and was in fact, built before the city itself. Historically, the school was so powerful that the city leaders had to consult it before making important decisions. Oxford has several campuses. Each campus, of college, has its own church and gardens, and, of course, customs and traditions.
In the past, because there were few universities in the UK, only the best and richest students could afford to attend. But after the Industrial Revolution, the number of universities steadily increased. Then, in the 1960s, things really started to change. Many technical colleges were given university status and the number of universities jumped from 45 to over 100.
During this period of expansion, university study was more or less free, since the government paid most of the student’s fees and living expenses. The government wanted to give a wider range of students a chance to further their education. As a result, even kids from hard-up families were able to start their working lives with a good degree.
But now all that has changed. Students must pay for their own education. All British universities except Buckingham University (founded by Margaret Thatcher in 1976) are national. But even so, they must show that they are offering popular coursed and making a profit. If they do not meet these criteria, their government funding will be reduced. Times have changed, haven’t they?
<The UK and the USA-Compare and Contrast by Nan’undo>
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