With courses available that focus on The Theology of Eating, and online degrees where you don’t need to meet your course-mates face to face, today’s universities are strange and diverse places compared to what they were. But how have they changed over the years? And what traditions have remained?
The University of Constantinople is often regarded by scholars as the first university. Established in 425, the main areas of study for its students were Philosophy, Rhetoric, and Law. Now, the Turkish capitol of Istanbul is home to several universities. Istanbul University is its oldest, and still remains highly regarded for its Faculty of Law and its Faculty of Political Sciences. It is also home to the Beyazit Tower, a fire-watch tower that stands at 85 meters tall and as an impressive reminder of the region’s Baroque history.
Britain’s first university, The University of Oxford, was founded in 1167 despite lectures being held in the city as early as 1096. Famously, soldier and roundhead Oliver Cromwell was the chancellor of the institution from 1650 to 1657 and stopped the puritans from closing its doors for religious reasons. Today, the uni retains its fame for its frequent top league table rankings (according to The Times), and its star-studded alumni – including former prime minister Tony Blair, author Graham Greene, as well as the celebrity chef and ever-carnivorous Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall.
After the industrial revolution, universities became more focused on science and engineering with the arrival of Polytechnics towards the end of the 20th century. Staffordshire Poly is a good example, forming in 1971, it now boasts courses as far reaching as football culture (where students can study the rise of David Beckham), and its established psychology department rates as one of the highest in the country. It also includes an impressive ex-RAF accommodation unit.
Today of course, it is possible to obtain a degree without even setting foot into a lecture hall. Online and distance learning courses are available in conjunction with such highly reputable establishments as The University of Essex. Founded by the Lord Alderman Charles Leatherland in 1959, the uni also has a tower that offers a view of the surrounding countryside which was committed to canvas by celebrated artist John Constable. The establishment also boasts an impressive 30% international student body.
Today there are many choices when it comes to choosing a conventional university or studying for an online degree. Although more modern institutions are not necessarily as architecturally inspiring as Istanbul University, the increasing range of courses available and easier accessibility for students means that higher education seems more tempting than it has ever been.
By: Sarah Maple
Posts Tagged ‘Course Mates’
Prestigious University In The Heart Of Phoenix Takes Students To Heart
December 15th, 2009Good education is the solid foundation on which an individual builds his life. Today there are numerous universities mushrooming every day offering courses that were not available earlier. Some of these universities are recognized and command lot of respect globally. The University of Phoenix is one such institution. This university was established in the year 1976 in Phoenix and achieved recognition as a non-public graduate school providing a good strong education. Unlike other universities which gratify all kinds of students the University of Phoenix places a lot of emphasis on individuals. Its main aim is to educate the individual to be an assiduous professional.
What do you need in order to be admitted into the University of Phoenix? Well, first of all, you need to have studied in a graduate school or university which is a recognized one. It has to be recognized either nationally or even regionally. Further, your degree transcript should have a GPA of at least 2.5. Of course, if you have the additional advantage of work experience, that will be counted as an added bonus. You also have to specify where you are currently employed. For students who are not native English speakers, there will be the additional tests that he will have to take and score well in like TOEFL, TOEIC or G.E.D.
If you do want to get into this prestigious institution, maybe it will be worth your while to get yourself a job and some work experience before you seek admission. The courses too, tend to be more relevant when you have some experience of the real world. What the university courses aim to do is give you a lot more than just theoretical training – they give you a practical advantage as well.
Although you pay tuition fees on a course by course basis at the University of Phoenix, you only need to attend class once a week with your teacher and once at night with course mates. This is so that you can attend to your work, your home and other responsibilities as well. Yet, you tend to keep abreast with the help of your classmates who guide you so the chances of flunking or dropping out are less while you are busy acquiring skills which will help you make a mark in the outside world.
The instructors at the University of Phoenix are all very experienced and hold high positions in their own academic area which enables them to discuss the latest theories and include them in the curriculum. The classes are populated with few students so there is a great deal of interaction. The courses are designed in such a way that the subjects can be studied in depth. The class room imitates the atmosphere of the workplace so the candidates get proficient at management skills, leadership and communication at the same time.
The University of Phoenix also has membership programs with other educational bodies like the American Council of Education, the Association of American Colleges, the American Association for Adult and Continuing Education. etc which enables the student to explore different horizons.
By: Tom Sample
