Dominic Cole’s IELTS Blog www.dcielts.com IELTS topic Vocabulary - Education Introduction Education is one of the key topics for IELTS You will almost certainly need it in part of the speaking module and it is also a common essay topic You will find here a list of helpful vocabulary to improve your performance in those two papers How to learn this vocabulary Whatever you do, donʼt just sit down and learn the list You need to be able to use the language for yourself How can you this: ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ choose the language that you need - make it personal to you note what other words it is used with note any grammar problems remember pronunciation Key university language Graduate Word Examples/explanations Word form Graduate Graduate from university Verb A graduate A postgraduate A graduate of Oxford university/ a Noun graduate in economics Heʼs a postgraduate student Noun An undergraduate Undergraduates receive a grant Noun A fresher Life can be difficult for freshers Noun Dominic Cole’s IELTS Blog www.dcielts.com Types of degree Word A first degree Meaning/example The degree undergraduates A bachelorʼs degree A synonym for a first degree A masterʼs (degree) He is doing a masterʼs in politics A PhD or a doctorate Only a few students go on to a PhD Types of course Phrase Example A full-time degee course Most students follow a full-time degree course A part-time degree course If you are in full-time employment, a part-time may be more suitable In the age of the internet, more and more people are studying by distance If you want practical experience, a sandwich course is the best option A distance course A sandwich course Types of writing Form of writing Explanation Thesis The paper you write at the end of your PhD Dissertation The paper you write at the end of your masterʼs (and some first degree courses) This is the university equivalent of homework Assignment Dominic Cole’s IELTS Blog www.dcielts.com Useful verbs for speaking Verb Examples Do Iʼm doing law at Bristol University Study Iʼm studying maths at Beijing University Major Iʼm majoring in English Be Iʼm at the LSE Go Heʼs going to university next year Leave I left university 20 years ago Finish Iʼm going to finish my course next year Other learning verbs Learning words Examples Revise I need to some revision before the exam Understand Iʼve tried learning it by heart, but I still donʼt understand it Take notes Organise Itʼs important to take notes when you are listening to a lecture After the lecture you should organise your notes Review I review my notes at the end of every week Concentrate Itʼs not always easy to concentrate in lectures Dominic Cole’s IELTS Blog www.dcielts.com Types of institution Place Explanation A faculty Part of a university which specialises in the taeching of one subject, eg “the Law Faculty” A college Part of a university in British English which students belong to for social activities A college of further An alternative to university Where you normally study education something vocational A polytechnic An alternative word for university in some cultures; sometimes one step below university Law school Where you study law after you graduate and before you start practising law Medical school The name of the medical faculty in many universities Qualifications Degree You receive a degree from a university at the end of your course Diploma A diploma is for a shorter course than a degree Certificate A certicate is also for a short course Forms of education Type of education Explanation Higher education University education Further education Normally for more vocational courses and may start from the age of 16 This is normally for non-degree programmes and often is part-time Adult education Dominic Cole’s IELTS Blog www.dcielts.com Forms of study Learning process Explanation Lecture Seminar Tutorial The students make notes and listen to the lecturer There may be a question and answer session at the end Often led by a student on a particular topic Normally, the idea is everyone gets the chance to talk Often follows a lecture Sometimes teaching one-to-one with a tutor and sometimes the same as a seminar Finance Word Example Scholarship She won a scholarship for her dissertation Grant Because she came from a poor background, she was given a grant by local government Almost all British undergraduates now have student loans that they need to repay when they start earning Loan Exercises and advice on how to use this vocabulary More vocabulary lists and exercises