Autumn 17 English for Academic Purposes 1 (EAP 1) Portfolio

This EAP 1 portfolio assignment requires students to demonstrate academic writing skills through various tasks. The portfolio begins with a self-evaluation checklist to assess existing skills and identify areas for improvement. Students then practice summarising a text on university fees, comparing and contrasting the situations in England and Australia. They create an essay outline, mapping the main points of a compare and contrast essay on the impact of rising university fees. The portfolio also includes exercises on paragraph structure. The main written task is a compare and contrast essay on university fees in England and Australia. This assignment aims to develop students' ability to produce cohesive and coherent academic writing, read and summarise written academic texts, and plan and structure an essay. The assignment includes different sections that cover portfolio evidence, self-evaluation, summarising, outlining, and writing a compare and contrast essay. The assignment also highlights the importance of understanding the impact of tuition fees on students and the quality of education.

Autumn 17
English for Academic Purposes 1 (EAP 1) Portfolio (EAPA3004)
Name:
Student Number:
Tutor name:
This is your EAP 1Portfolio. Please save a copy on your computer and back it up regularly (e.g. by saving it on
your computer / in the cloud (e.g. Google Drive) / emailing it to yourself. You will receive a printed copy which
you should bring to all lectures and tutorials. However, at the end of the course, you need to submit a
completed electronic copy. Please refer to suggested word counts for each task included within this portfolio.
Assessed Learning Outcomes (LOs):
1. Produce cohesive and coherent elements of academic writing.
2. Read, compare and summarise written academic texts.
Week Contents Page Learning
Outcome
Section 1: Portfolio Evidence

(These tasks will often be drafted in class and are designed to inform the written task in section 2.
Suggested word counts are included are in brackets.)
1 Portfolio evidence I: Self-evaluation checklist 3 LO 1 & 2
4 Portfolio evidence II: Summarising
(recommended word count: 100)
4 LO 1 & 2
4-5 Portfolio evidence III: Outline
(recommended word count: 100)
6 LO 2
6 Portfolio evidence IV: Paragraph structure
(recommended word count: 250)
7 LO 2
9 Portfolio evidence V: Self-assessment
(recommended word count: at least 100)
8 LO 1 & 2
Section 2: Written Task
(The written task should be developed throughout the semester but completed in weeks 7-10.)
1 - 10 Academic writing [compare and contrast essay relevant to higher
education]
(word count: 750 words)
10 LO 1 & 2
Total word count: Written Task (750 words) + Evidence (Approx. 850 words)
(+/- 10%)
Section 1: Portfolio Evidence I
Self-evaluation checklist
Below is a list of the skills you will need when working on extended pieces of writing during your university
career. The work you do on the EAP 1 course will help you develop these skills.
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Tick the appropriate box for each skill, according to how well you think you can do this at
the beginning of this course. Look again at the checklist throughout the course in order to
identify areas for independent study.
Skills Do not know
about this
Find this
difficult/ can’t
do this
Can partially
do this
Can do this
well
Looking for information
Identify which books/journals/websites to use ☐ ☐ ☐ ☑
Select relevant parts of a text ☐ ☐ ☐ ☑
Using sources
Acknowledge sources of information ☐ ☐ ☐ ☑
Avoid plagiarism ☐ ☐ ☐ ☑
Planning/ writing
Brainstorm ideas ☐ ☐ ☐ ☑
Plan written work ☐ ☐ ☐ ☑
Link ideas effectively ☐ ☐ ☐ ☑
Paraphrase & summarise ideas ☐ ☐ ☐ ☑
Write an introduction ☐ ☐ ☐ ☑
Write a conclusion ☐ ☐ ☐ ☑
Personal study
Work independently ☐ ☐ ☐ ☑
Manage my time ☐ ☐ ☐ ☑
Oral presentation
Discuss written work in a tutorial ☐ ☐ ☐ ☑
IT
Access the internet ☐ ☐ ☐ ☑
Use search engines ☐ ☐ ☐ ☑
Create word documents ☐ ☐ ☐ ☑
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Section 1: Portfolio Evidence II
Summarising (recommended word count: 100)
1. Find a text on university fees in the country of your choice (around 200 words) and paste it below, in part
1. Then, read the two texts and highlight the main points.
PART 1:
Text 1:
University fees in England
Text 2 (paste your text below):
University fees in…………………..
“University tuition fees in England will rise to £9,250 per
year from 2017 and the increase could apply to students
who have already started courses. The inflation-linked
rise represents a 2.8% increase and if that continued
would mean fees rising above £10,000 in the next few
years. Universities face the dilemma that under
consumer protection requirements they will need to
announce the £9,250 fee before the beginning of the next
application cycle in early September. However, until
formally changed by Parliament, universities are not
allowed to charge a fee higher than £9,000, which is the
current limit.
The government says the increase can apply to students who
have already begun courses - but this will depend on the terms
of student contracts in individual universities. The fees will
increase in subsequent years. Royal Holloway and the
University of Kent have to still to decide on whether to charge
higher fees for current students, but expect to apply them to
new students starting in 2017, if the fee limit increase goes
ahead. The University of Surrey will not increase fees for its
current undergraduates, but fees will increase each year for
students starting in 2017.
Universities minister Jo Johnson has published a statement
setting out plans to link higher fees to better teaching. Liberal
Democrat university spokeswoman Baroness Lorely Burt said:
"Linking fees to teaching quality in this way is unacceptable.
Enabling any university that scrapes a 'meet expectations'
rating to increase fees by 2.8% shows that this isn't about
teaching quality at all. If universities need further support then
let's have a proper discussion about where that money comes
from, rather than pretending that this is somehow a quid pro
quo for providing the quality of teaching students should
already be able to expect". Sir Peter Lampl, chairman of the
Sutton Trust education charity, said the fee increase will add to
student debts that we have shown to be by far the highest in
the English-speaking world. A real concern is that the removal
of maintenance grants will almost certainly deter poorer
students, who now face debts of over £50,000 on graduation”.
From: Coughlan, S. (2017). University tuition fees rise to £9,250
for current students –BBC News. [online] BBC News. Available
at:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-36856026 [Accessed
Australia has around 40 public universities, two
international and one private university, providing any type
of study degree one can imagine, from business and
engineering to history and arts. Tuition fees vary depending
on the discipline you choose to study, degree level and
university. Australia is one of the most expensive countries
when it comes to university costs, as the average tuition fee
for one year is 33,400 AUD. Average tuition based on
degree level:
Bachelor’s degree: between 15,000 and 33,000 AUD/year
Master’s and PhD degree: between 14,000 – 37,000
AUD/year ( Costs and Lungu 2017).
Those who successfully apply for a Commonwealth
supported place, which means study costs are largely
subsidized by the government. Commonwealth supported
places are available at all public universities in Australia.
Majority of the expenditures includes apartment rentals
and other utilities as the cost of living is too high. An
important solution would be to acquire financial aid
otherwise covering up expenses would be a critical
problem.
From:
Costs, S. and Lungu, M. 2017. Study abroad in Australia:
Tuition Fees and Living Costs - MastersPortal.eu. [online]
Mastersportal.eu. Available at:
http://www.mastersportal.eu/articles/1589/study-abroad-
in-australia-tuition-fees-and-living-costs.html [Accessed 13
Nov. 2017].
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19 Jan. 2017].
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2.Make some notes of the most important points, using your own words, in part 2 below.
PART 2:
Notes (Text 1): Notes (Text 2):
The universities of England are not authorized to
charge fees more than the current limit that is
9000euros in a year. However, the government can
extend the tuition fees of the universities to £9,250 a
year from the year 2017. The increase in the fees is
also to be applied to all those students who have
already enrolled their names in the course, as
according to the government norms.
The University of Royal Holloway and Kent are still
unsure about, whether to charge the new fees
structure from the present year itself or from the
upcoming years. However, the higher authorities of
the university have decided to increase the fees from
2017.
Jo Johnson, the universities president has stated
earlier that connecting or linking the quality of
education with fees will not be accepted as the
money is not asked for educational development
only. Hence, in case of any kind of support is required
by the universities; proper meeting with the
management will be held about hike in fees and the
quality of education.
The students, those who are from poor background
will have to suffer a lot because of this increased debt
at the time of their graduation.
The Australian universities are the most expensive
universities in the entire world. The average tuition
fee in Australia is 33,400 dollars per year. The
variation in fees depends on the level of educational
degree that the student wants to pursue further. The
total cost of the Australian universities get subsidised
greatly by the government, if the student applies in
commonwealth supported place.
There are students who share their apartments in
order to reduce their total expenditure. They further
limit their other privileges and demands too in order
to afford their university fees.
3. Answer the question in part 3 below, using your notes.
PART 3:
What are the similarities and differences between universities in England and Australia in relation
to tuition fees? Why are they important?
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Similarities-
The tuition fees of the universities in both the countries are high and the increase in fees in the universities is
making it difficult for the students to pursue higher level of education there.
Dissimilarities:
The universities of Australia are more expensive than the universities of England.
The government of Australia helps the University students through Commonwealth supported place but no
such subsidies from the government is visible in the universities in England.
The maintenance grant removal in Australia will increase the debt of poor students.
The universities of England want to increase the fees in order to develop the quality of education in the
universities but in Australia, the education is highly expensive and the government tries to subsidize the fees in
order to help the poor students so that they can afford a quality education.
Section 1: Portfolio Evidence III
Outline (recommended word count: 200)
Complete your essay outline below. An outline is a map of the main ideas included in your essay. You should
not write full sentences, just notes of the main points that you are going to write in each paragraph of your
essay, along with in-text referencing details (MB=Main Body).
TITLE Increase in university fees in Australia and England
INTRODUCTION Background Information:
The university fee is increasingly rising every year in the universities in England. In Australian
countries, though the fees are expensive but the range varies in according to the economic condition
and status of the different states. However, the government grants loans in the commonwealth
places.
Thesis Statement:
The price hike in tuition fees in the universities of Australia and England is making it difficult for the
students to afford better quality education.
MB Paragraph 1
Paragraph Focus: Fee structure of the universities
Country A: England Country B: Australia
 From the year 2017, the tuition fees will
increase per year.
 If the inflation is increased up to 2.8%, the
fees may further hike up to 10,000euros.
 The tuition fees will increase up to £9,250
gradually.
 The fees may increase if higher level of
programme is undertaken.
 The tuition fees vary according to
different places.
 The tuition fees per year in universities
are $33,400 dollars.
MB
Paragr Paragraph Focus: Resulting Conditions
Country A: England Country B: Australia
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 The hike in tuition fees is to accommodate
the cost of teaching for quality education.
 The hike in tuition fee is still
unimplemented on the current and new
student as well.
 The fees charges vary from place to
place.
 The fees are so expensive for the
students that they have to do campus
jobs.
 The cost of living is higher so the
students have to share their
apartments for accommodation.
CONCLUSION Summary of main points
 The student’s education can get affected if they do various campus jobs throughout the year.
 To ensure quality education it is not necessary to raise the tuition fees per year.
Recommendations/suggestions/predictions
Raise the fee structure only when necessary. In order to develop the education system, government
can collect fund from the citizen of the countries, not by increasing the fees year after year.
Section 1: Portfolio Evidence IV
Paragraph structure (recommended word count: 300, including notes)
Write a MB paragraph for your essay below (funding OR quality).Then, highlight its parts using a different
colour for each one of them. Use the following colour code:
Topic sentence: RED
Country A (England): BLUE
Country B (……………………): GREEN
Concluding sentence: ORANGE
In-text reference: PURPLE
Write your paragraph here. Then, colour the different parts.
The universities in England are increasing the tuition fees every year since 2017 and it is declared that the price
will hike upto £9,250 every year. The limit of the tuition fees is £9000. Though the government in England has
still not published any rules or regulation for increasing the fees limit, yet the universities are going to charge
higher fees than the present amount that is £9000. Furthermore, if the inflation rate increases upto 2.8%, the
fees will increase ever year. It has also been stated earlier that in order to develop the quality of education in
the universities, rise in fees price is fair and just. However, Mr. Johnson argument with the authorities
highlighted a contradictory statement. He stated that no universities require such hike in fees price to impart
education and develop the teaching qualities. The sudden increase in price range has caused stress to the
students especially from poor background to afford quality education (Chowdry et al. 2013). Some universities
are still confused with the price hike. Universities like Kent and Surrey is still unable to decide to apply the fees
price rise on the current students besides the new students (Padro 2015).
In Universities in Australia, the tuition fees are $33,400 per year. The fees price in universities in Australia is
the most expensive in the world. The increased cost of living makes the fees price hike further. The fees rate
increases, if the higher-level progrogramme or degree is pursued. The bachelor degrees varies from $15,000 to
$33,000 per year and the masters and Phd programmes fees varies from $14,000 to $37,000 per year. The fees
are too expensive so the students have to take up few jobs to carry their education. The price charges of
universities vary at different places. The students are allowed grants from the government if pursuing
education from a commonwealth places (Hazelkorn 2015). The universities fee is further rising gradually. The
students share their apartments due to increase in the cost of living.
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Henceforth, it is a matter of concern for students to pursue higher education in terms of affordability,
especially to the poorer and foreign students. The students have to do various small jobs to afford the
universities fees which hampers their education. Such price hike is not required for improving the quality of
education if the students’ effectiveness and productivity get affected and worsening the situation.
Reference:
Chowdry, H., Crawford, C., Dearden, L., Goodman, A. and Vignoles, A., 2013. Widening participation in higher
education: analysis using linked administrative data. Journal of the Royal Statistical Society: Series A (Statistics
in Society), 176(2), pp.431-457.
Hazelkorn, E., 2015. Rankings and the reshaping of higher education: The battle for world-class excellence.
Springer.
Padro, F.F., 2015. Quality in higher education.
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Section 1: Portfolio Evidence V
Essay self-assessment form (recommended word count: 100)
Complete this form before you submit your portfolio.
Type a few comments below in relation to how well you have
addressed the following criteria in your essay.
ESSAY STRUCTURE
A. Has a clear structure including an
introduction, body paragraphs, conclusion
& bibliography.
The structure of the essay is written in vivid form.
B. Has a clear thesis statement that states
the sub-topics and position.
The thesis statement explains the overall condition but does not
states the sub-topic.
C. Has clear topic sentences in each main
body paragraph.
The topic consists of clear statements in each main body
paragraphs
D. Has features of an essay not a report,
i.e. no headings, no bullet points etc.
The content is written in essay format with no headings, bullets
or any other points as such.
CONTENT
E. Has compared directly between the two
countries in each paragraph.
The comparison between the universities of England and
Australia has been thoroughly done.
F. Has commented on what we learn from
the comparisons.
Yes, the suggestions on the comparison have been included.
G. Has included suitable background
information in the introduction.
Yes, the background information has been well researched
and included.
H. Has included a suitable summary and
position in the conclusion.
The conclusion does contain a brief overview of the given
topic.
I. Has written 750 words (+/- 10%). Yes
USE OF SOURCES AND REFERENCING
J. Has a minimum of 2 sources per
paragraph.
Yes, there are minimum two references in every paragraph.
K. Has in-text citations which follow
Harvard style. E.g. (Coughlan, 2014).
Yes. Harvard style citation is used.
M. Has avoided plagiarism. Yes
USE OF ENGLISH
N. Writes accurate sentences. Yes, the sentences are accurate.
O. Spells and punctuates accurately. Yes, the spellings are correct.
P. Uses a range of language. Yes
Q. Writes in an appropriate academic
style.
Yes
Things you feel competent at (approx. 50 words):
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I feel competent at gaining knowledge from all the well-researched facts that are
available in the internet. In extracting and understanding the information, the facts
and figuring the patterns of management makes me feel very much competent.
Further, in reviewing and analyzing the content of a subject matter brings a great
satisfaction.
Things you need to work on (approx. 50 words):
I need to work more on the well-refined sources for better information and gain
optimal research facts. I should also work more on the style of the body content and
its structuring as well. Proper forms of formatting and research explanations with
factors are also the areas where more effort is required.
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Section 2: Written Task
Academic Writing (750 words)
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Please type your essay below (750 words).
Make sure that:
 Your essay has an appropriate title, an introduction, two main body paragraphs, a
conclusion and a reference list.
 You have used at least 2 references (in-text citations) in each of your main body
paragraphs (at least 4 references in total).
 You have discussed BOTH countries in EACH of your main body paragraphs (point-by-
point approach).
Title: Comparative analysis of the studies in England and Australia
This essay focuses on highlighting the comparative study of higher education system and the funding
price of the universities in England and Australia. It will further elaborate on the fee structure of the
universities and the educational development in these countries as well.
According to the recent surveys recently, the students all over the world are opting for the universities
based in England rather than in Australia as the universities in England are offering cheaper fee schemes. It is
ultimately becoming the main attraction point for the students. The recent fee price hike in the universities in
England has become a major threat for the students and the economical condition. The universities are
experiencing a rise in tuition fees up to £9,250 every year. The students are protesting against the price hike of
tuition fees (Wakeling and Jefferies 2013) but in the universities of Australia, the fees are expensive. It is
leading to an amount of $33,400 a year. Therefore, the students nowadays are opting for the British
Universities as there are ample of scopes for better opportunities in future in terms of affordability. The same
courses are available in the universities in England are of much cheaper in cost than from the Australian
universities. However, the rise in tuition fees of England is £9,250, but still it is lower than the Australian
universities fees, which is $33,400 a year, triple in amount than the fees charged in universities in England
(Wilkins, Shams and Huisman 2013). The Australian universities charges for a bachelor degree between the
price range of $15,000 to $33,000 every year and it is too high for the domestic students and the foreign
students as well. The university fees at commonwealth-supported places are cheaper (Cantwell 2015). All the
students who are from poor background are in search for better education and it is they, who are facing the
ultimate discouragements. The Australian universities offers the degree courses to the student with a duration
of total four years whereas the universities in England are offering the same courses to the students to be
completed only within three years and also at a much cheaper rate than the universities in Australia. Hence,
the total number of students applying for the educational courses in the universities in England has rapidly
increased.
In the universities of Australia, the plans for funding and cost management of the students have been
devised gradually. Due to high cost of living in Australia, it is further advised to the students to share their
living facilities like their room or apartments with other, but it is not the case in England, as the students living
in England are provided with dormitory facilities (Chiang et al. 2014). The fees payment scheme also changes
various times in a particular year.
These are usually followed by the reputed universities in order to provide the students with quality
education and development. The students follow such difficult fees structure to pay for the respective tuitions.
They also agree on the pricing patterns just for the sake of their future. In addition, the students have reported
that there are no such educational development and extra qualities provided to them as it was promised.
The fee structure and the universities education are not exactly on the par. It is seen that only the fees
pricing has increased but the methodologies and teaching quality is still the same. It is revealed that the only
difference done over the past years is the increase in tuition fees in the universities in England. The
government of England do not have strict control over the price hike of the tuition fees charged presently in
the universities (Verbik 2015).
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Whereas, in the universities of Australia, the fees structure is too expensive and the education
structure focuses on the broad courses, which require long term examination, proofing reading besides
several small projects. The fee that is charged for the masters and the PhD programme is in between the price
range from 14,000 dollars to 37,000 dollars. The whole course structure involves presentations and
assignments. In the universities in England, the students follow a more traditional approach of education
system. The education system focuses more on the assignments and the imparted lectures in the class.
Moreover, there are no assignments for the students sometimes and the grading systems of the universities
are based on the results of the final examinations. On the other hand, in Australian universities, the grades
depend on different factors, such as assignment submission, performance and the final level examination
given by the students (Metcalf and Stock 2017). The Management system of institutions at different states is
also different. In the Australian universities, the student applies for a particular course through centralized
university by applying at all colleges at once but in case of the universities in England, the colleges are
governed and controlled by the university Head. I addition, these colleges also have their fair share of
autonomy present within the main university and students can further apply for the particular subject of their
choices, either through the governing university or the colleges (Stephenson and Yorke 2013).
Therefore, this essay concludes saying that the education qualities that are offered in the universities
in England is not going to be better only with the increase in price of tuition fees. However, the standards of
education are same for both in universities of Australia and England. The majority of students have reported
that the quality of education and tuition fees charged by the universities is not at par. Hence, it can b
concluded that the universities in England are best in terms of funding than the Australian Universities. For a
similar degree course, same qualities can be afforded at much cheaper rate in universities in England and
therefore the universities in England are more preferred by the students. As well as the accommodation, rates
are affordable by the students in England, as they do not have to share rooms or apartment, unlike in
Australia. The students pursuing education in England can utilize their time in study with less stress for take up
jobs, unlike the students in Australia, where the cost of living is too high.
Reference List:
Cantwell, B., 2015. Are international students cash cows? Examining the relationship between new
international undergraduate enrollments and institutional revenue at public colleges and universities in the
US. Journal of International Students, 5(4), pp.512-525.
Chiang, T., Mevlevioglu, G., Natarajan, S., Padget, J. and Walker, I., 2014. Inducing [sub] conscious energy
behaviour through visually displayed energy information: A case study in university accommodation. Energy
and Buildings, 70, pp.507-515.
Metcalf, G.E. and Stock, J.H., 2017. Integrated assessment models and the social cost of carbon: a review and
assessment of US experience. Review of Environmental Economics and Policy, 11(1), pp.80-99.
Stephenson, J. and Yorke, M. eds., 2013. Capability and quality in higher education. Routledge.
Verbik, L., 2015. The international branch campus: Models and trends. International Higher Education, (46).
Wakeling, P. and Jefferies, K., 2013. The effect of tuition fees on student mobility: the UK and Ireland as a
natural experiment. British Educational Research Journal, 39(3), pp.491-513.
Wilkins, S., Shams, F. and Huisman, J., 2013. The decision-making and changing behavioural dynamics of
potential higher education students: the impacts of increasing tuition fees in England. Educational Studies,
39(2), pp.125-141.
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