EAP 1 Portfolio (EAPA3004): Higher Education Comparison Essay

This EAP 1 portfolio (EAPA3004) showcases a student's development in academic writing skills. The portfolio includes a self-evaluation checklist, summarizing exercises comparing tuition fees in England and America, and an essay outline comparing the higher education systems of both countries. The student analyzes the funding models and the quality of education. The portfolio culminates in a compare and contrast essay (750 words) and a focus on paragraph structure and self-assessment, demonstrating the student's ability to produce cohesive and coherent academic writing and to read, compare, and summarize academic texts. The portfolio provides a comprehensive overview of the student's progress throughout the course.

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.)
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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
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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.
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)
a.i.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 America
“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. 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.Royal Holloway and the University of Kent
have to still to
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
America is the country where University fees are
being increasing with the rapid speed. Average
cost to study in American University is £ 22000 a
year. It depends upon the course in which
individual is getting admission. Fees can be from
£15000 to £500000 as per the length and course of
education.
USA full dreams of many students by providing
them quality education. That is the main reason
that from various locations many students come in
America or the educational purposes. State
university has tuition fees around 12000-25000.
On other hand private educational institutes change
£18000-£35000 tuition fees from students.
Some of the universities of America such as
Tulane university, California state university have
decided to provide scholarship to students so that
they can complete their education easily in
America.
It has similar educational changes for all students,
no matter whether individual has already taken
admission or new to the university.
America concentrates on quality of education, it
provide best educational services and knowledge
to students so that they can build their career.
Though they charges fees so that operational cost
can be recovered. But it is not linked with quality
of education. They provide same quality education
to all courses students.
From: Monica Lungu (2017). College Tuition cost
for your Master’s Degree in the USA. [Online].
Available through
[http://www.mastersportal.eu/articles/1762/college
-tuition-costs-for-your-masters-degree-in-the-
usa.html].
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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 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 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.
 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”.
 Average cost to study in American
University is £ 22000 a year. It depends
upon the course in which individual is
getting admission.
 America or the educational purposes. State
university has tuition fees around 12000-
25000. On other hand private educational
institutes change £18000-£35000 tuition
fees from students.
 Tulane university, California state
university have decided to provide
scholarship to students so that they can
complete their education easily in
America.
3.Answer the question in part 3 below, using your notes.
PART 3:
What are the similarities and differences between universities in England and America in relation
to tuition fees? Why are they important?
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Similarities
Both provide quality education to student. Tuition fees depend upon the length and academic term ofc
course. England and America both universities deliver quality educational services to learners and
provide them growth opportunities.
Differences
England is the country where university fees are not being increased for those students those who have
already taken admission in the university. Fees for undergraduate students will remain same. On other
hand American universities charges equal fees from all students. They raise their fees structure every
year for previous and new both learners. England does not provide scholarship facility to its students
whereas America offers scholarship facilities to talented people.
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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).
TITL
E
Compare and contrast the higher education system n England and America
INT
RO
DU
CTI
ON
Background Information:
England and America share significant placement and have high ranking in the higher educational
system. Universities of both countries provide different quality education with different procedures.
Tuition fees charge by both these places is different from each others.
Thesis Statement: Educational fees in America and England
MB
Par
agr
aph
1
Paragraph Focus: Funding
Country A: England Country B: America
Approx 2200000 students take admission in higher
education in England every year. It is 3.5% of
entire population.
Approx 17500000students get enrolled in
higher education in American universities
which is 5.5% of total population.
MB
Par
agr
aph
2
Paragraph Focus: quality
Country A: England Country B: America
England universities changes 9250 at the initial
phase of admission but later on it does not charge
more than 9000.
These universities pay attention on higher the rate
of course then higher quality would be delivered.
American Universities have tuition fees
between 15000 to 50000. These universities
offer scholarship facilities to its skilled and
deserving students so that individual can
complete their education without any financial
burden.
CON
CLU
SIO
N
Summary of main points
From the above discussion it can be concluded that university fees of England is moderate whereas
American tuition fees are quite high. England give quality education as per the fees paid by student
in the course whereas America provide quality education to all its students no matter in which course
individual has taken admission.
Recommendations/suggestions/predictions
England should keep equal costs of education for new and existing students. It should not link
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educational quality with funding system.
America needs to pay more attention on improving its quality of education and should reduce tuition
fees so that maximum students can get admission into these universities.
 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.
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Funding system in England and American Universities
England is the place where many new students take admission every year. Approx length of higher
education in the nation is 3 years (Harleen Bedi, 2017). Though tuition fees of England are high but it
is quite affordable for the students. Current rate of education in England is 9250 for new students but
for existing students it charges 9000 per year fees for undergraduate students. England charges cost for
undergraduate course between 8000- 15000.
American universities charges high cost from the learners those who get enrolled in higher educational
courses. The tuition fees of this country are between 15000 to 50000. That depends upon the type of
course in which individual is taking admission (Monica Lungu 2017). Students have to pay approx
10000- 15000 for room and living expenditures. In total two years post graduation or higher education
degrees individual have to spend approx 25000-60000 which is very high.
From the above discussion it can be concluded that England and America both have their own funding
system in educational universities. Fees and cost of education is moderate in England but it is very
high in American educational institutes.
References
Harleen Bedi, (2017). Country comparison: USA vs. UK. [Online]. Available through <
https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/country-comparison-usa-vs-uk-guidepage-303>
Monica Lungu (2017). College Tuition cost for your Master’s Degree in the USA. [Online]. Available
through [http://www.mastersportal.eu/articles/1762/college-tuition-costs-for-your-masters-degree-in-
the-usa.html]
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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.
Yes clear structure is being used in this report
B. Has a clear thesis statement that
states the sub-topics and position.
Yes clear thesis statement
C. Has clear topic sentences in each
main body paragraph.
Yes
D. Has features of an essay not a
report, i.e. no headings, no bullet
points etc.
Yes
CONTENT
E. Has compared directly between
the two countries in each paragraph.
Yes comparison of two countries have been done
F. Has commented on what we learn
from the comparisons.
Yes it is clearly stated what we have learn
G. Has included suitable background
information in the introduction.
Yes
H. Has included a suitable summary
and position in the conclusion.
Yes
I. Has written 750 words (+/- 10%). Yes
USE OF SOURCES AND REFERENCING
J. Has a minimum of 2 sources per
paragraph.
Yes
K. Has in-text citations which follow
Harvard style. E.g. (Coughlan, 2014).
Yes
M. Has avoided plagiarism. Yes
USE OF ENGLISH
N. Writes accurate sentences. Yes
O. Spells and punctuates accurately. Yes
P. Uses a range of language. Yes
Q. Writes in an appropriate academic
style.
yes
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Things you feel competent at (approx. 50 words):
Researcher has searched about tuition fees of England and America. Individual has written clear
sentences and has given clear title. Entire study has focused on funding and quality of two
country’s educational system. Scholar has read articles and has developed understanding about
funding system after that report is being prepared in own words. So there is not plagiarism issue.
Things you need to work on (approx. 50 words):
Researcher need to work more on his research skill, individual has to search more content so that more
authentic information can be involved. Furthermore, scholar is required to improve his communication
skill so that individual can discuss the topic with others and can gain their point of view. It will support
in completing this report in effective manner.
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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
:
Compare and contrast the higher education system in England with that of America
in terms of funding and quality. Which system is preferable?
Introduction
Higher education plays significant role in the life
of individual. There are many people those who
go to other countries for their higher studies. They
prefer to take admission in such colleges where
they can get quality education at affordable fees.
But in the modern era situation of education
industry has been changed. Now universities pay
more attention on fees rather than quality. Present
study will discuss the funding and quality system
of two countries’ universities. One would be
England and comparison will be done with
American universities. Essay will describe
funding or tuition fees in both universities and
quality of education deliver in these educational
institutes.
Main Body
Education is the most important part of human
life. UK is the country where many people come
from different locations for completing their
higher studies. They take admission in the best
universities with the intention to get carer
development opportunities. Education system of
UK is quite good. It charges 9250 tuition fees per
year from new students those who take admission
in higher education in universities of England
(Blaug, 2014). It is moderate cost of education but
university raise its fees every year. Universities of
United Kingdom always prefer to take changes as
per the course of the education. If individual is
taking admission in lengthy course then university
charge high cost but if person is taking admission
in normal course then they charge nominal fees.
Every year universities increase their prices
because they have to invest amount for hiring the
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best teachers and arranging books material for the
students. In such condition new candidates feel
that they are charging high amount due to which
they fail to complete their education easily.
Students those who have taken admission in
previous year they will not have to pay raised cost
but new students have to pay it. On other hand
American universities charge high tuition fees
from learners. Its cost are between 15000- 50000
per year depends upon length of course (Bok,
2015). But it offers scholarship to skilled and
talented students so many people take admission
in American universities every year. American
universities also charges high fees from their
students. It is very high as compare to England
universities. But these places offer additional
benefits to the learners, that makes the situation
easy for them. By getting scholarship they can
take admission and can complete their higher
education degree easily.
Quality of education matters a lot, if individual is
paying huge amount but is unable to get
satisfactory knowledge then it demotivate the
person and individual fails to get career
development opportunities too. England has
linked quality of education with fees paid by
student. If individual is paying high fees for the
higher educational course then individual gets
quality education in the university (Hazelkorn,
2015). But if tuition fees or university fee is low
as per the course then person do not get quality
knowledge by teachers in these universities.
American universities pay more attention on
quality. They concentrate on development of
students and providing career opportunities to
them. Thus, these American universities provide
quality education to all students no matter in
which course individual has taken admission.
American universities arrange books, tuition
classes for these learners so that they can enhance
their knowledge and can become successfully in
future (Delbanco, 2014). Both these universities
work in different agendas. They provide quality
education but their own terms. England university
believes that if person is paying high fees then
good teachers can be involved in the course so
individual will be able to get quality education.
Whereas American universities completely focus
on quality of the education, so it provides equal
education to all students those who take
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admission in any course.
Conclusion
From the above discussion it can be concluded
that university fees, tuition fees are high in
America as compare to England. Funding system
of American university is high because they spend
huge amount to provide quality education to its
learners. On other hand England charges
affordable cost from its higher education students.
But quality of education is link with charges paid
by learner in the university for its course.
Reference List:
Blaug, M., 2014. Economics of education: A
selected annotated bibliography. Elsevier.
Bok, D., 2015. Higher education in America.
Princeton University Press.
Hazelkorn, E., 2015. Rankings and the reshaping
of higher education: The battle for world-class
excellence. Springer.
Delbanco, A., 2014. College: What it was, is, and
should be. Princeton University Press.
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