Культура Англии (XXI век)

МИНИСТЕРСТВО НАУКИ И ВЫСШЕГО ОБРАЗОВАНИЯ 
РОССИЙСКОЙ ФЕДЕРАЦИИ 
 
 
 
РОСТОВСКИЙ ГОСУДАРСТВЕННЫЙ 
ЭКОНОМИЧЕСКИЙ УНИВЕРСИТЕТ (РИНХ) 
 
 
 
Абраменко Е.В., Николаева Е.С. 
 
 
 
Культура Англии 
(XXI век) 
 
 
 
Учебное пособие для студентов 
направления 45.03.02 «Лингвистика», 
профиль 45.03.02.02 «Перевод и переводоведение» 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ростов-на-Дону 
Издательско-полиграфический комплекс РГЭУ (РИНХ) 
2024 

УДК 811.111(075) 
ББК 81.2 
А16 
 
Абраменко, Екатерина Валерьевна 
А16 Культура Англии (XXI век) : учебное пособие для студентов направления 
45.03.02 «Лингвистика», профиль 45.03.02.02 «Перевод и переводоведение» / Е.В. Абраменко, Е.С. Николаева. – Ростов-на-Дону : Издательскополиграфический комплекс Рост. гос. экон. ун-та (РИНХ), 2024. – 80 с. 
ISBN 978-5-7972-3251-3 
 
В данном пособии представлено краткое изложение теоретических положений курса культуры Англии XXI века. Пособие знакомит читателя 
с культурой Англии указанной эпохи. Каждый раздел снабжен вопросами, 
контролирующими понимание и стимулирующими самостоятельный анализ. 
Пособие состоит из семи разделов, в которых представлены тексты по 
таким темам культуры Англии, как «Общественная жизнь и образование», 
«Политика», «Праздники», «Спорт», «Королевская семья», «Выдающиеся 
личности», «Известные писатели».  
Настоящее учебное пособие предназначено для работы студентов 
2-х курсов направления 45.03.02 «Лингвистика» и рекомендуется в качестве 
вспомогательного материала как для самостоятельной работы студентов, 
так и для использования преподавателями вуза языковых профилей. 
УДК 811.111(075) 
ББК 81.2 
 
Рецензенты: 
Капитонова Н.С., кандидат филологических наук, доцент кафедры 
иберо-американских исследований в области языка, 
перевода и межкультурной коммуникации 
Южного федерального университета; 
Чередникова Е.А., кандидат филологических наук, 
доцент кафедры лингвистики и МКК 
Ростовского государственного экономического университета (РИНХ). 
 
Утверждено в качестве учебного пособия 
учебно-методическим советом РГЭУ (РИНХ). 
 
 
 
ISBN 978-5-7972-3251-3 
© Ростовский государственный 
экономический университет (РИНХ), 2024 
© Абраменко Е.В., Николаева Е.С., 2024 

ОГЛАВЛЕНИЕ 
 
 
UNIT 1. SOCIAL LIFE, CULTURE, EDUCATION ............. 5 
UK Newspapers ............................................................................ 5 
University Education in GB ......................................................... 6 
 
UNIT 2. UK POLITICS ........................................................... 14 
Theresa May ............................................................................... 14 
Boris Johnson .............................................................................. 15 
Liz Truss ..................................................................................... 16 
Jeremy Corbyn ............................................................................ 19 
George Osborne .......................................................................... 21 
David Cameron ........................................................................... 22 
Anthony Blair ............................................................................. 23 
Ed Balls ....................................................................................... 24 
William Hague ............................................................................ 25 
Sadiq Aman Khan ....................................................................... 27 
James Gordon Brown ................................................................. 28 
 
UNIT 3. HOLIDAYS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM........... 31 
Christmas .................................................................................... 31 
New Year’s Day.......................................................................... 32 
Good Friday ................................................................................ 33 
Easter ........................................................................................... 34 
May Day...................................................................................... 35 
St. Valentine’s Day ..................................................................... 36 
Guy Fawkes’ Night ..................................................................... 37 
Halloween ................................................................................... 38 
St. Patrick’s Day ......................................................................... 39 
St. George’s Day ......................................................................... 40 
 
UNIT 4. SPORTS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM ................ 42 
Football ....................................................................................... 42 
Rugby .......................................................................................... 43 
Cricket ......................................................................................... 45 
Badminton ................................................................................... 46 
Tennis .......................................................................................... 47 

UNIT 5. THE ROYAL FAMILY ............................................ 49 
Queen Elizabeth II ...................................................................... 49 
Prince Philip ................................................................................ 50 
Prince Andrew ............................................................................ 51 
Prince Edward ............................................................................. 52 
Princess Ann ............................................................................... 53 
King Charles III .......................................................................... 54 
Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales ...................... 55 
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle .............................................. 56 
 
UNIT 6. OUTSTANDING PERSONALITIES 
OF THE 21ST CENTURY ............................................................... 59 
Richard Dawkins......................................................................... 59 
Stephen Hawking ........................................................................ 60 
Tim Berners-Lee ......................................................................... 61 
John Horton Conway .................................................................. 62 
David Attenborough ................................................................... 63 
Peter Higgs .................................................................................. 64 
Roger Penrose ............................................................................. 64 
 
UNIT 7. PROMINENT WRITERS 
OF THE 21ST CENTURY ............................................................... 66 
Sir Arthur Charles Clarke ........................................................... 66 
John le Carré ............................................................................... 66 
Ken Follet ................................................................................... 67 
J.K. Rowling ............................................................................... 68 
Neil Gaiman ................................................................................ 69 
Jane Hawking .............................................................................. 72 
Zadie Smith ................................................................................. 73 
Kazuo Ishiguro ............................................................................ 74 
David Icke ................................................................................... 76 
Alan Moore ................................................................................. 76 
V.S. Naipaul ................................................................................ 77 
 
 
 

UNIT 1. SOCIAL LIFE, CULTURE, EDUCATION 
 
 
UK Newspapers 
There are 12 daily newspapers and 10 Sunday newspapers in circulation in most parts of the country. National newspapers cater for a 
wide variety of tastes and interests. They are often described as either 
“qualities” or “tabloids” depending upon their format, style and content. 
Quality newspapers, which are broadsheet in format, cater for those 
readers who want detailed information on a wide range of news and 
current affairs. The most popular tabloid newspapers tend to appeal to 
those who want to read shorter, entertaining stories with more human 
interest, and they generally contain a larger number of photographs. 
Newspapers cater for a whole range of political views, but often 
express a strong standpoint in favour of or against a certain party or policy in their editorial columns. 
Certain British newspapers are renowned throughout the world. 
“The Times” is perhaps the most influential and best known. It was first 
published in 1785, making it Britain’s oldest daily newspaper. “The Observer”, first published in 1791, is the oldest national Sunday newspaper 
in the world. More recent additions to the market include “The Independent” and its sister paper, “The Independent on Sunday”, and “Today”. 
At one time London’s Fleet Street was the centre of newspaper 
industry, but now all the national papers have moved their editorial offices and printing plants to other parts of the capital – many to Docklands, a regenerated area to the east of the City. 
A number of large publishing groups own both national and regional newspapers. There are, however, safeguards against the risk resulting from undue concentration of ownership of the media. It is unlawful to transfer a newspaper or newspaper assets to a proprietor, 
whose newspapers have an average daily circulation of 500,000 or 
more, including that of the newspaper to be taken over, without consent 
from the Government. 
Most town and cities have their own regional newspapers. These 
papers mainly include stories of regional and local interest, but 
the dailies also cover national and international news, often looked 
at from a local point of view. Some of the best-known papers include  

The “Yorkshire Post” (Leeds), “The Northern Echo” (Darlington), “The 
Manchester Evening News” (Manchester). London gas ins own evening paper, “The Evening Standard”, which provides Londoners with news and features covering events in the capital. Thousands of free newspapers, which 
are mainly financed by advertising, are distributed to homes every week. 
They have enjoyed a rapid growth in recent years and have a total 
estimated circulation of about 37 million. There are over 100 newspapers and magazines produced by the ethnic minorities in Britain, reflecting the multi-cultural nature of today’s society. Numerous newspapers and magazines from overseas are also available. 
 
University Education in GB 
The UK higher education system is famous all over the world due 
to its unique course offerings, diverse programs, top-ranked universities, modern learning methodologies, and competent faculty. 
Many prominent personalities like Albert Einstein, Nelson Mandela, Alan Turing, Mahatma Gandhi, Christopher Nolan, and many 
more sought higher education in the UK. According to the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) 2021-2022 statistics, 679,970 international students are pursuing their degrees in the UK. 
All these facts clearly reinstate the quality and popularity of the 
higher education system in the UK. 
The education in the UK at various levels in each of the three administrative zones (England, Scotland, and Wales) differs slightly despite having many commonalities. Generally, these distinctions are not significant 
enough for us, so we refer to higher education in the UK as a single entity. 
So, here’s a blog by MSM Unify that explains the higher educational system in the UK crisply and clearly. MSM Unify is a team of 
leading overseas education consultants who have helped 1,45,000+ students achieve their study abroad dreams so far. Now, it’s your turn! 
The functioning of the study system in the UK? 
Early years, primary years, secondary education, further education (FE), and higher education (HE) make up the five levels of the 
British education system. British citizens begin their education at age 
three, and until 16, they are required to attend school (compulsory education), with the rest of their lives being at their discretion. 

In the UK, secondary school education is followed by a higher 
education degree. Typically, students begin their first degree at a university when they are at least 18 years old. 
Also, please note that in the UK education system, the terms university and college are not used interchangeably. A university is a certified institution of higher education, whereas a college serves as a further education facility that prepares students to achieve degrees. 
The following are stages of the higher education system followed 
by universities in the UK: 
1. 
Undergraduate Degrees; 
2. 
Postgraduate Degrees: a) Master’s Degrees; b) Ph.D. 
or Doctorate Degrees; 
3. 
Foundation Courses. 
Undergraduate Degrees in the UK 
At a university, the first level of studying in the UK is an undergraduate degree. It typically takes three to four years to complete a bachelor’s 
degree with honors. Many universities also offer part-time options that allow students to work alongside and study at an easier pace. 
Types of Undergraduate Degrees in the UK: 
1) 
Bachelor of Arts (BA); 
2) 
Bachelor of Science (BSc); 
3) 
Bachelor of Engineering (BEng); 
4) 
Bachelor of Education (BEd). 
Many Scottish universities offer an undergraduate degree in social 
sciences or humanities, called a Scottish Master of Arts (MA). This degree shouldn’t be confused with a postgraduate degree. 
Shorter courses 
The education system in the UK entails accelerated undergraduate 
courses that are shorter than the regular ones. These courses can be 
completed in just a year or two. 
The system of education in the UK typically uses the following 
conventions to describe the various levels of higher education. 
 
Honors (H) 
or Level 6 
Intermediate (I) 
or Level 5 
Certificate (C) 
or Level 4 
for three to four years of 
study 
for two years 
of study 
for one year 
of undergraduate study 

Undergraduate degree: key details 
Some 
popular 
undergraduate 
disciplines 
Top 
universities 
providing 
undergraduate 
courses 
Entry 
requirements 
Required 
documents 
Approximate tuition fees 
range 
Scholarships and 
funding 
Business and 
management. 
Engineering 
and 
technology. 
Law. 
Psychology. 
Medicine. 
Media 
and 
communication. 
Mathematics. 
Physics, 
etc. 
 
University 
of Glasgow. 
University 
of Exeter. 
University 
of Liverpool. 
University 
of Sheffield 
& many 
more 
A higher secondary education from a 
recognized institution with 
a minimum of 
70 to 80% in 
a related field. 
English proficiency test 
scores (a minimum IELTS 
score of 6.0, 
with no constituent below 
less than 5.5). 
An average 
SAT score of 
1290 to1380 
or an ACT 
score of 26 to 
29 (depending 
on the university requirements). 
Personal 
statement, references, etc. 
These criteria 
can vary for 
different universities 
Official high 
school transcripts. 
School leaving certificate. 
Proof of 
English language proficiency. 
SAT/ ACT 
scores (optional). 
Personal 
statement. 
Letter of recommendation. 
Copy of 
passport. 
Proof of finances 
Recent photographs, 
etc. 
£10,000 
to £50,000 
 
ACI Foundation 
Richard D. 
Stehly 
Memorial 
Scholarships. 
The Mary 
Trevelyan 
Hardship 
Fund. 
Armenian 
International 
Women’s 
Association 
(AIWA) 
Scholarship 
Awards 
& many 
more