in vs at a school

[White Hat]

"This paper explores various aspects of the institution of the rectorship in/at the University of Edinburgh." Must I use "in" or "at" here?

 

[SoothingDave]

At.

 

[White Hat]

"There are several studies looking at the educational process in/at the University of Edinburgh." What about this one - "in" or "at"?

 

[SoothingDave]

At.

 

[White Hat]

"... oversee issues related to appointing professorial and teaching staff in/at the university." "In" or "at"?

 

[White Hat]

Personally, I'd go with "at" in that one. Is there a hard-and-fast rule on this?

 

[Tarheel]

Personally, I'd go with "at" in that one. Is there a hard-and-fast rule on this?

Two things. One, I agree with you. Two, you know what they say. (You learn things better if you figure them out for yourself.)

 

[jutfrank]

Yes, at again, for the same reason.

 

[White Hat]

Consider the following book title: 'The Rectorship: In Scotch Universities' (by John Malcolm Bulloch). Would it be wrong to say "The Rectorship: At Scotch Universities"? Does it have to do with whether you are using BrE ("in") or AmE ("at")?

 

[Barque]

The writer may have meant "Inside Scotch universities". Perhaps it comments on rectorships from the perspective of someone who's working there, on the inside, so to speak.

Or he may just have meant "Rectorship as it exists in universities in Scotland".

I don't know if it's a BE-AmE difference. I think both "in" and "at" work in this case.

 

[5jj]

It should be Scottish universities. Scotch is reserved for the drink and one or two other things.

 

[White Hat]

Can someone give me a couple of examples where "in" is used before an educational institution? I guess this way it will be easier for me to get this. And how about this title for a table: "Numbers of Higher Education Institutions in Edinburgh and Students in/at Them"? I've used "in" a couple of times before. I hope it's not wrong!

 

[Barque]

Can someone give me a couple of examples where "in" is used before an education institution?

He's in medical school. (I think this is more likely in AmE.)

And how about this title for a table: "Numbers of Higher Education Institutions in Edinburgh and Students in/at Them"?

I'd prefer "in" here, but I think I'd probably say "Higher Education Institutions in Edinburgh and their Students".

 

[White Hat]

I appreciate your help, Barque. I meant countable nouns. Let us see what native speakers of English think.

 

[Barque]

I meant countable nouns.

He's in a private school.

 

[White Hat]

1) Federal Education Minister Jason Clare has announced another review into how teaching is taught _ universities.
2) Astronomy is taught _ many Canadian universities and colleges.
3) At present Latin is taught _ five schools.
4) alter the system of teaching _ our schools
5) _ some universities in the United Kingdom the term dean is used for the head of a faculty, a collection of related academic departments.

I got these from websites run by native speakers of English. I have a special file in which I collect interesting phrases that I find online. These are some of the sentences I have in that file. I just want to get a second opinion on these. I'll then compare your answers with what's in the file.

 

[5jj]

Let us see what native speakers of English think.

I hope you are not expressing doubt about Barque's ability to respond. In their short time with us, they have given a number of consistently accurate and helpful responses.

 

[White Hat]

Not at all, sir.

 

[Barque]

1) Federal Education Minister Jason Clare has announced another review into how teaching is taught _ universities.
2) Astronomy is taught _ many Canadian universities and colleges.
3) At present Latin is taught _ five schools.
4) alter the system of teaching _ our schools
5) _ some universities in the United Kingdom the term dean is used for the head of a faculty, a collection of related academic departments.

I'd use "at" in the first two and "in" the last three but I can't explain why.

 

[White Hat]

Objections, anyone?