GLOSSARY OF KEY TERMS

Transcription

1 GLOSSARY OF KEY TERMS This glossary is designed to explain the key terms related to University study. A ACADEMIC YEAR This is the University year, which usually runs from September to July. ACCESS COURSE An Access Course is an alternative route into University for students who did not gain A levels. Access courses are for mature students (usually over 21) and can usually be completed in 1 year of full time study. ACCESS TO LEARNING FUND This is a non-repayable grant administered by the University of Worcester to help eligible students who are experiencing financial difficulties. ADJUSTMENT This is a UCAS system enabling students who have exceeded their predicted examination results to look for alternative places without losing their conditional offer. ALUMNI This is a community of former students who have graduated and keep in touch with the University. APPLY This is the name given to the online application system for UCAS. B BA Bachelor of Arts Degree. BEng Bachelor of Engineering Degree. BSc Bachelor of Science Degree. BLACKBOARD This is an electronic system used by the University of Worcester (and many other Universities) which provides information to students regarding their modules, lectures and notices from lecturers. BURSARY An award of money allocated to certain students from Universities. Bursaries can be course related or means tested and are designed to help assist with living costs whilst studying. C CAMPUS The buildings and grounds of a University. Some Universities have multiple campuses. CLEARING This is a UCAS system to enable students who have not yet secured a place on a course to apply for any vacancies. It is the final opportunity to gain a place for the following academic year. CONDITIONAL OFFER This is an offer of a place at University which has certain conditions attached, for example the achievement of specific grades. CORE TEXTS These are texts which are essential for students to read during their course. Reading lists detailing core texts are distributed in advance of each semester.

2 D DEFERRAL The process of a student agreeing with the University to defer their entry to the course until the following year. DISCOVERY DAYS Discovery days are organised events by the University of Worcester which allow younger students to visit the University and discover a glimpse of University life. DISSERTATION This is a long report, usually completed in the final year of a degree based upon research the student has carried out independently. Not all awards require completion of a dissertation. F FACULTY This is a group of academic departments within a University, for example Faculty of Education. Sometimes the faculties are referred to as schools, for example School of Medicine. FE OR FURTHER EDUCATION Further education is the term used to describe studies carried out after the end of statutory education but before Higher Education. FINALS These are the final examinations taken by students at the end of their Higher Education course. DISTANCE LEARNING This is when students study from home using materials supplied by an institution. FIRM OFFER The offer of a place which the student has accepted as their firm choice. DIPLOMA OF HIGHER EDUCATION OR DIPHE A qualification offered by some Universities which is equivalent to two years study on a degree programme. DSA OR DISABLED STUDENTS ALLOWANCE An award of money designed to help students with disabilities meet the additional cost of studying due to their disability. E EMPLOYABILITY This term refers to the suitability of a student for employment. ENROLMENT The formal process of a student starting university. FOUNDATION DEGREE OR FD This is a vocational degree that includes an element of work based learning. It is completed in a shorter amount of time than a full degree and students usually have the option of doing an extra year at the end to receive a full honours degree. FOUNDATION YEAR This is only available for certain subjects (mainly Science and Art) and at certain universities. It is aimed at students who have not met the degree entry requirements and enables them to undertake a preparatory year of study, which if completed, usually guarantees them a place on the degree. FRESHERS This is a term used to describe the new cohort of students who are just stating their time at University. EXTRA This is a UCAS system which allows students who have made their five choices but not received any offers apply for an alternative course. UCAS Extra takes place before clearing begins. FRESHERS WEEK A week of activities usually at the very start of the first semester for new students. Events and activities are organised to welcome the new students, familiarise them with the facilities and clubs on offer and to help them find their way around.

3 G GAP YEAR This is when a student takes a year out of study, either for travelling or work experience. I INSURANCE The offer of a place which the student has accepted as their second choice. GRADUATE A person who has been awarded a degree from a higher education institution. GRADUATION This is when a student formally collects their degree and normally takes place at a specially organised ceremony. You can graduate without attending the ceremony. GRANT OR MAINTENANCE GRANT This is an allocation of money awarded to some students from lower income families to help support them with living costs whilst they are studying. H HALLS These are blocks of accommodation on (or very near to) campus for students. Lots of universities give priority to first year students for halls and some guarantee places in halls for first year students applying for accommodation by a certain date. HE OR HIGHER EDUCATION This is a term for study at degree level or higher. Higher education normally takes place at universities, however, it can take place in further education colleges. HEFCE OR HIGHER EDUCATION FUNDING COUNCIL FOR ENGLAND This is the funding body for all Universities in England. HNC/HND Higher National Certificate and Higher National Diploma. These are work related or vocational higher education qualifications. HONOURS DEGREE This is a qualification awarded by a higher education institution after the satisfactory completion of three years full time study on a degree course (or the equivalent part time). J JOINT HONOURS DEGREE A degree in more than one subject. L LECTURE A teaching class taught by a lecturer. The lecturer usually talks and/or presents whilst the students take notes. LOAN Students take out loans with SLC to help pay for tuition fees and living costs. They are not repaid until the student is earning over 21,000 and payments are designed to be manageable. Payments are deducted from salary similarly to tax and national insurance. M MASTERS DEGREE This is a higher level degree which can be taken after completion of a first degree. It can also be referred to as a Postgraduate Qualification. MATURE STUDENT This term applies to any student over the age of 21 when they commence their degree. MODULE A module is a unit of study on a degree. Most degrees are broken down into a number of modules with each one covering a different area within a subject. N NUS OR NATIONAL UNION OF STUDENTS The organisation that looks after students and represents their interests. Students can register for an NUS card which will also entitle them to a great selection of discounts from well-known retailers.

4 O OPEN DAYS Open days are when a University organises specific days for students (and their parents) to visit and look around a University. These days are a great opportunity to speak to staff and students and get a feel for the University. OXBRIDGE A term used to refer to Oxford and Cambridge Universities. P PERSONAL ID This is a 10 digit number given to students by UCAS when they register. This number should be recorded safely as it will be needed whenever students contact UCAS. PERSONAL TUTOR Most students are allocated a personal tutor at the commencement of their studies who is available to offer help and advice with any problems. R READING WEEK This is a period during the University semester when there are no taught sessions and students are expected to study independently. RUSSELL GROUP This is a group of 20 leading UK universities. Places at Russell Group Universities tend to be more competitive. S SANDWICH COURSE (OR YEAR IN INDUSTRY) Any course that includes a year away for a placement in industry. SCHOLARSHIP This is usually an award of money by an institution or organisation to help with the costs of study. The University of Worcester offers a number of scholarships including Academic Scholarships for top achievers, sports scholarships and many more. PHD OR DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY This is a postgraduate qualification higher than a Masters Degree which culminates years of research and writing which is then assessed. On completion of the PhD the holder may use the title of Doctor. PLAGIARISM This is the use or the close imitation of the work of someone else. Plagiarism is taking very seriously in all institutions and students should ensure their work is correctly referenced. PGCE OR POST GRADUATE CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION This is a teacher training course usually taken after completion of a first degree, leading to qualified teacher status (QTS). POSTGRADUATE COURSES These are higher level courses taken after a degree and can lead to a Masters Degree, Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma. Q QTS OR QUALIFIED TEACHER STATUS An accreditation made to those who meet the required standards to be able to teach in schools. SEMESTER Some universities divide the study year into two halves, known as semesters (unlike the three terms of school). SEMINAR Seminars differ from lectures in that they are usually student led and usually involve discussions and group tasks. STUDENT LOANS COMPANY OR SLC This is the company who provide the student loans. STUDENTS UNION This is a student led organisation present in most universities and colleges. Its purpose is to represent students as well as organising social activities. T TARIFF POINTS This is a points system for entry qualifications for higher education courses. TRACK Track is part of the UCAS system and is where students can track the progress of their application.

5 TUITION FEES These are the fees charged by the University for their course. Students generally take out loans for their tuition fees and only begin to repay them when they are earning over 21,000. TUTORIAL This is a one to one discussion between a student and tutor or lecturer regarding their work or any issues. Some tutorials can take place as small groups rather than individually. U UCAS OR UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES ADMISSION SERVICE Almost all students applying for higher education will use this service. UNCONDITIONAL OFFER An offer of a place made by a University with no conditions attached to it. UNDERGRADUATE A student in the process of studying for a degree. V VOCATIONAL COURSE A work related programme of study. W WORCESTER WEEK Worcester weeks are specific weeks set aside over the academic year at the University of Worcester where there are no taught lectures, but instead a range of alternative learning activities are scheduled to enrich students learning experience.