It can be challenging enough making decisions about higher education without having to wade though and become bogged down in jargon and other odd or unfamiliar words. For assistance with some of these perplexing words and expressions, have a look at our jargon buster.

Admissions - The Admissions Team at universities manage the student admission process, from enrolment to enquiries.

Admissions office - See Admissions.

Award - The qualification granted when you complete an approved course of study.

BA - Bachelor of Arts.

Bachelor’s degree - A Bachelor degree is a level 6 qualification and normally involves three years (sometimes four) of full-time study. It involves studying one, or sometimes two, subjects and is the most common undergraduate degree in the UK. If it is a bachelor's degree with "honours" (Hons), this indicates a higher level of achievement than a bachelor's degree without honours. 

BArch - Bachelor of Architecture.

BMus - Bachelor of Music.

BPhil - Bachelor of Philosophy.

BSc - Bachelor of Science.

BTEC - A vocational qualification studied at school or college which tends to be work-related and is ideal for students who prefer more practical-based learning. BTEC qualifications allow you to continue further study at university or enter the workforce.

Bursary - A financial grant that is given to eligible students. A bursary does not need to be repaid.

Campus - A campus university is a term for a university situated on one site, with student accommodation, teaching and research facilities, and leisure activities all together.

Clearing - A chance for students to get a place on an undergraduate course at a UK university if they: did not succeed with their original application; decide against offers they got; or apply late in the year.

Clearing Plus -  Clearing Plus matches the individual with up to 50 courses in subjects of interest based on the grades received. It is for students who were unsuccessful with their original application or who are applying for university for the first time through Clearing.

Conditional offer - An offer of a place generally based on applicants meeting a criteria, such as attaining specific A-level results or a certain number of UCAS points for admission to a UK university with certain conditions applied. If you meet all the conditions provided by the university then the offer becomes unconditional.

Conservatoire - Provides performance-based higher education, including music, drama, screen and production courses – both at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Credit - A numerical value given to each module as a measure of its size and the amount of learning required to complete the module. The higher the credit, the harder and more important the module.

Defer/deferral - When you apply to university, you can choose to delay your application by a year to take a gap year or to take a break from your studies - this is called deferred entry. You can apply for deferred entry when you first send off your UCAS form, or request it after you have received your offers.

Higher and degree apprenticeships - Higher apprenticeships go from level 4 to 7 and are equivalent to a foundation degree and above. Degree apprenticeships are available at levels 6 and 7 and are equivalent to a full bachelor’s and master’s degree. They combine work with study and may include a work-based, academic or combined qualification or a professional qualification relevant to the industry.

DipHE - A Diploma of Higher Education is similar to a Higher National Diploma (HND). It carries the same points value as the first two years of study of a university degree, and can sometimes be awarded to a student leaving a degree programme before their final year and is the next level up from a Certificate of Higher Education.

Distance learning - Usually involves students engaging with learning materials at home or work. It includes tutorial support through a virtual learning environment, phone, email or other electronic means. There may be occasional face-to-face interactions with tutors and attendance at week-long summer schools. You can study undergraduate, postgraduate and professional-level distance learning courses. Universities and colleges ensure their distance learning programmes and qualifications are of the same quality as campus-based programmes.

Enrolment - Enrolment is the process through which you:

• Agree to be a student at the University for the whole, or part of, the academic year
• Indicate your agreement to abide by the University's Statutes, Ordinances and Regulations and to pay all relevant fees (e.g. tuition fees)
• Check and update key personal information in your student record.

Entry requirements - Each course has specific entry criteria. For some you will need to have a certain level of knowledge in a subject before you begin the degree – this is called a subject requirement. Entry onto all courses is dependent on you reaching a particular standard in your education and achieving certain exam grades.

Firm choice - This is your first choice for university. If you meet the conditions of this choice, then a place on this course will be offered to you.

Foundation year - An extra year of study at the start of a university course, helping to prepare students who aren't quite ready to study for a full degree. 

Foundation degree - A combined academic and vocational qualification in higher education. It equals two-thirds of an honours bachelor's degree.

Gap year - A gap year, also known as a sabbatical year, is typically a year-long break before or after college/university during which students engage in various educational and developmental activities, such as travel or some type of regular work.

Grant - Student grants are available to anyone at university who satisfies the criteria. This includes the Maintenance Grant, which is means-tested (meaning the amount you receive depends on your household income) and is available in Northern Ireland, Scotland (where it's known as the Bursary) and Wales.

Higher education (HE) - Also called post-secondary education, third-level or tertiary education, HE is an optional final stage of formal learning that occurs after completion of secondary education. It leads to the award of an academic degree.

HNC - A Higher National Certificate (HNC) is a level 4 vocational qualification that takes one year to complete full-time, or two years part-time. They're practical-based courses that can prepare you for either work after completion or studies at degree level.

HND - A Higher National Diploma (HND) is a level 5 vocational qualification provided by higher and further education colleges. It takes two years to complete full-time, or three to four years if you study part-time. HNDs are practical-based courses, ideal for those wanting to enter the workforce or study towards a bachelor’s degree.

Honours degree (single) - An award that lets you specialise in one specific area of study. 

Honours degree (joint) - This lets you follow a broader course of study in two subjects. You can study the subjects in equal parts, or you can study one more than the other.

Insurance offer - Your insurance choice is your second or back-up choice. Essentially, it's there to fall back on if you don't meet the conditions of your first choice.

League tables - Rankings to inform potential undergraduate applicants about UK universities based on a range of criteria, including entry standards, student satisfaction, staff/student ratio, academic services and facilities, expenditure per student, research quality, proportion of Firsts and 2:1s, completion rates, student destinations and strengths in subjects.

Master’s degree - The next level up from a Bachelors degree. These usually take another year of full-time study after your undergraduate degree.

Masters degree (integrated) - Combines undergraduate and postgraduate study into a single course. This is usually either a four or five year course.

Module - An area of study within a course. A module is usually worth 30 credits. To complete an undergraduate honours degree, you need to gain 360 credits. Modules will either be 'core modules' or 'option modules'.

Online learning - An alternative route to studying a degree with a university in the UK, and gives your studies more flexibility in a remote setting.

Open day - When a university opens its doors to prospective students, letting you take a good look at the learning facilities, accommodation and social spaces. You get to speak to lecturers and student ambassadors to get a better idea about your potential degree programme and life on campus.

Option module - A module that you get to choose from a list of options. You will study them in conjunction with the Core Modules for a particular course.

Personal statement - A personal statement for university is an important part of the UCAS application process. It involves writing about your skills, experience, and ambitions – in order to persuade your chosen university that you’re a suitable applicant for their course. Essentially, it shows how your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and other relevant experience has made you interested in taking the course.

Placement year - This is a period (normally a year) taken out from your studies and spent on placement in business, industry or workplace. The purpose is to give you experience and develop your learning in a practical setting. A Placement Sandwich Year adds to the length of your degree course.

Postgraduate degree - A postgraduate degree is a type of qualification that is completed after an undergraduate degree and encompass a range of qualifications (including masters degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas and Certificates, and PhDs). They allow you to continue your studies in a specialised subject, and mostly require an undergraduate degree in order to be considered for entry. Postgraduate degrees are taken for a number of different reasons, such as to move into academia and research or specialise in a career path. Some people choose to complete a postgraduate degree to change study or career paths entirely.

Predicted grades - The grade of qualification your school or college believes you’re likely to achieve in positive circumstances.

Reference - The UCAS reference sits alongside a student’s personal statement as an essential component of a UK university application. It’s the only part of the UCAS application which you won’t have any control over. Universities cite the UCAS reference as a deciding factor which affects whether a student gains a place on their chosen course or not; it could also have an impact on whether a university offers a student a conditional or unconditional place.

Sandwich degree - A degree course that includes time spent on a placement, often in industry or business, away from the university. ‘Sandwich’ courses can be ‘thick’ with one long placement or ‘thin’ with two or more shorter periods on a placement.

SEND support - Special educational needs, often referred to as ‘SEN’ or ‘SEND’ (Special educational needs and disabilities), is a term used to describe learning difficulties or disabilities that make it harder for a person to learn compared to people of the same age. As a university or college student, there’s a team of people available to offer advice and support if you need it. Universities and colleges have a department, often called ‘student services’, which offers advice and support to all students who want it.

Student finance - Provide student loans or student grants to help pay tuition fees and living costs. 

Tuition fees - The fees that are charged to the student by universities and colleges to teach the course. It can also cover core services related to students’ wellbeing and experience whilst studying.

UCAS - The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service is a UK-based organisation whose main role is to operate the application process for British universities.

UCAS Extra - UCAS Extra is another chance to gain a place at university or college. If you used all five of your choices on your original application and you’re not holding an offer or declined the offers you received, you will be able to use Extra.

UCAS tariff/points - Equate your qualifications and grades into a numerical value. Many qualifications (but not all) have a UCAS Tariff value, which will vary dependent on the qualification size, and the grade you achieved. This numerical value is used by HE course providers to assess whether you meet their entry requirements for a particular course.

UCAS Track - This is your UCAS application once it is submitted. It enables you to track your progress on your application, accept or decline offers and even defer or switch your university course details.

Unconditional offer - When a university offers you a guaranteed place on a course, should you want to take it. Universities can make an unconditional offer for several reasons, including: grades are predicted high enough to show you'll achieve the entry requirements; following an interview or based on the strength of your application.

Undergraduate degree - A level 6 qualification, which normally involves three years (sometimes four) of full-time study. This is usually a bachelors degree, however there are many different undergraduate level courses and pathways available.

Undergraduate student - Someone who is studying at University for a bachelors/undergraduate degree, as opposed to a Masters or other degree.

Unsuccessful - An unsuccessful application means the university has decided not to offer you a place on the course. Sometimes they'll give a reason, either with their decision or at a later date. If not, you can contact them to ask if they'll discuss the reason with you.

Withdrawal - A withdrawn application means a course choice has been withdrawn by either you or the university/college. The reason will show up in on your application – maybe you didn't respond to emails/letters they sent, or missed an interview. An unsuccessful application means they've decided not to offer you a place on the course.

 

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