Jargon Buster
Alphabetical listing of words commonly used around universities
A | C | D | E | F | G | H | L | M | O | P | R | S | T | U
ADMISSIONS SELECTORS
These are University academic staff who have the task of determining which
applicants for university courses meet the requirements in terms of marks
and any other specific criteria and therefore should be given an offer
of a place to study at the university.
ADVISERS
ALUMNI
People who have graduated (i.e. completed a course and gained a qualification)
from a particular university are described as alumni. Being an alumnus
can give you ongoing access to Careers Services. Most universities have
active alumni associations that enable past students to keep in touch
with each other and the university.
BURSARY
This is a sum of money awarded to you to help you with living costs e.g rent, purchasing academic books and equipment and groceries, whilst you study. Unlike a loan, you don't have to pay the bursary money back. You might be able to get a "Young Student's Bursary" from the Student Awards Agency. Further information about bursaries from them can be found here
Nearly all universities have different bursary and scholarship schemes that are either for students who have done well academically, or are suffering financial hardship. It is definitely worthwhile getting in touch with your chosen university to see if they have such schemes, and apply for a bursary if you can. Although it is competitive, you have a chance of gaining an award if the rules allow you to apply!
The University of Aberdeen has a number of bursaries and scholarships that you might wish to apply for, if you are going to study here
CAMPUS
This usually refers to the buildings and surroundings of a university
where the university is the principal or sole occupier of an area. Many
of the Universities founded in the 1960’s and built outside towns
and cities are called “Campus Universities” e.g. Lancaster,
York. Universities where the buildings are more integrated with the city
or town such as Liverpool and Manchester do not have readily definable
“campuses
CATS –Credit Accumulation Transfer Scheme
Sometimes it is possible to gain credit for completing parts of a degree.
If you have already studied to HND level, on a degree programme or for
relevant professional qualifications before you start your degree, you
may be able to transfer credits under the Credit Accumulation and Transfer
Scheme, CATS. This can allow greater flexibility and means that if you
change course, move to another institution or take a break from study
or change from full to part time, you can take the credits with you.
CLEARING
This is the system operated by UCAS to allocate students places on courses
that still have vacancies after the publication of the A level results.
Although it is often for those who have not made the grades required by
their chosen universities, it can also allow last minute applications
to new institutions. For more info click
here.
DEAN
The Dean is a senior member of university staff who is responsible for
all matters concerning the operation of a faculty, including teaching
DEGREE
A qualification awarded by a university after the satisfactory completion
of the equivalent of 4 years of full-time study at university level.
DISSERTATION
A long report, which can be anything from 5,000 to 40,000 words, describing
the results of original study and research. A dissertation can be submitted
as part of the assessment on a first degree, but is more frequently submitted
in order to achieve a higher degree (such as a Master of Science).
ELECTIVE
An elective is a course (or subject of study) freely selected by the student
at university or college. On some courses an elective is a period of course-related
work experience.
ESSAYS
Essays are pieces of written work, which are submitted by students to
the university and is one form of assessment. Essays usually have a set
number of words (depending on the subject or tutor but often around 2000
words) and students are expected to answer a question, showing that they
have done some research and are able to discuss the issues clearly and
logically. Essays are more common with some subjects than others such
as Science subjects.
FRESHERS
Students beginning their time at a university are often referred to as
Freshers and a Freshers’ Week may be organised to introduce them
to university life. This can include social events as well as introduction
to libraries and other resources.
GRADUATE
A graduate is a person who has been awarded a degree from a university
or college. While you are studying for a degree you will be known as an
undergraduate. After the award of a degree you become a graduate. If you
undertake further study after your degree (eg. Master's degree or PhD)
you will be known as a postgraduate student.
HALLS
Halls of residence are blocks of student accommodation, which either provide
meals or self-catering facilities. Priority for places in halls is usually
given to first year students. There are usually a variety of other facilities
like laundrettes, common rooms, TVs and cleaners. Sometimes there are
shared amenities such as bathrooms and showers but some have en-suite
facilities.
HIGHER EDUCATION
Study at a university or institute of higher education. Most people studying
at this level are aiming for a degree, a Certificate of Higher Education
or a Diploma of Higher Education.
LECTURE
A lecture is usually a formal presentation of ideas and information by
a member of the academic staff to a fairly large number of students. Many
lectures are accompanied with student handouts, although you will generally
be encouraged to make your own notes too. In recent times lectures have
become less formal in many universities with lecturers encouraging active
participation from students
LECTURER OR TUTOR
Lecturers and tutors are members of university staff who are responsible
for the teaching of university courses and in helping students to learn.
Traditionally lecturers deliver lectures and tutors hold tutorials for
smaller groups, but now the same person often does the two types of teaching.
MATURE STUDENTS
Generally a mature student is a student who does not enter Higher Education
directly, or after a gap-year, from School or college. Mature students
often have wider experience of the workplace and life as a whole, or have
spent some time away from study. Specific definitions of “mature
students” may be applied when financial help is sought to support
their studies.
OPEN DAY
A one day event where all university departments and facilities are open
to schools, colleges and the public. Visitors have the chance to sample
university life, meet with academic staff and meet with current students.
PERIODICALS
Many students spend time in the university library reading and researching
for essays. As well as books the library contains specialist periodicals
or journals which are published on a regular basis and contain articles
written mainly by university researchers. These are a useful and important
source of information.
PHD (DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY)
A person who has a degree and has undertaken years of research and has
published their work and been assessed, may be awarded a PhD and can use
the title of Doctor. This is a specialist degree that is usually awarded
for at least 3 years of supervised, but original research work. All research
students starting Ph.D. research would expect to hold a good degree first.
A person with a Ph.D. degree uses the title “Dr”.
PLAGIARISM
Plagiarism is when someone uses someone else’s writing or ideas
and pretends that they are their own. Universities are very keen that
students should not cheat in this way and so if you do any writing (essays,
reports, etc) then you should always reference your source of information
POSTGRADUATE COURSES
Courses at a higher level that are usually only available for those who
have already passed their degree. Postgraduate study can lead to a Masters
degree or a Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma.
PROSPECTUS
A prospectus is a booklet (or CD-ROM or website) which gives the details
of courses, activities and student life at a university or college. A
university prospectus is normally designed to give information to anyone
who wishes to study with that university and can be obtained from the
Admissions Office
READING WEEK
A period during a semester or term when students can concentrate on their
individual learning and research. During these weeks there are usually
no formal teaching sessions
RESEARCH
Research is a key feature of most university courses. Research involves
collecting information about a subject from a variety of sources including
books, journals and the Internet or by carrying out experiments or talking
to people and analysis of this information.
SAAS
You will be applying to SAAS (Student Awards Agency For Scotland) if you are about to start a "Higher Education" course - that is, any course that gives you a university-level qualification, such as a HNC (equivalent to first year of a degree course) HND (equivalent to second year study at degree level) or degrees. You will apply for SAAS to pay your course tuition fees, plus a "young person's bursary" and student loan for you to spend on living costs while you study. Further information and application forms can be found on www.saas.gov.uk
SCR – SENIOR COMMON ROOM
In the same way that all students can belong to the Junior Common Room,
all staff can belong to the Senior Common Room. This may be a particular
room or can just be a term that describes a collection of staff
SEMESTER
Some universities divide the student year into 3 terms; some divide it
into 2 semesters. A semester is half a study year.
SEMINAR
A group of students meet to discuss a subject with a tutor; usually someone
(or a group) prepares a paper for discussion and shares the research they
have done and their opinions on the subject. Seminars are more interactive
than a lecture and are often student led.
SOCIETIES
Clubs where like-minded people can share their interests, beliefs, religion
or sport.
SPORTS UNION
This is usually a part of the main Students Union and is organised by
students to provide a wide range of sporting opportunities (from tennis
to kickboxing) that will suit people of a whole range of abilities. Competitions
are organised between universities too.
STUDENT LOANS
There are low interest loans from the government to help students pay
their living and study costs while they are at university. To find out
more information and how to apply, please go to
www.slc.co.uk
STUDENTS UNION
Each university will have a Students Union (which will probably be part
of the National Union of Students). The Union will represent the interests
of students and works in their interest about a whole range of issues.
The union can also provide the focal point of student activities.
TUTOR OR LECTURER
Members of staff responsible for teaching students in universities and
for assisting students with their learning
TUTORIAL
A small group meets to discuss with each other and their tutor the work
they are doing and more general course issues. Tutorials can also be on
an individual basis with a student discussing their work with a tutor.
UCAS
Pronounced Yew-Cass. The Universities Central Admissions Service for the
UK. All students applying for full-time courses apply through UCAS.
UNDERGRADUATE
Someone studying either full or part time for a first degree including
Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Education
(BEd), LLB (Law) etc
(Thanks to uni4me website)
This page last modified: Monday, 17-Jul-2006 17:42:09 BST
aim 4 uni | University of Aberdeen | King's
College | Aberdeen AB24 3FX
telephone: 01224 273118/273117 | email: aim4uni@abdn.ac.uk