Starting at uni is fun. But there’s a whole new world of lingo and acronyms to get used to. Of course, you can Google stuff pretty quickly after a conversation, but it’s helpful to know the basics so that you don’t feel overwhelmed. In the spirit of wanting you to hit the ground running, here’s our A-Z guide to university lingo.
You can use our A-Z picker here to go straight to the section you're interested in or scroll down for the full list.
A university tutor or lecturer. A bit like your school or college teacher.
The university year. This usually starts around September/October and ends in June/July, but can vary from place to place so it's best to check.
Our Faculty of Arts, Design and Media.
The admissions team process students' applicants and make the course offers.
Former students who have graduated and keep in touch with the university.
An opportunity for applicants to experience a subject specific taster day and gain a greater insight into their chosen course.
The qualification an undergraduate achieves after completing their undergraduate studies. This is usually three to four years of study.
The qualification associated with undergraduate degrees in subject areas such as arts, social sciences and humanities.
The qualification associated with undergraduate degrees in the subject area of engineering.
The qualification associated with Law undergraduate degrees which allows progression onto further professional training within the Law field.
The qualification associated with undergraduate degrees in subject areas such as science and some social sciences.
Birmingham City University Students’ Union. Their job is to represent you and enhance your time here at BCU, by providing a variety of services and activities to ensure you not only have a fantastic time during your studies, but that you leave with the confidence, skills and experience that will get you your dream job.
Our Faculty of Business, Law and Social Sciences.
British Universities and Colleges Sport. The majority of our sports teams compete against other universities as part of the BUCS leagues.
A bursary is financial help offered by the university or Student Finance. These are usually granted based on personal circumstances to reward achievement or help those in financial need. Bursaries are a type of grant that do not have to be paid back... free money!
A campus refers to the grounds and buildings where university is located.
Our Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment.
Our City Centre Campus is a multi-million pound centre of excellence in the heart of Birmingham’s Eastside development. It is made up of four buildings: Millennium Point, The Joseph Priestley Building, The Parkside Building and The Curzon Building.
To the south of the City Centre, is our Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences. Based in Edgbaston, it’s home to a wide range of courses in health and social care, education, life sciences, and sport.
Clearing allows prospective students without a university place to apply whilst spaces remain available. Clearing begins from July through to September.
A type of degree that allows you to study two subjects equally (50/50) which forms one degree.
A student who lives at home and travels to university.
A university offer that depends on you achieving certain grades or meeting set criteria before their place can be confirmed.
You can choose to apply to university but request to start the following year. Students who wish to take a gap year will often defer their entry to ensure they have a place at university.
A degree is an academic course and qualification studied for and attained at university (e.g. bachelor degree or masters degree).
A dissertation is a long essay on a subject chosen by you. A dissertation is usually written within the final year of study and is worth a significant part of the final degree classification (grade).
When students study from home using the resources provided by the university (often online resources).
Your degree classification is the final grade achieved after studying a degree course. Degrees are classified out of 100: 3rd - 40 to 40. 2:2 - 50 to 59. 2:1 - 60 to 69. 1st - 70 or above.
Employability refers to the suitability of an individual for employment. It can also be a word universities use to tell you about the ways in which they can help you get a job by adding to your CV.
This is when a student officially starts at a university and is given all essential information (i.e. timetable, ID card, student documents). Sometimes enrolment can be completed online.
The grades or qualifications required for being accepted at university. Different universities and courses will have different entry requirements.
The applicant's first choice of university/course offer on UCAS.
Foundation degrees offer an alternative route to university for students may not meet the course entry requirements, or just need a confidence boost. Foundation degrees last for one year and usually sudents progress onto the same subject bachelors degree after successful completion.
A casual name for a first year student at university.
The level of education after GCSEs studied at 6th form or college. Qualifications includes A levels, AS levels, BTEC and vocational qualifications.
A person who is about to receive an academic degree.
A student who has completed their degree course and has received their qualification.
A celebration ceremony for students that have completed their course.
Some students take a year out before going to university or after they have graduated. Students will often use this time to travel or gain work experience.
A building provided by the university where students live. BCU has seven halls of residence positioned throughout the city.
A citation style used by universities which attributes work, quotes and theories to their authors. This will be explained in detail during the first few weeks of your classes and is something most students wrestle with for the duration of university.
An applicant's second choice of university/course offer on UCAS. You typically put this down as a reserve choice just incase you do not get into your first (firm) choice.
Students from outside the EU who study in the UK.
A lesson delivered by an academic usually to a large amount of students - so a bit like an assembly. Students are expected to take notes and digest the information in self led learning time or during their seminars.
Academic staff at a university who teach on the courses - like a teacher.
A loan provided from Student Finance to support students with living costs (i.e accommodation, travel and food).
A higher level degree that allows a student to study a topic in more detail, after their undergraduate degree. For example Masters of Engineering (MEng). Masters degrees are a Level 7 qualification and usually lasts for one to two years (e.g MBA, MA, MSc, Med)
A student who is 21 or over when they start university.
A unit of study that explores a specific area - think of it like covering a particular topic at school or college. University courses can contain set and optional modules, which wouls allow you to tailor your course to your interests.
An assessment of your household income conducted by the student loans company when they work out how much student finance you might be entitled to.
The NUS is a group of organisations that support and represent the interests of students in the UK - think of it like a much bigger version of your school council.
Open days are an opportunity for you to look around a university and it's facilities as well as speak to staff and students. Activities include subject talks, finance talks, campus tours, accommodation tours and subject specific activities.
A personal statement is a section of the UCAS application where applicants express their suitability for the course(s) they are applying for. There is only one personal statement for all of the application choices.
An member of staff who is allocated to look after your personal well-being during university. Your personal tutor is usually an academic in the same subject department of your course.
This is also know as a doctorate. A PhD is the highest degree you can earn, usually taking a 3-4 years to complete. PhDs are available for students who have already achieved an undergraduate degree. Obtaining a PhD means that you can work as a professional researcher or a university professor.
Work experience or a study placement which can be an optional or compulsory part of the degree. Student have the option to take their placement in a different institution, industry or in another country. (See sandwich course).
The practice of taking someone else’s work and passing it off as your own.
A student who has completed their bachelors degree and is studying for a higher degree (i.e. Masters or PhD).
A higher level degree course available to those who have passed their bachelors degree. For example a Masters degree which is level 7 or a PhD which is level 8.
An academic member of staff who has achieved the highest academic level.
A book outlining specific information about a university and the range of courses they provide. Propectus' can also be viewed on university websites. Check out BCU's prospectus here.
Research Excellence Framework, the system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions.
This is a course that allows you to undertake a placement in an industry of your choice for one year.
Universities can award non-repayable scholarships based on personal circumstances (i.e achievement, household income). Check out BCU's Up-Grade scholarship.
The academic year is divided into blocks of study, similar to school terms, we call them semesters.
Smaller teaching sessions where students can engage in discussions with other students and a lecturer. Discussions usually follow on from topics discussed in lectures. Seminars are similar to classes at school.
An undergraduate degree where you study just one subject for your degree.
Societies are groups of like-minded students that share the interests, activity, sports or belief. They're a bit like school clubs, only cooler.
Student finance is money that can be borrowed from the Student Loans Company to cover tuition fees and living costs. The loan will be paid back once a student has graduated and earning above a certain amount.
SLC provide financial help to students during their studies and manage the loan repayments after a student graduates.
Student unions are organised by students, for students. They are the voice of students, representing their interests. The student union will often organise activities and events for students. Every university has a student union, which runs a bit like a schol council.
The Government funding body that assess and approve applications for financial support. This includes loans, grants and tuition fees.
When you look at going to uni, courses will ask for a certain number of tariff points in order to accept you onto the course. Your A
Tuition fees are the cost of your study/course. Universities can charge up to £9,250 per year. Students can apply for a tuition fee loan from Student Finance to cover the costs.
Members of staff within universities who are responsible for teaching and assisting you with your learning.
A tutorial can either be an individual or group session, where you can discuss their work or any issues with a tutor.
Money loaned from Student Finance to cover the cost of tuition fees. This loan is paid directly to the university in instalments.
Universities and College Admission Service is responsible for processing students' university applications. The application process is online via www.ucas.com.
A university offer where the applicant has satisfied the criteria for their course and has no further conditions to meet.
A student usually studying their first Bachelors degree, which can last between 3 to 4 years. An undergraduate degree is the first level of Higher Education.
Usually four to five year degrees that incorporate three years of undergraduate studies with an additional year to gain a Masters qualification.
A Higher Education Institution which awards degrees and has research facilities.
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