Undergraduate

Glossary of terms

A

Academic

The University's teaching and research staff are referred to as 'academic' staff and include lecturers, researchers and professors. Administrative and technical staff are known collectively as 'support' staff.

Academic Registry

Usually known as 'Registry', this is the University's administrative office, responsible for a range of services including admissions, registrations, students records, confirmation of awards, award ceremonies, quality standards and development.

Academic Skills Unit (ASK)

University department that provides general advice and support on the specific study skills which are needed to progress as a university student. The unit holds resource materials and provides one-to-one, group or drop-in support. For more information, visit www.port.ac.uk/ask.

Access course

A course aimed at mature students (21 years of age or over), who are interested in preparing for university study. There are normally no formal educational qualification requirements. Most Access Courses are available full or part time, with full-time courses taking one year to complete. Successful completion of an Access Course brings the opportunity to move on to studies for a higher education diploma or degree.

Access Hardship Fund

Access Hardship Funds are available to assist students who may otherwise not be able to start their course, or continue, because of financial difficulty. Both the Access Hardship Fund and Hardship Loan are applied for at the Student Finance Centre.

Accessibility

A policy relating to disabled access to buildings, and also the viewing of websites by disabled and partially sighted users.

Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)

Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) or Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) allows credit for previous learning and experience, usually in the form of an exemption from part of a course.

Admissions Office

The university office that receives and processes student applications.

A Level/Advanced Level

British Further Education (see FE/Further Education) examination valid as qualification for access to a degree or other Higher Education (see HE/Higher Education) qualification.

AS Level/Advanced Subsidiary Level

British Further Education (see FE/Further Education) examination valid as qualification to access A Level and roughly equivalent to half an A Level (see A Level/Advanced Level).

Alumni

Former students of a school, college or university. Portsmouth has an Alumni Association, which allows former students to keep in touch with the University or with each other after graduation.

Application

The form you fill out to state your course preference. You can fill out a paper form or an online form.

Assessment

The process of checking and marking your coursework. Some courses may ask for essays, some may set exams and some may use a combination of both. Alternatively, you may be asked to submit coursework, which could include project work, case studies or reports.

Athletics Union (AU)

The UPSU Athletic Union and Department of Sport and Recreation work together to provide as many opportunities as possible to participate in sport, exercise and fitness activities, whether it is competitive team sports or personal fitness.

AVCE (Advanced Vocational Certification in Education)

British qualification in vocational subjects preparing students for direct entry into employment or for entry into higher education Available as a 6-unit qualification (worth 1 A-level) or a 12-unit qualification (worth 2 A-levels).

Award

This is the outcome or result of a course of studies, such as a degree, certificate or diploma.

B

Bachelor's Degree

First degree qualification awarded by a University following the completion of an Undergraduate or First Degree (see Undergraduate Degree, First Degree):

• Bachelor of Arts or BA – associated with humanities, arts, language and social science subjects
• Bachelor of Engineering, or BEng – engineering subjects
• Bachelor of Law or LLB – for Law
• Bachelor of Science or BSc - for courses in science, technology and some business and social science subjects

BTEC (Business and Technology Education Council)

The body that ratifies a suite of vocational qualifications (see BTEC Awards).

BTEC Awards

National Award (6 units), National Certificate (12 units), National Diploma (18 units). British Business and Technology Education Council awards in vocational subjects that prepare students for direct entry into employment or for entry into higher education. Each 6-unit award is worth an A Level.

Bursary

A scholarship (see Scholarship) granted to eligible students in need, to help with living or study costs.

C

Campus

The buildings and grounds that form part of a University or College, including:

• Teaching facilities
• Administration offices
• Student halls
• Student support facilities
• Sports/Entertainment facilities

A campus can be located in one area or can be a city campus, which comprises different buildings across a city (as in the case of the University of Portsmouth).

Careers Service

The Careers Service provides information and advice on career areas you are interested in, or perhaps hadn't considered. They help in providing guidance on a wide range of career choices that you might want to consider once your course is complete. The University's Careers and Recruitment Service offers a range of expertise on career matters.

CATS (Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme)

A system that gives you credit for each individual course unit you complete successfully. This counts towards your final award and allows you to change course and take the credits with you.

CertHE (Certificate of Higher Education)

Customised programmes of studies leading to an academic award and possibly professional recognition, centred around the interests and needs of professionals.

Clearing

A system operated by UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) to match students who do not have an offer of a course with Universities or Colleges that have vacancies. The clearing process takes place in August and helps to place students who did not get expected grades or who are applying late for courses. For more details, see www.ucas.ac.uk/getting/clearing.

Combined/Joint Honours

Degree course in which two different subjects are combined (see Single Honours)

Conditional Offer

Offer of a place on a course at university dependent on confirmation of predicted A Level results (see Unconditional Offer).

Continuous Assessment

This is when a students' work is assessed on an ongoing basis, rather than solely by end-of-year examinations.

Core Unit

A course unit that is compulsory and must be completed successfully in order to gain an award. Also called a 'compulsory' or 'required' unit.

Course

A particular set of units leading to an award.

Course Leader

The member of academic staff who is responsible for the effective operation of a course or pathway and for ensuring it is subject to ongoing development.

Course Representative

A student elected by course members (other students) to represent their interests on a 'Board of Studies' or other University or Union course.

Coursework

A written or oral assignment, piece of work for your portfolio or a practical activity.

Credit entry

Entry onto the second or third year of an undergraduate degree programme, which may occur when students already possess relevant CATS credits, already hold relevant qualifications or can demonstrate suitable work experience.

Credits

CATS points that a course unit carries towards an award. On a full time British course of study, CATS points, or credits, are normally worth 120 points per year (usually 6 units with 20 credit points each) working towards a requirement of 360 credits for a conventional honours degree.

D

Dean

A senior member of staff responsible for heading a faculty.

Deferred entry

Application for a university place (through UCAS) that takes place more than one year before the start of a course, usually when a student plans to take a gap year (see Gap Year).

Degree

This is a qualification awarded by a university after the completion of study at university level. First degrees are normally a BA (Bachelor of Arts) or BSc (Bachelor of Science); further postgraduate study normally leads to an MA (Master of Arts) or MSc (Master of Science) qualification.

Some degrees are specialised, and reflect the nature of their subject e.g. BEd (Bachelor of Education), BEng (Bachelor of Engineering) or MPharm (Master of Pharmacy).

Degree Class

Degrees are classified according to the standard achieved, from first class, through 'upper' and 'lower' second class, to third class honours. Upper and lower second class degrees are often abbreviated to '2:1' and '2:2'. Students who narrowly fail to achieve a third class honours standard, may be awarded a 'non-honours' degree.

Department

A group of courses under the same subject area (for example Biology or Economics), led by a Head of Department.

DipHE/Diploma of Higher Education

Customised programmes of studies leading to an academic award and/or professional recognition, centred around the interests and needs of professionals.

Dissertation/research project

Extended research project of approximately 8,000 to 12,000 words) written in the final year of an undergraduate honours degree course which counts towards the award.

Distance Learning

A course that you can attend from home or from work, by using course materials delivered on CD Rom or through websites. Distance learning allows you to work at your own pace.

E

EFL

English as a Foreign Language.

Enrolment

This is the final stage of the course application process, whereby students who have received an unconditional offer of a place, notify the University of their intention to study and provide the University with the necessary documentation.

Entry Requirements

These are the required qualifications, grades or experience that are needed to be accepted onto a course when you apply.

ESL

English as a Second Language.

ESOL

English for Speakers of Other Languages.

Essays

A piece of written work, submitted by students as part of an assessment.

Extended degree

A University degree course and qualification that includes a 1-year foundation stage leading directly to Stage 1.

F

Faculty

A group of departments, usually reflecting broadly similar areas of academic interest, such as business or science. Led by a Dean and run on a practical, day-to-day basis by a faculty manager.

Faculty Manager

The person responsible for the administrative running of a faculty. They are responsible for the management of support staff, which may include administrators, secretaries and technicians.

FE/Further Education

Relates to study for a qualification other than that recognised as part of Higher Education. Levels of FE study include GCSE, 'A' Level, NVQ, City and Guilds and BTEC, as well as Access and recreational courses.

Finance Centre

The Student Finance Centre offers advice and guidance on many aspects of student finance and funding. The Centre is responsible for administering university hardship funds; access funds; hardship loans; opportunity bursaries; and emergency loans.

Financial Advisers are also available to assist students with detailed financial questions. For further information, see www.port.ac.uk/studentfinance.

First Degree

University degree course and qualification awarded by a university to an Undergraduate Student.

Foundation Course

A course that normally runs for a year, designed to help and equip students without conventional qualifications. Occasionally referred to as 'Year 0'.

Foundation Degree

These are new higher education awards designed to equip individuals with the academic knowledge and skills needed by employers. They have been developed in collaboration with employers and will all involve work-based and work-related learning. Most of the courses will be offered on a part time basis so that students can earn and learn.

Fresher

This is the traditional term used for undergraduate students starting the first year of a course.

Freshers Fair

A series of events, including sports and other non-academic activities, run by the Students' Union to welcome new students into the University's social life.

G

Gap Year

A year between leaving college and entering university where students pursue a range of activities from travelling and voluntary service overseas to gaining valuable industry experience. The University of Portsmouth welcomes applications from students wishing to defer entry.

GCSE/General Certificate of Secondary Education

British High school/Secondary school qualification which allows access to A Level/AS Level study.

Graduate

A graduate is someone who has successfully completed a degree programme and has been awarded a degree from a university. Whilst students are studying for a first degree, they are known as undergraduates (see Alumni).

Graduate diploma

Two year ‘fast track’ qualification that is available to those who already hold an Honours degree in a relevant subject.

Grant

A monetary fund given to eligible students to help with living or study costs (see Bursary).

H

Hardship Loans

Money that may be lent to students who are in financial difficulty by a university at the university's discretion. For further details, visit the Student Finance Centre or see www.port.ac.uk/studentfinance.

Halls/Halls of Residence

Accommodation generally owned by a university, which is rented out to students on request.

Head of Department

The person responsible for the management of a Department's activities, including teaching, staffing and research and who is also a member of the Faculty Executive.

HE/Higher Education

This relates to study beyond A Level, including study for Undergraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Degrees, Foundation Degrees, Higher National Diplomas (HND), Higher National Certificates (HNC).

HNC/HND/Higher National Certificates/Diplomas

British practical twoyear courses. allowing entry into University.

Honours/(Hons)

A full British undergraduate degree that usually requires completion of a final year dissertation or research project.

I

IB/EB/International Baccalaureate/European Baccalaureate

High school or secondary school qualification equivalent to British A Levels.

Induction Week

The university year usually begins late in September or early October with an induction week for first-year students (see Fresher). During induction week, students meet lecturers, receive handouts and find out essential information about university support and services (see Freshers Fair).

Industrial Placement

(see Sandwich Year).

IWLP/Institution-Wide Languages Programme

This programme enables any student currently studying at the University to learn a foreign language as part of their course.

J

Journals

Journals (or periodicals) are the academic 'magazines' in which new ideas and research is published. They are subject based and are essential reading for students. Journals can be found in the University Library.

K

Key Skills

These are specific skills needed for study and work, which have national standards to which the University subscribes. The key skills are:

• Application of number
• Communications
• Information Technology
• Working with Others
• Improving own Learning
• Problem Solving

L

LEA (Local Education Authority)

The LEA is responsible for paying some or all of a student's university fees and individuals must apply to them if they intend to start a university course.

Lecture

A lecture is a presentation on a particular subject or topic given by a member of the academic staff to a large number of students. Generally, students listen and take notes.

Lecturers or Tutors

Lecturers and Tutors are members of the university academic staff and have responsibility for teaching and helping students with their studying.

Levels

Level 1 refers to the first year of a university course and level 2 to the second and third years. Part-time students may take longer to complete each level (see Stage).

M

Master's Degree

An academic degree awarded by a university upon completion of at least one year of prescribed study beyond the bachelor's degree.

Mature Student

A 'mature' student is a student who is 21 years of age or over. Anyone wishing to join the university's Mature Students' Society can do so by visiting the 'clubs' section of the Students Union website.

Module

Many degrees are now modular. A module is a unit (or part) of the degree and students are required to pass a particular number of these in order to complete their degree. These will include compulsory and optional modules.

N

NVQ/National Vocational Qualification

British qualification available in three levels. NVQ level 3 is usually recognised as the equivalent to A Levels and therefore can allow entry into university.

O

Offer

An offer of a place on a course at university, this may be a conditional offer, dependent on A Level results, or an unconditional offer (see Conditional Offer, see Unconditional Offer).

Open Days

The University runs Open Days (known as Preview Days) at various times of the year and many departments also hold their own Departmental Open Days. These are opportunities for those thinking about entering university to tour the University, and Portsmouth, visit the teaching departments, and meet staff and fellow students.

Optional Unit

Units on a degree programme that provide students with the freedom to choose units they wish to study.

P

Pathway

Another name for a course, or for a group of named courses relating to a single subject area (e.g. marine biology is one of the biology pathways).

Personal Skills

Sometimes referred to as 'personal transferable skills', these are skills that are learnt in one situation, but can also be put into practise in another situation. Examples of these include communication, team work, leadership and problem solving. These are skills that many employers particularly look for, and value, in graduates. Therefore, the university places a great deal of importance in helping students acquire and develop such skills.

Personal Tutor

Generally, students will be allocated a member of staff, known as their personal tutor (or year tutor), who is there to provide support and guidance.

PgC/PgCE/Post-graduate Certificate

The required British qualification to be a primary or secondary school teacher.

Placement

A period of relevant work experience, sometimes unpaid, which is designed to give students an opportunity to train on the job, develop contacts with industry and enhance their curriculum vitae (see Industrial Placement, seeSandwich Year).

Plagiarism

Plagiarism occurs when one person submits another's assignment as his or her own work, or when a student uses the ideas or words of another writer without crediting that person. Plagiarism is avoided by referencing and attributing the relevant passages.

Postgraduate

This relates to study that is beyond first-degree level, and leads to a higher qualification such as a Masters degree or PhD.

PhD/Doctor of Philosophy

An award given to those who have completed a research degree.

Preview Days

A day during which prospective students and parents are invited to visit the University and view the university facilities and academic departments (see Open Days for department-specific days).

Prospectus

A University guide or brochure with information on courses, university facilities and student services.

Q

QAA/Quality Assurance Agency

An independent organisation that undertakes subject reviews for teaching quality in higher education.

S

Sandwich Year

Time spent within your course on a 'placement', usually in industry, in order to gain experience and develop learning in a practical setting (see Industrial Placement).

Scholarship

Money awarded to a prospective student with exceptional skills in order to.

School

An organisational unit within a faculty, usually, but not always, comprising of several departments.

Semester

This is a period over which the University plans and delivers its teaching programme. There are two semesters in each academic year.

Seminar

A method of teaching which usually involves a smaller group of students than in a lecture. An academic member of staff and group of students discuss a subject which has been presented in a recent lecture, or previously set.

Single Honours

An undergraduate degree focusing on one subject area (see Combined/Joint Honours)

Stage

Stage 1 refers to the first year of a full-time programme and stage 2 to the second and third years. Part-time students may take longer to complete each stage (see Levels).

Student Advice Services

Student Advice Services offers a range of expertise to help students make the most of their time at university. Based in the Nuffield Centre, services include:

• Financial help
• Careers advice
• Disability Advice Centre
• Student Housing
• Childcare facilities
• Counselling
• Chaplaincy

Student Centre

The University's new Student Centre is a joint venture between the University and the Students' Union. The Centre brings together the services of the Students Union (Advice and Information Centre, Job Shop and Sports and Societies support), along with state of the art facilities, which include a bookshop, cyber coffee shop, high tech nightclub and fast food outlets.

Student Finance Centre

The Student Finance Centre offers advice and guidance on many aspects of student finance and funding. The Centre is responsible for administering university hardship funds; access funds; hardship loans; opportunity bursaries; and emergency loans.

Financial Advisers are also available to assist students with detailed financial questions. For further information, see www.port.ac.uk/studentfinance.

Student Loans

Student loans are low interest loans arranged by the government. The intention of the loan is to help students pay their living and studying costs. Application is made directly to your Local Education Authority (LEA). Further details can be obtained from the Student Finance Centre.

Students Union

Each university has a Students Union (part of the National Union of Students). A student-run organisation, the Students Union represents the interests of students and provides a range of information and activities (www.upsu.net).

T

Tariff

A points system used to measure student achievement for entry to higher education (see UCAS Tariff System).

Term

A period of approximately 4 months in which an academic year is divided (see Seminar).

Tuition Fees

Money paid each year by students to enrol or attend a course. For further information see the Student Finance Centre.

Tutor or Lecturer

A member of university staff who is responsible for teaching and helping students with their studying.

Tutorial

A study session during which an individual, or small group, meets with a tutor in order to discuss their work, progress or general course issues.

U

UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service)

National British organisation that deals with full-time Higher Education applications and also offers clearing advice and financial advice to students (www.ucas.ac.uk).

UCAS Tariff System

A points system administered by the British University and College Admissions Service (see UCAS) and used to measure student achievement for entry to higher education (see Tariff).

Unconditional Offer

An offer of a place on a course, given to a student who has satisfied all entry requirements.

Undergraduate

An undergraduate is a student who is studying for a first degree (see First Degree). Someone who has already been awarded a degree from a university is known as a graduate.

Undergraduate Degree

A course of study or programme of research leading to a Bachelor's Degree (see Bachelor's Degree).

Unit

A degree is made up of a number of units, each dealing with a certain area of study, and a student is required to pass a particular number of these in order to complete their degree. These include optional and Core units (see Core Unit, see Optional Unit).

UPSU/University of Portsmouth Students' Union

Each university has a Students Union (part of the National Union of Students). A student-run organisation, the Students Union represents the interests of students and provides a range of information and activities (www.upsu.net).

V

Vocational A Levels

(see AVCE).