Glossary
35 terms defined clearly — each with a one-sentence answer, then the full explanation. Filter by topic or browse the alphabet.
35 of 35 terms
The twelve-month cycle in which a university organises its teaching.
An undergraduate qualification awarded after three or four years of full-time study.
A grant (not a loan) given by a university or charity to help with study costs.
An offer of a place that depends on you meeting stated grade requirements.
Credit hour / ECTS credit
A unit measuring the workload of one course.
Postponing your place at a university to start in a later intake.
A substantial piece of independent research submitted as part of a degree.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
The highest university degree, awarded for original research.
European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System
The European standard for measuring and comparing academic credits.
A course you choose freely, outside the required modules for your degree.
The formal process of registering as a student at a university.
Any money awarded to help a student cover the cost of higher education.
A year taken out before or during university, often for travel or work.
Grade Point Average
A number that summarises your grades across all courses.
Money awarded for study that does not need to be repaid.
The main subject area in which you choose to specialise for your degree.
A postgraduate qualification typically taken after a bachelor's degree.
A secondary subject area you study alongside your main (major) field.
A self-contained unit of study, equivalent to a "course" in US terminology.
Scheduled times when a lecturer or tutor is available to speak with students.
A written essay explaining why you want to study a subject and at a particular university.
Study undertaken after completing a first (undergraduate) degree.
A course (or grade) you must complete before you can take a later one.
Testing yourself on material rather than re-reading it.
A competitive award of money for study, usually based on merit.
One of two roughly equal teaching periods that make up an academic year.
Spreading study sessions over time rather than cramming them together.
Money borrowed to pay for university that must be repaid with interest.
The document outlining what a course covers, how it is assessed and key dates.
The official record of every course you took and your grade in each.
Credit awarded at your new university for courses completed elsewhere.
The fee charged by a university for teaching and academic programmes.
A firm offer of a place with no further grade conditions attached.
A student working toward a first degree; or describing a first-degree programme.
A reserve list of applicants who may be offered a place if others decline.
These definitions aim to be widely applicable but university terminology varies by country and institution. Always check your own institution's handbook for precise meanings.
Every term connects to a guide with examples and a working tool.