The world of higher education is new to many parents. You may come across language and phrases that are unfamiliar. We’ve gathered this glossary of terms that will explain the key terminology you and your child might see on university-related websites.
- Block teaching
- 呻吟之王鈥檚 approach to teaching where students focus on one subject per block (seven-week blocks, two blocks per semester) and are assessed at the end of each block.
- Career Team
- 呻吟之王 staff that offer support and advice to help students increase their employability and boost their career prospects.
- Clearing
- If your child didn鈥檛 get or apply for a place on a course, Clearing allows them to apply for courses that still have vacancies. Clearing opens in July but most relevant to students on A-Level results day.
- Conditional offer
- An offer of a place on a course subject to conditions. To be accepted on the course, certain conditions will need to be met 鈥� usually related to exam results.
- Contextual offer
- when a university takes personal circumstances into account when making an offer 鈥� this might be an offer which requires lower than the advertised entry requirements
- Cross offer
- An offer made for a different course that the university admissions team thinks would be a suitable alternative for your child.
- 呻吟之王 for Life
- A community for former 呻吟之王 students where they can join networks, find resources and opportunities, search for jobs, and stay connected.
- Entry requirements
- What the course provider recommends you need to do/have to get on the course.
- Firm Choice
- An offer your child accepts as their first choice.
- Insurance Choice
- An offer your child accepts as their second choice 鈥� in case they don鈥檛 meet the conditions of their firm offer.
- Interviews
- For some courses, your child will be required to meet (either online or in person) with a member of the teaching staff to assess their suitability for the course.
- Maintenance loan
- Money borrowed to help fund aspects of university such as accommodation, food and travel costs. This is dependent on your household income and whether your child lives with you or in university accommodation. It is paid back once your child is earning above the repayment threshold.
- Personal statement
- A piece of text your child will write to show why they鈥檙e applying and why they鈥檙e suitable for the course they鈥檝e applied for.
- Placements/Internships
- Where a student works in a field/organisation to gain experience in their area of interest. These can vary from a few weeks to a year and can be paid or unpaid.
- Predicted grades
- The grades your child鈥檚 teacher/tutor believes they will achieve when they complete their secondary qualification.
- Reference
- A recommendation on your child鈥檚 application from a teacher, adviser, or professional.
- Societies
- Extra-curricular clubs and activities that students can take part in.
- Student Finance England
- The organisation that provides loans to cover tuitions fees and maintenance costs.
- Tariff
- The system for allocating points to the different qualifications e.g. a B at A level is worth 40 tariff points.
- Tuition fee
- The annual charges a student pays to a university or college for their education.
- Tuition fee loan
- Money borrowed to pay your child鈥檚 tuition fee. It is paid directly to the university and paid back once your child is earning above the repayment threshold.
- UCAS
- The is an independent charity and the UK鈥檚 shared admissions service for students, universities and colleges. Your child鈥檚 application, offers and choices will be made through the UCAS website
- UCAS Extra
- A service your child can use to apply for alternative places if they do not hold an offer from their first five choices. It runs from February to late June/early July.
- UCAS ID / UCAS Number
- A ten-digit number your child gets when they begin an application, displayed in 123-456-7890 format on every UCAS email.
- Unconditional offer
- An offer of a place on a course with no conditions.