Jargon Buster
If you need some help unravelling Higher Education jargon, then please use our A to Z guide.
A - E
F - J
K - O
P - T
U - Z
LEA
The Local Education Authority – mainly responsible for education for those up to 18 years old – have a Student Awards Section, which deals with requests for funding for people living in that area who wish to go to university.
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’re generally 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. When you are over 21, the university may have more flexible entry requirements (although they may set a higher age limit).
Modular Courses
Most courses are divided into modules and students are required to pass a number of modules to complete a degree programme. To achieve a degree you will usually have to study a number of compulsory and optional modules. Some courses are called Modular because they give you a really wide choice of different modules as you go through.
NARIC – National Academic Recognition Information Centre for the UK
Offers information and advice on the comparability of overseas qualifications with those from the UK. General advice is free however some services are offered at a charge. www.naric.org.uk
NHS Bursaries
There is special funding for students who are taking pre-registration courses for health professions.
NVQs – National Vocational Qualifications
These are qualifications which you can gain at work, based on a portfolio of evidence to prove that you can carry out work-based activities to a national standard. NVQs at Levels 4 and 5 are considered higher education.
‘New’ Universities
The former polytechnics are still commonly called ‘new’ universities or post-92 institutions although they achieved their university status in 1992.
Nightline
If you are ever unhappy about anything while you are a student, many universities have a Nightline service. Nightline is a confidential listening and information service run by students, for students.
Open Days/Preview Days
Most universities and colleges organise days when they are open to the public. You can find out the dates from their prospectuses or from www.opendays.com
A - E
F - J
K - O
P - T
U - Z