Skip to main content Skip to navigation

Life Sciences Study

Careers & Placements Glossary

A glossary of terms to help you navigate the world of careers and employability, particularly for students engaging in placements and work experience.



A

  • Agreement in the context of SLS Placements: An agreement is a formal document that a placement provider (such as a company or organisation) signs to confirm they meet certain standards, particularly regarding health and safety, and provide an appropriate environment for students. The university may require this signed agreement before a student can begin their placement, ensuring that the provider adheres to relevant regulations and best practices. The agreement serves as a safeguard, ensuring students are placed in safe, supportive environments that meet the university's expectations for their work experience.
  • Annual Salary: An annual salary is the total amount of money a person is paid in a year for their work, before tax and other deductions. It is often quoted for full-time, permanent roles but can also be applied to temporary or fixed-term positions. For short-term roles (e.g., internships or placements), the salary can be calculated on a pro-rated basis to reflect the duration of employment, meaning the salary is adjusted to reflect the number of months worked rather than a full 12 months.
  • Apprenticeship: A structured program combining practical on-the-job training with academic learning to develop various skills and gain a recognised qualification.
  • Assessment Centre: An Assessment Centre is a selection process used by some employers, particularly for placements and graduate schemes, to assess a candidate’s suitability for a role. It often involves multiple stages such as psychometric tests, group exercises, interviews, and presentations. It is designed to evaluate skills like teamwork, problem-solving, and communication in a more interactive setting than traditional interviews.

C

  • Contract: A contract is a formal, legally binding agreement between two or more parties that outlines the terms and conditions of a specific arrangement. This also applies to contracts for placements and work experience. The agreement is between an individual and a company or organisation, detailing the expectations, responsibilities, duration, pay (if applicable), and other relevant conditions for the placement, internship, or job role. It is important for students to carefully review and understand the terms of a contract before signing, as it ensures both parties are clear on their obligations and rights.
  • Cover Letter: A Cover Letter is a (typically) one-page letter sent with a CV or resume when applying for a job. It introduces you to the employer, highlights key points from your CV that are relevant to the job, and explains why you are a strong candidate. It allows you to show enthusiasm for the role and company, as well as demonstrate your written communication skills. Some employers give recommendations on how to format when applying. Some application processes won’t require or let you submit a cover letter, so it is always good to check before you start writing one.
  • CV/Resume: A CV (Curriculum Vitae) or Resume is a document summarizing your education, qualifications, work experience, and skills. It's typically used when applying for jobs, internships, or academic positions. While “CV” is more commonly used in the UK, “Resume” is more popular in countries like the US. The difference often lies in length (CVs can be more detailed, whereas resumes are generally concise). You can check the Student Opportunity Careers pagesLink opens in a new window for a CV template, tips and resources.

D

  • Desirable Criteria: Additional qualifications or experiences that would make a candidate stand out but are not necessary to apply.

E

  • Essential Criteria: Essential Criteria are the minimum qualifications, experience, and skills required to be considered for the role. While meeting all of the essential criteria is ideal, you can still apply for a position if you meet most of them, as employers may consider other relevant skills or experiences.

F

  • Full Time: A full-time position typically requires an employee to work a standard number of hours per week, usually around 35-40 hours, depending on the employer. Full-time employees are usually eligible for benefits such as paid leave, health insurance, and pension schemes.
  • Full Time Equivalent (FTE): Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) is a way of measuring a worker's involvement in a project or role. It represents the number of hours worked by one full-time employee in a week. For example, if a full-time employee works 40 hours a week, one FTE equals 40 hours. FTE allows organisations to standardise different work hours and calculate the total workforce in terms of full-time employees.

G

  • Graduate Scheme: A structured training programme offered by many companies aimed at recent graduates. It’s typically rotational, covering different areas of the business over one or two years in a paid role. You can search for these on various websites and submit applications.

H

  • Hard Skills: Technical or specialized skills specific to a particular job or industry, such as coding or accounting.
  • Human Resources (HR): The department within an organisation responsible for managing employee-related functions, such as recruitment, training, performance management, employee relations, and compensation. HR professionals help create a positive workplace environment, ensure compliance with employment laws, and support overall business strategy through effective people management.

I

  • In Industry Role: A career position situated within a commercial or corporate environment where scientific expertise is applied to product development, manufacturing, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance.
  • Insight Days: Insight days are short events (usually one or two days) that give students a snapshot of a particular industry or company. These are often used to help students gain an understanding of potential career paths without the long-term commitment of a placement or internship.
  • Interview Panel: A group of individuals from an organisation who are responsible for interviewing candidates for a job. The panel may consist of HR professionals, hiring managers, or other key personnel.
  • Internship: An internship is generally a short-term work experience, often undertaken during university holidays or after graduation. Internships can be paid or unpaid and are used to gain insight into a particular career or industry.

J

  • Job Description: A detailed description of a job role, including responsibilities, tasks, and expectations. It's often used interchangeably with a job specification but focuses more on day-to-day duties.
  • Job Market: The supply and demand for jobs, including the availability of jobs and the skills needed to fill them. Understanding the job market helps students and graduates make informed decisions about their career paths.
  • Job Specification: A Job Specification outlines the qualifications, skills, and experience required for a particular role. It may also include responsibilities, duties, and expectations of the position. It's used by employers to define the role and is a helpful guide for applicants to assess whether they meet the criteria.

L

  • Lab-focused Role: A career position where the primary work environment is a laboratory setting. These roles focus on hands-on research, experimental design, data collection, and scientific discovery.

N

  • NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement) / CDA (Confidentiality Disclosure Agreement): An NDA or CDA is a legal agreement used to protect confidential information shared between parties, in this context the placement provider, the University, and the student. These agreements are typically required for MBio (Integrated Master's) Industrial Placements, where confidential data may be necessary for the student’s Master's thesis project or other assessments involving proprietary information. For BSc placements, NDAs are generally not needed, as the assessments (poster and reflective report) do not involve confidential data. However, an NDA may be required if confidential information is part of the work a student does with the placement provider. If an NDA is needed for a student, the placement provider arranges it directly with the student, not the University. The University advises students to carefully read and understand any NDA they sign, as it does not take responsibility for the student’s use of confidential information or provide legal support for these agreements.
  • Networking: Building and maintaining professional relationships for career development and potential job opportunities.

P

  • Part Time: A part-time position typically involves working fewer hours than a full-time job, often less than 35 hours per week. Part-time employees may have more flexible hours and, depending on the employer, might not be eligible for the same benefits as full-time employees, such as paid leave or pension schemes.
  • Person Specification: A Person Specification describes the qualities, skills, and characteristics that an ideal candidate should possess. It focuses on the personal attributes, experience, and competencies that would make a candidate a good fit for the role.
  • Personal Statement: A section on a CV or application form where you describe who you are, what motivates you, and why you are a good fit for the role. It’s often used in university applications as well.
  • Placement: A placement is typically a longer-term work experience (e.g., a sandwich year during university) where you work in a company as part of your degree programme. It allows you to apply your academic learning in a professional context.

R

  • References: People who can vouch for your skills, experience, and character. They are typically contacted by employers to verify the information you’ve provided during the hiring process. If you don’t have a previous employer yet, you may want to use your personal tutor or an academic supervisor.

S

  • Soft Skills: Personal attributes such as communication, adaptability, and emotional intelligence that enable you to interact effectively with others in the workplace. Job descriptions may mention attributes that a person who would do well in the role would have, to give you an idea if you’d be a good fit.
  • Speculative Application: A speculative application is an application submitted to an employer or organization for a job or placement that is not currently advertised. It involves proactively reaching out to express interest in potential opportunities, even if there are no formal openings.

T

  • Transferable Skills: Abilities and qualities you can apply to various jobs or industries. These could include communication, problem-solving, leadership, teamwork, and time management. They are skills that can be “transferred” from one position or field to another, making them valuable to employers even if you don't have direct experience in a specific role.

V

  • Volunteering in an Employability Context: Offering your time and skills to an organisation without payment, which can provide valuable experience and help build a professional network. This can be used on a CV, in addition to other work experience.

Warwick 12 Core Skills

The Warwick Award is a program designed to help you develop and showcase employability skills that employers value most. Below are the core skills developed through the award. You can learn more about the Warwick 12 Core Skills hereLink opens in a new window.

  • Critical Thinking: The ability to analyse and evaluate information to form an informed judgment.
  • Information Literacy: The ability to search, select, and manage information effectively.
  • Digital Literacy: The ability to live, learn, and work in a society increasingly dependent on digital technologies.
  • Sustainability: The awareness of the impact of human actions on the environment and society.
  • Communication: The ability to convey ideas effectively through various mediums.
  • Intercultural Awareness: The ability to work productively with people from diverse cultural backgrounds.
  • Teamwork: The ability to collaborate effectively within a team.
  • Organisational Awareness: Understanding the operations, culture, and structure of organisations.
  • Professionalism: Being reliable, organised, and holding yourself accountable in a professional setting.
  • Problem Solving: The ability to address challenges creatively and effectively.
  • Ethical Values: Operating with high moral standards, such as fairness, respect, and integrity.
  • Self-Awareness: The ability to reflect on your strengths, weaknesses, and development.