Glossary of Higher Education Terms
If you have an extra term that you would like to see added below, please email internalcomms@warwick.ac.uk
| I (no definitions) | J (no definitions) | |||||||||||
| Q (no definitions) | V (no definitions) | W (no definitions) | X (no definitions) | Y (no definitions) | Z (no definitions) |
A
- AHRC
AHRC stands for Arts and Humanities Research Council for England. The AHRC supports world-class research that furthers understanding of human culture and creativity.
- AWM
AWM stands for Advantage West Midlands. AWM is the regional development agency for the West Midlands (one of nine Regional Development Agencies in England).
It was established to "transform and bring fresh vitality to the task of sustainable economic development and social and physical regeneration in the English regions through a business-led approach" - AWM website.
B
- BBSRC
BBSRC stands for Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council. Its mission is to promote and support high-quality basic, strategic and applied research and related postgraduate training relating to the understanding and exploitation of biological systems.
- British Academy
The British Academy is the UK's national body for the humanities and social sciences. It offers fellowships and funding.
C
- Chronicle of Higher Education, The
The Chronicle of Higher Education is a source of news, information and jobs for college and university faculty members and administrators.
- CORDIS
CORDIS stands for Community Research and Development Information Service. The CORDIS website contains information on EU funding.
D
- Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), is the Government department leading work to encourage growth.
E
- EPSRC
EPSRC stands for Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. EPSRC is the main UK government agency for funding research and training in engineering and the physical sciences.
- ESRC
ESRC stands for Economic and Social Research Council. The ESRC is the UK's largest organisation for funding research on economic and social issues.
- EUA
EUA stands for European University Association. The EUA represents and supports higher education institutions in 46 countries.
F
- Ford Foundation
Foundation focussed on social justice, offering grants.
G
- GuildHE
GuildHE is one of the two formal representative bodies for Higher Education in the UK. Its vision is for a "sustainable, diverse and dynamic higher education sector".
H
- HE
HE stands for Higher Education. The University of Warwick is a higher education institution. A more in-depth explanation of the nature of higher education is available on the UCAS website.
- HEA
HEA stands for Higher Education Academy. The HEA work with UK universities and colleges to enhance the student experience.
- HEFCE
HEFCE stands for Higher Education Funding Council for England. HEFCE is responsible for the distribution of funding to Universities and Colleges of Higher and Further Education in England.
- HEI
HEI stands for higher education institution and refers to a university or higher education college.
- HEPI
HEPI stands for Higher Education Policy Institute. It is an independent thinktank focussing on Higher Education.
- HESA
HESA stands for Higher Education Statistics Agency. It is "the official agency for the collection, analysis and dissemination of quantitative information about higher education."
K
- KTP
KTP stands for Knowledge Transfer Partnerships. It is one of the Technology Strategy Board's (TSB) business support solutions that enable knowledge transfer between academia and industry.
L
- LEP
LEP stands for Local Enterprise Partnership. LEPs have been set up by the Government to improve economic conditions in local areas.
- Leverhulme Trust
The Leverhulme Trust provide funding for research projects, fellowships, studentships, bursaries and prizes across all academic disciplines.
M
- Million+
Million+ is a think tank focussing on "the political debate about the role and contribution of universities to the economy and society".
- MRC
MRC stands for Medical Research Council. The Medical Research Council is a publicly-funded organisation dedicated to improving human health and supports research across the entire spectrum of medical sciences.
N
- NERC
NERC stands for the Natural Environment Research Council. NERC funds world-class science in universities and our own research centres that increases knowledge and understanding of the natural world.
- NIHR
NIHR stands for the National Institute for Health Research.
"The goal of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) is to create a health research system in which the NHS supports outstanding individuals, working in world class facilities, conducting leading edge research focused on the needs of patients and the public."
-NIHR website
- NSS
NSS stands for National Student Survey. This survey is carried out annually with the aim of gathering the opinions of students on the University they have attended.
View Warwick's 2009-10 results (search for Warwick)
NSS website- NUS
NUS stands for National Union of Students. It is a confederation of more than 600 students' unions from across the UK.
O
- Ofsted
Ofsted is the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills. They inspect and report on educational institutions, with the aim of promoting service improvement.
- Open Society Foundations
Democracy focussed foundations, offering grants, scholarships and fellowships.
P
- PGCE
- PGCE stands for Post Graduate Certificate in Education. Those holding a PGCE can train to be a teacher. The Institute of Education runs PGCE courses.
- Prospect
Prospect is one of the trade unions recognised by the University, for staff on legacy terms and conditions at Warwick HRI only.
R
- RCUK
RCUK stands for Research Councils UK and is the strategic partnership of the UK's seven Research Councils.
- Royal Society, The
The Royal Society is the oldest scientific academy in continuous existence. It aims to "expand the frontiers of knowledge by championing the development and use of science, mathematics, engineering and medicine for the benefit of humanity and the good of the planet." It offers grants to support the UK scientific community.
- Russell Group
The Russell Group represents 20 leading UK Universities, including Warwick, which are committed to maintaining the very best research, an outstanding teaching and learning experience and unrivalled links with business and the public sector.
S
- Sabbatical Officer
Warwick Students' Union has seven full time sabbatical officers. These sabbatical officers (or "sabbs" for short) are responsible for the day to day running of the Students' Union. A new set of sabbs is elected each year by the students.
Meet the Sabbs 2011-12
Sabbs contact details- STFC
STFC stands for Science and Technology Facilities Council. The Science and Technology Facilities Council is an independent, non-departmental public body of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (DBIS).
- SU
SU stands for Students' Union. The SU exists to represent the interests of students at Warwick, and to enhance the student experience, providing support to both individual students and student societies.
T
- TSB
TSB stands for Technology Strategy Board.
"The Technology Strategy Board is the UK’s national innovation agency. Our goal is to accelerate economic growth by stimulating and supporting business-led innovation." - TSB website
U
- UCAS
UCAS stands for the Universities and Colleges Admission Services. They are the organisation responsible for managing applications to higher education courses in the UK.
- UCATT
UCATT stands for Union of Construction, Allied Trades and Technicians. It is one of the trade unions recognised by the University.
- UCU
UCU stands for University and College Union. UCU is the largest trade union and professional association for academics, lecturers, trainers, researchers and academic-related staff working in further and higher education throughout the UK. It is one of the trade unions recognised by the University.
- UKCISA
UKCISA is the UK Council for International Student Affairs. It is the UK’s national advisory body serving the interests of international students and those who work with them.
- UNISON
UNISON is Britain and Europe's largest public sector union, and is one of the trade unions recognised by the University.
- Unite
Unite is the largest union in Britain and Ireland, and is one of the trade unions recognised by the University.
- Universities UK
Universities UK is the representative organisation for the UK’s universities. Their mission is to be the definitive voice for universities in the UK.
- UPS
UPS stands for the University of Warwick Pension Scheme. This is Warwick's own internally-run pension scheme for staff.
- USS
USS stands for Universities Superannuation Scheme. It is "the principle final salary pension scheme provided by Universities, Higher Education and other associated institutions for their employees" (USS Website).