University Jargon Buster
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A
- Academic
Refers to a university tutor or lecturer who also conduct research
- Academic Integrity
Committing to honesty in academic work, giving credit where we've used others' ideas and being proud of our own achievements.
- Academic Subject Librarian
They are subject specialists who can provide advice on researching and referencing for your assignments
- Accommodation
This is another way of saying housing. The university has a number of different blocks of accommodation on campus also known as halls to suit different needs.
- Alumni
Former students who have graduated
B
- BA
The qualification associated with undergraduate degrees in the subject area of arts or social science
- BEng
The qualification associated with undergraduate degrees in the subject area of engineering.
- Blended learning
A style of teaching which combines online educational materials and traditional face to face teaching
- BSc
The qualification associated with undergraduate degrees in subject area of science .
- Bursary
A bursary is financial help offered by the university or Student Finance in relation to a students personal circumstances. Bursaries are a type of grant that do not have to be paid back.
C
- Campus
The grounds and buildings of a university.
- Careers service
The Careers Service is there to support you all the way from exploring your options to applying for jobs. They provide online resources, events and one to one appointments.
- CAT
The Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme is a points based system that quantifies credit for a particular course
- Chancellor
The Chancellor is the ceremonial Head of the University whose official duties are to confer degrees on behalf of the University. The Chancellor also promotes the work of the University and is involved in fundraising activities.
- Citation
Reference to a book, paper or author in published work
- Collusion
When a student submits an assignment that was done in collaboration with another student as their own work
- Contact hours
Refers to the amount of time that you spend learning in contact with teaching or associated staff, when studying for a particular course. This time provides you with support in developing your subject knowledge and skills, and opportunities to develop and reflect on your own, independent learning.
D
- Degree Classification
It is a grading system based on the marks you achieve in your modules.
- Department
A part of the university that deals with a particular area of study.
- Disability Services
Disability Services are part of Wellbeing Support Services at the University of Warwick. They are there to support you and can help make reasonable adjustments for you assessments.
- Dissertation
it is an extended piece of academic writing that allows student to develop their research techniques
F
- Faculty
Division within a university that is focused on a subject area and it is made up of different departments. For example, the Faculty Of Science, Engineering and Medicine is made up of the following departments: physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering etc.
- Formative essay
An assessment that is graded but doesn’t count toward you final grade for the year
- Fresher
First year student at university
G
- Graduation
Successful completion of a course of study at university for which you receive a degree certificate
H
- Home student
A British or Eu student
L
- Lecture
An oral presentation intended to present information or teach people about a particular subject. The format may vary between different academics
- LLB
The qualification associated with Law undergraduate degrees which allows progression onto further professional training within the Law field.
- LLM
An LLM is a Masters of Law degree and it allows you to study a particular area of law in more depth than at undergraduate level.
M
- MA
MA stands for Master of Arts and it is awarded to those studying courses in social sciences, art and humanities, and business, consulting and management. MA programmes often involve research, discussion, essay writing and practical exercises.
- Maintenance Loan
A loan from the Students Loan Company paid to student to help with living expenses
- Masters
A postgraduate degree which can be completed after an undergraduate degree
- MBA
MBA stands for Master of Business Administration is a postgraduate qualification that teaches students key business practises.
- Mitigating circumstances
Situations that you could not have predicted and have no control over and that have a significant impact on your ability to undertake assessments
- Module
Involves a specific set of classes on some topic and a specific set of accompanying assignments.
- MRes
MRes stands for Master of Research is a one year full time research degree which focuses more on independent study.
- MSc
MSc stands for Master of Science and it is awarded to those studying courses in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Programmes are typically theory-heavy with an emphasis on reading and research.
N
- NSS
The National Students Survey is your opportunity to give your honest feedback about what it has been like to study on your course at your university/college. It is completed by final year students
O
- Office hours
Hours when academic staff will be able available to offer academic support to student
P
- Personal tutor
An academic member of staff assigned to each student on arrival who will act as the initial point of contact for discussion of academic and pastoral matters throughout a student's academic career
- Postgraduate
Someone who has already completed their first degree and has progressed onto a more advanced course at university. Postgraduate degrees are called ‘Master’s’ or ‘Doctorate’ degrees depending on the level of study and how many years students have completed.
- Provost
The Provost leads on academic strategy and delivery and performs duties delegated by the Vice-Chancellor.
R
- Registrar
The Registrar has responsibility for the professional services of the University.
- Residential Life Team
They live alongside students within Halls and are responsible for maintaining discipline and pastoral support
S
- Sabbatical Officer
They are members of key University committees, such as the Steering Committee, the Academic Quality and Standards Committee and the Council, in order to ensure representation of student views in University decision-making.
- School
A school contains Departments. For example the School of Modern Languages will include the Departments of French and Spanish.
- Seminar
Small group of students exchange ideas and thoughts through group discussions.
- Senate house
Senate House provides a comprehensive reception service for students in a central location on campus.
- Society
Organisation operated by students at a university whose membership typically consists only of students or alumni
- SSLC
It stands for Student Staff Liaison Committee. Allows student representatives to discuss problems connected with teaching, learning and student support with staff
- Student ambassador
Student Ambassadors are renowned for being the 'face of Warwick' and being part of the WWS gives you the chance to share your passion about university, along with being an ambassador representing Warwick.
- Student Opportunity
Student Opportunity enables you to develop a global perspective, become culturally aware, and have confidence in achieving your vision of career success. There are many teams that come under this such as Careers, Skills, Warwick Volunteers etc.
- Student Union
It is a student run group that dedicates its time and resources to give the whole student community a voice. They represent students' concerns, views, campaigning and organising activities.
- Summative essay
An assessment that is graded and does count towards your final grade for the year.
- SU officer
Each year, the student body elects 7 Full-Time Student Officers to lead the Students' Union. These Officers work alongside our dedicated staff team to deliver a wealth of services for you.
T
- Tutorial
It is a meeting with your personal tutor to discuss how are you getting on with university life.
U
- Undergraduate
Someone studying toward their first degree, which normally takes 3 or 4 years
V
- Vice-Chancellor (VC)
The Vice-Chancellor is the chief academic and administrative officer of the University and chairs the Senate and a number of committees.
W
- Wellbeing services
Wellbeing Support Services range of services that can help you to develop the personal resources and skills you need to navigate the challenges and opportunities of student life.
- WP
It stands for widening participation. It aims to help more people from under-represented groups particularly low socio economic groups to participate successfully in higher education. Click here for more information on the work the WP team at Warwick do.