glossary of terms - continuedssandwich course course that includes a long period of work experience. Degree sandwich courses usually last four years, with one whole year spent on a work placement
SAT scholastic aptitude test. US test used as college entrance examination
SCE Scottish certificate of education. Equivalent to a GCSE
scholarship money award made to support a student's education. It is often awarded on the basis of academic achievement
SCR senior common room. Room or area set aside for staff within an institution. Social organisation for staff of an institution
second-class honours most graduates of bachelor's degree programmes achieve second-class honours. this grade is therefore divided into two divisions, upper and lower, written 2 i and 2 ii, or 2:1 and 2:2, and usually call 'two-one' and 'two-two'
SEFIC spoken English for industry and commerce. Type of English language test. Widely accepted
self-catering halls halls of residence where students have to prepare their own meals. These residences have kitchens that students share
self-contained accommodation in a larger building which has its own kitchen and bathroom and a private entrance
semester term lasting half an academic year
seminar small class where students discuss a topic with a lecturer or tutor. Questions are encouraged, but discussion is less free than in a tutorial, and not everyone present will necessarily be expected to contribute to the discussion
single honours type of first degree awarded for study in only one subject, such as law or medicine
Socrates Erasmus exchange scheme which enables European students to spend time studying or working in another European country
special needs general term for any condition, physical or mental that results in someone needing special educational facilities
sponsor person or organisation that accepts responsibility for all or part of a student's fees or expenses
SQA Scottish qualifications authority. Body that is responsible for accrediting, awarding and developing academic and vocational qualifications in Scotland
SQE Special qualifying exams. Entrance exam normally taken when standard entry requirements are not quite met
student societies groups with a shared general interest that students join e.g. rowing, Christian, sociology. Student societies can be political, cultural, departmental, religious or sports societies
SU abbreviation for students' union. Also called union of students
summer school courses and lectures that are held during the summer vacation
ttaught masters postgraduate degree that is taught in a similar way to first degrees, and does not include original research
TEMPUS the trans-European mobility programme for university students. Encourages students to study part of their course in a different European country
term period of continuous study without vacations. In the UK, the academic year is normally split into three terms. In universities, these terms are between eight and twelve weeks long, with a long vacation in the summer months
TESOL teaching English to speakers of other languages. High-level certificate and diploma qualifications validated by trinity college London
thesis dissertation containing results of original research to support a particular argument, usually written by a candidate for an academic degree
third-class honours lowest honours grading for a bachelor's degree. Called a 'third'
TOEFL test of English as a foreign language. Internationally recognised English test, available in over 100 countries. Widely accepted by UK institutions
transcript detailed list of classes or courses a student has taken at college or university, with marks or grades for each subject
tutor university or college lecturer who supervises the welfare and studies of assigned undergraduates
tutorial class for a small number of students, led by a tutor, where one topic is discussed in depth. The topic may be introduced by a student, and everyone is expected to contribute to the discussion
uUCAS universities and colleges admissions service. UK national organisation that administers applications for entry onto full-time first degree and similar programmes
UCLES university of Cambridge local examinations syndicate. Examination board that validates and manages several English language and other tests
UKCOSA the council for international education. UK organisation offering advice to international students
unit single item or element which is part of a whole. Many courses in the UK are divided up into units
university college degree-awarding institution equivalent in status to a university
vvalidation process of defining academic level of a course, and of setting the syllabus and standards for marking and grading. UK universities validate their own degrees
viva (voce) interview between members of an examination board and a student, on the material studied on a course to confirm a degree grading
vocational qualification qualification aimed at preparing students for employment, usually with practical experience as part of the course
wwarden person responsible for the supervision of halls of residence
word limit limit to the number of words that can be written in an essay or dissertation. Varies from about 500 words to over 20,000 depending on its value in a student's overall mark or grade for a course
work experience practical experience gained on a work placement
work placement the part of a course which gives students the opportunity to gain practical experience of working in their chosen profession before graduation. Students may spend up to a year on work placement, especially on a sandwich course
xyzif there are other words or terms that you think would be helpful on this list, please let us know we have complied a very useful
Links Page for you - on there you will find many British Government websites (and others) with up-to-date news and advice which will all help improve your experience