Glossary
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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Access 1
Access 1 units are designed to be used in programmes of learning designed for the personal needs of learners with severe and profound learning difficulties. Many of these units are designed to articulate within the outcomes of Access 2 units, offering progression. See also Access Courses.
Access 2 - Scottish Group Awards (SGA)
These SGAs are made up of National Clusters or coherent groupings at two levels. They give credit for Standard Grades and SVQs. Achievement of all five Core Skills at Access 2 or above is required. This qualification is designed to prepare people for entry to further education, training or employment. See also Access Courses and Scottish Group Awards (SGA).
Access 2
Access 2 Clusters are usually made up of up to three units with no external assessment. Each Access 2 units is worth 6 credits at level 2. In some cases, learners may count Access 3 Units (level 3) towards the cluster. These Clusters are typically used for entry to further education, training and employment. See also Access Courses.
Access 3 - Scottish Group Awards (SGA)
These SGA are made up of National Clusters or coherent groupings of units at two levels. They give credit for Standard Grades and SVQs. Achievement of all five Core Skills at Access 2 or above is required. This qualification is designed to prepare people for entry to further education, training or employment. See also Access Courses and Scottish Group Awards (SGA).
Access 3
Access 3 Clusters are usually made up of three units with no external assessment. Each Access 3 unit is worth 6 credits at level 3. In some cases, learners may count Intermediate 1 units (level 4) towards the cluster. These clusters are typically used for entry to further education, training and employment. See also Access Courses.
Access bursaries
Provided by the government to give financial help to students where access to education may be inhibited by financial considerations. The money is normally available through individual institutions and does not have to be paid back. See also bursaries.
Access Courses
These are programmes of study at three levels (1, 2 or 3) which are unit based but do not involve national examinations. These courses are designed to prepare students who do not have standard entry qualifications for Further or Higher courses and can be taken to help progress towards Intermediate level qualifications. Some further education (FE) colleges have ‘articulation’ arrangements for entry to later years of specified degree courses from specified Access programmes. They may be subject specific or include general study skills.
Access
This means admission or entry to a particular course or programme of study. Unfortunately this term is used in other contexts as well. It is used to describe an introductory course or programme of study to prepare students for entry to college or university. It also describes the introductory levels in the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework.
Accreditation
Accreditation is the approval of an educational course by an authorised body.
Accreditation of Previous Experiential Learning (APEL)
See Recognition Prior Learning (RPL).
Advanced Higher – Scottish Group Awards (SGA’s)
SGAs are made up of National Courses and Units at two levels. They give credit for SVQ 3 or SVQ 4. Achievement of all five Core Skills is required — three at Higher and two at Intermediate 2. This qualification is designed to prepare people for entry to further and higher education, training or employment. See also Scottish Group Awards (SGAs).
Advanced Higher
These are usually taken in 6th year or at college. Advanced Higher extends the knowledge gained at Higher level and can be helpful for those progressing to Higher Education. Advanced Higher Courses are usually made up of three Units and an external assessment — an examination or a project. Each Advanced Higher Unit is worth 8 credits at level 7. These Courses are typically used for entry to higher education and employment.
Articulation
The process by which it is possible to match courses or requirements to course work completed on another course or another institution. Articulation is used to ensure that the courses students complete will not have to be repeated at the institution or on the course to which they are transferring.
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BA courses
Bachelor of Arts - Mainly Arts, Social Science and Business related courses plus some Nursing Courses. See also degree.
Benefits
Most students do not qualify for income support or housing benefits, however there are some exceptions and it may be possible to continue claiming while studying, particularly if students and a single parent or disabled. See www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCP or www.adviceguide.org.uk/Scotland for more information.
BEng
Bachelor of Engineering - Mainly Engineering and construction related courses. See also degree.
Blended learning
A method of educating that uses a combination of modes of delivery such as e-learning techniques, online delivery through the web, discussion boards and e-mail, and traditional face to face lectures, seminars, and tutorials.
Bridging Unit
A unit of study designed to provide students with the required level of skills and knowledge necessary to undertake further studies.
BSc
Bachelor of Science - Mainly Science, Computing related courses. See also degree.
BTEC courses
Bachelor of Technology. See also degree.
Bursaries
Bursaries (and scholarships) are financial help for students primarily from poorer backgrounds that are aimed at easing the transition into higher education and help them successfully complete their studies. Most are means-tested, but some are based on other criteria such as academic merit.
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Career Development Loans (CDL)
These are loans that can help to pay for vocational training. They are available to both full and part-time students. For further information see www.direct.gov.uk.
Careers service
The careers service offers support to students studying at that particular institution. This includes help with exploring career ideas, further study and help with finding work when you graduate. It may also include assist with finding a part-time or summer job whilst you are studying.
Cert HE
See Certificate in Higher Education.
Certificate – Professional Development Awards (PDA’s)
PDAs are qualifications for people already in a career who wish to develop an aspect of their existing skills, develop new ones or change direction. There are four kinds of PDA: Advanced Diploma normally at SCQF level 9-11; Diploma, normally at SCQF level 7 or 8; Advanced Certificate, normally at SCQF level 6; and Certificate, normally at SCQF level 4 or 5.
Certificate in Higher Education
The Certificate of Higher Education (Cert HE) is typically offered as an exit award after the equivalent of one year of full-time higher education in Scotland.
Childcare grant
This grant aims to help full-time students with the cost of childcare. The amount students get depends on their income, the income of their spouse or partner and the actual cost of childcare.
Child tax credit
Students may be able to claim Child Tax Credit from HM Revenue and Customs. The amount they get depends on their personal circumstances and income.
Clearing
A system operated by UCAS which allows students to identify and apply to places on courses that still have vacancies, after the publication of Highers, A levels and other equivalent results.
Col Cert (College Certified) or Non Cert (Non Certified)
These are courses which do not offer any formal qualification. They are usually designed to improve skills or knowledge in a certain discipline, and can sometimes lead to the pursuit of a formal qualification.
College
Students can access a wide range of qualifications at various levels at College. Some include HNCs and HNDs - non advanced qualifications, Scottish Group Awards, Scottish Vocational Qualifications, Personal Development Awards and other Professional Qualifications. Many also offer the chance to do Scottish Highers. Colleges offer flexibility in mode and structure of course and have many courses that require no prior qualifications. Several colleges also have agreements with their local university which allows you to study an HND at College which can permit direct entry into 3rd year of a degree course at University known as a 2+2 course. Find out more about qualifications at www.sqa.org.uk.
Community
Courses on offer at your local Community Education Centre are varied, ranging from short courses in IT to learning a foreign language to taking up Higher English.
Community Centres
These local centres are open as a facility to be used by the local communities. They are a great place to meet people, watch events and participate in activities. There is often the chance to take up a hobby, or take part in sport and exercise. There may be creche facilities, special interest groups, clubs and many more services you can make use of at a low cost.
Continuing Education (CE)
Continuing education students are on courses normally lasting less than one year; they are usually part-time. Continuing education can be award-bearing or non-award bearing and vocational or non-vocational.
Continuing professional development (CPD)
A range of short and long training programmes, some of which have an option of accreditation, which foster the development of employment- related knowledge, skills and understanding.
Credit points
Courses and qualifications are given credit points. These points are given for the amount of learning students have to do to get the qualification.
Credit transfer
If students have already studied at higher education level, either in the UK or another country, their previous study can count towards their chose qualification. This is determined by allocating points to courses which can then be converted into credit towards a new qualification. See also credit points.
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Degree
Qualification awarded after the successful completion of undergraduate study. BA (Bachelor of Arts) for a first degree in Arts and BSc (Bachelor of Science) for a first degree in Science, are the two most common undergraduate degrees. Degrees can be studied as a single subject (single honours), two subjects (joint honours) or two or three subjects (combined honours). Degree programmes last either 3 years for an ordinary degree or 4 years for an honours degree and are offered at Universities and some colleges. Students may enter a degree programme with Highers, with an HNC or HND or an appropriate University Access qualification. The Degree is recognised as the normal entry to a number of professions across the UK.
Degree classifications
Honours degrees are divided into 4 'classes: first class, the highest level, 2.1 (upper second class), 2.2 (lower second class) and third class degree. A degree without honours is known as a 'pass' degree or an ordinary degree.
Degree course
A course of higher education leading to the award of a foundation, bachelor's or master's degree. See also degree.
Degree Link (2+2)
Many Colleges /Universities offer Degree Link. This means that students who successfully complete a relevant HND course over 2 years (or part time equivalent) at College, are guaranteed access to the third year of the appropriate University degree course. Where a College offers a course to HNC level only, then you may be offered a place on a 1 +3 basis.
Department for Education and Skills (DfES)
The department of UK government with ultimate responsibility for all sectors of education.
Dip HE
See Diploma in Higher Education.
Diploma of Higher Education
This qualification is the equivalent to completing two years of degree study. Many students use this course as a vehicle to continue onto a first degree, but it is also a qualification in its own right. Students normally need 2-3 Higher Grades to do this. Courses are mainly taken in colleges of higher education and can include nursing, social work, music, and art and design.
Disabled Student’s Allowance
If students are disabled this grant can help with the purchase of specialist equipment, non-medical help and other costs relating to study.
Distance learning
Study that does not involve physically attending the university. Makes use of the TV, radio, post, CD-ROMs, video and increasingly the Internet.
Doctorate
Doctorates (PhDs) are available through several routes. The PhD is normally awarded following the successful completion of a thesis requiring the equivalent of three years’ full-time research and study to complete. Professional Doctorates also require the equivalent of three years’ full-time research and study, and will frequently involve work-based as well as HEI-based research and study.
DSA
See Disabled Student’s Allowance.
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Educational Maintenance Awards (EMA)
Students studying for a qualification below HND/HNC can apply for an EMA of £30, £20 or £10 a week depending on parental income to assist with living costs.
Educational Marketing
In an educational context, marketing refers to a set of activities used to get your potential student’s attention and motivate them to enrol in a course.
E-learning
The delivery of content via electronic media, such as the internet, video, interactive TV and CD-ROM. E-learning encompasses all learning undertaken, whether formal or informal, through electronic delivery.
EMA
See Educational Maintenance Awards.
Employability skills
The transferable core skills that represent functional and enabling knowledge, skills, and attitudes required in today's workplace. They are necessary for career success at all levels of employment and for all levels of education.
Equal opportunities
The process of ensuring that everyone is entitled to freedom from discrimination. Areas specifically covered by the law currently are gender, race, disability, sexual orientation and religion or belief.
ERASMUS
A scheme in which students can spend time abroad as part of their study at a UK higher education institution.
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Faculty
Individual subjects within universities are grouped into faculties or schools, e.g. English would be part of the Faculty of Arts along with subjects such as modern languages.
FE
See Further Education.
FE and HE
Beyond school there are two main providers of formal education – colleges of Further and Higher Education and Universities. Colleges of Further and Higher Education offer non advanced further education (FE) courses and qualifications such as SGAs and higher education (HE) courses such as HNCs and HNDs. Universities mainly offer advanced programmes at degree level, although some also deliver HNCs and HNDs. See also Further Education and Higher Education.
Fees
See Tuition fees.
Fee waiver
For part-time students, it may be possible to get a fee waiver if their income is below a certain level.
Foundation course
A recognised HE course designed to prepare students who have qualifications which are acceptable for entry in general, but are not appropriate to a specific course of study. Foundation courses are also used as Year 0 of a degree course to enable students with non-traditional qualifications to participate in HE by using Year 0 as a preparatory year for a full degree programme.
Foundation degree
A vocational degree, which is two years full-time or three years if taken as a sandwich course. A foundation degree can lead straight on to a first degree, which could be completed in twelve months. Entry requirements are at least one A level (or equivalent) or a vocational qualification at level 3, e.g. NVQ.
Further Education
Further education is for people over compulsory school age (currently 16 in England) which does not take place in a secondary school. It may be in a sixth-form college, a Further Education College or a Higher Education Institution. Further education courses are generally up to the standard of GCE A-level or NVQ Level 3.
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Gap year/year out
Time spent working or traveling (usually up to a year) after finishing School or undergraduate study.
General Sscottish Vocational Qualifications (GSVQs)
General Scottish Vocational Awards are based on national units. They cover the broad range of skills and knowledge needed for employment. They are in the process of being phased out. See also Scottish Vocational Qualifications.
Governing body
The university court (in Scotland), council, board of governors or other body ultimately responsible for the affairs of a Higher Education Institution. This will contain a large number of 'lay members' who are not from within the higher education sector and give their time voluntarily.
Graduate
Someone who has attained a bachelor's or higher degree.
Graduate Diploma in Higher Education
See Diploma in Higher Education.
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HE
See Higher Education.
HEI
Higher education institution (university or college of higher education).
Higher – Scottish Group Awards (SGA’s)
These SGAs are made up of National Courses at level 6 and National Units at level 5 or above. They give credit for Standard Grades and SVQs. Achievement of all five Core Skills at Intermediate 2 or Higher is required. These qualifications are designed to prepare people for entry to further and higher education, training or employment. See also Scottish Group Awards (SGAs).
Higher Degree
Degree above bachelor's level such as master's degree or doctorate.
Higher Education
Higher education courses are generally above the standard of GCE A-levels or National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Level 3. They include degree courses, postgraduate courses and Higher National Diplomas. Higher Education takes place in universities and higher education colleges, and in some Further Education Colleges.
Higher Education Colleges
HE Colleges are divided into specialist Colleges dealing mainly with one subject area, such as music, art and design or teacher training; and more general colleges offering a range of courses, particularly in Business, Humanities and Education.
Higher National Certificate (HNC)
Normally a one-year course at college. Students will normally need at least one Higher Grade to do this. An HNC in a relevant subject may give entry to a degree, usually to year one. Some further education (FE) colleges have ‘articulation’ arrangements for entry to later years of specified degree courses (at specified institutions with which the college has formal arrangements), from specified HNC programmes. HNCs are normally offered through the equivalent of one year’s full-time higher education. They can give entry to HNDs and degree programmes at level 7 or 8 depending on articulation agreements.
Higher National Diploma (HND)
Normally a two year course at college. Students will usually need 1 or 2 Higher Grades to do this, or an HNC to go straight into year 2. Some further education (FE) colleges have ‘articulation’ arrangements for entry to later years of specified degree courses (at specified institutions with which the college has formal arrangements), from specified HND programmes. HNDs are normally offered through the equivalent of two years’ full-time higher education. They can give entry to degree programmes at either level 8 or 9, depending on articulation agreements.
Highers
These are subjects that you can study in S5 or S6. They are the traditional entry route to higher education (HE). They’re generally taught in school over 1 year. It is also possible to study for Highers at college where part time study or open/flexible learning may be an option. Highers are part of the National Qualifications framework. Grades for Highers run from A to D with A being the highest. Grades A to C are considered passes. Higher Courses are usually made up of three Units and an external assessment - an examination or a project. Each Higher Unit is worth 6 credits at level 6. In some cases learners may count Advanced Higher Units (level 7) towards the Course. These Courses are typically used for entry to higher education and employment.
HNC
See Higher National Certificate.
HND
See Higher National Diploma.
Honours Degree
Courses are taken at universities and colleges. They’re usually full-time although part-time and open/flexible learning opportunities are increasing. In Scotland an Honours Degree is usually a four-year course in which the student specialises in one or two subjects after the first two years.
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ILA
See Individual Learning Account.
Individual Learning Account
ILA is a Scottish Executive scheme that can help with the cost of course fees. Students can receive up to £200 a year if they earn £18,000 or less and £100 a year if the earn more than £18,000. The money is not a loan, so the students don’t have to pay it back, but they will need to make a £10 contribution towards the course.
Intermediate 1 – Scottish Group Awards (SGA’s)
These SGAs are made up of National Courses at level 4 and National Units at level 3 or above. They give credit for Standard Grades and SVQs. Achievement of all five Core Skills at Access 3 or above is required. This qualification is designed to prepare people for entry to further education, training or employment. See also Scottish Group Awards (SGAs).
Intermediate 1 and 2
These are usually taken in 5th or 6th year, although some schools now offer them in earlier years. They can help with progress towards Higher level qualifications.
Intermediate 1
Intermediate 1 Courses are usually made up of three Units and an external assessment — an examination or a project. Each Intermediate 1 Unit is worth 6 credits at level 4. In some cases learners may count Intermediate 2 Units (level 5) towards the Course. These Courses are typically used for entry to further education, training and employment.
Intermediate 2 – Scottish Group Awards (SGA’s)
These SGAs are made up of National Courses at level 5 and National Units at level 4 or above. They give credit for Standard Grades and SVQs. Achievement of all five Core Skills at Intermediate 1 or 2 is required. These qualifications are designed to prepare people for entry to further education, training or employment. The focus is reflected in the titles of particular awards. There is also a general SGA. See also Scottish Group Awards (SGAs).
Intermediate 2
Intermediate 2 Courses are usually made up of three Units and an external assessment — an examination or a project. Each Intermediate 2 Unit is worth 6 credits at level 5. In some cases learners may count Higher Units (level 6) towards the Course. These Courses are typically used for entry to further education, training and employment.
Internship
A period of work experience, lasting from a few weeks to a year. Can also be called a placement.
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Job Centres
Students can find out about job vacancies in your area. Advisors are available to tell them about the various programmes and services available, answer any questions or help with applications.
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Libraries
Hold a wealth of information usually in a variety of formats (paper, electronic, audio etc.) Aside from this, libraries often run short courses and evening classes in a range of subjects usually at beginners through intermediate level.
Lifelong learning
Defined by the Government as all post-16 learning, but applying specifically to learning by adults who are already in the workplace and require part-time provision, or to learning that adults may wish to undertake to enrich their lives.
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MA
Master of Arts – a higher level degree award that normally follows on from a BA. See also Master’s degree.
Major/Minor courses
In these courses students choose two subjects to study, one of which is studied over a longer period than the other.
Master's degree (MA/MSc/MPhil/MEd)
MA/MSc degrees are awarded to graduates who have undertaken a further course of study, after an honours degree, either full-time or part-time. Master's degrees may be taken following a period of work experience and some courses take the form of company training programmes. MPhil degrees may be awarded following a period of research rather than a course of study.
Marketing
See Educational Marketing.
Mature student
Student entering further or higher education at age 21 or above.
Modular degree/modularisation
A programme of study in which a student chooses a number of short courses or modules, the satisfactory completion of which leads to a degree.
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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 of £25. See www.naric.org.uk.
National Certificate (NC)
An individual module takes about 40 hours to complete. A group of related modules (set by the SQA) makes up a National Certificate (NC) which usually takes 1 year full-time. There are no exams for modules - your work is assessed as students go along.
National Qualifications (NQs)
National Qualifications cover a wide range of subjects. Completing a group of units may count as a course. A Group Award is achieved by successful completion of an appropriate number of courses. Eventually these awards will replace some National Certificate (NC) and General Scottish Vocational Qualifications (GSVQs) programmes. It has 5 levels: Access, Intermediate 1, Intermediate 2, Higher and Advanced Higher.
NC
See National Certificate.
NQ
See National Qualifications.
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Open and distance learning
Colleges and universities offer courses that are specially designed for people who do not wish to attend regularly or may be prevented from attending because of distance. These open and distance learning courses are open to all age groups. They include opportunities for people working from home and those in business and industry who wish to gain qualifications in their place of work.
Open/Closed book assessment
Open book assessments allow students to access course texts and notes for the duration of the assessment period at home or in the learning centre. Closed book assessments are supervised in the local learning centre without reference to any course texts or study notes.
Ordinary Degree
See degree.
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Parent Learning Allowance
This can help pay for course-related costs, such as books, materials and travel. It’s available on top of any standard financial help students get and doesn’t have to be paid back.
PhD
See doctorate.
Placement
A period of work experience, paid or unpaid which is part of a course. Can be arranged by the student or by the university.
Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)
A course, normally of one year duration, for people with a degree (or equivalent qualifications) to train to be a teacher.
Postgraduate student
A student on a course which normally requires a first degree or in some cases significant workplace experience, as a condition of entry.
Postgraduate study
Course of study normally taken after a first degree. These are divided into taught programmes such as Masters degrees and postgraduate diplomas/certificates and research programmes such as PhDs and MPhils.
Professional body
Organisation which offers qualifications and sets examinations. Usually charges a fee for students/members to join. Examples are the ICAEW (Institute of Chartered Accountants, CIHE (Chartered Institute Of Housing), IEE (Institution of Electrical Engineers).
Professional qualification
Courses leading to professional qualification, taken after graduation offered directly by professional bodies such as the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development (CIPD), the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), etc. These are mostly part time and undertaken alongside your job. Often the employer sets up the arrangement.
Progression
This describes moving from one level to another, usually a higher one. For example, if students move from SVQ level 3 to an HND programme they have progressed.
Prospectus (Course Catalogue)
Every university and college publishes a list of the courses available in a prospectus. There may be different prospectus' for undergraduate and postgraduate course.
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Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning Scheme allows credit gained from past qualifications to be taken into account, where appropriate. It is also possible to award credit for learning derived from experience, where no formal qualification has been gained.
Recruitment
The process of finding the right person for the job. This can include interviews, application forms, assessment centres and psychometric tests etc.
Referral agencies
Organisations that, although not course providers, deal with students and potential students, which then need to be referred to the appropriate academic institution. These agencies include Job centres and voluntary organisations, for example.
RPL
See Recognition of Prior Learning.
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Sandwich course
A course of study which includes periods of practical work in organisations outside the university or college.
Scholarships
See Bursaries.
Schools
Secondary Schools tend to stick to the national curriculum. If you want to study a Standard Grade or Higher you may be able to do it at you local School . Some Schools also run evening classes particularly in special interest activities such as photography or music.
SCOTCATS
The Scottish Credit Accumulation Transfer Scheme (SCOTCATS) allows students to earn credit as they go through their course and add to it at a later date. Students can take a break from studying whenever they need – SCOTCATS allows students to take credit with them and to bring it back again when they return to study, even if returning to a different institution.
Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF)
The Framework describes the courses and programmes that lead to qualifications; helps students develop progression routes by clarifying entry and exit points and maximises opportunities to transfer credit points between qualifications.
Scottish Group Awards (SGAs)
Scottish Group Awards are useful for those who have been away from formal education for some time. They are built up unit by unit and so can be taken at the student’s own pace. Previous work experience and credit achieved in SVQs may contribute towards the award. SGAs may lead directly to employment or they can be used as a stepping stone to higher level qualifications.These qualifications are offered at 5 levels – Access, Intermediate 1, Intermediate 2, Higher and Advanced Higher.
Scottish Progression Awards (SPAs)
Scottish Progression Awards (SPAs) have been designed by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) as a good way to get students started on the road to getting a qualification that recognises the skills and knowledge which they use in their work, or which you will gain during work placement or work experience. Students can study to build up the knowledge and understanding at a college, school, or a training centre towards achieving a full SVQ. Assessments can be tailored to the student’s own personal time constraints. Can contain SVQ, National or Higher National Qualification Units or a combination of these.
Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA)
The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) is the national body that awards qualifications at all levels up to and including HNC and HND.
Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs)
Scottish Vocational Qualifications available at levels 1 to 5 (ranging from introductory to advanced) are nationally designed and recognised qualifications which are usually gained in the workplace, but they can be studied in college or by a mixture of workplace training and college study. SVQs assure the employer that someone is competent in particular practical skills. SVQs are based on the National Occupational Standards originally developed by National Training Organisations (NTOs) and now falling within the remit of Sector Skills Councils (SSCs). Typically an SVQ is achieved in the workplace. Some SVQs or SVQ Units are incorporated into other awards or programmes including HNCs, Scottish Progression Awards and Modern Apprenticeships.
SCQF
See Scottish Credit Qualification Framework.
Semester
An academic year is divided into either two semesters or 3 terms.
Single honours degree
A degree programme based on one main subject of study, e.g. BSc Physics.
SGA
See Scottish Group Awards.
SPA
See Scottish Progression Awards.
Sponsorship
Some companies offer a sum of money to students during their studies. In return the student may work for them during their studies or during vacations and should have an interest in working for the company when they graduate. Sponsorships are not only for students on vocational courses.
SQA
See Scottish Qualifications Authority.
Student loan
The main source of help for students towards living costs is the student loan. The government provides these low interest loans. Graduates do not need to begin repayment of loans until they have reached a specific level of income.
Student support
Financial help available from the Government to students in higher education.
SVQ
See Scottish Vocational Qualifications.
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Transferable skills
Used to describe a range of skills applicable to many jobs, for example: communication, team working, presentation, numeracy.
Tax credits
Students and their families could be entitled to more money through tax credits, for example, the Child Tax credit and working tax credit. See www.hmrc.gov.uk/students for more information.
Tuition fees
Students have to pay tuition fees to a university or college to attend a course there. Home and EU students on full-time courses may be eligible for support towards these fees depending on their own and their family's income. Depending on the student’s personal circumstances they may not be required to pay towards your tuition fees.
Tutor support
Programmes that aim to promote academic welfare of students and provide a sympathetic person to whom students can turn to for support regarding difficulties with their studies.
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UCAS
Universities and Colleges Admissions Service for the UK, UCAS is the central organisation that processes applications for most full-time undergraduate courses at UK universities and colleges. Students applying for courses will apply directly through UCAS or to the college. School pupils applying for a full-time degree and students who have left school and are applying for full-time courses must apply through UCAS.
Undergraduate
Student working towards a first degree, foundation degree, higher education certificate or diploma or equivalent.
University
Where students can study at HND, degree, and Post Graduate level. There is also the possibility of participating on research projects. Most universities have options of full time, part time and distance learning courses. Usually students will require prior qualifications to gain entry to your chosen course, however there are options available to you even if you lack those qualifications. Access courses are available to those who may not have the entry qualifications required.
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Vocational courses
A course designed to train you for a specific job or career. When students complete a vocational course, they will have gained a skill or qualification in a work related area.
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Widening participation
Encouraging and supporting people who have the ability, motivation and potential to thrive at university, but who come from groups that are currently under-represented in higher education.
Work-based learning
Learning delivered by a university, college or other training provider in the workplace, normally under the supervision of a person from the same company as well as a professional teacher from outside the company.
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Young student’s bursaries
Available for students under 25 with low income. These bursaries are not repayable, students receive the reminder of their support in the form of a student loan. See also bursaries.