Jargon buster

A service available on results day to those students who have gained higher results than expected and therefore would like to change the institution or course they will be studying. 

Bachelor of Arts, the undergraduate degree awarded to those studying an arts or humanities degree.

Bachelor of Engineering, the undergraduate degree awarded to those studying an engineering discipline.

A style of teaching that includes both in person and online sessions.

Bachelor of Science, the undergraduate degree awarded to those studying a scientific discipline.

A non-repayable monetary award made to students who satisfy certain criteria as set by the awarding universities and organisations.

A collection of university buildings where teaching and university activities take place.

A service that opens on results day each year whereby those students without a place at a higher education institution can gain a place on courses with spaces still available.

York is one of a handful of universities with a college system. Whether students live on or off campus, their college provides a network of support, friendship, facilities and a full calendar of events and activities to ease them into university life.

A degree encompassing more than one subject.

An offer of a place at university, which is dependent on certain conditions eg: achieving certain grades.

Each module is worth a certain number of credits. Students must achieve a certain number of credits in each year to be able to progress to the next level of study and ultimately graduate.

Disabled Student Allowances are monetary awards made to those students who may need additional support through their studies as a result of a disability or long-term health condition. For example these awards may pay for specialist equipment, printing costs, a note-taker etc. These awards are assessed on a case by case basis. 

The skills, experience, and attributes a student has/develops that makes them more attractive to employers.

An applicant’s first choice of higher education, this is the institution and course they will attend providing that they meet the conditions of their offer.  They may choose one firm choice from their offers.

The informal term given to first year students at university.

Students may opt to take a year out of their studies before beginning a higher education course, this year can be used to work, travel, volunteer or a mixture of the three.

The term given to the university accommodation students can opt to live in during their study at university.

Higher Education. Refers to the qualifications that are taken at level 4 or above, i.e. those that are taken after A-Levels or equivalents.

Honours - indicates a level of attainment attached to a BSc or BA.

Time spent learning alone or with other students, without the presence of a member of teaching staff, including reading, researching, completing assignments and preparing for taught sessions.

An applicant’s second choice of higher education, usually with slightly lower entry requirements. This is the institution and course that they will attend should they not meet the terms of their Firm choice. They may choose one insurance choice from their offers.

A programme that combines a Bachelor degree and Masters in a single, longer programme, usually four years.

A style of teaching whereby staff deliver content in a theatre style room with students taking notes.

A repayable monetary award made to students who satisfy certain criteria as set by the awarding universities and organisations.

A period of study covering a particular topic. Many programmes are divided into modules with a certain number of modules required to study the course to completion.

A non-repayable monetary award made to students who satisfy certain criteria as set by the awarding universities and organisations.

A block of study containing certain modules.

Smaller, more interactive, group teaching. Usually centred on group discussion with some work to prepare prior to the session.

Student Finance England are the body who manage applications for maintenance and tuition fee loans across England.

The periods of teaching time throughout the academic year.

University and College Admissions Service. The central organisation who handle applications for higher education across the UK.

An additional period of time to apply for courses through UCAS when someone has not applied during the main UCAS application period or has received no offers of a place. 

The online service allowing applicants to track the status of their higher education applications.

The UK Clinical Aptitude Test. An admissions test required by some medical schools across the UK including Hull York Medical School.

An offer of a place on a course, given to an applicant who has satisfied all entry requirements.

A student who is studying for a bachelors degree.

A course of study leading to a bachelors degree.