University jargonbuster
Many of the words used in higher education are hundreds of years old and some have meanings which are very specific to the context of the University of Reading. Either way, some of the language used can be confusing and may be unfamiliar to you. Use the jargonbuster to help you decode these words.
A B C D E F G H I J L M N P R S T U V W
A
Academic
A member of the teaching staff at a university; academics usually also undertake research as part of their job.
Access to Learning Fund
Previously called the Hardship Fund, this is a fund which is given to assist students in financial difficulty. There is a special application procedure which assesses whether students are eligible and if so how much they should be awarded.
Admissions tutor
A member of the academic staff of the University who is responsible for deciding who is offered a place at the University.
Alumni
Former students of the University.
B
BA, BAEd, BEng, BSc
These refer to Bachelor Honours degrees in various areas: Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Education (BAEd), Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) and Bachelor of Science (BSc)
Blackboard Learn
Blackboard Learn is a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). It is an electronic tool which can be accessed by computers both on and off campus (you will need your Reading username and password). Blackboard Learn is used for teaching and also learning support and development.
Bulmershe
Bulmershe is a campus of the University of Reading.
Bursary
Financial help given by some organisations for specific university courses.
C
C level qualifications
Certificates of Higher Education are made up of a minimum of 120 credits, 100 of which have to have been taken at C level. These are pre-degree qualifications.
Campus
The buildings and surroundings of the University.
Career Management Skills (CMS)
CMS is an important aspect of your degree programme. CMS provides all students with information and advice on planning future options, including career and professional development.
Chancellor
The Chancellor is the Chief Officer of the University. He formally confers degrees but has no statutory duties. However, he plays an important part in representing the interests of the University in general. Sir John Madejski is the present Chancellor.
Clearing
UCAS run the clearing process to offer students places on university courses which have not been filled after the A-level results have come out. It's used either by students who have missed the grades they needed for their chosen university place, or for those who decide at the last minute that they want to go to Higher Education.
Credits
Awards within higher education are credit rated. That is, each Part is allocated a certain number of credits. Each university award, from Certificate to Masters level is made up of a certain number of credits. Each undergraduate Part is 120 credits, each Part at postgraduate level is 180 credits.
Curriculum
The courses or programmes offered by an educational institution make up a curriculum.
D
Dean
The Dean is elected by members of the faculty for four years and has overall responsibility for strategic management and resource decisions; as Director of Research the Dean also manages the faculty research plans and targets.
Department
Schools are often sub-divided into intra-school departments.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor deputises for the Vice-Chancellor when necessary, relieves him of a number of day-to-day responsibilities, and is consulted by him on a wide variety of issues.
Diploma
A qualification awarded for a course of Higher Education. If you do not complete your degree programme you may be eligible to exit with a Diploma of Higher Education. A Diploma is also a postgraduate qualification.
Dissertation
An extended essay or project usually of several thousand words on a specific subject completed during a course of study.
Doctor
At university the title 'Doctor' is given to somebody who has completed a doctorate.
Doctorate
The highest qualification that a university or other educational organisation can award. Usually doctoral students will have completed an undergraduate degree and possibly a Masters degree before beginning their doctorate. A doctoral student specialises in one aspect of their subject of interest and produces unique material on it in the form of a thesis. A doctorate is often referred to as a PhD or a higher degree by research.
E
Earley Gate
Earley Gate is a part of the Whiteknights Campus.
Employability
Employability relates to a graduate's achievements and their potential to gain a graduate job. Achievements relates to the degree itself but importantly also includes transferable skills gained from studying at university.
Enterprise
Enterprise is both a mindset and a skill-set which involves spotting opportunities and turning ideas into reality. The 'enterprising student' is highly motivated, awake to opportunity, able to be resourceful and employ creativity and innovation in solving problems. They are able to make decisions in the face of uncertainty, able to motivate others and able to work as a team.
Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship is a process whereby enterprise is employed and leads to the pursuit of opportunity through new ventures. Social entrepreneurship involves employing enterprise for social good rather than for the benefit or profit of private shareholders.
Extenuating circumstances
There may be occasions when you feel that your work has been adversely affected due to personal (often medical) reasons and these are known as extenuating circumstances. There is a form (ECF) available from your School or Faculty Office. You should speak to your Personal Tutor in the first instance if you are thinking about submitting an ECF.
Extensions
If you are unable to meet a deadline due to extenuating circumstances, you should also fill in an ECF. Remember to discuss this with your Personal Tutor beforehand.
F
Faculty
The University of Reading has four faculties: Arts, Humanities and Social Science, Henley Business School, Life Sciences and Science. Schools and departments are organised within the faculty structure, so each school and department 'belongs' to a faculty but are not all necessarily located in the same building as the Faculty Office, which deals with the main administrative tasks.
Faculty Director of Teaching and Learning
The Faculty Director of Teaching and Learning is appointed by Senate for four years and is responsible for the strategic development and quality management of the degree programmes taught in the faculty, and for cross-university teaching and learning initiatives.
First, Upper Second — 2(i), Lower Second 2(ii), Third, Pass
The different classifications of an undergraduate degree, with First Class Honours being the highest and a Pass degree being the lowest achievable grades.
Fresher (and Freshers' Week)
A fresher is a first year student at a university, this could be an undergraduate or a postgraduate, a mature or international student. Freshers' Week refers to the week before the start of the Autumn Term. Usually new students will move into their halls of residence during the weekend before Freshers' Week and spend Freshers' Week enjoying social activities and registering with various clubs or societies. There will also be the opportunity to meet key staff in your academic school and to learn about the programme of study on which you are enrolled.
Freshers' Fayre
The Freshers' Fayre is a two day event organised by the Students' Union. This year it takes place on Wednesday 6 and Thursday 7 October and there will be information available on societies, clubs, charities, volunteering opportunities and all other Students' Union facilities. Many companies will also be present offering student deals, with different organisations attending on each day.
H
H level qualifications
Bachelors degrees with honours, graduate Certificates and Diplomas. These qualifications are made up of 360 credits normally with 100 or more at H Level or above.
Halls of Residence
University approved accommodation in which students can live while studying. This can be self-catered or catered.
Hardship Fund
Now called the Access to Learning Fund. This is a fund which is given to assist students in financial difficulty. There is a special application procedure which assesses whether students are eligible and if so how much they should be awarded.
Higher Education (HE)
HE provides education and training for students aged 18 and over, who have completed the required amount of study at further education (FE) level. Qualifications on offer include Foundation degrees, Bachelor degrees, Master degrees and higher degrees by research.
Honours Degree
An undergraduate course of higher education study undertaken at university, normally lasting three or four years.
I
I level qualifications
Ordinary (Bachelors) degrees (as opposed to Honours degrees), Diplomas of higher education. These qualifications are made up from a minimum of 240 credits normally with a minimum of 100 credits at I Level.
Learn@Reading
iLearn is a tool that has been developed in Blackboard Learn to help you with your Personal Development. It is used by some schools and departments. You can use iLearn as often as you like but the minimum recommendation is that you look at it three times a year, before each of your meetings with your Personal Tutor.
International Foundation Programme (IFP)
The IFP is an intensive, one year course designed for International Students without A levels or the equivalent. This is a pre-degree level course.
Independent study
At university you are expected to study independently, that is you are expected to manage your own time and tasks and to be able to organise your own study time when you are not required to attend lectures, seminars, lab practicals etc.
Individual Learner Profile (ILP)
The ILP is a self-assessment tool that is designed to help students to reflect on where they are in relation to their learning and skills development. The ILP should be discussed with Personal Tutors.
Integrated Masters Programmes
The MEng, MChem, MMath, MMet and MPhys are integrated Masters degrees in that they are undergraduate degrees, typically lasting four years, where (normally) the first two years are common with an equivalent BSc/BEng degree. Such degrees add extra depth and breadth to a 'normal' 3 year Bachelor Degree Programme.
Internship
An opportunity for students to gain supervised, practical work experience. Internships can be paid or unpaid.
Institution Wide Language Programme (IWLP)
The IWLP provides foreign-language tuition for members of the University (staff and students) in all disciplines who wish to improve their modern language skills for academic or other purposes. Students from every year are welcome, subject to timetabling.
J
Joint Honours
An Honours degree where two subjects are studied rather than just one.
L
Lecture
One of the ways you'll be taught at university. Lectures vary in size from about 30 to 200+ students in one lecture theatre. They generally last for an hour. Lectures are delivered by a lecturer who gives a presentation whilst students make notes. Sometimes handouts are given. There is generally little interaction between lecturer and students although some lecturers leave time for questions at the end of the session. Students quickly get used to the pace of lectures and notetaking!
LLB
Refers to the abbreviation for the Bachelor of Laws undergraduate degree.
LLM
Refers to the abbreviation for the Masters of Laws postgraduate degree.
Local Authority (LA)
Your local council, which has responsibility for schools and education. It will also have a Student Awards Section which deals with requests for funding for those living in the area who want to go to university or college.
London Road
London Road is a separate campus of the University of Reading.
M
Masters
After undertaking an undergraduate course, students can progress onto a Masters level course. A Masters course is completed in one year if studied full-time or two years part-time. Students can either use Masters to explore in greater depth an area of their first degree or to explore another discipline in detail.
Mature Student
Students who are over 21 when they start their undergraduate course.
Module
A unit of study that explores a specific area within a subject, for example The Cold War is a module within the BA History. A number of modules make up an award, such as a degree. Modules tend to be weighted as either 10 or 20 credits.
N
National Union of Students (NUS)
The national organisation that represents students and looks after their interests.
P
Part
If you are a full-time student, each Part refers to a year (eg. Part One is taken in the first year, Part Two in the second year etc). A Part for an undergraduate has 120 credits and a Part for a postgraduate student has 180 credits. If you are studying on a part-time basis, it will probably take you longer than a year to complete each Part.
Personal Academic Record (PAR)
Each undergraduate student should have a PAR and this should be given to you and supported by your personal tutor.
Personal Tutor
Usually a member of academic staff, every undergraduate will be allocated a Personal Tutor when they arrive at Reading. Each student should see their Personal Tutor at least three times per year. The Personal Tutor is often one of the main sources of support and guidance that undergraduates have whilst at university.
Postgraduate
A postgraduate is a student who is returning to study after they have already obtained an undergraduate degree. Postgraduate awards include: PG Certificates, PG Diplomas, Masters and PhD programmes.
Placement
Some degree programmes have a placement within them. This is a period of time when the student can undertake a work experience placement. The length of the placement will vary from programme to programme.
Plagiarism
Using or copying another person's work without acknowledgement and with the intention of passing it off as one's own. This is cheating and the University takes serious action against all cases of plagiarism.
Professor
A university academic of the highest rank.
Programme
All degrees at the University of Reading are called degree programmes (rather than courses). Degree programmes at Reading are modular, that is they are made up of different modules, each of which are credit-rated. The description of your programme is referred to as a Programme Specification.
Pro-Vice-Chancellor
There are three Pro-Vice-Chancellors who each have particular oversight of an area of the University's core activity, namely teaching and learning, research and innovation and international and external engagement. The Pro-Vice-Chancellors relieve the Vice-Chancellor of a number of day-to-day responsibilities and are consulted by him on a wide variety of issues.
R
Reader
A reader is a university lecturer of the highest grade below a university professor.
RUSU
Reading University Students' Union. RUSU is the body which looks after students' interests. It is run by student sabbatical officers who have been elected by students. Full-time staff are also on hand to help students with concerns of a personal, academic, or representative nature.
S
S@iL
Situated on the first floor of the Main Library, the S@iL facilities have been developed to support student study and to help staff take more advantage of electronic media and communication tools in their teaching and in the learning activities of their students.
School
Each faculty is split into schools and some schools are in turn divided into departments.
School Director of Teaching and Learning
The School Directors have a varied role which includes developing the School Teaching Plan and having overall responsibility for student discipline. School Directors work closely with the Senior Tutors and Sub-Deans within schools.
Seminar
Seminars are a part of an undergraduate programme where a group of students meet to discuss a subject with a tutor — a member of the group might prepare a paper for discussion. Seminars are generally more student-led and more interactive than lectures.
Senate
Senate is chaired by the Vice-Chancellor and has about 100 members, including some students. It meets at least four times a year and is the principal academic administrative body of the University.
Senior Tutor
The Senior Tutor has general day-to-day responsibility for student welfare in matters affecting or relating to academic progress. They are another point of contact for students and oversees the Personal Tutorial System within the school or department.
SOAR Skills Opportunities at Reading
This is a website that has been designed specifically to help students boost their transferable skills and provides links to workshops and resources that are all available at Reading.
Specific Learning Difficulties
These include Dyslexia, Dyspraxia and Discalculia. If you need any information or advice about these or other disabilities please visit the Disability Office website.
SportsPark
Newly refurbished gym and leisure centre offering a wide variety of classes and events on Whiteknights campus.
Student Loan
If you become a student you may apply for a loan to help with the costs of living and studying. The loan is paid by instalments during the year. The amount that you can receive depends on your family circumstances. Once you've left university and you're earning over £15,000 a year the Student Loans Company will begin to take money back each month to cover the cost of your loan. However, the amount that you have to pay back will depend on how much you are earning. If you want to go abroad to travel for a year or for some reason are unable to work then the payments will cease until you earn over the threshold again.
For more about student finance visit one of the following sites:
- Student Finance England
- Student Finance Wales
- Student Finance Northern Ireland
- Student Awards Agency for Scotland
- Finance for students from the EU
- Information for international students
Sub-Dean
The Sub-Dean is delegated by the Director of Student Services to support the Dean and Director of Teaching and Learning and to manage the faculty.
T
Term
The academic year at Reading is divided into three terms.
Transferable skills
Transferable skills are those skills that you will develop throughout your time studying at Reading, that you are able to take with you when you leave and transfer into different contexts and situations. There are seven specific transferable skills that all Reading graduates will possess. These are: communication skills, interpersonal skills, problem solving skills, IT skills, numeracy skills, learning skills and self-management skills.
U
Undergraduate
A student who is studying their first degree. This usually takes three or four years of full-time study.
V
Vice-Chancellor
The Vice-Chancellor has a general responsibility to the Council (the executive governing body of the University) for "maintaining and promoting the efficiency and good order of the university". He acts as both its academic leader and in many respects as its Chief Executive.
W
Whiteknights
Whiteknights is the main campus of the University of Reading.