Jargon buster
Access course
Access courses prepare mature students without other qualifications for entry into university or college.
Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)
Universities can use this scheme to recognise adult learners' work/voluntary experiences and existing qualifications. Prior learning can be used either as an entry qualification or put directly towards an HE qualification.
Admissions tutors
Each department or faculty will have an admissions tutor who is responsible for the admissions process.
Alumni
People who attended or graduated from a particular school, college or university.
Bursary
A bursary is a financial grant awarded to someone who fulfils specific criteria. You have to apply for a bursary.
Campus
University buildings and grounds grouped together in one area. Sometimes universities have a number of different campuses.
Did you know? At Kingston we have four campuses – Penrhyn Road, Knights Park, Kingston Hill and Roehampton Vale. Plus our Health and Social Care Sciences courses are run in partnership with St George's, University of London.
Clearing
The system operated by UCAS to allocate places on courses that still have vacancies after the publication of A-level results.
Collaborative partners
Kingston University works with a variety of colleges and other organisations to deliver its courses, particularly foundation degrees and professional development programmes. These collaborative partners include local further education colleges (such as Kingston College and West Thames College) and organisations such as KLM and the NHS. Our collaborative partners are also referred to as partner colleges.
Compact Scheme
The Compact Scheme supports students throughout their university journey. It is targeted at those with a strong academic background, but who may need some additional support in the transition into higher education.
CPD
Continuing Professional Development.
Credit
Every module contributes a specific amount of credit towards the award you are studying for.
Credit Accumulation Transfer Scheme (CATS)
Sometimes it is possible to gain credit for completing parts of a degree. You may be able to transfer credits under CATS if you have already studied to HND level, on a degree programme or for relevant professional qualifications before you start your degree.
Credit level
Credit level represents the difficulty of your module. Normally you will find that your first year modules are rated as Level 4, your second year courses as Level 5, and your final year courses as Level 6.
Dean
The Dean is a senior member of University staff who is responsible for the operation of a faculty, including teaching.
Dissertation
A dissertation is detailed and heavily-researched piece of writing, usually between 6,000–8,000 words and submitted at the end of the final year of your degree.
Enrolment
To register formally for a course/module. You must enrol at the University to use our facilities.
Did you know? Once your enrolment has been fully completed, you will gain access to University services such as library, computing and sports facilities; and become a member of Kingston University Students' Union.
EU student
You are an EU student if:
- your normal home is outside the UK but within one of the other member countries of the European Union; and
- you are registered on a full-time degree programme of more than one year.
Faculty
A faculty is a community of students, academics and other staff members who are grouped together for teaching, research and administrative purposes.
Did you know? At Kingston we have five faculties.
Field
An area of study grouping together modules on a related topic.
First degree
This is normally a bachelor's degree, eg BA, BSc, BEng, LLB (also see 'Honours degree').
Foundation degree
This is a two-year programme with the opportunity to top up to honours level over a further year.
Foundation year
This is a year-long programme providing you with an entry qualification to a BA/BSc honours degree.
Fresher
A new undergraduate student.
Freshers' Week
The first week at University, which includes registration, welcome, induction and social events.
Did you know? Last year's Freshers' Week at Kingston included everything from fancy dress parties and film screenings to Zumba classes and a 'detox' weekend.
Graduate
A person who has completed and passed his or her degree and has it officially conferred by a Graduation Ceremony.
Did you know? Between passing your exams and the graduation ceremony, you are officially termed a 'graduand'.
Halls of residence
University-owned accommodation in which students often live while studying.
Head Start
Our summer school programme for our Compact Scheme students to provide support with the transition from school, college or employment and give an insight into university life.
Higher degree
This is a postgraduate degree such as a masters degree (MA/MSc) or doctorate, usually undertaken after completing an undergraduate degree.
Honours degree
A first course of higher education study undertaken at university, normally lasting three or four years.
IS
Our Information Services department at Kingston, which includes information technology services.
International student
A term used to describe students whose normal home is outside the UK, and sometimes also outside the European Union.
Did you know? There are 4,124 non-UK students at Kingston from 151 countries, ranging from Australia to Zambia (as of 1 December 2011).
International Student Advisory Service
Our International Student Advisory Service provides information and support for international students.
Joint honours
A first degree combining two subjects, usually split 50:50. Sometimes you spend more time studying one subject (in which case it is your major field) than the other (which is your minor field).
Journals
As well as books, the libraries at Kingston include specialist periodicals or journals containing articles written mainly by university researchers.
Key skills
Skills important for all careers, such as communication and information technology.
Kingston Scholarship Scheme
We offer Kingston Scholarships to students who do not receive a National Scholarship (see 'N' below).
KUSU
Kingston University Students' Union.
Did you know? KUSU sports clubs range from American football to yoga.
Laboratory class
A workshop held in a laboratory, usually practical based.
LEA
Local Education Authority
Learning Resources Centre (LRC)
The Learning Resources Centre (LRC) at Kingston houses traditional library resources, plus computing and multimedia facilities.
Did you know? We have 2,000 networked computers for students at Kingston plus 426,000 books, 2,200 printed journals and 45,000 electronic journals and 3,500 e-books (as of November 2009).
Lecture
A formal instructive talk given by a subject specialist to a group of students. Students usually listen and make notes, although some also involve interaction between the lecturer and students.
Major /minor subject
If you study two subjects but concentrate on one (normally taking up 75% of your time), this is your major subject. The second subject (normally 25%) is known as your minor subject.
Mature student
An undergraduate student aged over 21 on entry.
Module
A unit of study that explores a specific area within a subject. At Kingston modules all have a code and a title. Each module has a set number of credits which will vary from course to course.
Module leader
An academic who organises a module.
Module team
The module team is made up technical, support and academic staff.
National Scholarship Programme
The National Scholarship Programme is a government-backed scheme to provide additional financial support to eligible students.
NUS
National Union of Students. Kingston University's Students' Union (KUSU) is a member of the NUS so as a member of KUSU you will receive benefits from their membership.
Did you know? The NUS represents the interests of over seven million students in further and higher education.
OSIS
Online Student Information System. This system enables you to update essential information the University holds about you (such as emergency contact details) and view your timetable. You'll be using it even before you arrive to upload a copy of your passport (so that we can confirm which fees you pay) and during your online enrolment.
Partner colleges
Kingston University works with a variety of colleges and other organisations to deliver its courses, particularly foundation degrees and professional development programmes. These partner partners include local further education colleges (such as Kingston College and West Thames College) and organisations, for example, the NHS. Our partner colleges are also referred to as collaborative partners.
Pastoral tutor
A pastoral tutor is a member of academic staff to whom you can turn for both academic and non-academic advice.
PDP
Personal development planning (PDP) helps students reflect on their own learning and plan for their personal, educational and career development.
Placement year
A year of a university course in which you gain experience in the workplace. A placement year is usually the penultimate (last but one) of any course.
Plagiarism
Using or copying another person's work without acknowledgement. Anyone found to be plagiarising will be subject to disciplinary procedures.
Professor
Usually a senior member of academic staff becomes a professor as a result of specialist research and teaching. Some large departments will have more than one professor, each with their own subject specialism.
Sandwich
A course of study which includes a year of practical work ('placement year') in an organisation outside the University. The sandwich year is usually the penultimate (last but one) year of a degree programme.
Scholarships
We provide additional financial support to eligible students through the National Scholarship Programme and our new Kingston Scholarship Scheme.
School
A faculty is made up of schools representing different subject areas.
Semester
Teaching takes place over two semesters in blocks of 14 weeks.
Seminar
A group of students meet to discuss a subject with a tutor. Usually someone (or a group) prepares a paper for discussion and shares the research they have done and their opinions on the subject. Seminars are more interactive than a lecture and are often student led.
Student and Staff Committee
This is a talking shop for elected student representatives to discuss good practice and a broad spectrum of issues.
Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS)
SAAS is the service that deals with applications for student finance for students from Scotland.
Student Finance England
Student Finance England is a service of the Student Loans Company. It deals with applications for student finance from higher education students in England, and lets parents and partners of students provide financial details to support an application online. Similar services operate for students from Wales and Northern Ireland.
Student Finance Services
Student Finance Services is the part of the Student Loans Company that deals with applications for tuition loans from European Union students.
Tuition fees
Tuition fees for UK and EU students are regulated by the Government and the University can only charge up to a certain amount per year. Fees for eligible students are paid directly to the University by the Student Loans Company.
Tutorial
A small group meets to discuss their work and more general course issues with each other and their tutor. Tutorials can also be on an individual basis with a student discussing their work with a tutor.
UK student
Students whose normal home is the UK (also called 'Home' students).
Undergraduate
A person who is studying for a first degree.
Visiting and exchange (V&E)
Abbreviation used to describe international students (both postgraduate and undergraduate) on a 'visiting' or an 'exchange' scheme.
Viva voce (often abbreviated to viva)
An examination in which you have a spoken interview rather than a written exam. Some university courses, especially in languages, will test students' knowledge through a combination of written and viva voce examinations.
