University Dictionary (in order of most common terms)
undergraduate
The name given to students studying for their first degree or courses etc associated with this
postgraduate
The name given to students who already have a degree and are studying for another degree or courses etc associated with this
BSc
Bachelor of Sciences degree. These are degrees that are based on science or maths disciplines.
BA
Bachelor of Arts degree. These are degrees that are humanities based.
HND/ HNC
These are work related higher education qualifications allowing you to study specific skills. They are usually completed within one year at colleges and some universities.
Foundation course
A foundation degree is designed to help UK and overseas students whose school leaving qualifications do not meet the entry requirements for an undergraduate programme. Successful students may be eligible to continue with the rest of a full degree course upon completion.
Foundation courses are not very common and depend on the university and the degree. There is the opportunity for example to take a pre-clinical year if you want to study a medical/ veterinary degree course but don't have the necessary science background or grades - click here to find out more
Foundation degree
Foundation degrees are commonly run in association with business partnerships. They are available at colleges rather than universities
Sandwich/ Placement Year
This is where you spend part of your degree course (usually a year) working with a company or organisation or at a university abroad to help enhance your skills and learning. It can be a very valuable way to gain work/life experience whilst at university and therefore improve your employability.
Russell Group Universities
These are 24 universities which have committed to delivering the highest standards of education. As such they are generally recognised to be of a world class standard.
Oxbridge
This is the collective name for Oxford and Cambridge universities. Both are world renowned as centres of academic excellence. As such, entry to both is extremely selective and highly competitive.
BMAT
The BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT) is a subject-specific admissions test taken by applicants to certain medicine, veterinary medicine and other related courses.
UKCAT
The UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT) is used in the selection process by some UK university Medical and Dental Schools.
LNAT
The National Admissions Test for Law. This supplementary test is required by some universities for those applying to take a law degree course
The name given to students studying for their first degree or courses etc associated with this
postgraduate
The name given to students who already have a degree and are studying for another degree or courses etc associated with this
BSc
Bachelor of Sciences degree. These are degrees that are based on science or maths disciplines.
BA
Bachelor of Arts degree. These are degrees that are humanities based.
HND/ HNC
These are work related higher education qualifications allowing you to study specific skills. They are usually completed within one year at colleges and some universities.
Foundation course
A foundation degree is designed to help UK and overseas students whose school leaving qualifications do not meet the entry requirements for an undergraduate programme. Successful students may be eligible to continue with the rest of a full degree course upon completion.
Foundation courses are not very common and depend on the university and the degree. There is the opportunity for example to take a pre-clinical year if you want to study a medical/ veterinary degree course but don't have the necessary science background or grades - click here to find out more
Foundation degree
Foundation degrees are commonly run in association with business partnerships. They are available at colleges rather than universities
Sandwich/ Placement Year
This is where you spend part of your degree course (usually a year) working with a company or organisation or at a university abroad to help enhance your skills and learning. It can be a very valuable way to gain work/life experience whilst at university and therefore improve your employability.
Russell Group Universities
These are 24 universities which have committed to delivering the highest standards of education. As such they are generally recognised to be of a world class standard.
Oxbridge
This is the collective name for Oxford and Cambridge universities. Both are world renowned as centres of academic excellence. As such, entry to both is extremely selective and highly competitive.
BMAT
The BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT) is a subject-specific admissions test taken by applicants to certain medicine, veterinary medicine and other related courses.
UKCAT
The UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT) is used in the selection process by some UK university Medical and Dental Schools.
LNAT
The National Admissions Test for Law. This supplementary test is required by some universities for those applying to take a law degree course
