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Tag Archive for: Clearing

Higher education jargon explained

Like every other walk of life, UK higher education has its own distinct terminology and jargon.  To help you make sense of this we have listed the most common terms that you are likely to come across when navigating the UK university process.

Admissions: A team of people in each university that process student applications.

Academic year: This is the university year, which usually runs from September to July.

BA: This is the abbreviation for Bachelor of Art. This is a type of degree traditionally awarded to those subjects based in the field of Art. However, this is a very broad category and can include subject areas such as Social Sciences and English.

Bachelors degree: A degree awarded by a college or university to a person who has completed undergraduate studies. They are typically 3 years for most degree subjects, 4 years for Engineering and 5 years for Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary.

BEng: This is the abbreviation for Bachelor of Engineering. This type of degree is awarded to those subjects based in the field of Engineering.

BSc: This is the abbreviation for Bachelor of Science. This type of degree is traditionally awarded to subjects based in the field of Science and Social Science. The BSc degree is not limited to traditional sciences.

Conservatoire: A provider of performance-based music, dance and drama courses.

Combined or Joint honours degree: A type of degree where you study two subjects.

Dissertation: A dissertation is normally a long report, based on research undertaken by the students themselves.

Entry requirements: a set of criteria that a student needs to meet to gain entry to a degree programme. This could include certain grades or to have previously studied certain subjects or to have a certain amount of work experience etc.

Fee Status: the status that determines what tuition fee a student will pay when they apply to university in the UK which is either Home/EU or Overseas.

First class honours: Most UK universities use a degree classification system. First class honours or a ‘first’ is the highest level degree awarded.

Foundation degree programme: This is a programme designed to prepare students who have acceptable qualifications for general university entry, but do not have the appropriate level or coverage for a specific degree programme.

Fresher: This is the term commonly used to describe students in their first year at university.

Graduate: This is the term used for a person who has completed and passed his or her degree and been awarded their qualification

HE (Higher Education): This is education and training for students of 18 years and older, who have completed the required amount of study in further education, (college or sixth form). Institutions such as universities often provide higher education in the form of degree programmes.

Honours degree (Hons): This is a degree programme taken at university. It is normally a first degree which lasts three or four years. An honours degree requires extra modules/units to be studied in comparison to an Ordinary Degree, often in the form of a dissertation.

Humanities: Typically covers ‘Arts’ subjects such as history, literature, Classics, theology film, modern languages and drama.

LLB: Bachelor of Laws. The accreditation given to Law degrees which allows for progression onto further training to become a barrister or solicitor.

Masters degree (MA, MSc, Meng, Med, MPhil): Masters degrees are taught courses which allow students to extend their learning for one to two years after they have graduated from their first (Bachelors) degree. MA is the abbreviation for Master of Arts, a postgraduate qualification, but it can also be an undergraduate degree studied at one of the UK’s ancient universities such as St Andrews, Oxford and Cambridge. An MSci is a Master of Science. An MEng is a Master of Engineering. An MEd is a Master of Education and is specific to education subjects. Confusingly an MPhil is a Master of Philosophy but rather than being in the subject of Philosophy, it is a research-focused masters and can be in any subject.

Module: A module is a unit of study that explores a specific area within a subject.

Ordinary degree: Generally this is a degree passed without honours. Some universities offer ordinary degree courses in their own right but ordinary degrees can also be awarded to those students who complete an honours degree but without achieving the conditions required to gain honours.

Placement year/ Sandwich year: This is a year of either work experience or study placement in another institution, which can be an optional or compulsory part of a university course. Students can opt to take their placement year in another country.

PhD: Also known as a doctorate, this is the highest form of degree awarded and involves you carrying out research with little or no teaching. You need to have completed at least an undergraduate degree to study at this level.

Postgraduate: A student who has completed an undergraduate degree and is studying for a higher degree such as a masters or PhD.

Second class honours: Most UK universities use a degree classification system. The highest level is ‘first’ with second class honours broken down into two further classifications – upper division (2:1) and lower division (2:2). An upper second or first class degree is often required for entry into postgraduate courses in the UK.

Single honours: This is an honours degree course in which a student studies a single subject.

Third class honours: Third class honours is typically the lowest degree classification awarded.

UCAS (The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service): An organisation that manages the application system for UK universities.

Undergraduate: A student studying for their first degree on a programme which normally lasts for three or four years.

Undergraduate masters: Four year degrees such as Masters of Engineering (MEng), Masters of Science (MSci) etc which comprise three years of undergraduate level study, with a further year to gain a Masters qualification.

University: A university is an institute of higher education which has the authority to award bachelors and higher degrees and which usually has research facilities.

University groups: institutions that form alliances when they share common goals, visions or characteristics.

https://ukstudyoptions.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/The-importance-of-language-scaled.jpg 1920 2560 Kate Raison https://ukstudyoptions.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/ukso-r-logo.png Kate Raison2019-08-20 13:15:072019-08-20 13:24:38Higher education jargon explained

Preparing for Results Day

Worried about how A-level exams went or already have your results but haven’t had your offers confirmed?  Read on….

While some students (those taking the IB or international qualifications) will have received their results already, for the majority of students the big day is 15th August when A-level results are published.

If you already have your results and have met your firm choice offer then your university should be in touch to confirm your place. If they haven’t then it is worth checking to see if they are waiting for you to send confirmation of your results to them. UCAS receive many results directly from exam boards but if your qualification is not on their list you will need to send official confirmation of your results to your universities.

If you already have results but have not met the grades for your first choice university and have not heard from them, then you should call admissions and ask whether they have made a decision about whether to take you. They may let you know immediately or ask you to wait until A-level results day to find out whether they will confirm your place or decline it. This is because the universities need to wait until the A-level students have their results in order to determine whether or not they still have places available and consequently whether they are prepared to be flexible over offers. Remember that if you have made the grades for your insurance choice university then you will have a place at that backup university whatever the final outcome at your first choice.

If you are in this uncertain position or if you are an A-level student concerned that the exams didn’t go according to plan then it is certainly worth working out a strategy in advance of August 15th.

UCAS have now issued a list of Clearing vacancies – this is a list of courses that still have places available. Be aware though, that this list is fluid and many universities will only add courses to Clearing once the A-level results are out. If you have concerns over your results then this is the time to do some additional research. Go back to your original shortlist of universities and courses – is there somewhere that has slightly lower entry requirements? Give the universities a call, explain your situation and ask whether they are likely to be making Clearing offers – get ahead of the game! If you have applied for a particularly competitive course then look again at allied courses and subjects that may be similar in content but less popular.

On A-level results day you need to be prepared – it can be stressful. Check in advance that your contact details are up to date, ensure that you have your Track sign in to hand and that your phone is charged. If you are not going to be available to talk to universities then make sure that you have ticked the nominated access box on the UCAS form and given details of a trusted individual to act on your behalf. Check with your School or College to make sure that you know when you can pick up or receive your results. UCAS Track should go live at 08.00 UK time on 15th August, so it may be that you are able to see whether your universities have accepted you before you receive your results.

Hopefully all will go well on Results Day, but whatever happens it is important not to panic and to take your time over making decisions.

Read our blog Clearing Explained for more info on results outcomes.

UK Study Options can support students whatever their journey to university. If you need post-result support, please get in touch to see how we can help.

https://ukstudyoptions.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/news-_0008_reception-2507752_1920.jpg 600 800 Kate Raison https://ukstudyoptions.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/ukso-r-logo.png Kate Raison2017-07-18 10:04:202020-11-24 11:56:04Preparing for Results Day

Clearing Explained

For some students A level results day will mean that things haven’t gone quite to plan and they find that they haven’t been accepted at either their firm or insurance choice universities. Instead they have been entered into the UCAS Clearing system – but this doesn’t have to mean disappointment.

In 2015, 64,300 students used Clearing to find a university place and this year it looks as though even more courses will be on offer, including those within the Russell Group. Many of these places are taken very quickly once results have been published so the key to a successful, stress-free Clearing period is preparation.

Before results day, look over your personal statement and think about what made you apply to university and for the courses you picked in the first place. Then look at what courses are on offer and make a list of the universities and courses you are interested in, together with their Clearing helpline numbers and your UCAS number. Just as when you first did your research, it is important to remember that courses can differ substantially between universities. Ensure that the courses you are considering offer the options that you are interested in and that you are likely to meet the entry requirements. It is important to be open-minded and flexible about different universities but it is also crucial to remember that you need to be happy studying and living at a particular place for three or four years.

On results day, your UCAS Track status will tell you if you are eligible for Clearing and will give you a Clearing number. Make a note of this as you will need to give this number to any universities that make you an offer. UCAS’s search tool will show students the available options and The Telegraph newspaper will publish all Clearing vacancies on Thursday 18 August and Saturday 20 August as well. If you do find yourself in Clearing you should consider getting in touch with your original university choices to see if they will accept you or even offer you an acceptable, alternative course. If not, then move onto the universities on your additional list and ring them on their individual Clearing helplines. Keep calm and treat the conversation as a mini-interview giving details of your results and why you are a suitable candidate for the course you are applying for. If you get an offer by phone, ask for written confirmation via email, and don’t feel you have to accept it straight away. Clearing choices can’t be entered into Track until 3pm on results day but often universities will hold places for a day or two to give students enough time to make a considered decision and to visit if necessary.

Whatever you do, remember that thousands of students have been through Clearing before and ended up having a brilliant and rewarding time at university.

https://ukstudyoptions.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/news-_0002_adult-brainstorming-business-1181622.jpg 600 800 Kate Raison https://ukstudyoptions.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/ukso-r-logo.png Kate Raison2016-08-16 13:05:242019-05-29 08:49:33Clearing Explained

UKSO Blog

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