"A"
Confused by any education words and phrases you have come across? Use this glossary to find out what they mean!
Simply select the letter your word begins with to search for its meaning.
- A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z -
A-level
Qualification normally first gained in the UK at the age of 18, but without a formal age limit. Available in many subjects. Two or three A-levels are often used to meet university entrance requirements.
academic
Any member of teaching or research staff at a degree-awarding institution; or sometimes used as a general term for any study which is not related to preparing for a career
academic year
Year running from September to September of the following year. Most UK courses start in September or October.
access course
One-year full-time course for students who are not ready to enter degree programmes. Usually features study and writing skills, English language and some study of the subject to be studied at degree level.
accreditation
Process of examining various aspects of a course, such as teaching methods and facilities, to ensure they meet agreed standards.
accredited
Describes a course that has been examined and approved as meeting an agreed standard.
admissions tutor
Academic officer, such as a lecturer, at a college or university who decides which applicants will be offered places. Each course or discipline at an institution has its own admissions tutor.
alumni association
Association of the graduates of an institution. Means of keeping in touch with fellow-students, and getting news about the college where you studied. Some associations have overseas branches.
APEL
Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning. Establishes the equivalent in formal qualifications of knowledge and ability gained through work and other experience. Can be used to assess whether an applicant meets entrance requirements, or whether they may be allowed to directly enter the second year of a degree programme.
APT
Advanced Placement Test. Graded test taken in the US for university entrance.
ARELS
The Association of Recognised English Language Services. Organisation that jointly runs (with the British Council) a scheme of accreditation for private English Language schools.
AS level
Qualification equal to one half of an A level.
assessment
Process of considering a student's academic ability and work through essays, examinations, interviews or other methods.
assignment
Any piece of work, such as an essay, which a student must complete and submit by a specified time for marking and grading.
