"S"

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 -

sandwich course
Course that includes a long period of work experience. Degree sandwich courses usually last four years, with one whole year spent on a work placement.

SAT
Scholastic Aptitude Test. US test used as college entrance examination.

SCE
Scottish Certificate of Education. Equivalent to a GCSE.

scholarship
Money award made to support a student’s education. It is often awarded on the basis of academic achievement.

SCR
Senior Common Room. Room or area set aside for staff within an institution. Social organisation for staff of an institution.

second-class honours
Most graduates of Bachelor’s degree programmes achieve second-class honours. This grade is therefore divided into two divisions, upper and lower, written 2 i and 2 ii, or 2:1 and 2:2, and usually call ’two-one’ and ’two-two’.

SEFIC
Spoken English for Industry and Commerce. Type of English language test. Widely accepted.

self-catering halls
Halls of residence where students have to prepare their own meals. These residences have kitchens that students share.

self-contained
Accommodation in a larger building which has its own kitchen and bathroom and a private entrance.

semester
Term lasting half an academic year.

seminar
Small class where students discuss a topic with a lecturer or tutor. Questions are encouraged, but discussion is less free than in a tutorial, and not everyone present will necessarily be expected to contribute to the discussion.

single honours
Type of first degree awarded for study in only one subject, such as Law or Medicine.

SOCRATES-ERASMUS
Exchange scheme which enables European students to spend time studying or working in another European country.

special needs
General term for any condition, physical or mental that results in someone needing special educational facilities.

sponsor
Person or organisation that accepts responsibility for all or part of a student’s fees or expenses.

SQA
Scottish Qualifications Authority. Body that is responsible for accrediting, awarding and developing academic and vocational qualifications in Scotland.

student societies
Groups with a shared general interest that students join e.g. rowing, Christian, Sociology. Student societies can be political, cultural, departmental, religious or sports societies.

SU
Abbreviation for Students’ Union. Also called Union of Students.

summer school
Courses and lectures that are held during the summer vacation.

SVQ
Scottish Vocational Qualification. The Scottish qualification grading system.