Dictionary

• A Levels - The traditional 2-year courses studied by the majority of 16-19 year old UK students to prepare for entry into universities.
• AS Levels - First year of an A Level course equal to half an A Level.
• A2 Levels - Second year of an A Level course equal to half an A Level.
• Applied A Levels - Similar to A Levels, these are far more vocational, so there is a much higher level of coursework than with other A Levels. Assessment is through a combination of internal coursework and external tests. They can be Double Applied A Level which are equivalent to two A Levels or Single Applied A Levels, equivalent to one A Level.
• Academic Guidance - Support for all students at the College, including monitoring, target setting and assistance in applying for university and/or employment.
• Academic Year - September to July (11 months).
• Application - In requesting a place at the College students fill in an application form to provide details of themselves, what they wish to study and information about relevant qualifications.
• BA (hons) Degree - A post-College qualification, the Bachelor of Arts Degree - With honours (hons) means the result was above the basic 'pass' level.
• BSc (hons) Degree - A post-College qualification, the Bachelor of Science Degree - With honours (hons) means the result was above the basic 'pass' level.
• BTEC - Business & Technology Education Council - An organisation which checks standards in teaching and examinations on their courses.
• City & Guilds - Organisation which checks standards in teaching and examinations on their courses.
• Clearing - UCAS system (available after A Level results are published) that helps students who didn't achieve their first choice of universities, find courses at different institutions.
• Deposit - Part of the Tuition Fee sent to the College in order to reserve a place on a course. Useful when applying for a student visa as it shows that the student is committed to studying at the College.
• Edexcel - An organisation which checks standards in teaching and examinations on their courses.
• EFL - English as a Foreign Language.
• Enrichment - activities that students can participate in alongside their normal studies, such as sports, music, drama or learning a foreign language.
• Enrolment - Procedure undertaken when students start a new course. This involves filling in forms and paying any remaining tuition fees.
• Entry Requirements - The qualifications required to gain entrance to a course, including the IELTS score.
• ESOL - English for Speakers of Other Languages  (European Union students only).
• Extension (Visa) - To change the end date of your student visa so you can study in the UK for longer.
• Foundation Degree -  A post-College qualification, this is a two-year higher education course equivalent to the first two years of a Bachelors degree. The course is a mixture of academic theory and practical vocational skills.
• Full-time course - Either a 4/5-subject A Level programme, a Vocational programme or a place on the International Baccalaureate Diploma.
• Further Education (FE) - A level of education between UK Secondary Schools and Higher Education. Students must be 16 years old or above.
• GCSE - General Certificate of Secondary Education. This is usually taken at UK Secondary Schools at the age of 15 and 16, before coming to College.
• Higher Education (HE) - A level of education above Further Education which includes HND, Foundation Degree and Bachelors Degree qualifications. Students must be 18 years old and have finished their FE qualifications.
• HND - Higher National Diploma. A post-College qualification, this is a 2 year higher education course equivalent to the first two years of a Bachelors degree. The course is a mixture of academic theory and practical vocational skills.
• ICT - Information and Communication Technology.
• IELTS - International English Language Testing System.
• International Baccalaureate Diploma - An alternative to A Levels, this course is internationally recognised by universities and employers. Provides a broad education, as students study six subjects (at least three of which will be at higher level), as well as core modules.
• Learning Support - Members of staff at the College there to help students with learning difficulties.
• Letter of Offer (Unconditional) - Offer of a place on a course given to students who already meet the course entry requirements. These students do not have to take any more exams so this is a definite offer. Students must send the deposit so their place is reserved.
• Letter of Offer (Conditional) - Offer of a place on a course given to students who don't yet meet the course entry requirements. Students must attain the missing qualifications before they Enrol. A free English Language exam is available at the College if needed. Students must send the deposit so their place is reserved.
• Letter of Acceptance (Conditional) - Given to students after the College receives the deposit requested in the offer letter. This conditional acceptance is given to students who don't yet meet the course entry requirements and is used to apply for a UK student visa.
• Letter of Acceptance (Unconditional) - Given to students after the College receives the deposit requested in the offer letter. This unconditional acceptance is given to students who already meet the course entry requirements and is used to apply for a UK student visa.
• Level 2 Vocational Courses - an intermediate level qualification, equivalent to four GCSEs at grade C, these are largely assessed by coursework rather than examinations.
• Level 3 National Courses – an advanced level qualification, equivalent to two A Levels, which include more coursework than A Levels.
• OCR - a UK awarding body, offering qualifications and support to educational providers.
• Personal Statement - Written explanation of qualifications, work experience plus any future study and career plans.
• Pre-Offer Letter - Acknowledgement letter sent out after an application form is received. This includes information about our refund policy and how to pay.
• Postgraduate Course - Higher Education courses taken after a first degree.  These courses can be taught or research based.  Taught programmes include Masters degrees and postgraduate diplomas/certificates.  Research programmes include PhDs and Mphils.
• TOEFL - Test of English as a Foreign Language. This is the American (US) version of IELTS but is widely accepted in the UK.
• Tutorial - Extra sessions that students attend either in groups or individually to discuss their studies with a personal tutor.
• Undergraduate degree - See BA (hons) and BSc (hons).
• UCAS - Universities and Colleges Admissions Service for the UK.  An organisation which accepts and processes applications from students who would like to study at university.
• Vocational Course - Courses focused on developing practical skills rather than academic study. Students are assessed on work-based activities and sit fewer written exams.