University Language Glossary

Alumni

Graduates from University – former students.

Academic

A teacher or scholar at University.

Academic Misconduct

This included plagiarism, collusion and cheating that may be deliberate or unintentional. It will be investigated and penalties will be applied if proven.

Admissions

Handles applications to University and enrolments.

ARC

Acronym for the Students’ Union’s independent Advice and Representation Centre.

Befriender

A student volunteer who supports the delivery of the Well@Wolves programme of activities and events.

Buildings

The various buildings across the several campuses - See the Buildings section.

Bursary

A type of scholarship to contribute towards study fees/ living costs whilst attending University.

Campus

The area where University buildings are located. The University of Wolverhampton has 3 main campuses – Wolverhampton (City), Walsall, Telford and additionally Burton and overseas campuses.

Canvas

The University’s virtual learning environment.

Chaplaincy

Both a place where people of all faiths are welcome, and a team of people who offer pastoral support.

Clearing

If students don’t get the grades for their chosen University, or perhaps missed the UCAS application deadline, they can still be enrolled on to a University course through Clearing. (Find out more here: What is Clearing?).

Cohort

A group of students who work through the same curriculum to achieve the same academic degree together.

Collusion

Collaborating with someone else on assessment which is intended to be wholly your work, or assisting someone else commit plagiarism. (see Academic Misconduct).

Course Reps

Represent you on a module and course level by attending meetings and giving feedback at crucial points through the year to improve your student experience.

Credits

Points awarded per module usually worth 10 or 20 credits. Full-time students usually undertake 120 academic credits.

Deferral

Delaying your course at University, for example a gap year.

Dissertation

A long essay on a specific subject, usually completed in final year of study.

Dennis Turner Opportunity Fund

Money set aside by the University to help students who find themselves in genuine financial hardship.

Elections

Our Students’ Union Elections run in the Autumn and the Spring. Students can run to be an officer or student representative or vote for who they’d would like to represent them.

Enrolment

Before students begin their studies they must ‘enrol’ by confirming their course and personal details. (see E:Vision). They also need to confirm that they agree to the University’s tuition fees and regulations.

Erasmus+

An EU programme to support education, training, youth and sport. It provides opportunities to study, train, gain experience and volunteer abroad.

ESF

Santander Employment Support Fund is money that students can apply for to cover the costs incurred whilst attending a job interview or training. This is a non-repayable grant of up to £50.

Estate Office (Estates)

Responsible for the maintenance of University campuses.

E:Vision

An online University portal that allows you to access information regarding your course, funding, finance, admissions, enrolment (see above) and tracks your progress throughout University.

Extenuating Circumstances

If something happens beyond your control, you may not be able to attend an examination or complete an assessment. If accepted, Extenuating Circumstances would allow you to take the assessment at the next opportunity. This can be applied for via E:Vision.

Faculty

The University of Wolverhampton has faculties made up of different schools and departments. These are FEHW, FOA, FSE and FOSS.

FEHW

Acronym for Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing.

First Class Honours

Award with distinction eg: B.A with First Class Honours.

FOA

Acronym for Faculty of Arts

FOSS

Acronym for Faculty of Social Sciences.

Freshers

First year students in their first few weeks at University.

Freshers Fair

A large event that hosts University services, societies, sports teams and commercial businesses to promote information to students – including lots of freebies!

FSE

Acronym for Faculty of Science and Engineering.

Gap Year

A year that students decided to take off before going to University- to earn money, go travelling, or to gain more work experience.

Graduate

Someone who has been awarded their degree and successfully completed their studies.

Graduation

A ceremony where students are officially awarded their degree.

Halls (Halls of residence)

Student accommodation which are usually in blocks.

HE

Higher education usually takes place at Universities. It includes undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, HNDs (higher national diplomas) and more.

KEEN

Knowledge Exchange and Enterprise Network- is a programme designed to get a recent graduate recruited full-time on a growth project developed in association with the University.

Leave of absence

A period of time where a student declares they are taking a break from their studies – a temporary withdrawal. This can be applied for via E:Vision.

Lecture

One of the main methods of teaching at Universities. They usually take place with a larger group of students in a lecturer theatre, and tend to be less interactive.

Lecturer

An academic who teaches at University.

Module

At University, students must take a certain number of modules which make up their course. Most courses have core and optional modules.

NSS

The National Student Survey is aimed at final year undergraduates to gather opinions and experiences from their course and time at University.

NUS

The National Union of Students is an organisation that helps support students and Students’ Unions across the UK. Your Students’ Union is affiliated with the NUS. You can get your NUS discount card here: NUS Extra

Officers

Your voice at University is led by a team of Student Officers. They are elected by you, each year in cross-campus elections, to represent you. Find out more about them here: Officers

Part-Time Student

Students who take the same number of modules but spread them across a longer period of time.

Personal Tutor

All students are allocated a personal tutor for the duration of their studies at UoW. They will have a commitment to improving student learning, and maintain regular communication with you..

PhD

Stands for 'Doctor of Philosophy', sometimes referred to as a 'doctorate’. It is an advanced academic degree which involves extensive research.

Plagiarism

Presenting someone else’s ideas as your own – copying another person’s work or ideas. This includes copying from another student, and from published or unpublished materials. (see Academic Misconduct)

Postgraduate (Postgrad, PG)

Student continuing their studies after an undergraduate degree. The bachelor degree is usually followed by a Masters degree (eg: M.A).

Referencing

Is the method to ensure influences are recognised in your assignments- to show where information comes from. UoW uses Harvard Referencing.

Reps

Reps are Student Representatives which contribute to the Student Voice system at the Students’ Union. They are at Course level and Faculty level.

SAMS

Student Appointment Management System – students can book tutorials or appointments with staff.

Scholar

A specialist in a particular branch of study at University.

School Reps

Represent you at a School level, by sitting on key university meetings and supporting the academic representative in the SU.

SEOTY

Student Employee of the Year Awards are annual awards run by the University to recognise and promote outstanding contributions and achievements of students.

Semester

A semester describes University ‘terms’. They year is divided in to 2 semesters – (Autumn and Spring) or 3 semesters (Autumn, Spring, Summer).

Seminar

A teaching class overseen by a lecturer. They usually involve a group of students that have the opportunity to explore topics in discussion. They’re similar to tutorials but involved more students.

Shadow Council

Holds Sabbatical Officers to account, ensuring their objectives get done.

Societies

Student clubs / groups run by students for students and supported by the Students’ Union. They range from cultural and religious groups to academic and hobbies.

Student Loan

Low interest loans from the government to help students pay for their study fees and living costs.

Student Support and Wellbeing (SSW)

Student Support and Wellbeing is formerly known as SEC –(Student Enabling Centre). It provides students with the ability to access education fully – providing support to students with disabilities, counselling and health and wellbeing.

School Voice

Is the thoughts/feelings/experience of you as a student at the University of Wolverhampton. Here at the SU we are your independent student voice department who are here to represent you and your best interests at all university levels.

Students’ Union (SU)

You are automatically a member of the Students’ Union unless you’ve opted out. The SU is here to represent you during your time at Uni and provide you with services to enhance your student experience and support your success.

TAS

Tutor Awareness Sheet is a needs assessment sheet which makes your tutor aware of your disability needs. SSW should be contacted to register/ disclose a medical condition before the assessment is carried out.

TEF

Teaching Excellence Framework is a new government scheme to recognise excellent teaching in addition to existing national quality requirements.

TNE

Transnational Education- students who are studying at UoW overseas at a branch campus or partner institution.

Totum

TOTUM is the #1 student discount card and app giving you access to exclusive student deals on food and fashion, tech and travel and everything in between.The totum card replaced the NUS extra card. Click here to buy.

Tutor

An academic who oversees the work of individual students (see Personal Tutor).

Tutorial

A small class of one or a few students with a tutor to give individual attention to those students to discuss their studies.

Union

(see Students' Union).

Union Council

Made up of elected student members it is the main policy-making body of the Students’ Union. It aims to represent all UoW students and to discuss campaigns.

Undergraduate (Undergad, UG)

A student doing their first degree e.g bachelor degree.

University

In the UK a place of higher education and research.

Volunteer Central

Provides volunteering opportunities and experiences.

Well@Wolves

The  health and wellbeing provision by the Students’ Union. Hosting activities, events and support to helps you Live Well, Feel Well and Study well during your time at University.

Welcome to Wolves

The welcome period for new students: our ‘Freshers’ period. This year it will take place during the month of September and contain a variety of events and activities to help you get settled in.

Workplace

As part of the Careers and Enterprise department, The Workplace helps supports students and graduates in employment..