Glossary and abbreviations
If you are unsure about the meaning of a term or abbreviation related to higher education and/or the University, you can look it up in this A to Z. The glossary includes abbreviations.
This page is accurate for students on courses accredited by the University of South Wales (formerly Glamorgan). It has not yet been updated to include advice for students whose courses are accredited by the University of Wales (i.e. courses based in Newport).
A / B / C / D / E / F / G / H / I / J / K / L / M / N / O / P / Q / R / S / T / U / V / W / Z
A
A Block
Ty Crawshay building. New home of the Law School, Postgraduate Centre and Directorate.
Academic Appeals
Students may appeal against the decision of an assessment board, and/or against the decision and penalty imposed by the Assessment Infringements Committee or an assessment board for an academic offence. This process is referred to as Academic Appeals. Find out more on the Verification and Appeals Procedure page of the Academic Regsitry website.
Accreditation
The process by which the University gives wide authority to another institution to exercise powers and responsibility for academic provision.
Advice Shops
Academic support units run by the faculties. Your first port of call for course-related queries.
AGCAS
Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services
AGM / Union Annual General Meeting
Students’ Union government meeting, open to all students.
ALG
Assembly Learning Grant – a scheme of student support unique to Wales which will be allocated to the individual by local authorities (means tested). This is now replaced by the Special Support Grant scheme.
Alumni
People who graduated from the University.
Alumnus
Person who graduated from the University.
APCL
Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning
APEL
Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning
Approval
Approval is the formal outcome of the process by which the University has judged that an award (or awards, or a new collaborative arrangement) meets the requirements of its regulations and nationally recognised standards.
Assessment Board
The University has a two tier system of assessment boards: subject assessment boards where modules are assessed and award and progression assessment boards where students’ progression is considered and awards and classifications are agreed.
AT
Faculty of Advanced Technology.
ATRiuM
The name of the Cardiff campus.
Award
A qualification awarded by the University (e.g. a BSc or BA)
Award and Progression Assessment Board
Award and Progression Assessment Boards exist for every programme of study leading to an academic award of the University, in order to determine the students’ progression and completion of their awards.
Award External Examiner
An award external examiner is appointed primarily because of their experience of examination board functions in higher education. Their role is to ensure that the conduct of the award examination board is appropriate, the regulations of the University are adhered to and all decisions are properly made.
Awards congregation
Graduation ceremonies.
B
B Block
Brecon building.
BA/BSc
Bachelor of Arts/Science
Belladonna’s
Café / food outlet in Glyntaff.
Blackboard
The University’s Virtual Learning Environment. For more information and guidance, visit Learning: Blackboard and GlamLearn
Blended Learning
Encompasses any activity from the simple use of e-mail and PowerPoint presentations delivered on campus, through to sophisticated multimedia simulations for use in stand-alone study at any location in the world.
Brecon building
Also known as B Block.
BTEC
Business & Technician Education Council
BUCS
British Universities and Colleges Sport
BUSA
British Universities Sports Association.
C
C Block
Student Services, Cynon building.
Cambrian Point
Privately run student hall in Cardiff, operated by Liberty Living.
CAS
Central Authentication System – the IT system allowing single sign on login to many different e-services and websites on campus.
CAT
Credit Accumulation & Transfer
CATS
Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme
CCI
Cardiff School of Creative and Cultural Industries.
CELT
Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching
CEREA
Centre for Engineering Research and Environmental Applications (within SoTECH)
Clearing
The last stage of the Admissions Cycle (the time of year when university applications are made). Universities aim to fill up any spare places on the courses they offer. Usually starts around the 15th August (the day students get their A-level results).
Clubs
Sport organisations within the Students’ Union. Only BUSA recognised sports can form clubs. Clubs fall under the administration of Student Activities.
Collaboration
An approved arrangement to deliver an award, or other objectives, with another organisation/college.
Connect 2
The University’s online Media Loans Booking System.
Core
Core modules are modules which were approved at validation as being essential for students to pass in order to achieve their award. Core modules are not eligible for compensation and may not be substituted.
Course
A course is an academic programme which results in a qualification. Courses can take several years to complete, and may involve a variety of compulsory and/or optional modules. The most common courses are undergraduate (resulting in Bachelor or Diploma qualification) and postgraduate (resulting in Masters or Doctorate qualifications).
Course Leader
A course leader is a manager of an award.
Course reps
Course representatives are elected volunteers who work with the University and the Students’ Union to represent student requests, experiences and comments and improve the student experience.
CPD
Continuing Professional Development
Crawshay’s
Café / food outlet in A Block / Ty Crawshay building.
Credit
A unit of academic ‘currency’ based on learning hours. Most undergraduate programmes require students to obtain 120 credits in each academic year.
D
D Block
Dyffryn building. Primarily used by the Faculty of Business and Society.
Data Protection
The Data Protection Policy determines how we use your personal information
DDA
Disability Discrimination Act 1995
DDS
Disability and Dyslexia Service
Department
A department is a unit within a faculty which can be further divided into subjects for management and administrative purposes.
DfES
Department for Education and Skills
Distributed Learning
Where learning and teaching takes place primarily at a distance and can include some elements of face to face contact but is primarily delivered via online or paper based distance delivery methods or a blend of the same (see e-intensive).
Division
An academic unit.
Double Module
Module which contains 40 credits
DSA
Disabled Student Allowance
Dyffryn
Also known as D Block.
Dysg
Learning and Skills Development Agency (Cymru)
E
ECDL
The European Computer Driving Licence (or ECDL) is the European-wide qualification which enables people to demonstrate their competence in computer skills.
EEA
European Economic Area.
E-enhanced
Teaching and learning is supplemented with access to some online resources on Blackboard, such as announcements and lecture notes.
EFL
English as a Foreign Language
E-focussed
This includes the use of discussion boards, online assessment tests and interactive learning materials alongside some face-to-face delivery.
E-intensive
Complete awards delivered almost entirely online.
E-Learning
On-line learning and teaching using software
Erasmus
The European Community action scheme for the mobility of university students.
ERDF
European Regional Development Fund
ESF
European Social Fund
EU
European Union
Extenuating Circumstances
Formerly known as “Mitigating Circumstances”, these are unexpected circumstances beyond a student’s control which have an effect on academic performance.
F
F Block
Ferndale building. Formerly known as Forest Hall.
Faculty
A faculty is a group of similar or subject-related teaching sections of the University, which is further divided into departments and subjects for management and administrative purposes. Each faculty is headed by a dean.
FAT
Faculty of Advanced Technology.
FBS
Faculty of Business and Society.
FCF
Financial Contingency Fund – allocated to HEIs by HEFCW. For more information, visit the Student Money Service website.
FD
Foundation Degree – a full or part-time course that allows students to gain the necessary skills and knowledge to move on to the first year of a degree or HND
FE
Further Education
Ferndale building
Former student hall, now an administrative building of the HaSS faculty and home to the Disability and Dyslexia Service (DDS)
FHEA
Further and Higher Education Act 1992
Field/Subject
A collection of cognate modules located in and organised by one faculty. It is the locus for the academic development of the discipline(s) it contains.
Field/Subject Examination Board
Ratifies marks of student assessment, to decide candidates’ grades for modules and to ensure grades and recommendations are recorded accurately on University systems, to relay these grades to the appropriate award examination board, to record decisions and proceedings of the board including those cases of mitigating circumstances eligible to be considered by the board, to receive reports of disability and dyslexia including language matters relating to any candidate.
Field/Subject External Examiner
Subject external examiners are appointed because of their subject expertise. There may be only one examiner per subject or a team of examiners depending on the size of the subject. Examiners are responsible for a number of specified modules within a subject.
Field/Subject Leader
All subjects have subject leaders nominated by and responsible to the Head of Field to lead the academic development of the subject within the University. Subject leaders are managers in addition to academic lecturers.
FINDIT
Online journals and learning resources.
First (Class)
Degree classification. The highest grade.
FoI
Freedom of Information
Franchise College/Partner Institution
Another institution which has been approved to offer a University validated programme, award or module. This includes those partnership arrangements deemed “validated” whereby the University acts as the awarding body and quality auditor for an award designed, managed and offered by another institution. A partnership between the University and another institution or organisation may also be for other objectives eg advanced standing, development of shared ownership awards, or research.
FTE
Full-time Equivalent
FY
Financial Year
G
G Block
Glynneath building. Primarily used by the Faculty of Advanced Technology.
G’s Coffee Shop
Sandwich shop in G Block / Glynneath building.
Gallery
Now renamed Stilts. Main refectory / canteen / restaurant, located opposite G Block / Glynneath building.
GBS
Glamorgan Business School. Now merged with the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences to form the Faculty of Business and Society
Glamlearn
Online learning environment / Blackboard. For more information and guidance, visit Learning: Blackboard and GlamLearn
Glamlife
The University’s portals for students and staff are both called “Glamlife”.
Glamorgan Conference Centre
Venue for conferences and VIP public lectures, located above the Stilts Restaurant.
Glamorgan Court
Student halls complex in Treforest.
Glamorgan Summer School
Annual Adult Education Summer School held on campus for two weeks at the end of July / early August
Glamorganstudentpad
Website supported by Accommodation Services, which lists flatshares and vacant rooms.
Glamstart
Online tool for new students.
Glynneath building
Also known as G Block. Used primarily by the Faculty of Advanced Technology.
Glyntaff
University campus located at Glyntaff.
GNVQ
General National Vocational Qualification
GO Wales
Graduate Opportunities Wales
Graduand
A final year student who has passed their course and is about to graduate.
Graduate
A person who has completed their university course and has graduated.
GTC
General Teaching Council
GTFM
Glyntaff FM. Local community radio station.
GTi
Graduate Teleworking Initiative. Offers hotdesking and warmdesking facilities to entrepreneurs and business startups in the RCT area.
H
H Block
Hirwaun building. Home of the Business School.
Half Module
Module which contains 10 credits
HaSS
The former Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. Now merged with Glamorgan Business School to form the Faculty of Business and Society
HE
Higher Education
HEA
Higher Education Academy
HECSU
Higher Education Careers Services Unit
HEFC
Higher Education Funding Councils
HEFCE
Higher Education Funding Council for England
HEFCW
Higher Education Funding Council for Wales
HEI
Higher Education Institution
HEPI
Higher Education Policy Institute
HeSAS
Faculty of Health, Sport and Science.
HEW
Higher Education Wales (i.e. UUK in Wales) – provides an expert resource on all aspects of higher education in Wales to the many interest stakeholders, including Assembly Members and Welsh MPs, the Welsh and UK media, students, staff, business leaders and industrial entrepreneurs. Also promotes and supports higher education in Wales, representing the interest of its members to the National Assembly, to Parliament, political parties, European institutions and bodies, and negotiates on behalf of Welsh higher education.
Hirwaun building
H Block, home of the Business School
HNC/HND
Higher National Certificate / Diploma
I
ICIS
The Integrated Curriculum Information System is a database for module and programmes information.
ICT
Information and Communication Technology. The study of the technology used to handle information and aid communication.
IDEAL
A username and password set for login to e-journals and databases. All University staff and students, no matter where they are studying, will automatically be e-mailed an IDEAL username and password set to their University e-mail box shortly after they have joined or enrolled in the University
IIP
Investors in People
ILAs
Individual Learning Accounts
ILR
Individual Learner Record
Induction
Special introductory sessions held upon commencement of an award to familiarise students with a range of topics.
ISSS
International Student Support Service
ITT
Initial Teacher Training
J
J Block
Johnstown building. Primarily used by the Faculty of Advanced Technology.
JANET
Joint Academic Network
JISC
Joint Information Systems Committee
Johnstown building
Also known as J Block. Primarily used by the Faculty of Advanced Technology.
Joint
The opportunity to study two subjects of your choosing in equal measure.
Joint programme
This is when the University teams up with another institution to deliver a university validated scheme, award, field or module
K
K Block
Kidwelly building. This is the building between D Block and C Block (Duffryn and Student Services).
KEF
Knowledge Exploitation Fund
KTP
Knowledge Transfer Partnership
L
LAN
Local Area Network
LCSS
Learning and Corporate Support Services
LCSS-IS
Learning and Corporate Support Services – Information Systems.
LCSS-LR
Learning and Corporate Support Services – Learning Resources. You can find information about the services on your library channel.
LEA
Local Education Authority
Learning Outcomes
Statements that predict what learners should gain as a result of learning. They can be specific (eg detailing competencies) or general (eg a broad appreciation of a particular culture or working environment).
Lecturer
A university teacher.
Level
An indicator of the relative demand, complexity, depth of study and autonomy of learning. A typical first degree has three levels, Level 4 (Certificate level), Level 5 (Intermediate level), Level 6 (Honours level).
LGB
Lesbian, Gay or Bisexual students. Recently renamed LGBT to include transgendered students.
LGBT
Lesbian, Gay. Bisexual or Transgendered students.
Lower Second (Class)
Degree classification. The third highest grade.
LRC
Learning Resources Centre (part of LCSS)
M
Major
Major/minor honours degrees are for those who want to study two subject areas with a greater emphasis on one (the major) than the other (the minor).
Matrix XPress
food outlet in Alfred Russel Wallace Building on the Glyntaff campus.
MBA
Master of Business Administration
Media Loans Booking System
The University’s online Media Loans Booking System (Connect 2) has a variety of Media and AV equipment, most of which may be booked and borrowed for a period of 1 to 48 hours.
Minor
Major/minor honours degrees are for those who want to study two subject areas with a greater emphasis on one (the major) than the other (the minor).
Mit Circs / Mitigating Circumstances
Renamed “Extenuating Circumstances” from 2012/13 onwards.
MLE
Managed Learning Environment – a flexible e-Learning software platform that delivers a course management system, customisable institution-wide portals, online communities, and an advanced architecture that allows for Web-based integration with administrative systems.
Module
A module is a self-contained and coherent package of learning, with a general credit-rating, an assigned level, defined learning outcomes, and assessment strategies appropriate to its level and the outcomes.
Module Descriptor
A description of a module’s aims; synopsis of module content; teaching methods; learning outcomes; assessment requirements; concise indicative reading list; key skills delivered by this module; and validation details.
Module Instances
A module instance is created for each academic session in which the module is offered as part of the University’s portfolio.
Module Leader
Module leaders are normally based at the University and they have overall responsibility for the operation of the modules delivered both on-campus and in partner colleges.
Monitoring
An annual process used by the University to ensure that their schemes maintain the appropriate standards
MPhil
Master of Philosophy – a postgraduate qualification / research degree.
MRes
Master of Research – a postgraduate qualification / research degree.
MSc
Master of Science degree – a postgraduate qualification.
MSR
Marketing and Student Recruitment
N
NAfW
National Assembly for Wales
NCQFW
National Credit Qualification Framework for Wales
NCVQ
National Council for Vocational Qualifications
NESTA
National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts
Non-Sabbaticals
Volunteer / unpaid elected student representatives who look after specific issues / interest groups. Unlike Course Reps, Non-Sabbs are not representing a particular course.
NQF
National Qualification Framework
NUS
National Union of Students
NVQ
National Vocational Qualifications
O
O Block
The Otley Arms pub is sometimes referred to informally as the O Block by staff and students. Please note: It is not officially designated as such by the University.
OECD
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
OFSET
Office for Standards in Education & Training
OFSTED
Office for Standards in Education
OLF
Open Learning Foundation
OPAC
The former name of the library catalogue.
Openings
Glamorgan Careers Service job listings web site.
Optional
Optional modules are modules which students may choose at their own discretion. Optional modules can be compensated and may also be substituted with another module which the Scheme /Award Board regard as appropriate.
OU
Open University
OU Wales
Open University in Wales
Outreach
A type of partnership arrangement whereby the University acts as the awarding body and quality auditor for an award designed, managed and offered by another institution.
Outreach validation
When another institution requests that a scheme, award, field or module be validated by the University Partner institution Another institution that offers a University validated scheme, award or module
P
Partner institution
Another institution which offers or wishes to offer a University validated scheme/award or module.
PASS
Peer Assisted Student Support
PAT testing
Portable Appliance Testing. Electrical equipment has to pass the PAT test before it is permitted to be plugged into the mains electricity supply on campus.
PDP
Personal Development Planning. A tool to develop your awareness of your strengths and weaknesses, reflect on your learning, performance and/or achievement, and plan for your personal, educational and career development.
Personal Tutor
A lecturer or professor assigned as contact point to a student for issues related to their academic life.
PG
Postgraduate
PGCE
Postgraduate Certificate in Education
PGR
Postgraduate Research
PGT
Postgraduate Taught
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is passing off someone else’s work, whether intentionally or unintentionally, as your own.
Points-based system
An immigration system launched to ensure that only those with the right skills or the right contribution will be able to come to the United Kingdom to work and study.
Professional Bodies
Organisations which approve or recognise specific programmes in the context of professional qualifications eg the Law Society.
Professor
In the United Kingdom, the word “Professor” is a title conferred by a university denoting the highest academic rank. Not every lecturer is a professor.
Programme
An individual student’s pattern of modules leading to an award.
Programme Specification
Programme specifications provide a description of one or more awards leading to a University qualification. This description, should include reference to the programme’s Educational Aims; Intended Learning Outcomes; Award Requirements and Delivery; Programme Structure; Support for Students and their Learning; Criteria for Admission; Methods for Evaluating and Improving the Quality and Standards of Teaching and Learning; Regulation for Assessment; Indicators of Quality and Standards and Validation Details.
Prospects
Graduate careers website.
Q
QAA
Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education
QTS
Qualified Teacher Status
QuercusPlus
The University’s student management information system. It is a fully integrated student and course administration system. QuercusPlus enables the University to track the progress of applicants and students from the initial enquiry through to bestowing awards.
R
RAE
Research Assessment Exercise
RCT
Rhondda-Cynon-Taf County Borough Council
RCUK
Research Councils UK
Referral
Academic work that needs to be redone / resubmitted / retaken to achieve a pass grade.
Repro
Reprographics centre, for photocopying and printing services. Rebranded Glamorgan Print
Resit
An individual assessment/examination or all the pieces of assessment have to be taken again. These will be capped at a maximum of 40 marks.
Review
The process whereby the progress of an existing award is critically appraised by the University, at least every seven years (normally five years), to ensure that it continues to be valid and meets its requirements in accordance with regulations and nationally recognised standards. A review can be at the level of an award, or grouped awards, or even a review of the whole of a faculty’s provision.
RWCMD
Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama – part of the Glamorgan Group.
S
Sabbaticals
Also known as Trustees. Full-time employed, elected student representatives who form the executive arm / central government of the Students’ Union.
SAT
Standard Aptitude Test
Scheme
An award (or collection of related awards) that is organised by a department. The head of that department is responsible for the scheme
Schengen
The Schengen Agreement deals with the abolition of internal borders in many European countries. As a result, it included the introduction of the Schengen visa, which govern visits for foreign nationals from some countries outside the Schengen area.
School
Organisational entity within the hierarchy of the University, usually made up of several departments, but not at the same level as a faculty. Before the faculties were introduced, the University used to be divided into Schools. After the Faculties of Humanities and Social Sciences merged, the new Faculty of Business and Society was subdivided again into different schools (Glamorgan Business School, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, School of Law, Accounting and Finance and School of Psychology). Meanwhile, the Cardiff School of Creative and Cultural Industries is not, in fact, a school, but a faculty.
SENDA
Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001
Shibboleth
Service used to authenticate and authorise users for access to online services such as online journals.
SLA
Service Level Agreement
SMS
Student Money Service. Could also refer to Short Messaging Service – text messages sent to mobile devices.
Societies
Cultural groups within the Students’ Union. Societies fall under the administration of Student Activities.
Socrates
A programme that supports European cooperation. Its Higher Education aspect is enacted through the Erasmus programme.
Special Needs
Disability/Dyslexia
Specified
Specified modules are modules which form a key element within the discipline of a course / award. Specified modules are eligible for compensation and may also be substituted with another module which the Scheme /Award Board regard as appropriate.
Sports Tour
Annual week-long celebratory excursion for Students’ Union sports clubs.
SSAA
Self-Service Account Administration – an online tool for changing your password and administering your IT account.
Standard Module
Module which contains 20 credits
Stilts Foodcourt
Main refectory / canteen / restaurant on Treforest campus, located opposite G Block / Glynneath building. Also includes a coffee outlet selling Starbucks products.
Student Charter
The Student Charter sets out your rights as a student and the quality of service the University expects to deliver to you.
Student Services
Support for students. Comprised of Careers, Counselling, Disability and Dyslexia, International Student Support, Student Money, and Resident Tutor Services.
Subject Assessment Board
Subject assessment boards agree the overall module grades of individual students for all modules belonging to that subject.
SVR
Student Voice Reps are responsible for communication between Course Reps, the Faculty, other Committees and groups and the Students’ Union.
SWD
Students with Disabilities. The SWD group in the Students’ Union is a campaigning group. Contact details for their committee can be found on the Students’ Union Standing Committees page.
T
T&L
Teaching and Learning
TEFL
Teaching English as Foreign Language
Tequila Radio
Tequila is an online radio station run by students at The University and broadcast from its ATRiuM studio (room CB308).
The Bakery
Privately run student hall in Cardiff, operated by Liberty Living.
The Courtyard
Food outlet in Glyntaff.
The Street
Area in the main hall of the ATRiuM building in Cardiff.
The TAG
The student newspaper published by the Students’ Union. TAG stands for Treforest ATRiuM Glyntaff.
THES
The Times Higher Education Supplement
Third (Class)
Degree classification. The fourth highest grade.
TQI
Teaching Quality Information
Triple Module
Module which contains 60 credits
Trustees
Also known as Sabbaticals. Full-time employed, elected student representatives who form the central government of the Students’ Union.
TTA
Teacher Training Agency
Tutor
A tutor can be either a lecturer (teaching a particular module), or someone who assists with the provision of specific practicals or seminars.
Ty Crawshay
Also known as A Block. New home of the Law School and postgraduate students.
Ty Pont Haearn
Privately run student hall in Cardiff, operated by Liberty Living.
Tyn-y-Wern
University Outdoor Sports facility located just off Treforest Industrial Estate, also called Glamorgan Sport Park
U
UCAS
Universities & Colleges Admissions Service
UCS
University and College Sport
UG
Undergraduate
UGRLA
University of Glamorgan Registered Landlords Association. Landlords whose properties pass an inspection by the University, and who the University trusts to deliver reliable service to student tenants.
UKCISA
UK Council for International Student Affairs. Formerly known as UKCOSA.
Union Council
Students’ Union government entity, made up of volunteers. Union Council is the group which discusses and votes on Union policies. To join Union Council, a student needs to get themselves nominated by other students early in the first term.
USWSU
University of South Wales Students’ Union
University of Wales
An umbrella organisation / confederation of Universities in Wales.
UoG
University of Glamorgan
Upper Second (Class)
Degree classification. The second highest grade.
USAs / Union Supported Activities
Groups within the Students’ Union that are considered of high importance by the Students’ Union. USAs fall under the administration of Student Activities.
UUK
Universities UK
UWIC
The former name of Cardiff Metropolitan University was University of Wales Institute Cardiff.
V
Validation
The process used by the University to judge if a proposed scheme, amendment to an existing scheme, or module meets its requirements in accordance with its regulations and nationally recognised standards
Verification
Students who disagree with their results can request a verification / review of the decision of an assessment board. The result of a verification can, in some circumstances, be appealed against.
Victoria Hall
Privately run student hall in Cardiff.
VLE
Virtual Learning Environment
W
WAG
Welsh Assembly Government. Now more often just referred to as “Welsh Assembly”.
WAN
Wide Area Network
WbL
Work-based Learning
WIHSC
Welsh Institute for Health and Social Care
WJEC
Welsh Joint Education Committee
WTRC
Wales Transport Research Centre (within SoTECH)
Z
Zen Room
Large-windowed room that protrudes from the side of the ATRiuM building.
Zone
Food court on Glyntaff campus
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