Applying to universities in a foreign country can be an overwhelming experience, especially when it comes to understanding the various terminologies and jargon used in the application process.

This is especially true for international students applying to universities in the UK, where the terms can often be quite different from what they are used to. So, whether you are applying through an agent or all by yourself, you should be familiar with a few words that are used during the process.

In this blog, we will explore some of the key terminologies that international students should know when applying to UK universities.

Clearing: Clearing is the process by which universities fill any remaining spots in their courses after the main application cycle has ended. Students who have not received any offers or have declined all their offers can use the clearing process to find a course with vacancies.

Conditional Offer: A conditional offer is an offer made by a university on the condition that the student meets specific requirements, such as achieving certain grades in their exams or paying a certain amount of deposit in order to secure a place in the university.

Contact Hours:  It refers to the amount of time that students spend in direct contact with their lecturers or instructors, typically in face-to-face or online classes, workshops, seminars, tutorials or labs.

Coursework: Coursework refers to assignments and projects that students complete as part of their course. Coursework is assessed and contributes to the final grade awarded for the module or course.

Credit: Credits are a way of measuring a student’s progress through a course. Each module is worth a certain number of credits, and students must earn a specific number of credits to complete the course successfully.

Credit Transfer: Credit transfer is the process of transferring credits earned at one institution to another institution. This can be useful for students who want to transfer to a different university or who are studying abroad for a semester.

Enrollment: Enrollment is the process of officially registering for a course at a university. This process usually involves submitting required documentation and paying tuition fees.

Freshers’ Week: Freshers’ Week is the first week of the academic year and is dedicated to welcoming new students to the university. It is a week of events and activities to help students settle into their new environment and meet new people.

International Student Support: International student support is a service provided by universities to help international students with their transition to studying in the UK. This service can include assistance with visa applications, advice on accommodation and financial support, and support with cultural adjustment.

Module: A module is a unit of study that forms part of a course. Each module has a specific focus and is assessed independently. Modules can vary in length, but they typically last for one term. Also, each module has certain credits assigned to it.

Open Days: An open day is an event where prospective students can visit a university or college campus, attend presentations, tour facilities, meet staff and current students, and learn more about the institution and its programs.

Personal Statement: A personal statement is a written statement that is part of the UCAS application process or postgraduate application. It is an opportunity for students to showcase their personality, achievements, and aspirations to universities. It should highlight the student’s academic interests, extracurricular activities, and any relevant work experience.

Personal Tutor: A personal tutor is a member of the academic staff who is assigned to each student to provide academic support and guidance. Personal tutors can help students with a range of academic and personal issues, including time management, study skills, and mental health.

PSW: PSW (Post-Study Work) is a policy that allows international students to work in a country after completing their studies. It provides an opportunity to gain work experience and apply for permanent residency or other visas.

Sponsorship: Sponsorship is a financial support provided by a company or organization to a student. Some companies offer scholarships or bursaries to students to help them with their tuition fees or living expenses.

Statement of Purpose: Similar to a personal statement, an SOP (Statement of Purpose) is a one to two-page essay required as part of the application process for many graduate programs. It provides insight into the applicant’s background, experience, goals, and reasons for pursuing a specific program of study.

Student Union: A student union is an organization run by students for students. It represents the interests of students, organizes events and activities, and provides a range of services, including welfare support and academic advice. At Bournemouth University the union is called SUBU i.e. Students’ Union at Bournemouth University.

Tier 4 Visa: A Tier 4 visa is a student visa that international students need to study in the UK. Students must apply for a Tier 4 visa before studying in the UK. The visa allows students to stay in the UK for the duration of their studies.

Transcript: It is an official document issued by an educational institution that lists the courses taken by a student and the grades they received in each course.

Tutorial/Seminar: Tutorials and seminars are small group sessions that take place alongside lectures. Tutorials are usually one-on-one or in small groups of two or three, while seminars can have up to 20 students. These sessions provide students with the opportunity to discuss the course material in more detail and ask questions.

UCAS: UCAS stands for Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, which is the central organization that handles all applications to undergraduate courses in the UK. All international students applying to a UK university for undergraduate studies must apply through UCAS.

Unconditional Offer: An unconditional offer is an offer made by a university without any further requirements. Students who receive an unconditional offer are guaranteed a place at the university.

Unibuddy: Unibuddy is an online platform that connects prospective students with current students and alumni of a university. This platform allows students to ask questions and receive advice about a university from people who have first-hand experience.

Virtual Open Day: A virtual open day is an online event that allows prospective students to explore a university without visiting in person. These events are designed to provide students with the same experience they would get from an on-campus open day but in a virtual format.

Virtual Tour: A virtual tour is an online tool that allows students to explore a university’s campus and facilities without being physically present. These tours can be accessed from anywhere in the world and provide students with an immersive experience of the campus.

Hopefully, these additional terminologies will be helpful to all international students applying to Bournemouth University. If you still have some doubts, then feel free to use our Unibuddy platform to ask our current students. Good luck with your application.