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Information about life and facilities at University of Gloucestershire
Last updated: 28 February 2024
University language can be very different from what you’re used to at school or college.
This glossary has some really important bits of information, which might help you navigate some of the language we use at University of Gloucestershire.
This list doesn’t cover everything but it’s a really good start to getting up to speed. Terms are all listed in alphabetical order.
This is the course you are studying. It is linked to a subject or vocational area, leading to the award of a foundation, bachelor’s or master’s degree.
This is your course leader. They are an academic staff member who oversees the running of a course group, working closely with the extended course team and students.
Access courses are designed to prepare students who do not have standard entry qualifications for higher education courses.
Accreditation is the approval of a higher education course by an authorised body. The QAA does not accredit higher education courses.
A general term used for the award of credit given to an individual student on the basis of demonstrated learning that has occurred at some time in the past. This learning may have come about as the result of a course, or self-directed study, or as the result of experience either at work or in leisure pursuits.
Your assessments for each module will include both formative and summative methods.
Formative assessment on a module takes place when the feedback from your tutor helps you to learn and progress in your subject area and your skills. It is designed to help you improve your work before you are graded.
Summative assessment then evaluates your learning by comparing it against criteria to award you a mark that counts towards your degree classification. In very basic terms, formative assessment is done throughout, while summative assessment involves set questions and deadlines.
These are the descriptive statements that tell you about the characteristics of a given assignment that lead to a particular standard of achievement. You can refer to these criteria to help you improve your assessed work and they will be used by your tutor as a benchmark against which to award you a mark.
Bachelor of Arts/Science
Bachelor of Education
A term used to describe a standard against which comparisons can be made.
A method of teaching that combines face-to-face interactions with online activities. Blended learning has been used at University of Gloucestershire for many years because it offers a personalised learning experience, combining the best of technology-based and face-to-face instruction to create a vibrant learning community.
You will find information about what blended learning will look like for your course on your course induction page on MyGlos.
(Business and Technology Education Council) — vocational qualifications now awarded by Edexcel
A campus is a specific set of buildings and grounds at the University. We have 3 main campuses at the University:
We also have several additional sites, including Pittville Student Village.
Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. This is an international standard for describing language ability. The scale is from A1 for beginners to C2 for those who have mastered a language.
Providing a listening ear and a warm welcome for students of all faiths and none, the Chaplaincy team runs Faith Spaces on every campus where you can drop in for tea or coffee, or just a quiet place to sit.
You can also get involved with a range of activities, including mindfulness, inter-faith dialogue, discussion groups and different forms of prayer. Visit the Chaplaincy’s Facebook page to find out more.
A range of short and long training programmes. Some of which have an option of accreditation, which foster the development of employment-related knowledge, skills and understanding.
Course Reps seek out students’ views and represent them to the Academic Course Leader. They work in partnership with staff to improve their course and resolve any course-related issues as they arise throughout the year. Course Reps also work closely with the Students’ Union to campaign for change and make things better for students.
Arrangements within institutions which determine student progression towards defined learning outcomes, including formal qualifications, and recognition of these arrangements between institutions to facilitate the transfer of students.
A qualification awarded for a course of higher education
The Disability, Dyslexia and Learning Support Service (or DDLS for short) offers support to students with disabilities, long term health conditions and learning support needs, such as dyslexia. It also includes the Mental Health and Wellbeing team, which can offer confidential advice and guidance to students experiencing mental health difficulties during their time at university.
The service provides advice and guidance on getting assessed for dyslexia, applying for and setting up DSA (Disabled Students Allowances) support, as well as making exam adjustments. You can book an appointment with an adviser through the Your Future Plan portal (available via MyGlos once you’ve enrolled).
Further education
A recognised higher education course designed to prepare students who have qualifications which are acceptable for entry in general, but are not appropriate to a specific course of study.
Foundation courses are also used as Year 0 of a degree course to enable students with non-traditional qualifications to participate in higher education by using Year 0 as a preparatory year for a full degree programme.
Foundation degrees are two-year higher education qualifications that were first offered in 2001-02. They are designed to meet skills shortages at the higher technician and associate professional levels. Foundation Degrees are one level below bachelor honours degrees.
Full-time equivalent. For comparison and funding purposes, numbers of part-time students and staff are converted to full-time equivalents.
General Certification of Secondary Education
General National Vocation Qualifications
Someone who has attained a bachelor’s or higher degree
Our Helpzone staff are available on every campus, and online, to support you through university life, offering confidential advice on a wide range of issues. You can speak to Helpzone staff for information and advice on accommodation, counselling and wellbeing, childcare, study skills and assignment writing.
Higher education courses are above the standard of GCE A-levels or National Vocation Qualifications (NVQ) Level 3. They include degree courses, postgraduate courses, Foundation Degrees and Higher National Diplomas. Higher education takes place in universities and higher education colleges, and in some further education colleges.
Higher Education Funding Council for England
Higher education institution (university or college of higher education)
The Higher Education Statistics Agency collects, analyses and reports on higher education statistics for universities and colleges in the UK.
A degree above bachelor’s level such as a master’s degree or doctorate
HE colleges are divided into specialist colleges dealing mainly with one subject areas, such as music, art and design or teacher training; and more general colleges offering a range of courses, particularly in business, humanities and education.
Higher National Certificate
Higher National Diploma
Higher National Qualification
A bachelor’s degree with honours covering greater depth than a general or ordinary BA or BSc degree.
A course that leads to a qualification as a teacher.
The week before the first week of teaching in the academic year. During this week, various introductions take place for new students, including to your academic course. The Students’ Union also hosts activities to welcome new students. Induction week is not optional for new students; you will find the academic sessions held in this week provide an important grounding for the rest of your year.
Our IT and Library service runs our libraries, networks, computer systems, hardware, university Wi-Fi, printers, and related services. They also run our Library Helpzones, where you can get help with finding the right resources for your course or with any computer related questions.
Learning Analytics is the way in which your personal tutor uses data to understand how you are engaging with your studies. This includes information about your course and modules, assessments, marks and grades, activity on Moodle, attendance and library usage. We collect this data so we can support you.
For instance, if you haven’t logged into Moodle for a while or have missed a few lectures, your tutor will be able to see this and get in touch to check that everything is okay. This information is not part of your assessment, the aim is simply to gather the key information about your learning in one place in order to support you early enough to ensure you reach your full potential.
Your relationship with your personal tutor is hugely valuable. Rather than just looking at the data, they will always talk with you to understand your context and to find out if there is any specific help, advice or guidance that you require.
Almost all students on taught courses will attend lectures. Lectures take the form of a presentation by a lecturer (an academic member of staff) to a large group of students (such as a year group). Students sit in the audience, listen and take notes.
The purpose of a lecture is to gain the basic information that you need so that you can make the most of seminars, workshops and practical classes. They support you to carry out guided independent work. In many lectures, students are not expected to interact with the lecturer, but there are often opportunities to ask questions during or at the end. Some lectures involve short activities and discussions with other students.
These are standard education levels that help us to compare qualifications.
Master of Arts/Science – degrees are awarded to graduates who have undertaken a further course of study after an honours degree, either full or part-time. Masters degrees may be taken following a period of work experience or during a degree apprenticeship.
Master of Business Administration
Mode of study refers to full-time, part-time, sandwich, distance learning etc
Each module is a self-contained, formally-structured unit of study used to organise course content. They essentially create a linear flow of study over your course, each one concentrating on a specific topic, theory, or field. You can build a personalised course by choosing optional modules in areas that interest you within your course and add these to the compulsory core modules that all students have to study.
Moodle is our ‘Virtual Learning Environment’, the platform for all the resources you need for your learning. On Moodle you will find all your course-related resources, including your course map and your module details.
For each module you will find a weekly schedule, copies of lecture slides, links to reading material and other supporting resources, and all the activities you are expected to complete. Module assessment information is also posted on Moodle, and you will use this system to hand in your assignments. You will be able to access Moodle once you have enrolled, and it integrates directly with MyGlos to help you find everything you need in one place.
MyGlos is your essential, personalised guide to student life at University of Gloucestershire. Whether you’re checking your lectures, looking for information or seeing what’s happening on campus, it’s all in one place. We’ll be using MyGlos to tell you everything you need to know about university, right through your course. MyGlos integrates with other university systems, which means it really is your one-stop shop:
You can choose to use MyGlos on your phone, or on your laptop or desktop. Visit MyGlos now.
National Qualifications Framework
National Union of Students
National Vocational Qualification
Office for Standards in Education — an official body which regularly inspects all the schools in England which are mainly or wholly state funded. Ofsted inspectors produce education reports which are meant to improve standards of achievement and quality of education, provide public reporting and informed independent advice. Ofsted inspects our teacher training courses and our apprenticeships.
A bachelor’s degree awarded without honours. This is sometimes awarded to a student who has started a degree with honours but has not completed all the requirements, for example if they have not successfully completed a dissertation.
Your personal tutor, who is a member of your course teaching team, will work with you throughout your studies to help you reach your potential and make the most of the wide range of opportunities available to you at the University.
Your tutor will contact you during induction week, and will meet you each term to help you keep on track. This is the person you should go to first with any questions or queries you have about your course or if you need help with any personal issue.
Postgraduate certificate in education – a teaching qualification.
A student on a course that normally requires a first degree as a condition of entry.
Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education
Your reading lists can be found in your induction information on MyGlos. They are created by your module tutor and contain recommended reading for your module in the form of books, book chapters, journal articles and websites.
They may include visual material such as YouTube and Planet eStream videos.
Resources on the list will either link out to the full text of the resource online, or if held in print, will show the availability and location of the book in your campus library. So that you have access to your reading list before you enrol, we have included these in your course induction on MyGlos.
Research Excellence Framework – is the system for assessing research in Higher Education. The last REF was 2021 with results published in 2022. View information about our submission.
A course which includes a year of practical experience or a work placement away from the university.
You will be a member of the School that runs your academic course and all related courses. We have 4 Schools at the University, covering a wide range of subject areas.
Your Head of School is responsible for management of the School, for ensuring the provision of academic leadership and strategic vision, and for the quality of the student experience. You are welcome to contact your Head of School if you would like to speak to a senior member of staff at the University.
A semester is how we divide up the academic year here at the University. The majority of courses we run have a 2 semester structure, with some fast-track programmes having an additional third semester.
Your timetable and modules will change over when the semester changes. Your 2 semesters comprise of 3 terms:
Seminars are led by an academic member of staff, and while they might involve a presentation, they will always involve discussion. Unlike lectures, they are normally composed of a small group of students and are more informal.
The activities in seminars are designed to help you understand and apply the material that has been presented to you in lectures, and which you might have read about/watched from the module resource lists.
Scottish Qualifications Authority
Our Student Charter is a document you agree to when you enrol at University of Gloucestershire. It explains in simple terms what all our students can expect from the University, outlines what is reasonably expected of students by the University, and is an effective signpost for our students to help them access a range of information that will help them throughout their studies.
The Student Charter reflects the University’s key values.
Comprises a range of financial support that you may be able to access to help pay for tuition fees and living costs.
The Students’ Union is an organisation linked to, but run separately from the University, which dedicates its time and resources to give the whole student community a voice. SU Officers are students, elected by the whole student population, who work for you on all issues to do with student life. They listen to how you want things to be done and work with the relevant people to make it happen.
They also direct the Union in the way you want it to be run and to suit your needs. The University and the SU work well together to ensure your experience here at University of Gloucestershire is a positive one.
You can find out more about the SU, the support they offer, and the events they run on their website.
Microsoft Teams and OneDrive are our preferred packages for online meetings and document sharing. All students will have access to the full Office 365 suite via your university account, and will be able to use Teams to meet and share with their tutors, Helpzones, and other students.
Some tutorials and presentations may be conducted using Teams, and appointments with service departments may also be undertaken here. You will be able to use your OneDrive to save your documents and work on them from your own or any university computer, or indeed any computer all over the world.
Turnitin is an external ‘text matching service’ which highlights similarities in written assignments with other work held in a vast number of databases, including the Turnitin student paper repository. The University of Gloucestershire uses it in two ways: as a formative learning tool; as an investigative tool for all text-based summative assignment submissions.
Please see University of Gloucestershire’s Text Matching Policy regarding the use of Turnitin at the institution.
Universities and Colleges Admissions Service
Working towards a first degree, higher education certificate or diploma or equivalent.
Universities UK
The process by which a course is judged to have met the requirements for an award by the relevant degree-awarding body, or the relevant examining body, or by an accredited institution on behalf of that degree-awarding body.
This is a general term for an online system through which you access: information relating to your modules; learning activities and resources provided by your Module Tutors; assessment briefs, submission points, feedback and provisional grades.
The University of Gloucestershire’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) is Moodle, which has been integrated with a range of other tools and systems to enhance its functionality. At the heart of every module you study is a Moodle site so the system is just as relevant to those studying on campus as it is to those studying online.
Some subjects involve practical sessions conducted in a laboratory, studio, sports venue, simulated hospital ward, crime scene house, law court or other specialist facility. They are normally led by an academic member of staff or a technician demonstrator, who may make a presentation or demonstrate a practical task as well as guiding you in developing your own skills.
Defined as a planned activity that uses work as a context for learning. It involves learning ‘through’ work contexts, ‘about’ work and working practices, or ‘for’ work by developing personal attributes and employability skills.
It is an ‘umbrella term’ which describes a broad range of activities for learners of all ages and includes developing awareness of the local and broader economy, applications of work to the national curriculum and other subjects and learning, and careers education. It connects learners’ understanding of the role of active citizen with awareness of economy.
Terms referring to what is measurable such as attainment and attendance and progression to further education and training. Work-related learning may embody an accredited course. Work-related or vocational courses contain knowledge and in some cases skills relevant to particular sectors of industry or occupations.
Your Future Plan, or YFP for short, offers you access to career and personal development support right from the start of your course. It provides placement advice and guidance, career consultations, guest lectures and events, local and national volunteering and work experience, access to personality and psychometric testing, and lots more.
We have a whole week dedicated to YFP in March each year, and you will find their events and workshops start from your first day.
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