Glossary and acronyms

Glossary

Academic Administration: the professional service responsible for many of the student-facing administrative aspects of the student journey including module enrolment and curriculum checking and the administration of assessment. Works closely with students, the Schools and Colleges and the central services.

Academic Board: the Academic Board is responsible for academic governance, academic standards and quality and the student experience. See our Governance webpage.

Academic Credit: see Credit.

Academic Judgment: a judgment where only the opinion of an academic expert is sufficient, for example decisions on assessment, degree classification, fitness to practise, research methodology, course content and outcomes.

Academic Level: the relative complexity, depth of study and learner autonomy required in relation to a module in the context of its discipline. Levels are determined by National Frameworks: the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications and the Regulated Qualifications Framework. View the QAA website. Each module is assigned a level from the following scale:

• Level 3: Preliminary
• Level 4: Certificate
• Level 5: Foundation
• Level 6: Honours
• Level 7: Masters
• Level 8: Doctoral

Academic Misconduct: see Academic Offence.

Academic Offence: any attempt to gain an unfair advantage in assessed work - whether examination, practical or coursework - by deception or fraudulent means. See also Plagiarism.

Academic Quality: refers to how and how well a higher education provider supports students to enable them to achieve their award. It covers learning, teaching and assessment and all the different resources and processes a provider puts in place to help students progress and fulfil their potential.

Academic Quality and Standards Handbook: produced by the University’s Academic Quality and Standards Office and documents all academic quality-related procedures.

Academic Quality and Standards Office: the professional service responsible for overseeing the assurance and maintenance of the University’s academic standards and the quality of its higher education provision to ensure it meets agreed expectations, including those of its academic partnerships, for example by approval, monitoring and review of modules and courses.

Academic Registry: the professional service overseeing the governance of academic administration within the University, for example the academic regulations, mitigation and academic offences and School and College governance.

Academic Regulations: guarantee the standards of all of the University’s awards. The Regulations are the responsibility of the Academic Board, and are reviewed and revised annually through the Academic Regulations Review Committee. See our Policies and Regulations webpage.

Academic Standards: the standards that individual degree-awarding bodies set and maintain for the award of their academic credit or qualifications. These may exceed the threshold academic standards. They include the standards of performance that a student needs to demonstrate to achieve a particular classification of a qualification, such as a first-class honours degree classification in a certain subject or the award of merit or distinction in a Masters degree.

Academic Year: the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) defines an Academic Year as a period running from 1 August to 31 July. This is the period of time used by the University to frame its activities, with policies and regulations normally written by academic year. For students, the definition of an Academic Year will vary, depending on their course of study. Students commencing an undergraduate course will typically commence study in September and end their year the following June. Undergraduate students who commence their studies in February will typically have an academic year which runs from February to January. Many Masters courses run for a full calendar year which may cross two academic years. See also Calendar Year.

Advanced Standing: prior, certificated study from another institution deemed equivalent to the University modules from which exemption is sought. Can only be applied at the point of admission.

Aegrotat Award: an aegrotat award for incomplete study is an award that may be conferred in exceptional circumstances, such as in cases where a student's ability to complete an award is permanently compromised by severe illness.

Alternative Provider: organisations that offer HE courses but do not receive annual public funding.
Artefact: a single piece of coursework of a visual, audio, software, composition, design, culinary or artistic output.

Assessment Board: the University operates a two-tier Assessment Board system where definitive decisions on matters related to student attainment, progression and awards are made by Module Assessment Boards, Student Progress Boards and Award Boards, each with specified remits in relation to assessment standards.

Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor: senior University executive who supports the Vice-Chancellor and President in leading the University, with additional responsibility for management of a large service or of a School/College. See Our People webpage.

Average Mark: the weighted average of a student’s performance, calculated in accordance with the regulations for the award, on which the classification of the award is based. It is rounded up or down to the nearest whole number.

Award: awards are the academic qualifications determined by National Frameworks that may be awarded on completion of a course of study, including Undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate certificates and diplomas, Bachelors degrees, Bachelors degrees with Honours, undergraduate and postgraduate Masters degrees and Doctoral degrees. See the Qualification Framework Website.

Bilingual provision: provision where the language of instruction and assessment is English and a second language. Normally at least one third of the provision will be taught and assessed in English. For further information on Bilingual provision, refer to the Framework for Bilingual and Second Language Delivery with Academic Partners at our Academic Quality and Standards webpage. 

Board of Governors: responsible for the strategic direction of the University; the Board of Governors has 20 members, both independent and from within the University. See our Board of Governors webpage.

Calendar Days: calendar days include all weekends and bank holidays where the University is open.

Calendar Year: a twelve month period, January – December. See also Academic Year.

Capstone Project: see Dissertation.

Centre for Enhancement in Learning and Teaching (CELT): supports professional practice in relation to learning, teaching and Higher Education pedagogic research within the University.

Chair: leads and manages a meeting, committee or assessment board to ensure it runs smoothly and efficiently and operates within the authorised Terms of Reference. Chairs of Assessment Boards are trained and licensed annually by the University.

Chancellor: a role typically held by a distinguished individual who holds no other University office. The Chancellor is the ceremonial head of the University. See also the Our People website.

Chief Invigilator: responsible for the supervision of an examination.

Compensation: compensation of failed academic credits is a measure to reduce the need for referral of assessment (ie resit or retake) where the student has demonstrated academic ability and meeting the learning outcomes through achieving a specified average mark within a specific module and collectively across all the modules at that level of study.

Completion of Procedures (COP) Letter: if a student has no further institutional avenues to pursue in relation to an issue or complaint raised, a Completion of Procedures Letter is issued by the University.

Compliance Team: reporting to the Chief Compliance Officer, the Team is responsible for ensuring UKVI compliance by students holding a Student Visa on the new immigration route and students with another immigration status.

Core Module: a module that must be taken and passed to meet requirements for progression or award.

Course: a course is an approved and validated combination of modules leading to a named award by the University of West London.

Course Administrator: a Course Administrator assists the students, lecturers, Module Leaders and Course Leaders in running academic courses. Information on how to contact them is included in the Module Study Guide and Student Handbook.

Course Handbook: the Course Handbook contains detailed information about how a course is taught and managed, and how students will be assessed. They are available to students on the University’s VLE, accessed via the Student Portal. See also Student Portal and VLE.

Course Leader: a Course Leader provides academic leadership for a course of study; they also resolve issues relating to the course.

Coursework: coursework is written or practical work produced by a student during a course of study, usually assessed in order to count towards a final mark or grade.

Credit(s): academic credit is a means of measuring and recognising learning, as outlined in the Higher Education credit framework for England. A number of credits is normally assigned to each module, which indicates the amount of learning undertaken, and a specified credit level indicates the relative depth of learning involved. Credit is awarded in recognition of the amount and depth of learning which has been achieved once a student has successfully completed a module. Credits are then accumulated towards the total credit required for a named course of study and a qualification, for example, BA (Hons). A full-time undergraduate course of study with Honours normally consists of 360 credits in total. Credits gained may be transferred between institutions, on application and provided they remain current. See also European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System and Recognition of Prior Learning.

Data Operations: the section within the Strategic Planning Office responsible for Student Records and Data, and Timetabling. Processes and records matters relating to a student’s journey, sets and amends the timetable and rooming arrangements and maintains the record of the University’s curriculum and awards.

Dean/Director of College: the Dean of College has responsibility to lead and manage for all matters relating to their College within the University.

Deferral of Studies: a temporary postponement of studies, up to two years, agreed between the student and their School or College or decided upon by the School or College.

Degree Apprenticeship (Integrated): an apprenticeship, at Levels 6-7, where the completion of the degree (undergraduate or postgraduate) forms part of the End Point Assessment (EPA).

Degree Apprenticeship (Non-Integrated): an apprenticeship, at Levels 6-7, in which the completion of an undergraduate or postgraduate degree is a requirement prior to the End Point Assessment (EPA).

Delegated Authority: where the authority invested in an individual or body is delegated to another individual or body for a specified purpose.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education and Student Experience) (DVC): senior University executive who deputises for and supports the Vice-Chancellor in leading the University, with a remit to drive education and student experience across the University. See UWL Our People webpage.

Discontinuation of Studies: a penalty for serious academic misconduct, where a student is no longer permitted to continue studying at the University.

Dissertation: an extended piece of independent study assessed by an output report, an extended essay or a capstone project. The dissertation or capstone project comprises a significant part of most Masters courses. There is also a dissertation as part of the Honours award in many first degrees.

Dual Award/Dual Degree: the granting of separate awards (and certificates) for the same course by two degree-awarding bodies who have jointly delivered the programme of study.

Element of Assessment: an individual item of assessment. The assessment for a module may comprise several elements of assessment.

End Point Assessment (EPA): the final assessment of a Degree Apprenticeship; it is designed by the Trailblazer Group for a Standard with employers and must be completed before the Degree Apprenticeship can be awarded.

End Point Assessment Department (EPAD): oversees the quality processes of End Point Assessments (EPA) on apprenticeship courses, for both integrated and non-integrated apprenticeships where the University acts as the End Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO).

Enhanced Extended Masters Degree: a version of the Extended Masters Degree with a greater emphasis on improving English language skills. See also Extended Masters Degree.

European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS): a student-centred system based on the student workload required to achieve the objectives of a programme of study. Its aim is to facilitate the recognition of study periods undertaken by mobile students through the transfer of credits. A full-time undergraduate academic workload is deemed to be 60 ECTS, normally equivalent to 120 UK credits.

Exceptional Circumstances: the University recognises that there may be times when students will encounter difficulties (exceptional circumstances) during their course of study and provisions are made to support the student in continuing to study.

Extended Degree: an Honours degree with foundation year (480 credits).

Extended Masters Degree: a Masters degree that includes integrated study of non-credit bearing modules which will help prepare students for Postgraduate study.

Extension: an extension may be given when unexpected and unanticipated difficulties adversely impact a student’s ability to complete assessments on time.

External Examiner: a professional academic from outside the University who monitors the assessment process. The role has four elements: maintain academic standards, check processes, act as a guardian of national standards and also to act as a critical friend to the University or School/College.

• Note: the definition and remit of External Examiners for all undergraduate and postgraduate courses is not applicable to research programmes covered by the Postgraduate Research Regulations which have their own examiner/External Examiner arrangements in place.

Fitness to Practise: ‘fit to practise’ means that a student has the skills, knowledge and character to practise their profession safely and effectively.

Formative Assessment: an assessment that provides students with feedback on progress and informs their development. It does not normally contribute to the overall assessment mark.

Foundation Year: an additional year of a Bachelors degree at Level 3 to support development of academic skills.

Governor: see Board of Governors.

Graduate School: the School supports doctoral students and supervisors and runs courses to support their development.

Head of School/College: the Head of School/College has responsibility to lead and manage all matters relating to their School or College within the University.

Head of Subject: the Head of Subject has responsibility for an academic subject within a School or College.

Higher Apprenticeship: an apprenticeship, at Levels 4-5, where the completion of the Foundation degree is a requirement before the End Point Assessment (EPA).

Higher Education Provider: the publicly and privately funded Universities and other HE institutions and the alternative organisations that offer HE courses in the UK. See also Alternative Provider.

Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA): the designated data body for England: collects, processes and publishes data about higher education in the UK.

Immigration Compliance: the UK Home Office (Visas and Immigration) requirements under a Student Visa immigration route to introduced in January 2021 relating to student immigration legislation. See our Visas and Immigration Support page.

Independent Assessor: a professional academic either outside or within the University, but not involved in the delivery of the Apprenticeship, who is responsible for Apprenticeship End Point Assessment activities as set out by the Apprenticeship Standard and End Point Assessment Organisation. The role of the Independent Assessor is to assess apprentice competence against an industry specific standard. See also End Point Assessment.

Individual Support Plan (ISP): all students who have registered with the Wellbeing Team and provided evidence of their disability, long term medical condition or specific learning difficulty will be provided with an ISP. The ISP summarises the support requirements for an individual student; the ISP applies from the point it is issued and cannot be applied retrospectively. View our Disability Support webpage.

Integrated Masters: a four-year degree that combines an undergraduate Bachelors degree course with an extra year at Masters level.

Invigilated Examination: an examination conducted under formal examination conditions and supervised by an examination invigilator.

Late submission: if a student submits an assessment up to ten calendar days after the original deadline, the piece of work will be deemed as a ‘Late Submission’. A ‘Late Submission’ is counted as an assessment attempt and a penalty will be applied to the mark. For work submitted 10 calendar days or more after the deadline, see Non Submission.

Learning Outcomes: statements that describe and emphasise the application and integration of the knowledge or skills that students should acquire by the end of a particular assignment, class or course.

Level: see Academic Level.

Mitigating Circumstances (Mitigation): circumstances that are outside a student’s control which may have an adverse impact on a student’s ability to undertake or complete an assessment so as to cast doubt on the likely validity of the assessment as a measure of the student’s achievement.

Module: an approved block of teaching and learning leading to the award of academic credit and forming part of a course of study.

Module Assessment: assessment of the performance of a student on a module. This may include a variety of elements and forms, including coursework, dissertations, practical assignments, presentations and exams.

Module Leader: a Module Leader provides academic leadership for a module of study; they also resolve issues relating to the module.

Module Mark: the overall module result. This may be an aggregate of marks from several elements of assessment, which may be weighted.

Module Specification: the validated (approved) document outlining how a module is taught and assessed and its intended learning outcomes for the student. Students can access this information through the Module Study Guide.

Module Study Guide (MSG): a guide for students with detailed information about how the module will be taught and assessed, where to access support and the learning resources recommended for the module.

MyRegistry: ‘MyRegistry’ is the website provided for students which enables them to access their student record in order to enrol, re-enrol, update personal details and view their results, etc. View 'MyRegistry' website.

National Student Survey (NSS): an independent survey of final year undergraduates that aims to establish a broad picture of the overall student experience and the quality of education offered by HEIs and alternative providers.

New Vistas: the University’s academic journal, addressing higher education policy, practice and scholarship. See our New Vistas webpage.

Non Submission: if a student does not submit their assessment, it is considered a ‘Non Submission’. If a student submits an assessment over ten calendar days later than the original deadline, the piece of work will also be deemed as a ‘Non Submission’. A ‘Non Submission’ is counted as an assessment attempt.

Notional Study Hours: the number of hours required to complete an academic credit, module or course. For example a 20-credit module will have 200 notional study hours attached to it. These may be completed via attendance at a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops or other forms of tuition, group or individual study and placement learning.

Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted): a non-ministerial department which inspects services providing education and skills for learners of all ages. It also inspects and regulates services caring for children and young people.

Office for Students (OfS): the regulator of Higher Education providers in England. An independent body that reports to Parliament through the Department of Education. View the OfS website. 

Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual): a non-ministerial department which regulates qualifications, examinations and assessments in England.

Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA): an independent body set up to review student complaints. Students may take a case to the OIA following the completion of all avenues of complaint open to them within their institution. See also Completion of Procedures (COP) Letter and view the OIA website.

Option Module: a module which may be chosen from a list of alternatives, allowing variation and student choice in the curriculum.

Oral Assignment: individual or group presentation, discussion, defence, pitching, performance, teaching.

OSCE – Objective Structured Clinical Examination: an assessment method that tests clinical skills and competence in communication in a healthcare setting.

Pecha Kucha: an oral assessment method of a presentation of 20 slides each for 20 seconds.

Personal Tutor: the initial source of support for a student in all areas of academic life. The Personal Tutor’s role is to offer support and guidance if there are problems with the course of study or personal welfare.

Plagiarism: the practice of taking someone else’s work and/or ideas and passing it/them off as their own or where a student represents someone else’s work as their own irrespective of whether this was intended. Plagiarism also encompasses a student using their own work where it has already been submitted for assessment in another module or course of study. Plagiarism may be detected through the submission of written work through an online detection system. See also Academic Offence.

Portal: see Student Portal.

Portfolio Assessment: assessed coursework consisting of a set or series of short written, creative, linguistic or mathematical tasks or artefacts collected and submitted as a single assignment.

Posthumous Award: an award made to an enrolled student who dies prior to being able to complete their course of study, or prior to a completed award being conferred.

Prerequisite Module: a specified module that must be taken before a second specified module can be taken.

Practical Assessment: experiment, clinical, educational, practice-based assignment.

Pro-Chancellor: acts as a deputy to the Chancellor. See also Chancellor and view their staff profile. 

Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Bodies (PSRB): a diverse group of professional and employer bodies, regulators and those with statutory authority over a profession or group of professionals. PSRBs provide membership services and promote the interests of people working in professions; accredit or endorse courses that meet professional standards, provide a route through to the professions or are recognised by employers.

Progression: the process of moving from one level of study to the next, or from the taught element to the dissertation, placement or project element of a course.

Pro Vice-Chancellor (PVC): senior University executive who supports the Vice-Chancellor in leading the University, and works to drive strategy and policy within the University in specialised areas such as research or student experience. See UWL Our People webpage.

Provost and Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor (SDVC): senior University executive who deputises for and supports the Vice-Chancellor and President in leading the University, with a remit to drive research, enterprise, innovation and external engagement across the University. See UWL Our People webpage. 

Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA): an independent body supporting higher education providers in the UK and abroad in maintaining and enhancing quality and standards. See the QAA website.

Reasonable Adjustments: the support requirements for an individual student, summarised in the Individual Support Plan (see ISP above).

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): the generic term for the recognition of prior learning, whether the result of a formal course, certified (or certificated) learning (RPCL) or learning through experience (RPEL). An applicant who has their relevant prior qualification or certified learning accepted may be admitted onto a course of study with advanced standing credit.

Registration: process by which a student signs up for modules of a course of study.

Regulatory Casework Panel: a panel comprised of senior Academic Registry and Academic Administration staff. The Panel is convened to consider individual student cases that may fall outside the Academic Regulations.

Research Excellence Framework (REF): the system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions. It is conducted by expert panels for each of 34 subject-based units of assessment, assessing research output quality and impact and the research environment.

Research Students: registered for a course of study specifically designated as a research course. Research courses have separate Academic Regulations.

Resit: the repeat of all or part of a module’s assessments, following module failure at a previous attempt, including non-submission. Resits do not involve the repeat of attendance for the module. The assessment mark is normally capped at the pass mark.

Retake: the repeat of a module following failure at a previous attempt, including non-submission. Retakes normally involve attendance, payment of tuition fee and completion of all elements of the module, and the submission of all assessments (summative and formative). They count towards the value of academic credit for which students must normally be registered in an academic year. The assessment mark(s) for a retake of a module is not capped. One resit attempt is available for each element of a retake module. See Resit.

Second Language provision: provision where the language of instruction and assessment is not English (albeit students may be given the option to complete their final dissertation/major project in English). For further information on Second Language provision, refer to the Framework for Bilingual and Second Language Delivery with Academic Partners. See UWL Academic Quality webpage.

Senior Management Group: the principal management team of the University, consisting of the Heads, Directors or Managers of the University’s Schools and Colleges and Professional Services. See the UWL Our People webpage.

Special Regulations: academic regulations for individual courses of study that diverge from the standard Academic Regulations for the University where there is a legitimate academic rationale, or a specific requirement set down by a Professional Statutory or Regulatory Body, or a joint or collaborative course requires it. Special regulations shall be designated as such through the course approval process, and approved by the Academic Board or its delegated authority.

Student Disciplinary: the Disciplinary Regulations (Students) are online on our Policies and Regulations webpage.

Student Handbook: reference guide to help students find their way around the University's facilities, services and policies. See the Student Handbook webpage.

Student Portal: the online dashboard that enables students to access sources of information relevant to the studies and time at University. See the Student Portal webpage.

Students’ Union: the University of West London Students’ Union is the official union for all students of the University. See the UWL SU website.

Student Visa: see Immigration Compliance.

Summative Assessment: formally measures a student’s achievement in relation to the learning outcomes of a module and contributes to the module mark.

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF): a scheme that aims to assess the teaching, learning and student outcomes of universities in England (and some in Scotland and Wales), via the analysis of data, responses to the NSS and written submissions from universities and their students. Universities are ranked based on the outcomes of the analysis.

Threshold: a specified minimum mark which is prescribed by a Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body that must be obtained in one or more elements of assessment in order to pass a module. This is in addition to, and distinct from, the requirement to achieve a pass in the overall module mark to pass the module.

Threshold Academic Standards: the minimum acceptable level of achievement that a student has to demonstrate to be eligible for the award of academic credit or a qualification. For equivalent qualifications, the threshold level of achievement is agreed across the UK.

Tier 4 Visa: see Immigration Compliance.

UKVI: UK Visas and Immigration which is part of the Home Office. See also Immigration Compliance.

University: the University of West London, unless otherwise specified.

University Secretary: senior adviser on governance-related issues and associated legislative matters. The University Secretary reports directly to the Vice-Chancellor and is also the University’s Chief Compliance Officer. See UWL Our People webpage.

Vice-Chancellor and President (VC): the Vice-Chancellor and President is the Chief Executive of the University. See UWL Our People webpage.

Vice-Chancellor’s Executive (VCE): advises and supports the Vice-Chancellor in fulfilling their responsibilities to the University. See UWL Our People webpage.

Virtual Learning Environment (VLE): educational technology that allows course content to be delivered through a web-based platform. In UWL, this is done via the Blackboard sites accessible through the Student Portal. See also Student Portal.

Viva: see Viva Voce.

Viva Voce: an oral examination, typically for the assessment of a Doctoral degree or to clarify a student’s coursework on any other award.

Wellbeing Team: part of the Student Services Team supporting students through their studies. See UWL Welfare Support page.

Withdrawal from Studies: the decision of a student to leave a course of study completely, with no intention of returning at a later date; or the decision by an Assessment Board to remove a student permanently from a course of study.

Written Assignment: report, essay, short-essay, review, analysis, case study, creative and professional written brief, dissertation/capstone project, literature review, research method essay, research proposal, multiple choice questions, mathematical/statistical problem, online task, web-based exercise, translation, in-class test.

An undergraduate dissertation/capstone project is an extended piece of approved research and writing on a single subject. It is typically completed in the final year of a degree course and the topic is chosen based on a student’s own area of interest.

A postgraduate dissertation requires a higher level of originality and is longer and more complex in relation to the research requirements.

Acronyms and Abbreviations

• ACCA Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
• AHRC Arts and Humanities Research Council
• ALCM / AMusLCM Associate of the London College of Music
• AP Alternative Provider
• APC Academic Partnerships Committee
• AQSO Academic Quality and Standards Office
• AQSC Academic Quality and Standards Committee
• ARRC Academic Regulations Review Committee
• BA (Hons) Bachelor of Arts (with Honours)
• BEng (Hons) Bachelor of Engineering (with Honours)
• BMus (Hons) Bachelor of Music (with Honours)
• BNurs (Hons) Bachelor of Nursing (with Honours)
• BMidwifery (Hons) Bachelor of Midwifery (with Honours)
• BSocial Work (Hons) Bachelor of Social Work (with Honours)
• BSc (Hons) Bachelor of Science (with Honours)
• CELT Centre for Enhancement in Learning and Teaching
• CertHE Certificate of Higher Education
• CIM Chartered Institute of Marketing
• CIMA Chartered Institute of Management Accountants
• CIPD Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development
• CLBS Claude Littner Business School
• CMA Competition and Markets Authority
• CNMH College of Nursing, Midwifery and Healthcare
• COP Completion of Procedures letter
• CPD Continuing Professional Development
• DAP Degree Awarding Powers
• DBA Doctor of Business Administration
• DBS Disclosure and Barring Service
• DCS Doctor of Crime and Security
• DfE Department for Education
• DHS Doctor of Health Studies
• DHSc Doctor of Health Science
• DHSD Doctor of Health Services Delivery
• DipHE Diploma in Higher Education
• DipLCM / DipMusLCM Diploma of the London College of Music
• DMid Doctor of Midwifery
• DMus Doctor of Music
• DNurs Doctor of Nursing
• DPCS Doctor of Policing, Crime and Security
• DSL Drama Studio London
• DVC Deputy Vice-Chancellor
• EC Education Committee
• EdD Doctor of Education
• ECTS European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System
• EPA End Point Assessment
• ESFA Education and Skills Funding Agency
• ESRC Economic and Social Research Council
• EThOS British Library Electronic Theses Online Service
• FdA Foundation Degree in Arts
• FdEng Foundation Degree in Engineering
• FdMus Foundation Degree in Music Performance
• FdSc Foundation Degree in Science
• FE Further Education
• FHEA Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
• FHEQ Framework for Higher Education Qualifications
• FLCM Fellow of the London College of Music
• GPO Global Partnerships Office
• Grad Cert Graduate Certificate
• Grad Dip Graduate Diploma
• HCPC Health and Care Professions Council
• HE Higher Education
• HEA Higher Education Academy
• HECoS Higher Education Classification of Subjects
• HEI Higher Education Institution
• HEP Higher Education Provider
• HESA Higher Education Statistics Agency
• IfATE Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education
• IPS Institute for Policing Studies
• ISP Individual Support Plan
• LCM London College of Music
• LCME London College of Music Examinations
• LGCHT London Geller College of Hospitality and Tourism
• LLB (Hons) Bachelor of Laws (with Honours)
• LLCM / LMusLCM Licentiate of the London College of Music
• LLM Master of Laws
• LSFMD London School of Film, Media and Design
• MA Master of Arts
• MBA Master of Business Administration
• MEd Master of Education
• MEng Master of Engineering
• MFA Master of Fine Arts
• MHEd Master of Higher Education
• MMus Master of Music
• MPhil Master of Philosophy
• MRes Master of Research
• MSc Master of Science
• MSci Master in Science (Integrated Degree)
• MSG Module Study Guide
• NMC Nursing and Midwifery Council
• NSS National Student Survey
• Ofqual Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation
• OfS Office for Students
• Ofsted Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills
• OIA Office of the Independent Adjudicator
• OSCE Objective structured clinical examination
• PFHEA Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
• PhD Doctor of Philosophy
• PG Postgraduate
• PG Cert Postgraduate Certificate
• PG Dip Postgraduate Diploma
• PSRB Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body
• PVC Pro Vice-Chancellor
• QAA Quality Assurance Agency
• REF Research Excellence Framework
• RPCL Recognition of Prior Certificated Learning
• RPEL Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning
• RPL Recognition of Prior Learning
• SMB School of Medicine and Biosciences
• SCE School of Computing and Engineering
• SDVC Provost and Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor
• SHSS School of Human and Social Sciences
• SLC Student Loans Company
• SMG Senior Management Group
• SOL School of Law
• SRA Solicitors’ Regulation Authority SU Students’ Union
• TEF Teaching Excellence Framework TNE Transnational Education
• UCAS Universities and Colleges Admissions Service
• UG Undergraduate
• UKVI UK Visas and Immigration
• UUK Universities UK
• UWL University of West London
• VC Vice-Chancellor and President
• VCE Vice-Chancellor’s Executive
• VLE Virtual Learning Environment