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Glossary
A Level:
In England, the advanced level, general certificate of education is a prerequisite for university level study.
American College Testing Program Assessment (ACT):
The ACT is a standardized examination offered in the U.S. and other countries that evaluates secondary school achievement in English, mathematics, reading and science reasoning. Many U.S. universities and colleges require applicants to submit an ACT score for degree-seeking admission consideration.
Bachelor’s degree:
The degree earned upon successful completion of four or five years of full-time undergraduate study at an American university or college.
Campus:
The buildings and grounds that comprise a university or college are referred to as the campus.
College:
In the U.S., the terms college and university are used interchangeably. The main difference between a college and university is the type of degrees awarded. Colleges award Bachelor’s and sometimes Master’s degrees; universities award Bachelor’s, Master’s and sometimes Doctorate degrees.
In Canada England, Scotland, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand the term university equates to the US use of university/college while the term college typically refers to a trade or vocational school.
Conditional acceptance or conditional admission:
Many universities and colleges offer letters of conditional admission to students who meet all of their admission criteria expect for English proficiency. This letter allows students to enter the host country and enroll in an English language program until they satisfy the host university’s English language requirements.
Continual assessment:
Academic progress at U.S. institutions is typically determined by a series of assignments or projects that students complete throughout the quarter or semester. Most courses will require students to complete a final examination, but this grade is only one of many factors that determine student scores in a particular course. Continual assessment is less prevalent at universities in Canada, England, Scotland, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand where students’ final grade is often heavily dependent upon the grade they earn in the course final.
Course load:
This term refers to the number of courses or classes students undertake during a quarter or semester.
Credit:
In the US, a credit describes a unit of study representing one hour of directed instruction over the period of a quarter or a semester. Students must accumulate a pre-determined number of credit hours to earn a Bachelor’s degree.
Dormitory:
It is typical for American students to live on-campus in a residence hall or dormitory. Most students share their room with another student and meals are provided in a central dinning hall.
Elective courses:
To earn a degree in a particular major, for example business, students are required to complete a specific number of business related courses. In addition, American students are encouraged to enroll in courses outside of their major. These courses are referred to as electives.
English as a Foreign Langauge (EFL): In the Uk, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, universities and colleges typically refer to English language programs as EFL programs. Elsewhere universities may use the term ESL (i.e., English as a Second Language). These terms may be used interchangeably.
English as Second Language (ESL):
In the US, universities and colleges typically refer to English language programs as ESL programs. Elsewhere universities may use the term EFL (i.e., English as a Foreign Language). These terms may be used interchangeably.
ESL/EFL Bridge Program:
Some universities offer ESL/EFL bridge programs where students are allowed to enroll in academic classes simultaneous with English language classes. These programs allow students to take credit bearing classes while strengthening the English language skills.
European Credit Transfer System (ECTS):
ECTS was established to facilitate student mobility throughout Europe by assigning credits to the various components of university’s educational programs. Under ECTS, 60 credits is considered a full-time workload for an academic year of study.
Grade:
Student achievement is documented in the form of grades most often awarded on an A-F scale (A=excellent and F=fail).
Grade Point Average (GPA):
The GPA represents a student’s cumulative academic performance. GPA’s are determined by multiplying the number of course credits by the grade awarded and then dividing by the total number of credit hours carried over the semester or quarter.
High school:
The term used to describe four years of secondary education in the U.S.
International English Language Testing System (IELTS):
The IELTS is a standardized test designed to evaluate a student’s level of English proficiency. Most Australian, British, Canadian, Irish, and New Zealand universities require applicants to submit IELTS score for admission consideration. In many cases students may substitute a TOEFL score in place of the IELTS.
Internship:
Supervised work experience for which academic credit is awarded. Typically students will complete an internship in an area related to their major field of study.
Liberal arts:
A term typically used in the US to refer to the study of broad academic subjects including foreign languages, history, literature, and philosophy. It is felt that the study of the liberal arts encourages students to develop general knowledge and reasoning ability rather than specific or technical skills.
Major:
Students chosen field of specialization is their major. Students in the U.S. are typically required to declare a major at the end of their second year of university study (sophomore year).
Matriculation:
Each semester, quarter or trimester students are required to formally enroll in courses; in the UK this process is often called matriculation.
Meal-plans:
Students living in university or college residence halls (i.e. dormitories) are typically required to subscribe to a meal-plan. Students often have the opportunity to select the number of meals they wish to take in residence each week. A full meal-plan would provide 21 meals per week and a partial meal-plan may only provide 15.
Minor:
In addition to their major field of specialization, students often choose to earn a minor or secondary specialization. The number of credit hours required to earn a minor is less than the requirements for the major.
Prerequisites:
Third and fourth year courses often require prior knowledge of the subject matter. For example, students would be required to complete an introductory course in microeconomics before enrolling in intermediate microeconomics; these requirements are referred to as prerequisites.
Pre-semester or Pre-sessional ESL program:
These English language programs are designed to help non-native English speakers improve their language skills to a level that allows their admission to the university proper.
Private institution:
In the US a university or college that is considered independent and receives little or no federal, state, or local funding is considered private.
Public institution:
In the US a university or college that receives significant federal, state, or local funding and is governed by public employees is considered public.
Quarter:
Quarters refer to an academic calendar period of approximately 12 weeks. A university or college that operates on the quarter system will offer four 12-week sessions throughout the academic year. Students will typically enroll in three of the four 12-week sessions and take a vacation period of one quarter.
Quizzes:
As a means to verify student progress, professors often give short examinations or quizzes throughout the semester or quarter. The scores earned on quizzes will typically be added to final examination scores to determine a course grade.
Registration:
Each semester, quarter or trimester students are required to formally enroll in courses; in this process is called registration.
Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT):
The SAT is a standardized examination offered in the U.S. and other countries that evaluates secondary school achievement in verbal development and mathematical reasoning. Many U.S. universities and colleges require applicants to submit a SAT score for admission consideration.
Semester:
Semester refers to an academic calendar period of approximately 16 weeks. A university or college that operates on the semester system will typically offer two 16-week sessions throughout the academic year.
Syllabus:
A summary or outline of the topics to be covered in a particular class or course is called a syllabus. The syllabus typically includes a reading list for the course as well.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL):
The TOEFL is a standardized test designed to evaluate a student’s level of English proficiency. Most U.S. universities and colleges require applicants to submit a TOEFL score for admission consideration. In many cases students may substitute and IELTS score in place of the TOEFL.
Transcript:
An official academic record that lists all the courses a student has undertaken and the grades earned is called a transcript.
Trimester:
Trimester refers to an academic calendar period of approximately 15 weeks. A university or college that operates on the trimester system will typically offer three 15-week sessions throughout the academic year. Students will typically enroll in two of the three 15-week sessions and take a vacation period of one trimester.
Undergraduate student:
Students enrolled in their first degree program following secondary school are considered undergraduates. Undergraduate study leads to an associate degree (two year degree) or a bachelor’s degree (four or five years).
University:
In the U.S., the terms college and university are used interchangeably. The main difference between a college and university is the type of degrees awarded. Colleges award Bachelor’s and sometimes Master’s degrees; universities award Bachelor’s, Masters and sometimes Doctorate degrees.
In Canada, England, Scotland, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand the term university equates to the US use of uniersity/college and the term college typcally refers to a trade or vocational school.
Upper division courses:
Courses taken in the third and fourth year of undergraduate study are referred to as upper division courses. In most cases, students will need to have completed prerequisites to qualify to enroll in upper division courses.
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