A - D

Access Programme - A route for gaining specific skills and knowledge to step up to degree-level study. UEL runs Access programmes to widen participation in higher education and enable students to gain knowledge of both the material and study methods they will encounter on a degree programme. See Access programmes

AEL - Accreditation Experiential Learning. This is a means of recognising and validating prior experience gained from employment, training or voluntary work. At UEL this can be formally assessed and may count towards a degree award. See AEL

Bachelors Degree - First (or undergraduate) degree award. Generally it’s abbreviated to indicate both the degree award and the area of study, eg BA, BSc (see below). See also Honours Degree.

BA (Hons) - Bachelor of Arts (Honours). Degree award in arts subjects such as History, Sociology and Fashion Design.

BEng (Hons) - Bachelor of Engineering (Honours). Degree award specific to subjects in the field of engineering.

BSc (Hons) - Bachelor of Science (Honours). Degree award for science-based subjects, such as Clinical Sciences, Music Technology and Toxicology.

Clearing - A system that matches full-time undergraduate students to university programmes. It is used by students who have not achieved the right grades for their first-choice universities, or who are applying late. It begins in August and places people for September/October start programmes. See also UCAS.

Combined Honours - Also referred to as a 2-subject degree, this is an undergraduate degree programme that leads to a Bachelor Award and focuses on two subjects. These can be studied either as joint subjects or as a major/minor (two thirds/one third) combination. See also Single Honours.

Degree - Internationally recognised award given by a university after successfully completing a programme of academic study. There are a variety of degree programmes including Bachelors, Foundation and Masters degrees.

Distance Learning - This is a learning route that enables you to study from another location (eg, home, work, while travelling). It offers flexibility and a wide range of accredited programmes and most study is undertaken online. To find out more go to the UELconnect website

E - L

Extended Degree - A degree that includes an additional year of preparation for university-level study. It is a popular option for students who don’t meet the usual entry criteria or who need to familiarise themselves with the subject/field.

First Class Honours - The highest grade that can be given for an undergraduate degree.

Foundation Degree - A vocational qualification designed to meet employer/industry needs and also provide skills to enable career progression. Entry requirements are generally lower than for other degrees and a full-time programme lasts two rather than three years.

FdA - Foundation Degree (Arts). A foundation degree in arts subjects.

FdEd - Foundation Degree (Education). A foundation degree focusing on education.

FdSc - Foundation Degree (Science). A foundation degree in science subjects.

Honours or (Hons) - This indicates that this is the highest level of degree award (for instance, BSc (Hons)). Most undergraduate degrees at UEL are at Honours level.

LLB (Hons) - Bachelor of Law (Honours) – a first degree award in law.

LLM - Master of Laws – A postgraduate degree award in law. This is a taught degree programme.

M - Q

Masters Degree - A postgraduate degree award, normally completed after an undergraduate degree. This is normally abbreviated to indicate both the award and the area of study, eg, MA, MSc (see below).

MA - Master of Arts. A postgraduate degree award in an arts subject. This is a taught degree programme.

MPhil - Master of Philosophy. A postgraduate research degree based round the completion of a thesis. It is often seen as a preparation to move on to further academic research and/or an academic career. For more information see Graduate School.

MRes - Master of Research. A taught postgraduate degree programme incorporating a research project. This is a popular method of preparing for advanced academic research at doctoral level.

MSc - Master of Science. A postgraduate degree award in a science subject. This is a taught degree programme.

Module - An individual study unit. UEL operates a system of module-based teaching for coursework. Most full-time undergraduate degrees are designed around 18 modules, six modules per academic year. These normally comprise a mixture of compulsory ‘core’ modules, plus a choice of other modules that allow you to focus on areas of interest.

Ordinary Degree - This is a first undergraduate degree award without Honours.

PGCert or PGC - Postgraduate Certificate. A postgraduate award that is designed to provide specialist knowledge and prepare students for a specific career path. The most well known example is the PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education) teacher training award. 

Postgraduate Degree - This is a degree award that normally follows an undergraduate degree. There are a variety of potential awards, ranging from a one-year Masters Degree to a Professional Doctorate. For more details see Postgraduate Degree.

Programme - A course of study such as a degree or postgraduatedegree.

S - Z

Sandwich Degree - An undergraduate degree that includes an additional year in a paid work placement. Normally the ‘sandwich year’ is taken midway through the degree, with one final year back at university to complete the programme. Sandwich degrees generally take four years to complete full time.

School - Academic areas at University are organised within schools. Each school teaches a range of related and complementary subjects within a specific field. UEL has eight Schools. Find out more about their academic specialisms at UEL Schools.

Semester - Teaching time (term). There are two semesters in each academic year at UEL, referred to as Semester A (Sept-Dec) and Semester B (Jan-May). See current Academic Calendar.

Single Honours - This is a bachelor’s degree where you focus on one subject, for instance English Literature or Mathematics. See also Combined Honours.

Third Class Honours - The lowest honours grade at undergraduate degree level.

2:1 - Upper second class honours degree. This is the second highest grade for an undergraduate degree.

2:2 - Lower second class honours degree. This is the third highest grade for an undergraduate degree.

2-Subject Degree - Also referred to as Combined Honours, this is a bachelor’s degree where you focus on two subjects. either as joint subjects or as a major/minor (two thirds/one third) combination. See also Single Honours.

UCAS - Universities & Colleges Admissions Service – the UK’s central organisation for processing applications to university. The service deals with full-time undergraduate degree applications made for September start at UEL, including Clearing. Applications for February start, part-time and postgraduate programmes, are made direct to UEL. Find out more at Full-time and Part-time programme pages.

Undergraduate Degree - Also known simply as a degree or first degree, this is a period of academic study leading to a Bachelor Award. For more details see Undergraduate Degree