QU ISSUE 16: Spring–Summer 2014 | Page 18

Jargon BUSTER By Emma-Louise Gibson Dissertation: Lecture: A long (c10,000-word) research report that contributes to your final degree mark. Not all courses require these, it depends on the modules you select. A form of teaching presentation on a particular topic given by a university lecturer to a group of students. A group of academic departments that are grouped together for example, Medicine, Health and Life Sciences. Fresher: The name given to new students who've just entered university, they are called 'freshers' because they are new and fresh! University life is full of fancy words that will have even the brightest student scratching their head wondering what they're all about. Read on to uncover QU's guide to all that scary waffle… Module: Faculty: A short course taken as part of a degree programme. Some are core and therefore compulsory and some are optional. Personal Development Planning (PDP): Where you can record, monitor, build and reflect upon your educational, personal and career development. Gap Year: Russell Group: What you will be once you complete all your exams/ assessments and attend a fancy ceremony! An association of 24 major research-led UK universities, of which Queen's is a member. Halls or Halls of Residence: Scholarship: University accommodation for students, which provides kitchens, bedrooms and loads of chances to make new pals. The process of evaluating your progress, by looking at your written work, exam results and presentations. Responsible for looking after your personal well-being as well as your academic progress while at university. Graduate: Assessment: Personal Tutor: When you decide to take a year off your studies to spend time travelling or gaining work experience. Money awarded to students with impressive A-level (or equivalent) grades to help support their higher education, so get studying! Semester: Assignment: A piece of work that you must complete and submit by a set date. Another word for term and is used to describe a 15-week teaching period. Queen's has two semesters: Autumn and Spring. Bursary: Seminar: This is money you could receive in the form of an award, grant or scholarship provided you meet certain criteria. An informal type of teaching in which smaller groups of students discuss and work on particular topics together. Tutorial: Clearing: A teaching method where a small group of students meet a tutor to talk about their studies. A system operated by UCAS in August each year that matches students who have not yet been placed or who have not met the terms of their offer, to a suitable university or degree programme. QU | Your guide to life at Queen's 16 17 www.qub.ac.uk