We know that universities, including our own, have some pretty odd words and phrases (what’s the difference between a thesis and a dissertation anyway?) And if, like us, you’re the first person in your family to go to university, it can be a bit difficult to know where you should turn to ask what it all means.
There’s no need to worry, though, because we’ve put together this short glossary of common university terms – along with some links to helpful info, which will give you that bit of extra guidance when you need it. If you have any further questions, get in-touch through the myHull site.
You can refer back to this glossary at any time by going to myjourney.hull.ac.uk/glossary should you need to.
So we hope you find it useful, and all that’s left to say is good luck!
Josie, Brad, and Eve
Office for Students (OfS)
- The Office for Students is the independent regulator for higher education (including universities) in England. The OfS can provide information as well as advice and guidance to students.
- Click here to learn more about the OfS.
Ordinary Degree
OSCE
An Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) is a practical assessment used on medical courses. An OSCE is designed to assess your ability to competently apply your professional skills and knowledge in a simulated clinical environment.
Scholarship (or Bursary)
SEAtS (Student Tap-In)
- The University uses a digital attendance monitoring system in order to identify students who might be having issues engaging with their course, in-order to offer them support and ensure they are getting the most out of their course. You can check your attendance record and log any notified absences through the website at hull.seats.cloud.
- To watch a video explaining the system, please click here.
Semester
- An old term to describe how the University splits its year up. The period from September to December was referred to as Semester 1, and from January to May as Semester 2. This term was superseded by Trimester.
Seminar
- Smaller group of people to that of a lecture, where the lecturer and students can discuss topics, materials and reading.
Skills Team
Specific Learning Difference (SpLD)
Student/Staff Forum (SSF)
- A regular meeting where academic reps can discuss issues with staff from the University to come up with solutions and improve the student experience.
Student Card
- Your student card identifies you as a student at the University. It will have a photo of you on it, along with your name and student number. You will receive your student card at Face-to-Face enrolment. If you lose your student card, you can purchase a replacement from the Hubble Centre (1st Floor - Student Central
), or online. You can use your student card to:
- Tap-In to teaching to record your attendance
- Access the library and take books out
- Access certain rooms and buildings on campus if you have permission
- Use it to get discounts on buses and in some shops
Student Wellbeing Services
Team
Students' Union
- The Students' Union (Hull University Students' Union, or HUSU)provides opportunities for all students to get involved, connect, develop and help make change. They can also provide advice and support on a range of issues. HUSU are based in Student Central.
- Click here to visit HUSU's website.
Student Handbook
- Sometimes referred to as Module Handbooks or Programme Handbooks, these digital resources contain everything you need to know about your programme/course/module, from assessments, to contact time, to lecture content. They can be found on Canvas. If you cannot find the handbook you are looking for, please contact your student hub through the myHull site
Student Number
- This a unique number used to identify you as a student. It it on your student card, and will usually begin with your year of entry, such as 202012345. It is different to your 6 digit user ID.
Student Services
- Student Services manage all aspects of the student journey, from arrival and enrolment through to graduation. Student Services are here to support your success, and have a number of different services available, including:
- All teams in Student Services can be access through the Hubble Centre on the 1st Floor - Student Central
, via telephone on 01482462222, or through the Talk to Us tab on the myHull site portal.
Student Societies
- Student societies are clubs and organisations set up and run by students, they cover a wide range of interests and can be a good way to meet new people and try new things.
- To find out more, click here.
Student Support
Supervisor (or Supervisory Panel)
- Research students are allocated a supervisor or supervisory panel to assist the student and to monitor progress. Supervisors provide guidance and support, organise regular meetings and report on the student's progress to the Doctoral College. This is a different role to a Personal Supervisor.
Surety
- This is a document used as a guarantee that you have enough finances for your year abroad and you will be self-sufficient and not dependent on the state. It can be provided in forms of bank statements, or savings accounts that will be shown to the embassy when you apply for a visa.
Suspension (of studies)
This resource has been developed for students, by students.
The First Generation Scholars Network at the University of Hull identified that those who are the first in their family to attend university sometimes take longer to adapt to academic terminology.
This glossary has been created to help bridge this gap, giving all students the opportunity to understand the language of higher education and signposting to further information and support.
Lead authors: J G Cavaliere, B Durie and E M Jones (2019). Adapted by Student Services (2020).
Last updated : March 2021