Getting to grips with university jargon
As you start university you will be confronted with a whole new vocabulary – words like semester, DP and undergraduate. To make things easier, we’ve compiled a glossary of terms to help you understand what’s happening around you.
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AS |
Application Score – points allocated to your school subjects for admission to tertiary institutions |
|
BA |
Bachelor of Arts degree |
|
BCom |
Bachelor of Commerce degree |
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BSc |
Bachelor of Science degree |
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BTech |
Bachelor of Technology degree |
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Credit |
The recognition obtained when a student passes examinations or tests to comply with conditions needed for completion of a qualification |
|
Dean |
Head of a faculty |
|
DP |
Duly performed certificate – some academic departments have minimum requirements for course work and class marks, before you are allowed to write the exam. If you have achieved these minimum requirements, you “get” a DP – usually indicated on a class list posted on a notice board before exams start |
|
DVC |
Deputy Vice-Chancellor - those who are second in charge. Nelson Mandela University has three of them |
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Faculty |
A collection of schools and departments focusing on similar fields of study e.g. Faculty of Science |
|
Faculty administrator |
Assists with registration, cancellation of modules |
|
HOD |
Head of Department – in charge of a specific academic department |
|
MBA |
Master’s degree in Business Administration |
|
Module |
Subject, a self-contained unit of learning that forms part of the course |
|
NSFAS |
National Student Financial Aid Scheme, a loan scheme to enable students to borrow money for their studies |
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Orientation |
A period that gives newcomers an opportunity to familiarise themselves with their new university |
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Postgraduate |
What you become when you complete your degree |
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Registrar |
Responsible for student administration and institutional governance |
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RPL |
Recognition of Prior Learning, the acknowledgement of the knowledge a student possesses as a result of prior learning |
|
Senate |
The body that governs academic policies and procedures in respect of teaching, learning, research and academic functions |
|
Semester |
One half of the academic year |
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SRC |
Student Representative Council |
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Undergraduate |
When you have not completed a first degree, diploma or certificate |
|
VC |
Vice-Chancellor, the highest managerial position of a tertiary institution |