Updated for 2025
A
Academic adviser
A member of staff assigned to support your academic progress. They can help with module choices, study strategies, and signpost you to further support if needed.
Academic transcript
A formal record of your academic performance, including grades and completed modules. You’ll often need it for jobs or further study.
Alumni
Alumni are graduates of the University. Once you’ve graduated, you’ll join them as part of our global network.
Assessment
The way your academic performance is measured. This can include exams, coursework, presentations, group work, and practicals, depending on your course.
B
Bachelors degree
A full-time Bachelors or undergraduate degree usually lasts three or four years. All ours are ‘honours’ degrees: a higher academic standard than an ‘ordinary’ degree.
C
Campus
The physical location where university buildings and facilities are based. A campus may include lecture halls, libraries, accommodation, cafés, and sports centres. The University of Hull is a single-site campus – everything you need to live, study and socialise in is one place.
Clearing
Clearing is how people without a university offer can apply for any remaining places between July and September.
Conditional offer
An offer that depends on you achieving certain grades or meeting specific requirements. Once you do, your place is confirmed.
Coursework
Assignments you complete during the term, such as essays, reports, or projects. It often counts toward your final grade.
Credits
Points you earn for completing modules. You need a certain number of credits to pass each year and graduate successfully.
D
Deferred entry
Want to take a year out before uni? If you defer your entry, you can start a year later than you'd applied for (but you can usually only do this once). We’re happy to accept deferred entry applications through UCAS.
Dissertation
A long piece of independent research, usually completed in your final year. It's your chance to explore a topic you're passionate about, and demonstrates your ability to conduct independent research and present your findings clearly.
E
Enrolment
The process of officially registering as a student at the university. It includes confirming your course, details, and student status.
F
Firm choice
When you receive university offers, you nominate your preferred one: your ‘firm choice’. You can also pick a second ‘insurance’ option.
Foundation year
An extra year of study at the start of a course, designed for students who don’t meet the requirements for direct entry onto one of our degrees.
Fresher
A friendly term for first-year students. Everyone's new at some point and there's lots of support to help you settle in.
Fresher's week
Also known as Induction Week or Welcome Week. FreshersHull is your introduction to university life. It’s packed with welcome events and social activities to help you settle into student life outside of lecturers.
G
Graduation
The celebration of completing your degree! It's a proud moment where you receive your certificate and mark your achievement.
Graduate diploma / certificate
Shorter postgraduate qualifications that typically take less time than a full Masters. They can be used for professional development or as a pathway to further study.
H
Hall of residence
University-managed accommodation where many students live in their first year. It's a great way to meet people and feel part of the community.
I
IELTS
The International English Language Testing System. A standardised English language test for non-native speakers. IELTS covers listening, reading, writing and speaking.
Integrated Masters degree
Four-year degree that includes a postgraduate year. So, instead of earning a BA, BSc or BEng, you leave with a higher qualification like an MChem, MPhys, MMath, MBus, etc.
J
Joint combined honours
A degree that covers two subjects, with your time split equally between them, like History and Politics, Business Management and Marketing, etc.
L
Lecture
A teaching session where a lecturer presents information to a large group. You'll take notes and absorb key ideas to explore later.
Lecture capture
A recording of your lecture that you can watch later. It's a helpful way to review material and study at your own pace.
Library services
More than just books! The library offers study spaces, digital resources, workshops, and expert help with research and referencing.
M
Major/minor
A degree where you specialise in one subject (major) while gaining insight into another (minor), like Psychology with Criminology, Law with Politics, etc.
Masters degree
A postgraduate qualification that usually takes one year full-time or two years part-time. Common types include MA (Master of Arts), MSc (Master of Science), and LLM (Master of Laws).
Mature student
A mature student is anyone aged 21 or over when starting their undergraduate degree.
Module
A unit of study within your course. Each module focuses on a specific topic and contributes to your overall degree.
O
Offer
Received an offer from us? Congratulations! If it’s conditional, you can still make us your firm choice and we’ll confirm your place once you meet certain entry requirements. If it’s unconditional, you can secure your place straight away by accepting our offer as your firm choice.
Offer holder
A student who has received an offer (conditional or unconditional) from a university. It's an exciting step toward your future studies.
Office hours
Dedicated times when lecturers or tutors are available to meet with students. A great chance to ask questions or get feedback.
P
Part-time
Part-time students take fewer modules each year. So you can take a part-time degree over a longer period than the full-time equivalent.
Personal statement
A written part of your UCAS or postgraduate application where you explain why you want to study your chosen course and what makes you a suitable candidate.
Personal Tutor
A member of staff assigned to support your academic progress and wellbeing. They're your go-to person for advice and guidance.
PhD / Doctorate
The highest level of academic qualification. A PhD involves several years of original research, culminating in a thesis that contributes new knowledge to your field.
Placement
Work experience as part of your course. It helps you build skills, gain confidence, and connect with future employers.
Postgraduate (PG)
A postgraduate course is a higher level of study that you can take after completing an undergraduate degree. It includes taught courses like Masters degrees and research degrees like PhDs.
Postgraduate Research (PGR)
Study that focuses on independent research rather than taught modules. Includes degrees like MPhil and PhD, often supported by a supervisor and culminating in a thesis.
Postgraduate Taught (PGT)
Structured postgraduate programmes that include lectures, seminars, and assessments. Examples include MA, MSc, and MBA degrees.
R
Resit
An opportunity to retake an exam or assessment if you didn't pass the first time. Support is available to help you succeed.
S
Semester
A half-year term of study. Some universities use semesters instead of terms or trimesters to divide the academic year.
Seminar
Delivered in smaller groups than lectures, seminars offer you the chance to discuss, debate, present and take part in group work.
Single honours
A single honours degree focuses entirely on one subject.
Societies
Student-run clubs based on interests, hobbies, or causes. Joining a society is a great way to meet people and try something new.
Student finance
Government funding to help cover tuition fees and living costs. This includes loans, grants, and bursaries, depending on your circumstances.
Student ID
Your official university identification card. It gives you access to buildings, borrowing rights at the library, and student discounts.
Students' union
A student-led organisation that represents your interests, runs clubs and societies, and offers support services and events throughout the year.
Supervisor
An academic who provides guidance and support throughout your postgraduate research degree. They help shape your research direction and ensure academic progress.
T
Term
A division of the academic year. Most universities have three terms, each with teaching, assessments, and breaks in between.
Thesis
A long piece of original research writing submitted as part of a PhD or other research degree. It is examined by experts in the field and must meet rigorous academic standards.
Trimester
A third of one year of study. Some universities use trimesters, like Hull, instead of terms or semesters to divide the academic year.
Timetable
Your weekly schedule of lectures, seminars, and other sessions. It helps you stay organised and plan your time effectively.
U
UCAS
UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) is the UK’s centralised service for applying to university. You’ll use it to submit your application, track offers, and respond to them. It also provides guidance on personal statements, deadlines, and course choices.
Unconditional offer
An offer of a place at university that doesn't depend on your exam results. You've already met the entry requirements - well done!
Undergraduate
A student studying for their first degree – usually a Bachelors. Most students start as undergraduates after finishing college or sixth form.
W
Wellbeing services
Support for your mental health and emotional wellbeing. Whether you need someone to talk to or practical advice, help is here.