Glossary

UCAS is short for the universities and colleges admissions service. It is a charity based organisation for students of 18 years and older to make applications to UK universities and colleges for higher education. UCAS is used by UK and International students.

UCAS and universities have entry requirements for most of their courses. They require students to have a certain amount of UCAS points to be eligible to apply for certain courses. The number of UCAS points is determined by a student’s pre-higher education results. UCAS points are calculated by converting these results (such as A levels, BTEC, EPQ, diploma) into UCAS points. This allows university course providers to compare all the applicants that apply for their courses.

An unauthorised absence from school is when your child is not in school on a day when school is open for teaching enrolled pupils and the school has not agreed to the absence.

Underage sex is when an individual engages in any form of sexual touching, oral sex, masturbating together, sexual intercourse or sexual penetration and they or the other person involved are under the legal age where the law of the country (where they are at that time) does not permit them to do so.

This course is studied usually after sixth form or college once A-Levels have been completed. Entry into an undergraduate degree can also be achieved if a student has completed a HNC, HND and an international baccalaureate. An undergraduate degree is usually a 3-4 year course.

This is a legally binding promise made to the court that you will or will not do a certain action(s). If you do not abide by this promise then you will be in contempt of court and can be fined and/or imprisoned.

A university is a high level education establishment/institution where students study for academic degrees in many disciplines (both arts and sciences).

The University Alliance was formed in 2006 and is a group of technical, design and science focused universities that partner with industry and teach skills and provide practical learning. There are 12 members of the University Alliance.

Another name for a university fair is a university exhibition or convention. Many universities will have a stand at a fair and have a few representatives to talk to and answer the questions of prospective students. You can pick up a prospectus which is a brochure detailing information about the university and its courses. UCAS (please see the write up above) also holds university fairs. Take a strong bag with you so you can carry the prospectuses you are given.

A university open day is free. It is when students who are thinking about applying to the university can look around and take in the colleges, facilities, accommodation and social scene. They can meet lecturers, existing students, and learn about what student life is like on campus (if it is a campus university). You can take your parents with you on these open days. The university may give away free goody bags with a notepad, pen and other memorabilia.

This is a free secondary school sponsored by a university and/or an employer that educates pupils mainly in construction engineering, IT and business. The curriculum is designed by the university and the employer. Pupils will also get work experience.

Parental leave is where an individual who is an employee can take time away from work to look after a child under 18 years of age. Parental leave is also sometimes called family leave or ordinary parental leave.

Upskirting is when an individual takes photos or a video up someone’s skirt without their permission. The term also applies to taking photos and videos underneath other items of clothing. The aim is to take a photo or video of a person’s genitals or buttocks. Upskirting is a kind of voyeurism. It is also intrusive. It is a violation of someone’s privacy.