UK University & Student Finance Glossary

Advanced school qualifications in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland that universities use to assess academic readiness for undergraduate study.

A bursary is a non-repayable financial award from a university or charity that helps with study or living costs based on need or specific criteria.

Clearing is the UCAS process that matches available university places with applicants who do not hold an offer after results day.

A deferral lets you postpone the start of your university course, usually by one academic year, after you receive an offer.

Entry requirements describe the qualifications, grades, or experience a university expects before offering you a place on a course.

An exam board is the organisation that designs, administers, and awards qualifications such as GCSEs and A Levels in the UK.

A foundation year is a preparatory year attached to a degree that builds subject knowledge and academic skills before Year 1.

GCSEs are compulsory school exams typically taken at age 16 that prove basic competence in subjects like English and Maths.

Home Fee Status is the classification that lets UK universities charge you the lower domestic tuition fee instead of the higher international rate.

An insurance choice is the backup university offer you accept on UCAS in case you miss the grades for your first-choice course.

Joint honours degrees combine two subjects so you study each in depth and graduate with a single qualification covering both areas.

The Key Information Set (KIS) is official data about a course, covering satisfaction scores, contact hours, costs, and graduate outcomes.

The maintenance loan is Student Finance support that helps with living costs such as rent, food, and transport while you study.

A National Insurance Number proves your right to work and pay tax in the UK and is often required for Student Finance applications.

An overseas student is classified as an international fee payer who does not meet the Home Fee Status criteria for UK tuition rates.

A personal statement is the 4,000-character essay in your UCAS application where you explain your motivation, experience, and suitability for your chosen courses.

A qualification is an officially recognised certificate that proves you have completed a level of study or training, such as GCSEs, A Levels, or diplomas.

Reading week is a scheduled break in teaching, usually mid-term, that gives students time to catch up on coursework or research.

Settled Status confirms you have lived in the UK long enough under the EU Settlement Scheme to access Home fees and Student Finance support.

Student Finance England (SFE) is the government service that assesses eligibility for tuition and maintenance loans for higher education in England.

A UK Student Visa allows international or overseas-fee students to live and study in the UK for the duration of their course.

The tuition fee loan pays your university directly so you can study now and repay later through the UK student loan system.

UCAS is the central online system used to apply to most undergraduate courses in the UK with one shared form.

Widening participation refers to university programmes that support students from underrepresented backgrounds to access and succeed in higher education.

A year abroad is an optional year of study or work experience in another country that forms part of your UK degree.

Zone accommodation refers to student housing options in UK cities, especially London, grouped by transport zones that influence rent and commute time.