GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Studying at third level differs in many ways from second level and further education. Along with a considerably larger campus comes a new university language. Here’s some terms to get you started.
ACADEMIC ADVISORY OFFICE This office functions as a convenient first point of contact for students who wish to seek advice on general issues that may arise from their relationship with the University. Information is also provided which will assist students in accessing information on regulations and progression routes to their degree.
ACCESS COURSES
Courses designed to prepare students for entry into Higher Education, and which provide the underpinning knowledge and skills needed to progress to a degree course at a university or college.
ALUMNI
Graduates of the University. Maynooth Alumni Association provides a range of benefits, as well as the chance to stay involved with Maynooth University.
ASSESSMENT Process of checking and marking coursework. Depending on the degree course, assessments may include examinations, essays, project work, reports or a combination of any of these.
ASSIGNMENTS
Assignments take the form of essays or project work, which require reading and independent research. A certain amount of marks will be given for assignments, and these will contribute to the overall grade for continuous assessment each year. In first year, students are given guidelines on how to prepare and present assignments.
BACHELORS DEGREE Undergraduate degree qualification awarded by the University (also referred to as a ‘first degree’).
BTEC AWARDS Award given for vocational subjects by the British Business and Technology Education Council.
CAREER DEVELOPMENT CENTRE This centre provides expert information and advice on career prospects, including help in developing CVs and finding graduate opportunities.
CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT
Refers to the assessment of students’ ongoing work, rather than an end of term examination or essay.
COURSE WORK A piece of work required as part of a degree course.
CRITICAL SKILLS COURSES Optional 15 credit first year courses designed to help students to learn, practice and develop various essential skills that will support their ongoing studies.
DEGREE
Usually three/four years full-time or four to six years part time leading to the University award of Bachelor or Master.
DEGREE CLASSIFICATION The grading scheme for undergraduate degrees. Honours degrees can either be first class, ‘upper’ (2:1) and ‘lower’ (2:2) second class, or third class honours.
DISSERTATION
A major written piece of work or research project undertaken in the final year of an undergraduate honours degree course.
FOUNDATION YEAR If an applicant’s qualifications are not in the required subjects, or at the required grades to meet the entry requirements for the chosen degree, they may be in a position to do a one year foundation course. If this foundation course is completed to the required standard, the applicant is guaranteed a place on the first year of their chosen degree.
FRESHER
A term used for undergraduate students starting the first year of their course.
GRADUATE Someone who has successfully completed a degree programme at the University. Maynooth graduates are automatic members of the Maynooth Alumni Association.
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ECTS - EUROPEAN CREDIT TRANSFER SCHEME This is a standard for comparing the study attainment and performance of students of higher education across the European Union and other collaborating European countries. For successfully completed studies, ECTS credits are awarded. One academic year corresponds to 60 ECTS credits.
ELECTIVES Electives allow students to expand their university education by providing the opportunity to study an area outside of their chosen degree programme. An Elective is 10 credits and would make up 1/6 of a student’s study in second year.
ENROLMENT The process where students become registered with the University.
ESSAY A written piece of work on a particular topic.
FACULTY A group of academic departments defined by shared interests (e.g. Social Sciences).
FETAC
The Further Education Training and Awards Council. This is now called QQI.
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