About our website

A-Z list of higher education terms

This glossary includes common abbreviations and acronyms used across the University of Edinburgh website.

Sub-sites within the University website may also have their own glossary of common terms specific to their discipline.

AD
Anno Domini
A system of dating, which counts years forward from 1 AD, the year traditionally attributed to the birth of Jesus Christ. Used in conjunction with BC, which counts backwards from 1 AD.
This may also now be referred to as CE, meaning Common Era.
BA
Bachelor of Arts, a degree classification
BEng
Bachelor of Engineering, a degree classification
BSc
Bachelor of Science, a degree classification
BC
Before Christ
A system of dating, which counts years backwards from 1 AD, the year traditionally attributed to the birth of Jesus Christ. Used in conjunction with AD, which counts forwards from 1 AD.
This may also now be referred to as BCE, meaning Before Common Era.
BCE
Before Common Era
A system of dating, which counts years backwards from 1 CE. Used in conjunction with CE, which counts forwards from 1 CE.
CE and BCE were introduced to replace AD and BC, though the latter are still more commonly used.
CE
Common Era
A system of dating, which counts years forwards from 1 CE. Used in conjunction with BCE, which counts backwards from 1 CE.
CE and BCE were introduced to replace AD and BC, though the latter are still more commonly used.
DClinPsychol
Doctor of Clinical Psychology, a degree classification
DSc
Doctor of Science, a degree classification
ECA
Edinburgh College of Art
EdD
Doctor of Education, a degree classification
EEC
European Economic Community
EU
European Union
EUCLID
Edinburgh University Complete Lifecycle Integrated Development
the University’s online application service
EUSA
Edinburgh University Students’ Association
FE
Further Education
GSE
General Certificate of Education
GCSE
General Certificate of Secondary Education
HEI
Higher Education Institute
HNC
Higher National Certificate
HND
Higher National Diploma
LLB
Legum Baccalaureus, Bachelor of Laws, a degree classification
LLM
Legum Magister, Master of Laws, a degree classification
MB ChB
Medicinæ Baccalaureus & Baccalaureus Chirurgiæ, Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery/Chirurgery, a degree classification
MA
Master of Arts, a degree classification
MSc
Master of Science, a degree classification
MBA
Master of Business Administration, a degree classification
MCS
Master of Chinese Studies, a degree classification
MClinDent
Master of Clinical Dentistry, a degree classification
MMus
Master of Music, a degree classification
MPhil
Master of Philosophy, a degree classification
MSW
Master of Social Work, a degree classification
MTeach
Master of Teaching, a degree classification
MTh
Master of Theology, a degree classification
NHS
National Health Service
PGDE
Professional Graduate Diploma in Education
PgDip
Postgraduate Diploma
PhD
Philosophiae Doctor, Doctor of Philosophy, which is a doctorate programme in any subject
rUK
Rest of United Kingdom
Fees and funding term used to refer to England, Wales and Northern Ireland
SAC
Scottish Agricultural College
SQA
Scottish Qualifications Authority
UCAS
University and College Admissions Service
UK
United Kingdom
USA
United States of America

Something missing?

You can also use the Edinburgh Acronym Buster - an easy to use tool to look up acronyms to find out what they mean. You do need to be able to login to use this though. 

University of Edinburgh Acronym Buster [University login needed]

We have tried to be as exhaustive as possible, but if there are terms you feel are missing from this list, please let us know.