Academic terminology

You may hear some expressions that are unique to university when you start.

Here are some of the expressions that you are likely to encounter:

Term Meaning
Course (module) This is a unit of learning made up of credits and has it’s own assessment.
Optional course (electives/outside courses) These are courses that you can decide to enrol in, which can be courses within your own School or from other areas of the University.
Credits This is the system for working out how your degree programme is weighted and how much they contribute to your overall grade. On full-time degrees, you usually study 120 credits each year and this will be made up of different courses with varying credits.
Learning outcome When each course is designed, the academic who teaches it will decide on what they want you to learn, know or be able to do because of studying that course. You will be assessed on how well you can achieve the learning outcomes described per course.
Journal article Scholarly work that academics publish in journals and are used to disseminate, share or research information.
Peer review An action taken by other academics to ensure a paper submitted to a journal is assured of quality.
Referencing This is the way that you alert your reader to where you gathered your ideas and who has influenced your thinking in any of your assignments. There are different referencing styles depending on the subject and it's important to use the correct one.
Lecturer/Senior Lecturer/Reader/Associate Professor These are your academic staff who teach and assess your courses. They also conduct their own research and support research activity for their chosen subject. 
Professor These are the highest rank of academic staff at the university and being appointed to this position is a promotion following meeting certain criteria to their role.

Assessments and Feedback

Assessments

Your assessments will be marked by the people that teach you. Each course clearly explains how and when you will be assessed and how they will be graded on the Degree Regulations and Programmes of Study:

DRPS (Degree Regulations and Programmes of Study) 

There is a process of internal moderation where another academic will assess a sample size of graded work and then the final grades will be awarded after an academic from another university checks that the grades are fair, consistent and aligns with how the subject is assessed in other universities.  

Plagiarism: this is where a student presents work, usually other people's, without referencing the source. It is also possible to self-plagiarise. Plagiarism is a serious offence and can result in expulsion from university.  

What is academic misconduct? 

Good Academic Practice

Grades: The grading at Edinburgh may be different to what you expect or experienced before. It is very important that you gain a full understanding of this for your academic programme at the start of your studies. If this has not been made clear to you, than you need to ask them directly. 

Extended Common Marking Scheme

Exceptional Circumstances: Sometimes unexpected circumstances beyond your control can affect your ability to meet deadlines. 

While late submissions may be penalised, you can apply for support through the following:

Extensions – Available for most coursework if something unexpected prevents you from meeting a deadline (not available for exams or after a deadline has passed).

Exceptional Circumstances – For unforeseen situations affecting coursework or exams, including missed deadlines, exams, or impacted performance.

Extra Time Learning Adjustments – Available to students registered with Disability Learning Support, providing extra time and support such as proofreading or interpreters.

Exceptional Circumstances 

Feedback

Feedback is important to get from your academics and your peers. You will not usually be able to give drafts of your work to anyone before you submit. One of the skills you will gain as a student is the ability to evaluate and improve your own work.  

You will get direct feedback when your marked assignments are returned. This feedback should help you to think about how to build on what you have done well and identify actions to improve your future work. 

You may have problems at certain points in your studies, perhaps in trying to keep up with the workload, making sense of what you are being taught or with personal circumstances. There are multiple services to support you and people you can contact if you need help.

 

 

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