MPW – Mander Portman Woodward, the surnames of MPW’s three founders.

NCUK – Northern Consortium United Kingdom, 16 UK universities offering guaranteed progression to international students via their foundation programme.

KSS – Kensington Student Services, a specialist accommodation agency providing accommodation exclusively to MPW students.

IFY – International Foundation Year, an NCUK preparatory course for international students prior to university studies.

UAL Foundation Diploma – the University of the Arts London Foundation Diploma in Art and Design, delivered at MPW London, your route to studying Art and Design at the UK’s best universities.

UFP – University Foundation Programme, MPW’s preparatory course for international students prior to university studies.

UAL – University of the Arts London.

DoS – Director of Studies, assigned to every MPW student, supervise students’ academic progress, university applications and general welfare – also referred to as a Personal Tutor.

(Subject) Tutor – teaches you a specific subject, not to be confused with a personal tutor.

TAs – Timed Assignments, are usually of one hour’s duration and are designed to test the understanding of work covered during the previous week in each subject.

EPQ – Extended Project Qualification is designed to teach you how to plan, research and deliver a project.

Easter Revision – is an intensive revision programme offered by MPW during the Easter Holiday, covering (I)GCSE and A level topics.

BSc – Bachelor of Sciences, an undergraduate degree awarded at universities. BSc degrees typically focus on a science-based subject, such as Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and even Business.

BA – Bachelor of Arts, an undergraduate degree awarded at universities. BA degrees typically explore theoretical ideas and subjects include English Literature, English Language, Linguistics and Philosophy.

BEng – Bachelor of Engineering, an undergraduate degree awarded at universities. BENG degrees cover engineering topics such as Acoustical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering and Mechanical Engineering.

LLB – Legum Baccalaureus (Bachelor of Laws), an undergraduate degree in Law awarded at universities.

LLM – Legum Magister (Master of Laws), a postgraduate degree in Law awarded at universities.

MA – Master of Arts, a postgraduate degree awarded at universities. MA degrees are usually based on topics that explore theoretical ideas.

MSc – Masters of Sciences, a postgraduate degree awarded at universities. MSc degrees typically focus on a science-based subject.

PGCE – Postgraduate Certificate in Education is a is a one or two-year higher education course which allows graduates to become teachers within maintained schools.

PhD – Doctor of Philosophy, is awarded after having done advanced research into a particular subject.

DTh – Doctor of Theology, is awarded after having done advanced research in theology.

DEng – Doctor of Engineering, is awarded after having done advanced research in engineering.

Oxon – Oxoniensis, a graduate of Oxford University.

Cantab – Cantabrigian, a graduate of Cambridge University.

Oxbridge – the collective phrase for both Oxford and Cambridge Universities.

Russell Group – refers to a collection of 24 public research universities in the UK.

UCAS – Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, the organisation that handles most university applications to UK universities.

Personal Statement – The section within your UCAS application where you describe why you are suitable for your chosen course.

Firm Choice – is an offer that you accept as your first choice.

Insurance Choice – is an offer that you accept as your second choice – just in case you don’t meet the conditions of your firm choice.

Conditional Offer – is an offer of a place to study on a course, subject to specific conditions, i.e. achieving particular grades.

Unconditional Offer – is an offer of a place to study on a course, without any conditions.

Extra – if, after making five choices and receiving no offers, Extra is the service you can use to apply for alternative places.

Adjustment – allows you to apply for a different course or university if you’ve exceeded the conditions of your existing firm offer.

Clearing – if you didn’t receive any offers, declined your offers, didn’t get the grades you needed or were late to the application process, Clearing is a UCAS service that allows you to search and apply for courses that still have vacancies.

At MPW, we have created a guide on ‘How to Complete your UCAS Application‘ packed with insider knowledge to demystify the whole process for you.

Sixth form – the two school years for students, typically aged between 16 and 18, who are studying A levels. These two school years are often referred to as Years 12 and 13.

Fifth form – the fifth year of secondary school in England, students are typically aged 15-16. This school year is often referred to as Year 11.

A levels – Advanced level qualifications (A levels) are subject-based qualifications in the UK for students (typically) aged 16 and above.

GCSE – General Certificate of Secondary Education, these are the qualifications achieved in the UK, usually at the age of 15-16, at the end of Year 11 studies.

IGCSE – International General Certificate of Secondary Education, these are the international version of GCSEs and are available in many countries around the world, including international schools in the UK.

Extra Tuition – also referred to as Supplementary, Private, One-to-one, Individual or Support Tuition, this involves coaching on GCSE or A level topics between one student and a tutor.

Academic Year – refers to the period of time which schools, colleges and universities use to measure the length of study – usually beginning in September and ending in June.

Term – an academic year is usually split into terms, with an Autumn Term running September to December, a Spring Term running January to March, and a Summer Term running April to June.

Cohort – a cohort is a group of students who studied at the same time.

IELTS – stands for International English Language Testing System is an English language proficiency test for higher education.

VLE – Virtual Learning Environment, a web-based platform that hosts study materials and the digital aspects of teaching.

CIFE – the Council for Independent Education, a group of independent colleges that deliver the highest standard of sixth form education.

ISI – Independent Schools Inspectorate, a government-approved inspector of independent schools.

ISA – Independent Schools Association, the registered charity that represents the Heads/Principals of 569 of the UK’s best independent schools.

BSA – Boarding Schools’ Association, represents member boarding schools, provides staff training and promotes boarding education across the world

Ofsted – the Office for Standards in Education, a government department responsible for inspecting educational institutions.