Access course - One-year full-time course for students who are not ready to enter degree programmes. Usually features study and writing skills, English language and some study of the subject to be studied at degree level.

APEL is credit given to students for experiential learning completed in the past, for example things you have learned to do in your job.

APL is credit for courses you have taken in the past.

Apprenticeships allow participants to gain qualifications and earn money at the same time. They are available to young people aged 16-24, who are not in full-time education.

AVCE - Advanced Vocational Certification in Education.

CLAIT is a recognised qualification in ICT.

BTEC is a vocational qualification taken as an alternative to A-levels.

CATS - Credit Accumulation Transfer Scheme. All courses, or modules, are worth a number of CATS points. If a student changes course, moves to another institution, takes a break from study or changes from full to part-time the points can be transferred.

CRB - Criminal Records Bureau – most health,social care and education courses will require students to have CRB clearance.

Degree - a higher education qualification awarded by university.

Distance learning allows students to undertake courses without attending an institution in person.

Day release - Arrangement where an employer allows an employee to attend a part-time course, usually by taking the same day or days off work each week for the length of the course

DCSF - Department for Children, Schools and Families

ECDL - European Computer Driving Licence - is an internationally recognised computer use qualification.

Entry requirements - Qualifications required for entry to a university or college course. The entry requirements may be varied for mature students.

Further Education colleges offer a range of courses including A-levels, AVCEs, GCSEs, BTECs, HNCs, HNDs, foundation degrees, access and short courses.

Foundation degree a university level vocational qualification that can be studied full-time or part-time and is the equivalent of two thirds of an undergraduate honours degree.

GNVQ - General National Vocational Qualification

Higher education is study at univerisity level but can be undertaken at an FE College, University, or through distance learning.

HNC - Higher National Certificate

HND - Higher National Diploma

LSC -Learning and Skills Council, responsible for funding and planning education and training for over 16-year-olds in England.

Mature student - Student over the age of 21.

NVQ - National Vocational Qualification.

Placement - A period of work based learning

Progression Agreement - Special admission arrangements set up for some of the university and college courses in Sussex. They do not exist for all courses. They can help progression to a higher education course, by guaranteeing an interview, or, in some cases, an offer of a place on the course.

SEEDA - The South East England Development Agency is responsible for the sustainable economic development and regeneration of the South East of England.

Sussexroutes - There are special agreements to help people living, working or studying in Sussex to get started on certain higher education courses at universities and colleges locally. Sussexroutes is an online search tool that will help you find any special agreements that exist for the subject area you're interested in.

UCAS - University and College Admissions Service

Vocational A-levels - see AVCE and BTEC

Vocational qualification - Qualification aimed at preparing students for employment, usually with practical experience as part of the course

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