Glossary of Higher Education terms

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

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

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.

ECPLS
Edinburgh Centre for Professional Legal Studies

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

MA
Master of Arts, a degree classification

MSc
Master of Science, a degree classification

MPhil
Master of Philosophy, a degree classification

NHS
National Health Service

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

SQA
Scottish Qualifications Authority

UCAS
University and College Admissions Service

UK
United Kingdom

USA
United States of America