Glossary

Level 3 qualification designed for adults without traditional qualifications who want to progress to university.

Support provided to students with additional educational needs while studying at college.

Our specialist team who handles course applications for our courses and the student journey before enrolling.

A government programme supporting adult learners in non-devolved areas to gain skills, leading to further progression or employment. Formerly the Adult Education Budget (AEB).

Former students who previously studied at Nottingham College who join our Alumni programme.

Apprenticeship units are short, focused training programmes that help employers upskill existing staff in specific, priority skill areas. 

One of the largest awarding body boards in the UK. Holds various specifications and examinations in GCSE, A Levels and vocational qualifications. Formerly the Assessment and Qualifications Alliance.

Computer technology that lets machines think, learn, and solve problems like humans.

A senior member of staff who manages or oversees the overall operations at their designated campus or area.

A globally recognised professional membership body and qualification provider for accounting and bookkeeping.

The national membership organisation representing further education colleges in England.

An undergraduate university degree that is typically awarded after completing a programme of study in subjects such as humanities, social sciences, arts, languages, education, history, and related fields.

An undergraduate university degree that teaches core science, math, and problem-solving skills to prepare students for technical jobs or professional registration as engineers.

It is an undergraduate university degree that typically focuses on scientific, technical, mathematical, or professional subjects.

The standard first degree, usually taking 3 to 4 years of full-time study. Common types include the Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BSc), and Bachelor of Engineering (BEng).

When you use a device that is not managed by the college, such as a laptop or mobile phone.

British values are core principles defined by the UK government and promoted in education and public life.

Our dedicated team responsible for apprenticeship recruitment and working with employers.

Business Support staff are employees of Nottingham College working in non-teaching roles supporting the various functions of the college.

Designs and validates the quality and standards of Access to Higher Education (Access to HE) Diplomas.

An examination board that sets and awards qualifications in GCSEs, A Levels and vocational qualifications. Formerly known as Oxford Cambridge and RSA Examinations.

Someone who is taking an exam or a potential choice for being matched to an apprenticeship vacancy.

A young person over 16 who has been in the care of a local authority.

Online platform for English and maths resources and assessments.

The UK's second-largest awarding organisation for vocational qualifications.

Comprises senior college managers. The team meets on a half-termly basis. The primary intent of this team is strategic monitoring and collaboration.

Courses studied at a community venue in the local community. Typically these are part-time courses ranging from 6-12 weeks.

An offer to study a course with Nottingham College, subject to meeting the conditions outlined in the given offer.

CITB is the employer-led and funded skills and standards body for the construction industry.

Construction training facility located at the Nottingham College Basford campus.

Our advisers who answer queries via telephone, live chat and emails, helping triage and resolve enquiries for various college areas.

This may refer to CPD days which are staff training days, or CPD courses that anyone can enrol for to upskill their knowledge in a particular area.

Nottingham College staff who work within a specific course or faculty area in a teaching capacity.

A senior member of the curriculum staff who oversees a specific area of teaching within a wider faculty area, supporting the Head of Faculty (HoF).

The minimum standard of cyber security recommended by the UK Government. Developed by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).

The designated person within the college who is responsible for ensuring the college is following privacy laws such as the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act.

Education at a university or a similar educational establishment that provides degree-level study. An optional stage in formal education following a Level 3 course or A Level programme.

The primary contact for any safety or welfare concerns regarding a student at Nottingham College.

The primary contact responsible for a specific area or campus for receiving and managing safeguarding, safety, and welfare concerns relating to students at Nottingham College.

The process of transferring powers and funding from the UK government to local areas to promote economic growth and development.

An online government platform used by employers to manage apprenticeship funding, levy payments, and training providers.

Digital displays that are situated across Nottingham College campuses in common areas, providing various college information as well as information from other sources.

Pre-employment background checks, formerly known as Criminal Records Bureau (CRB). This applies to all Nottingham College staff and some work placements or apprenticeships for students that involve working with children.

Online courses delivered through an online learning platform with no direct face-to-face teaching.

Covers the four local authority areas of Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Derby and Nottingham under a single mayor to deliver long-term regional growth, working with local council leaders, businesses and communities.

Was an executive government agency responsible for funding education and skills providers in England. It has been part of the Department for Education (DfE) since March 2025.

An education, health and care (EHC) plan is for children and young people aged up to 25 who need more support than is available through special educational needs support.

Provides researchers, teachers, and students with network/WiFi access when visiting an educational institution other than their own.

A tailored learning plan which is created for each student, available through the My Nottingham College app.

The independent assessment at the final stage of an apprenticeship.

Entry-level courses supporting English language development for non-native speakers.

These are qualifications for students who have no prior qualifications. Each entry level qualification is available at three sub-levels - 1, 2 and 3. Entry level 3 is the most difficult.

E-learning platform used for learning resources and submitting assessments for our online learning courses.

A framework used by the college to make sure everyone is treated fairly, differences are respected, and all people feel welcomed and valued.

The executive leadership team at Nottingham College, which includes our Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Principal, Chief Financial Officer (CFO), and Vice Principals (VPs).

This is where course fees are waived, meaning you do not have to pay (no charge).

The commercial restaurant/theatre facilities operating within the Nottingham College City Hub campus.

A student fund support reward that is available for some students, subject to funding and eligibility.

The statutory right to request information from public bodies such as Nottingham College.

Students on a full-time course will normally attend college for at least 24 weeks within the year, this can vary depending on the course.

A level 2 functional skills qualification is a widely accepted equivalent to a GCSE at grade 4 (C).

Future 6 is a framework at Nottingham College that embeds six, key industry-informed skills and behaviours into every student's learning journey.

The name of the college's three-year strategic plan.

A framework for good career guidance provision in schools and colleges.

Academic qualification taken by students aged 14 to 16 (in Years 10 and 11) across England.

General Data Protection Regulation; EU/UK data protection law.

The UK's intelligence, security and cyber agency, responsible for gathering communications intelligence and helping protect the UK from cyber threats, terrorism and other national security risks.

The college's governing body responsible for strategic oversight.

A head of faculty for one or more curriculum areas, providing strategic and operational leadership and overseeing all curriculum delivery, teaching, and learning outcomes.

Also referred to as High Pavement, our campus that is located on Chaucer Street, offering A Level programmes primarily, but also our full-time GCSE programme and 14-16 provision.

Further study after completing a level 3 course that leads to qualifications such as foundation degrees, bachelor's degrees, higher national qualifications, and postgraduate awards. Referred to as university-level study at Nottingham College.

Level 4 and level 5 qualifications, such as Foundation Degrees (FD), Higher National Certificates (HNC), Higher National Diplomas (HNC) and others, that have been approved against employer developed standards.

Most Bachelor's degrees include an "Honours" status, indicating a higher level of academic achievement.

A student's personalised route map and targets. This is available in the My Nottingham College app.

A group of external experts, executives, and leaders who provide strategic advice to Nottingham College to help make future decisions around course programmes and economic areas.

A mandatory part of any T Level course with a minimum of 315 hours required, must be completed within real workplace environment with an external employer.

The UK's independent data protection authority.

A framework for providing support services designed to help students make informed choices about courses and future careers.

The primary professional body and authoritative voice for the automotive sector in the UK.

A high-speed network for the UK research and education community. All further and higher education organisations in the UK are connected to the Janet network, including Nottingham College.

Represents the major qualification providers in the United Kingdom to ensure the arrangements for exams and assessments are fair, consistent and run smoothly for everyone.

Jisc is a not-for-profit organisation that provides network, IT services, and digital support to further and higher education colleges as well as research and the public sector.

Statutory guidance for schools and colleges on safeguarding children and safer recruitment.

A youth charity founded in 1976 by King Charles III. Helps young people aged 11 to 30 overcome adversity and build the confidence and skills needed to live, learn, and earn.

Data and insight about employment trends, in-demand skills and job opportunities, used to inform decisions around our course offer/curriculum.

Laptop smart lockers and charging stations situated on Nottingham College campuses.

Resource centres within each of our campuses that provide books, journals, CDs, DVDs, PCs, tablets, laptops and other resources.

A specialist role that works in a non-teaching capacity to help support students with complex or diverse needs.

A local council that provides government services such as housing, waste collection, social care, and education.

The process of changing how councils are structured and what they do. Nottinghamshire’s local government reorganisation will replace the current nine councils with two new unitary authorities by April 2028.

Commercial and training salon facility situated within the Nottingham College Adams Building campus.

Our team that manages and improves our student record system, data systems, and reporting that help the college make informed decisions.

International quality framework used to assess and measure the delivery of Information, Advice, and Guidance (IAG).

A Microsoft account is a free single sign-on user ID linked to an email address. At Nottingham College, staff and students get a college-provided Microsoft account to access various Microsoft 365 services.

A free mobile app that helps you securely log in to your Microsoft account and other accounts by storing multi-factor authentication tokens.

A short, clear sentence or paragraph that explains why an organisation exists and what it aims to achieve. Nottingham College's primary mission statement is "we unlock potential through learning".

A digital security measure required for accessing various Nottingham College systems.

A tailored app to view various information such as your timetable, exams, attendance, progression and more. Formerly known as an Electronic Individual Learning Plan (eILP).

A government service for searching and applying for apprenticeships in England. 

Government-funded service in England providing careers information, advice and guidance.

An exam centre number that is officially recorded in the National Centre Number Register, maintained by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ). The Nottingham College exam centre number is 28234.

Helps businesses, the public sector and individuals protect the online services and devices that we all use. Part of the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ).

A digital system used at Nottingham College for recording, Enrichment Activities, Industry Activities and Work Experience (Placement Activities) for all 16-19 Study Programme students.

A facility located within the Nottingham College Basford campus.

The college's nursery facility within the Adams Building. Available to staff, students and the wider public.

E-portfolio system for students undertaking an apprenticeship.

Senior managers responsible for day-to-day operational leadership and strategic decisions.

Students typically dedicate 10 to 20 hours per week to their studies, work load is spread out often into smaller modules.

Provides learning materials, assessments, qualifications, virtual learning, English-language learning and enterprise learning skills services. Edexcel is a subsidiary of Pearson.

Our People Services team manages various Human Resources (HR) areas, including recruitment, wellbeing, performance, and internal staff matters, supporting colleagues throughout their employment journey.

A tailored escape strategy for individuals who may need assistance during an emergency, such as a fire on a college campus.

A one-year full-time entry qualification for pursuing a career in teaching.

Referred to as 14-16 by Nottingham College. Specific education programmes for home-educated or students referred by their school who are under the age of 16.

A specific status for an application, usually if you are a current student progressing onto another course. Pre-enrolled means you have met the entry requirements for progression onto your next course.

A UK legal requirement under the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015. It directs specified public authorities—including schools, colleges universities, healthcare providers, and local councils to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into radicalisation or terrorism.

Moving on to the next level or pathway, this can include progressing onto a new course e.g. going from Level 1 to Level 2 or returning for the second/third year of a multi-year course.

The Quality Assurance Agency ensures that students and learners experience the highest possible quality of Higher Education.

Finding the right person for an apprenticeship or job role.

A course specifically designed around the core subjects of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.

Microsoft Online Password reset portal for resettng your college Microsoft account.

A senior administrator who works with curriculum managers, administrators, and team members, supporting the day-to-day operations of a specific faculty area or department. SFA may also refer to the former Skills Funding Agency, which is now part of the Department for Education (DfE).

Our IT Service Desk team which troubleshoot and triages IT queries or issues.

Skills England works with employers to co-create apprenticeship standards and technical qualifications. Formerly known as the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE).

A company with fewer than 250 employees and a turnover of less than 54 million.

Nottingham College provides a variety of SEND courses suitable for those with learning difficulties, physical disabilities, or medical conditions.

Our STAR Awards allow our staff, students and wider stakeholder community to nominate a member of staff or team for their exceptional work and contribution to the college, hosted annually in July.

The college's three-year strategy, outlines the priorities and direction for the college. This is set and reviewed every 3 years. The first strategic plan was created in 2023.

Your student ID number is provided by Nottingham College. This is 6 digits and is printed on your student ID card.

Run by students for students, the SU aims to make your college experience the best it can be. All students are automatically members of the Students’ Union and can get involved with the SU in many different ways.

An official process of requesting data that Nottingham College holds on an individual data subject. May also be referred to as a Data Subject Access Request (DSAR).

A company or organisation controlled by another larger/parent organisation. Nottingham College has several subsidiaries, including High Pavement Sixth Form, Emtec and Loom Salon.

A framework that is used to assess the quality of Higher Education programmes by using student experience and outcomes.

Approaches and methods to support good attitudes, behaviours and study practices within teaching at Nottingham College.

A specialist facility/building at our Basford campus for students with additional learning needs.

A UKPRN (UK Provider Reference Number) is a unique 8-digit identification number given to schools, colleges, universities, and training providers. The UKPRN for Nottingham College is 10004577.

The initial stage of higher education. This refers to students studying for their first primary degree, such as a Bachelor's.

A ten-digit identification number used in the UK education system. Used to track a student's educational progress, exams, and training qualifications.

Ofsted's identifier for an institution. The URN for Nottingham College is 130776.

Refers to the Exams and Conference centre located on 126 Canal Street, NG1 7HG.

The central UK organisation that manages applications for undergraduate courses.

Vice Principals are part of the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and are responsible for the strategic direction and vision of the college.

Supporting the physical, mental, and emotional health of staff and students.

Many of our courses include Work Placement opportunities, which are typically 30 hours. A work placement allows you to work in a professional environment with an employer and experience the workplace while still studying at college.

Anyone under the age of 18 who regularly provides unpaid practical, physical, or emotional care for a family member.

The Young Creative Awards is a yearly competition for young people aged 11-25 in the city of Nottingham.