University Acronym Dictionary
The University Acronym Dictionary aims to provide a simple and straightforward explanation of words and phrases used across the University, or organisations we might work in partnership with.
- ADD - Academic & Digital Development - View the range of taught courses, support for curriculum development, media production facilities, and events for staff who teach or support teaching. The staff-facing side of what was previously LEADS. SLD is the student-facing side.
- APG – Academic Policy & Governance - APG’s role is to oversee and develop effective and enabling academic policy, governance structures and processes across the University
- ARC – Advanced Research Centre - The ARC is a vibrant, creative and collaborative research building, built to facilitate multi-disciplinary collaboration and creativity.
- ASBS – Adam Smith Business School - Named after the father of economics ASBS aims to develop enlightened, engaged and enterprising graduates, who are internationally recognised and make a positive impact on culture and society.
- AT – Associate Tutor
- Athena Swan - Athena Scientific Academic Women's Network - the Athena Swan charter was originally established in 2005 to encourage and recognise commitment to advancing the careers of women in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM) employment in higher education and research.
- AtW – Access to Work - Access to Work is a publicly funded employment support programme that aims to help disabled people start or stay in work.
- BAME – Black, Asian and minority ethnic - you can learn more about the University's anti racism campaign Together Against Racism developed in response to, the real and lived experiences of members of our community.
- BSL – British Sign Language - The University’s recognises people who have BSL as their native language, contribute to the communities and culture they live within.
- CaPS – Counselling and Psychological Services - The purpose of CaPS is to support students to manage their mental health and to build strategies that will help them successfully complete their course of study.
- CCA - Culture and Creative Arts - CCA is a leading research school excelling in Film and Television Studies, Cultural Policy, Theatre, Music and Art History.
- CCF – Collective Consultation Forum - CCF meets quarterly with the primary purpose of sharing information with the Trade Unions regarding any potential redundancies arising from the ending of external funding or the end of fixed term contracts associated with short-term projects and/or funding.
- CEM – Contract End Management - process applying to Open-Ended with Funding-End Date and Fixed-Term contracts to ensure that the management is fair and transparent where the individual's contract is nearing an anticipated end date.
- CEES – Central and Eastern European Studies - the school brings together innovative and unique expertise in the processes of socio-economic, socio-cultural and socio-political transformation in central and eastern Europe throughout the 20th and 21st centuries.
- CIPD - Chartered Insitute of Personnel and Development - the professional body for HR and people development of which the University is an approved and accredited centre
- CoA - College of Arts - Home to four schools CoA has been at the forefront of delivering world-leading teaching, learning and research in the arts and humanities since 1451.
- CoI – Co-investigator
- CoSE – College of Science and Engineering - The college is made up of six academic schools and the research facility SUERC.
- CoSS - College of Social Sciences - The college comprises five academic schools and is home to over 1,300 staff and 13,000 students.
- CPD – Continuing Professional Development - Our definition of CPD ranges from conferences, seminars, short courses to credit-rated and award bearing programmes.
- CMG – College Management Group - normally chaired by the head of college CMG provides leadership to the College and ensures the delivery of the University’s strategic plan and College ambition
- CMH / SCMH - School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health - this is a research intensive School that focusses on cardiac, vascular and metabolic diseases and are proud to host world-leading basic and clinical scientists in these areas.
- COO – Chief Operating Officer - post held by Dr David Duncan and also referred to as University Secretary and Deputy Vice Chancellor (Operations)
- CS – Commercial Services - CS provide the first-class goods and services that support the University community, whether that be students, staff or visitors to Glasgow.
- CS - Critical Studies - The school of CS reflects a core commitment to criticism, textual interpretation and the analysis of language, over diverse but inter-related subject areas.
- CS / SCS - School of Cancer Sciences - the school carry out a programme of world-class science directed at understanding the molecular changes that cause cancer.
- DEG – Disability Equality Group - DEG is chaired by the University’s Disabilty Equality Champion and acts as a channel of communication where issues affecting disabled people can be raised and addressed or referred to appropriate bodies for action.
- EAP – Employee Assistance Programme - The EAP provides a range of services and support, including counselling, across a number of wellbeing themes.
- ECDP – Early Career Development Programme - ECDP is the University of Glasgow’s commitment to developing its early career academics.
- ECS / E&CS – Estates and Commercial Services - Estates aim to honour and conserve our campus' legacy for future generations whilst creating the very best facilities and learning and teaching spaces to inspire our future world changers.
- EDSC – Equality Diversity & Strategy Committee - The role of EDSC is to consider the University’s strategic planning and policy development matters relating to equality and diversity.
- EdPSC – Education Policy and Strategy Committee - The role of EdPSC (EdPSC) is to advise Senate on educational policy, strategy and resource issues.
- EDU – Equality and Diversity Unit - EDU are responsible for promoting and embedding all aspects of equality and diversity within the University community.
- EIA – Equality Impact Assessment - Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) is a systematic and evidence based process which verifies that the University’s policies and practices are equality proof and not discriminatory.
- ENWoW – Enabling New Ways of Working - The University's commitment to how we can appropriately embed a hybrid working environment.
- EOD – Employee and Organisational Development (now OD – Organisational Development)
- ESRC - Economic and Social Research Council - the UK’s largest funder of economic, social, behavioural and human data science.
- FOI – Freedom of Information - The main principle behind freedom of information legislation is that people have a right to know about the activities of public authorities, unless there is a good reason for them not to.
- GBV – Gender Based Violence - Gender-based violence refers to any type of harm that is perpetrated against a person or group of people because of their factual or perceived sex, gender, sexual orientation and/or gender identity.
- GDPR – General Data Protection Regulation - The Data Protection Act 2018 controls how your personal information is used by organisations, businesses or the government.
- GEG – Gender Equality Group - The University GEG goal is to promote and advance gender equality across the University.
- GES – Geographical and Earth Sciences - School homepage for GES: the study of geography and earth science at Glasgow, bringing together internationally-leading expertise in physical and human geography, earth science, and geomatics.
- GESG - Gender Equality Steering Group - Now known as GEG, previously a self assessment team looking at the 2012 Athena Swan application process.
- GIC – Glasgow International College - GIC offers degree preparation courses in partnership with the University of Glasgow.
- GMB – General, Municipal, Boilermakers' and Allied Trade Union - GMB is one of the four recognised Trade Unions for consultation and negotiation purposes at the University.
- GPA – Grade point Average
- GSA – Glasgow School of Art - the University awards degrees, diplomas, and certificates in conjunction with GSA.
- GSDG - Gender and Sexual Diversity Group - Now known as LGBT+ Equality Group
- GTA – Graduate Teaching Assistant - the University offers GTA Introduction to Learning and Teaching in Higher Education (GTA ILTHE) through ADD
- GUID – Glasgow Unique Identifier - You need your GUID and GUID password to access most University IT systems.
- GUSA – Glasgow University Sports Association - GUSA provide appropriate student led representation for our members and provides effective opportunities for them to take part in sport.
- GUU – Glasgow University Union - Glasgow University Union was founded in 1885 by a group of students from the Glasgow University Dialectic Society, The Glasgow University Athletic Club (now GUSA) and the Glasgow University Medico-chirurgical society.
- HEI – Higher Education Institution
- HESA – Higher Education Statistics Agency - HESA collect, process and publish data about higher education (HE) in the UK.
- HoPS – Head of Professional Services
- HoS – Head of School
- HoSA – Head of School Administration
- HR – Human Resources – see also People & Organisational Development (P&OD)
- H&W / SHW - School of Health & Wellbeing - the school's mission is to prevent disease, improve health and wellbeing, and reduce inequalities: locally, nationally and globally.
- I&I / Sii - School of infection and Immunity - the scientists and clinicians at the school work together to promote and develop research, drug discovery, and improvements in patient care.
- JCCN - Joint Committee of Consultation & Negotiation - JCCN is the primary consultation forum where Senior Managers meet with representatives of the four recognised Trade Unions.
- JMS – James McCune Smith Learning Hub - the University's state of the art learning and teaching facility.
- JWSE – James Watt School of Engineering - the JWSE's research and teaching is at the forefront of discovery, creation and practice that is internationally leading in education, innovation and new capability.
- JULC – Joint Union Liaison Committee - This is a committee of reps from Unite, Unison, UCU, and GMB at the University, who discuss matters that affect all four unions and makes nominees to certain groups and committees.
- KPI – Key Performance Indicators
- LEADS - Learning Enhancement and Academic Development Service - See ADD
- LGBTQ – Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer
- LGBT+EG – LGBT+ Equality Group - previously known as Gender and Sexual Diversity group, the group acts as a channel of communication where issues affecting LGBT+ people can be raised and addressed or referred to appropriate bodies for action.
- LKAS – Lord Kelvin / Adam Smith
- LRC – Local Resourcing Coordinator
- LTS – Learning Teaching & Scholarship
- MB / SMB - School of Molecular Biosciences - are a multi-disciplinary centre of excellence conducting world-leading life science research that underpins key issues facing our health and food industry sectors.
- MDN / SMDN - School of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing - dating back to the 17th century the school is renowned for pioneering teaching methods and superb facilities for undergraduate and postgraduate study.
- MLC/SMLC – School of Modern Languages & Cultures - SMLC embraces the subject areas of Comparative Literature, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian/Slavonic Languages, Spanish, Translation Studies, and English for Academic Study.
- MPA – Management, Professional & Administrative
- MRC – Medical Research Council - MRC funds research at the forefront of science to prevent illness, develop therapies and improve human health.
- MVLS – Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences - MVLS' purpose is to transform lives by tackling the major biomedical and life sciences challenges of our times, locally and globally.
- NCS – Non-Contracted Status
- NSS – National Student Survey - NSS gives students the opportunity to give feedback on what they liked about their experience at the University of Glasgow and what could be improved.
- NUS – National Union of Students - NUS is a national union representing university and college students across the UK.
- OD – Organisational Development - uses complementary and disparate specialisms to deliver the University aims and aspirations growing organisational capability through alignment of strategy, structure, management processes and people.
- OH – Occupational Health - OH is an area of work to promote and maintain highest degree of physical, mental and social well-being of workers in all occupations.
- ORCID - Open Researcher and Contributor ID - Using an ORCID identifier allows you to be uniquely identified and connected with your research activities.
- PAG – Principal's Advisory Group
- PDP – Personal Development Planning - Staff development is important for professional and personal growth for current roles and future careers.
- PDR/P&DR – Performance Development Review - Performance and Development Review (PDR) is a University wide process to support staff in maximising their career and professional development through meaningful conversations.
- PGCAP - Post Graduate Certificate in Academic Practice - PGCAP is designed to support the professional development of staff involved in teaching and supporting learning in Higher Education
- PGR – Postgraduate Research
- PGT – Postgraduate Taught
- PI – Principal Investigator
- PIA – Planning Insights & Analytics - PIA lead insight driven decision making through trusted data and specialist expertise which underpins our University strategies.
- PIP – Personal Improvement Plan - a formal document that outlines any existing performance issues, while also outlining goals to tackle the productivity issues.
- PIP - Programme Information Process - The PIP web system allows staff to propose and approve new and changed programmes and courses, and to view information about live programmes and courses.
- PMR – Principal's Meeting Room
- PN / SPN - School of Psychology & Neuroscience - The SPN is comprised of a large number of internationally-renowned research groups addressing major questions in neuroscience and psychology, extending from the molecular level, through neuronal circuits, to behaviour.
- PO – Purchase Order
- POD/P&OD – People and Organisational Development
- PODCo – People and Organisational Development Committee - PODC oversee the ongoing development, implementation and delivery of the University’s P&OD Strategy and related plans and procedures, ensuring these are aligned with the key aims and objectives of University Strategy and its realisation.
- PPR – Performance Pay and Reward - The PPR team provide a customer-focused and professionally robust HR service, accountable for the design, development and implementation of all reward related activities and policies in support of the University HR strategy.
- PRG – Policy Review Group - This meeting is an opportunity to discuss University policies, and allow for input from all trade unions.
- PSED – Public Sector Equality Duty - PSED requires Scottish public authorities to have due regard to the need to eliminate unlawful discrimination, advance equality of opportunity, and foster good relations between different people when carrying out their activities.
- PSR – Periodic Subject Review - PSR is one of the main ways by which the University assures itself of the quality of the provision of our degree programmes.
- PVG – Protection of Vulnerable Groups - Staff who carry out ‘regulated work’ with children and/or ‘regulated work’ with a ‘protected adult’ under the 2007 Act are required to be members of the PVG Scheme.
- QAA – Quality Assurance Agency - The QAA is an independent charity working to benefit students and higher education, and one of the world’s experts in quality assurance.
- QEUH – Queen Elizabeth University Hospital - The QEUH is a 1,677-bed acute hospital located in Govan, in the south-west of Glasgow, Scotland.
- QMU – Queen Margaret Union - Founded in 1890, The Queen Margaret Union began as a place to provide meeting and leisure facilities for women students and was initially housed in the basement of Queen Margaret College on Queen Margaret Drive.
- RA – Respect Advisers - The Respect Advisers Network can provide support and guidance to staff and students throughout the informal process of dealing with harassment or bullying.
- REF – Research Excellence Framework - the purpose of REF is to secure the continuation of a world-class, dynamic and responsive research base across the full academic spectrum within UK higher education.
- REG – Race Equality Group - The group brings together representatives from the Equality and Diversity Unit, Students' Representative Council and BAME (Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority) student and staff representatives.
- RemCom – Remuneration Commitee - The mandate for RemCom determines the salaries of the Principal, SMG, and annually to determine the University’s policy on the performance-related reward of professorial and senior professional staff.
- RET - Recognising Excellence in Teaching - RET is the University of Glasgow’s CPD framework, which aims to provide development opportunities as well as professional recognition of expertise in teaching and supporting learning.
- RO – Research Only
- RS – Research Scientist
- RTW – Return to Work
- RWG – Retention Working Group - supports the University’s strategic ambition to reduce the number of students dropping out of degree programmes before completion.
- R&T – Research & Teaching
- SAAS – Student Awards Agency for Scotland - SAAS' purpose is to help higher education students find the right information, support and funding.
- SoBOHVM - School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary medicine - the school aims to explore the comlex relationship between animals, humans and the environment.
- SDS – Skills Development Scotland - SDS' purpose is to help people achieve career success and supporting businesses with their goals and growth.
- SDS - Staff Development Service - see ADD
- SEC – Student Experience Committee - SEC is jointly led by the University and the SRC to oversee non-academic aspects of student life.
- SEPS - Safety and Environmental Protection Services - SEPS are here to help with guidance and training on matters connected to workplace health and safety and environmental protection in the University.
- SFC – Scottish Funding Council - SFC is is the non-departmental public body charged with funding Scotland's further and higher education institutions, including its 26 colleges and 19 universities.
- SGSAH - Scottish Graduate School for Arts & Humanities - Working with supporters in the arts, culture, creative and heritage sectors, SGSAH support positive connections and productive networks locally, regionally and globally to provide outstanding opportunities for doctoral researchers in Scotland.
- SIMD – Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation - The SIMD is a relative measure of deprivation across (currently) 6,976 small areas. If an area is identified as ‘deprived’, this can relate to people having a low income but it can also mean fewer resources or opportunities.
- SIT – Singapore Institute of Technology - SIT is an autonomous university in Singapore that offers applied learning with extensive work-study degrees.
- SLA – Service level Agreement
- SLD - Student Learning Development - The student-facing half of the previous LEADS team. ADD is the staff-facing side.
- STAs – Student Teaching Awards - this is students' chance to recognise the outstanding work of those who have helped them succeed.
- SMG – Senior Management Group - SMG advises the Principal on matters of policy. They also advises Court and Senate on matters of strategic policy (academic and resource), and acts on a day-to-day basis to implement the policies of Court and Senate.
- SRC – Students Representative Council - The SRC’s main responsibility is to represent the students of the University.
- SPS – School of Social & Political Sciences - SPS is a leading centre of interdisciplinary social science, bringing together research, innovation and student education to tackle the key social and political challenges of our time.
- SSET - Student Services Enquiry Team - provides a summary of the student and support services which you may need to contact throughout your time at the University of Glasgow.
- SSO – Single Sign On - Single sign-on is an authentication scheme that allows a user to log in with a single ID to any of several related, yet independent, software systems.
- SSO - Student Support Officers - SSOs are here help students to be successful learners, by providing first line support as a listening ear, encouraging and helping to resolve issues and difficulties.
- SSR – Student Staff Ratio - The student: staff ratio (SSR) is designed to show the total number of students per member of academic teaching staff.
- STEMM - Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine
- SUERC - Scottish University Environmental Research Centre - SUERC was established to provide to the Universities of the Scottish Consortium collaborative access to specialist equipment and expertise.
- TEA – Teaching Excellence Awards - The Teaching Excellence Awards (TEA) recognise and celebrate members of staff whose teaching and contribution to learning is of a particularly high standard.
- TEAL – Technology Enhanced Active Learning space
- TEF – Teaching Excellence Framework - TEF is a national scheme that aims to encourage higher education providers to improve and deliver excellence in the areas that students care about the most: teaching, learning and student outcomes.
- THE – Times Higher Education - formerly The Times Higher Education Supplement, is a British magazine reporting specifically on news and issues related to higher education.
- TNE – Transnational Education - TNE provides students with the opportunity to study for a University of Glasgow degree overseas.
- TU – Trade Union
- TUPE - Transfer of of Undertaking Protection of Employment - A 'TUPE transfer' happens when: an organisation, or part of it, is transferred from one employer to another, or a service is transferred to a new provider.
- UCEA - Universities and Colleges Employers Association - UCEA support HE institutions by representing their interests as employers and facilitating their work in delivering effective employment and workforce strategies.
- UCU – University & College Union - UCU is a British trade union in further and higher education representing over 120,000 academics and support staff.
- UESTC – University of Electronic Science and Technology of China - founded in 1956 UESTC is a national public research university in Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
- UGPS – University of Glasgow Pension Scheme - for more information on pensions you can visit the link on: https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/
- UGS - University of Glasgow Singapore - UGS launched in 2011 as the first subsidiary outwith of Scotland in the University's 560-year history.
- UKRI – United Kingdom Research and Innovation - UKRI convenes, catalyses and invests in close collaboration with others to build a thriving, inclusive research and innovation system.
- UKVI – United Kingdom Visas and Immigration - for more information visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration
- URTUC – Understanding Racism, Transforming University Culture (Report) - was launched in February 2021 in response to the EHRC's Report which exposed widespread evidence of racial harassment across UK university campuses.
- US – University Services
- USS - Universities Superannuation Scheme - USS is a UK pension scheme with over 400,000 members, made up of active and retired academic and academic-related staff mostly from those universities established prior to 1992.
- UUK – University United Kingdom - UUK aims to shape policy that allows universities to deliver the greatest impact possible for students, staff, the economy, and the communities they serve.
- VLE – Virtual learning Environment - Virtual learning refers to an environment where students study a digital-based curriculum taught by instructors that lecture online via video or audio.
- VP – Vice Principal
- WCGT – World Changing Glasgow Transformation - WCGT focus on projects and initiatives which improve the staff or student experience.
- WILT – Western Infirmary Lecture Theatre - WILT is based on the University's Gilmorehill Campus, situated between University Avenue and Argyle Street.
- WP – Widening Participation - WP facilitates and increases the participation of those groups which are currently under represented in HE, in particular students from disadvantaged backgrounds and those with learning difficulties and disabilities.