EQF - European Qualifications Framework
8-level European reference system for comparing qualifications across countries. Describes qualifications by learning outcomes (knowledge, skills, competencies) at levels 1 (basic) to 8 (doctoral). Reference: https://www.cedefop.europa.eu/en/projects/european-qualifications-framework-eqf
ECTS - European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System
European credit system where 1 credit = 25–30 hours of student workload. Facilitates recognition and transfer of academic credits between European universities under the Bologna Process.
NQF - National Qualifications Framework
Country-specific qualifications framework aligned to the EQF. Each level describes knowledge, skills and competency required. Used to validate and compare qualifications nationally.
IEP - Individualised Education Programme
Legally mandated document for students with certified disabilities, developed by teachers, family and specialists. Defines personalised goals, strategies, resources and evaluation methods. Equivalent to Italy's PEI.
SEN - Special Educational Needs
Administrative category encompassing students requiring additional educational support due to disability, learning difficulty or other disadvantage. Entitles students to accommodations and personalised plans.
SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulties
Neurobiological difficulties affecting specific learning capacities (reading, writing, maths) despite normal intelligence. Includes dyslexia, dysgraphia, dysorthography, dyscalculia.
UDL - Universal Design for Learning
Framework developed by CAST for designing inclusive learning environments that reduce barriers from the outset. Provides multiple means of representation, action/expression and engagement. Reference: https://www.cast.org/
VLE - Virtual Learning Environment
Software environment providing online access to course materials, communication tools and assessment, typically synonymous with LMS in the UK higher education context.
LMS - Learning Management System
Software platform for managing, delivering and monitoring educational programmes and content. Functions include enrolment management, content hosting, assessment, analytics and communication. Examples: Moodle, Canvas, Blackboard.
MOOC - Massive Open Online Course
Online course with open access, unlimited enrolment and typically asynchronous delivery. Offered by platforms such as Coursera, edX, FutureLearn, OpenLearn.
SCORM - Sharable Content Object Reference Model
E-learning technical standard for packaging and interoperability of digital learning content across LMS platforms. A SCORM package is a ZIP file containing HTML content plus an imsmanifest.xml defining structure and tracking rules.
xAPI - Experience API (Tin Can API)
Modern e-learning specification enabling tracking of learning experiences beyond the LMS (mobile, simulations, games, VR). Activities are recorded as Actor–Verb–Object statements in a Learning Record Store (LRS).
LRS - Learning Record Store
Data store for xAPI statements. Receives, stores and provides access to learning experience records from multiple sources.
STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Acronym grouping scientific and technical disciplines. National and European education policies promote increased STEM participation, particularly among underrepresented groups.
EHEA - European Higher Education Area
Common higher education space established by the Bologna Process (1999). Encompasses 49 countries committed to comparable degree structures (3+2+3), credit recognition (ECTS) and quality assurance cooperation.
QAA - Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education
UK agency responsible for monitoring and advising on standards and quality in UK higher education. Publishes the UK Quality Code and conducts institutional reviews.
HESA - Higher Education Statistics Agency
UK body collecting and publishing data on higher education institutions, students, staff and finances. Provides benchmark statistics for institutional planning.
GPA - Grade Point Average
Weighted average of grades across courses, used primarily in the US and increasingly in international contexts to summarise academic performance on a standard scale (typically 0–4.0 or 0–10.0).
FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid
US federal form for determining eligibility for federal student financial aid (grants, loans, work-study). Basis for most need-based institutional aid decisions in the United States.
PISA - Programme for International Student Assessment
OECD triennial assessment of 15-year-old students' reading, mathematics and science literacy across participating countries and economies. Results widely used for education policy benchmarking. Reference: https://www.oecd.org/pisa/
SAT - Scholastic Assessment Test
Standardised college admissions test used in the United States, administered by College Board. Measures evidence-based reading, writing and mathematics.
ACT - American College Testing
US standardised college admissions test administered by ACT Inc., covering English, mathematics, reading and science reasoning. An alternative to the SAT.
FERPA - Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
US federal law protecting the privacy of student education records. Schools must obtain written consent before disclosing personally identifiable information from students' education records.
GDPR (Education context)
The EU General Data Protection Regulation applies to educational institutions processing personal data of students and staff. Requires lawful bases for processing, data minimisation, retention limits and breach notification procedures.
Ofsted - Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills
UK government body that inspects and regulates education and children's services in England. Publishes inspection reports and grades institutions on a 4-level scale.