Jargon Jungle (N)
1994 Group:
A band of about 20 universities that likes to think of themselves as fairies on top of the Christmas tree of higher education. Like the better-known Russell Group, there's some truth to their claims because they attract a lot of moolah for research and have high teaching standards. Although a couple of universities have joined both groups (more party invitations, we suppose), the 1994 Group universities tend to be slightly smaller, which one could argue, makes them less prestigious. As all the other universities move to jump on the clique bandwagon, there's also the N8 Group, see below.
N8 Group:
A collective of eight research-heavy universities in northern England, including Durham, Lancaster and York. Not as shouty as the Russell Group, but with a substantial cash pile to back up scientific poking about in Ageing & Health and Sustainable Water Use.
Non-continuation rate: The percentage of the students who start uni each year, but do not carry on to the second year.
NHS:
The National Health Service.
Nightline:
All students have times when the skin on the cup of cocoa of life is just a bit too thick and Nightline services, available in most colleges worth their salt, are there for those times. They are telephone counselling services, a bit like the Samaritans, run (usually) by students for students.
NMAS:
The Nursing and Midwifery Admissions Service. NMAS process applications for nursing and midwifery courses at higher education institutions in England.
Non-completion/non-progression rate:
A politer term for what we at Push call the flunk rate (see flunking).
NUS:
The National Union of Students, run by students who never grew up, provides research, welfare information and services to SUs which are affiliated. NUS is also the national body which represents and campaigns on behalf of students.
NUS Card:
You'll get your NUS card from your students' union. Guard it with your life: it can get you into nightclubs and museums for free or money off very useful things like undies, train tickets, books or even (most importantly) booze.
NVQ:
The National Vocational Qualification is usually taken when you've already got a job (or work experience) and, basically, it's a bit like your boss sending you off to study — but only the bits she really wants you to learn. They're taught at an industry-agreed standard, so employers in those industries can be keen if you've got one on your CV.
Last updated on: 27 August 2009