Acronyms and Terms
Faculties:
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FMS
HaSS
SAgE
Faculty of Medical Science
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering
Other Campuses:
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NUL
NUIS
NUMED
Newcastle University London
Newcastle University International Singapore
Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia
FMS Schools:
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BMS
SDS
SMED
PSY
School
School
School
School
of
of
of
of
Biomedical Sciences
Dental Sciences
Medical Sciences Education Development
Psychology
FMS Institutes:
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IA
ICaMB
ICM
IHS
IGM
IoN
NICR
NUMED
Institute for Ageing
Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences
Institute of Cellular Medicine
Institute of Health and Society
Institute of Genetic Medicine
Institute of Neuroscience
Northern Institute for Cancer Research
Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia
FMS Research Centres:
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BBTC
CBCB
CBE
CISBAN
CIVI
OHR
NESCI
Biopharmaceutical Bioprocessing Technology Centre
Centre for Bacterial Cell Biology
Centre for Behaviour and Evolution
Centre for Integrated Systems Biology of Ageing and Nutrition
Centre for In Vivo Imaging
Centre for Oral Health Research
North East England Stem Cell Institute
HaSS Schools:
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SACS
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SAPL
CHC
ECLS
SELLL
GPS
HCA
LAW
NUBS
PS
SML
HSSO
School of Arts and Cultures (Music, Fine Art, Media & Communication
Studies, Museum, Gallery and Heritage Studies)
School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape
Combined Honours Centre
School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences
School of English Language, Literature and Linguistics
School of Geography, Politics and Sociology
School of History, Classics & Archaeology
Newcastle University Law School
Newcastle University Business School
Philosophical Studies
School of Modern Languages
HaSS Faculty Office
1
Acronyms and Terms
HaSS Research Centres:
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CfLAT
CLACS
CRiLLS
CURDS
E G WEST
FILM
GURU
KITE
McCORD
NCLA
NICAP
NISR
NUHRI
PEALS
Centre for Learning and Teaching
Centre for Latin American and Caribbean Studies
Centre for Research in Linguistics and Language Sciences
Centre for Urban and Regional Development Studies
E G West Centre (Education)
Research Centre in Film and Digital Media
Global Urban Research Unit
Centre for Knowledge, Innovation, Technology and Enterprise
McCord Centre for Historic and Cultural Landscape
Newcastle Centre for the Literary Arts
Newcastle Institute for Creative Arts Practice
Newcastle Institute for Social Renewal
Newcastle University Humanities Research Institute
Policy, Ethics and Life Science
HaSS Doctoral Training Centres:
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NEDTC
North East Doctoral Training Centre (ESRC funded DTC with Durham)
Northern Bridge AHRC funded DTC with Durham and Queens University Belfast (QUB)
SAgE Schools:
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AFRD
BIOL
CEAM
CIVG
CHEM
COMP
MAST
MATH
MECH
SEEE
SFAC
School of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development
School of Biology
School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials
School of Civil Engineering and Geosciences
School of Chemistry
School of Computing Science
School of Marine Science and Technology
School of Mathematics and Statistics
School of Mechanical and Systems Engineering
School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
SAgE Faculty Office
SAgE Research Institutes:
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
IfS
Institute for Sustainability
Digital Institute Digital Institute
SAgE Research Centres:
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BBTC
CESER
CRE
CSR
HNRC
JQC
nanoLAB
NewRail
SWAN
Biopharmaceutical Bioprocessing Technology Centre (BBTC)
Centre for Earth Systems Engineering Research (CESER)
Centre for Rural Economy
Centre for Software Reliability
Human Nutrition Research Centre
Joint Quantum Centre Durham / Newcastle
nanoLAB Research Centre
Newcastle Centre for Railway Research
Sir Joseph Swan Centre for Energy Research
2
Acronyms and Terms
SAgE Doctoral Training Centres:
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Additive
Manufacturing
BBTC
EPSRC funded doctoral training centre led by Nottingham
Biopharmaceutical Bioprocessing Technology Centre – EPSRC funded doctoral
training centre
Cloud Computing EPSRC funded doctoral training centre
For Big Data
Diamond
EPSRC funded doctoral training centre led by Warwick
Digital Civics
EPSRC funded doctoral training centre
DREAM
NERC/ESRC funded doctoral training centre led by Cranfield
IAPETUS
NERC funded doctoral training centre led by Durham
SAgE DTA
SAge faculty funded doctoral training centre
STREAM
EPSRC funded doctoral training centre led by Cranfield
External Links (Singapore):
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EDB
MoE
NYP
NP
SIT
WDA
NS
Economic Development Board
Ministry of Education
Nanyang Polytechnic
Ngee Ann Polytechnic
Singapore Institute of Technology
Workforce Development Agency
National Service
External Bodies:
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AHRC
BBSRC
EPSRC
ESRC
HEA
HEFCE
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HESA
MRC
NERC
NUS
OFFA
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QAA
RCUK
Russell Group
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SLC
UCAS

UKVI
Arts and Humanities Research Council
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
Economic and Social Research Council
Higher Education Academy – agency responsible for improving teaching in HE
Higher Education Funding Council for England – body which funds and
regulates English HEIs
Higher Education Statistics Agency
Medical Research Council
Natural Environment Research Council
National Union of Students
Office for Fair Access – the agency charged by HEFCE with widening
participation in HE. Each year OFFA has to approve our Access Agreement.
Quality Assurance Agency – UK regulator of quality and standards
Research Councils UK
Group of research-intensive universities with medical schools of which
Newcastle is a member
Student Loans Company
University and Colleges Admissions Service – responsible for
undergraduate admissions to UK universities
United Kingdom Visa and Immigration – a division of the Home Office
responsible for immigration and visas. (Replaced UKBA – UK Border
Agency)
Committees:

BoS

BoE
Board of Studies – committee responsible for the oversight of one or more
degree programmes
Board of Examiners – which makes final decisions about degree classes
and progression
3
Acronyms and Terms

DCSG
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EB
eLSI
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ESRC
FEB
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FSG
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FLTSEC
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FMBSG
FRISG
GSC
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LATPOG
MMB
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PAC
SISG
SLTC
SESC
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SSC
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SSSG
TPSC
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ULTSEC
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URAC
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VLE SG
XFLTSEC
Digital Campus Steering Group – in charge of governance of the Digital
Campus programme
Executive Board (of the University); sometimes UEB
E-Learning and Student Information Sub-Committee - a sub-committee of
ULTSEC
Economic and Social Research Council
Faculty Executive Board – PVC, Deans, Heads of School and Research
Units, Heads of Service at faculty level
Faculty Steering Group – Faculty PVC , Deans and Service Heads
Faculty Learning, Teaching and Student Experience Committee which
reports to ULTSEC and is responsible for the oversight of quality, standards
and the taught student experience within a faculty.
Financial Monitoring and Budget Scrutiny Group - a sub-committee of UEB
Faculty Research and Innovation Strategy Group
Graduate School Committee – responsible for PGR (and PGT) provision in a
Faculty
Learning and Teaching Projects Operational Group
Module Moderation Board – informal meeting of members of the BoE prior
to the Board to review standards across modules and identify issues
needing attention
Programme approval committee – considers new programme proposals
Strategic Information Systems Group
School Learning and Teaching Committee
Student Experience Sub-Committee - a sub-committee of ULTSEC with a
focus on the student experience
Student Staff Committee – committee where student representatives can
give their opinions on their experience
Student Systems Governance Group
Taught Programmes Sub-Committee -sub-committee of ULTSEC with
oversight of the quality assurance of taught programmes.
University Learning, Teaching and Student Experience Committee –
University committee responsible for the overview of quality, standards
and the student experience
University Recruitment and Admissions Committee - responsible for
overseeing student recruitment, admissions strategy and outcomes
VLE Steering Group
Cross Faculty Learning, Teaching and Student Experience Committee –
responsible for provision which falls outside the three faculties e.g. INTO,
Career Development modules, CASAP and PARTNERS
Roles:
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DPD
DELT/HELT
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DFO
DVC
HoAU
HoS
PGR Director
PVC
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PVC
PVC
PVC
PVC
PVC
VC
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(HaSS)
(SAgE)
(FMS)
(L&T)
(R&I)
Degree Programme Director
Director (Head) of Excellence in Learning and Teaching – responsible for all
teaching in an academic unit
Director of Faculty Operations
Deputy Vice-Chancellor
Head of Academic Unit
Head of School (see above)
Director of Postgraduate Research in a School or Academic Unit
Pro-Vice-Chancellor – There are PVCs for each of the three faculties and for
cross-cutting roles. The PVCs are members of (U)EB.
Pro-Vice-Chancellor for HaSS
Pro-Vice-Chancellor for SAgE
Pro-Vice-Chancellor for FMS
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching)
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation)
Vice-Chancellor – Head of the institution
4
Acronyms and Terms
Roles (Singapore specific):
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Dean-Singapore
HAOS
COO
DOO
DTC Director
NUIS IT
Dean (Singapore) and CEO of NUIS
Head of Academic Operations (Singapore)
Chief Operating Officer
Director of Operations
Doctoral Training Centre Director
Newcastle University in Singapore Information Technician
Procedures:
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AMR
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LTR
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QAEF
Annual Monitoring and Review – annual review process for all taught
degree programmes
Learning and Teaching Review – periodic review of the programmes in a
subject area
Quality Assurance and Enhancement Framework for Research Degree
Programmes – annual review system for postgraduate research
Programmes
University Services:
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AHS
CPRS
ESS
HR
LRC
LTDS
MSRD
Accommodation and Hospitality Service
Centre for Physical Recreation and Sports
Estates Support Service
Human Resources
Language Resource Centre
Learning and Teaching Development Service
Marketing and Student Recruitment Directorate – responsible for
marketing and publicity, recruitment and admissions and international
recruitment
NUIT
Newcastle University IT Service -responsible for computing and related
services
PSS
Professional Support Services (generic terms
RES
Research and Enterprise Services – central service to support research
projects
SDU
Staff Development Unit
SPS
Student Progress Service – responsible for registration, discipline,
examinations etc.
Student Services The cluster of services including MSRD, Careers, SPS, SWS, AHS and CPRS
SWS
Student Wellbeing Service
Others:
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APL
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BGP
Blackboard
BW
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CAS
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CASAP
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CATS
Accreditation of Prior Learning – recognition of prior learning, both
accredited and experiential, on entry to a programme. Now officially rebadged
as RPL.
Block Grant Partnership - AHRC’s doctoral support scheme
Newcastle’s VLE
Business Warehouse – system which provides read only access to a
number of SAP systems, principally used to extract data.
Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies – confirmation by the University of
a place for visa purposes
Certificate in Advanced Studies in Academic Practice – UKPSF D2
qualification for new teaching staff at Newcastle
Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme – a scheme under which
students can acquire credits and accumulate them so as to eventually gain
5
Acronyms and Terms
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CAV
CBC
CBE
CDT
CELCAT
CGWS
CPD
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CRM
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CRS
CSBI
CSCBDG
CTA
CVI
D1
D2
D3
D4
DCSG
DLHE
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DTC
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ECR
EPortfolio
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ERASMUS
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Evasys
FE
FHEQ
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Grademark
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GSF
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GTA
HE
HEAR
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HEI
IELTS
ILTHE
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INSAT
IPT
ISB
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INTO NU
KIS
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LMS
LSE
LTSES
MAF
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MedSas
MOFS
MOF
a qualification or get their credits recognised elsewhere
Campus for Ageing and Vitality
Comparative Biology Centre
Centre for Behaviour and Evolution
Centre for Doctoral Training – EPSRC equivalent of DTC
Commercial software package for timetabling used in FMS
Centre for Gender and Women's Studies
Continuing Professional Development – personal updating by professionals
in any field (often now called PED)
Customer relations management, usually used in connection with systems
for keeping in touch with applicants
Contract Research Staff
Centre for Social and Business Informatics
Centre for Stem Cell Biology and Developmental Genetics
Collaborative Training Account
Corporate Visual Identity
Level of UKPSF – Associate Fellow AFHEA
Level of UKPSF – Fellow FHEA
Level of UKPSF – Senior Fellow SFHEA
Level of UKPSF – Principal Fellow PFHEA
Digital Campus Steering Group
Destination of Leavers from Higher Education – survey of graduates
employment situation 6 months after graduation carried out by the Careers
Service under HEFCE guidelines
Doctoral Training Centre – ESRC supported centre for training PhD
students
Early career researcher
The University tool for supporting personal development planning (PDP)
and personal tutoring
European Union Scheme for supporting staff and student mobility and in
particular student exchanges within Europe
system for running module and stage evaluation questionnaires
Further Education
Framework for Higher Education Qualifications – QAA Framework for UK
qualifications which sets out the categories and the requirements in terms
of level of achievement
System within Turnitin for providing feedback in the form of annotations on
the electronic script
Graduate Skills Framework – Newcastle’s set of skills which all taught
students should have the opportunity to develop
Graduate teaching assistants – PG students who do some teaching
Higher Education
Higher Education Achievement Record - a transcript of marks and other
achievements recognised by the University
higher education institution
principal English language test recognised by the Home Office
Introduction to Learning and Teaching in Higher Education – short teaching
course for graduate teaching assistants
Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology
Initial Proposal Template
International Student Barometer – international survey of the experience
of international students
INTO Newcastle University
Key Information Set – government required set of information on every
undergraduate programme
Learning Management System
Learning Support environment (VLE in FMS)
Learning, Teaching and Student Experience Strategy
Module amendment form – form to accompany a new, changed or
withdrawn module.
Medical Student Administration System
Module Outline Forms System
Module Outline Form
6
Acronyms and Terms
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MOOC
NESS
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NSS
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NTA
NuContacts
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NUSU
OWA
P2P
PARTNERS
PDP
PDR
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PEC
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PED
PeerMark
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PG
PGR
PGT
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PP
PSRB
PRES

PTES
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QA
QCF
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QE
QSH
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RAS
RDF
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ReCap
REF
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RESIN
S3P
SAMS
SAP

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SELT
SLcM
SNAF

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STEM
SIT
SAP SLcM
SIG
Massive online open course
Newcastle Elearning Support System - computer system for recording
marks
National Students Survey - annual HEFCE survey of undergraduate
students
Newcastle Teaching Award (module 1 of CASAP)
System for identifying and contacting students sortable by personal tutor,
module or programme
Newcastle University Students’ Union
Outlook web access – service for remote access to University e-mail
Procure to Pay – University system for procuring goods and services
Newcastle University scheme for widening access to the University
Personal Development Planning (see EPortfolio above)
Performance development and review – the annual appraisal for all
University staff
Personal Extenuating Circumstances – mitigating circumstances put
forward by students seeking an adjustment e.g. extension; additional
attempt and reviewed by or on behalf of the PEC Committee
Professional Executive Development – term now often used instead of CPD
System within Turnitin which allows students to evaluate fellow students’
work on the digital document
Postgraduate – Master’s and Doctoral level provision
Postgraduate Research – PhDs, MPhils.
Postgraduate Taught – master’s programmes, postgraduate diplomas and
certificates
Personal Plan
Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body (e.g. an accrediting body)
Postgraduate Research Experience Survey – survey of the experience of
research students
Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey – survey of the experience of
taught postgraduate students
Quality Assurance
Qualifications and Credit Framework – set the minimum requirements in
terms of level and number of credits for particular awards
Quality enhancement
Quality and Standards Handbook – draws together all University policies,
procedures and guidelines on maintaining quality and standards
Remote Application Service – service for remote access to University IT
Researcher Development Framework - Vitae’s (see below) framework for
skills development of PGR students
Newcastle’s system for capturing audio and screen images from lectures
Research Excellence Framework - UK system for periodically assessing
HEIs’ research performance
Research Information at Newcastle
Student Self Service Portal
Student Attendance Monitoring System
This refers to the University’s business management software. Essentially
this is a corporate database for Student Administration and Finance
amongst other applications.
Secure English Language Test, as required by Immigration rules
Student Lifecycle Management (an application in SAP)
Student Notification of Absence Form – online form for students to notify
the University of their absence from classes
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Singapore Institute of Technology
SAP Student Lifecycle Management – system for student data.
Student Information Gateway – Tab in Myworkplace portal, designed for
use by academics to view student information without having to have SAP
access.

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STFC
Syllabus+
TEA
Science & Technology Facilities Council
Institutional system for timetabling teaching
Teaching Excellence Awards – NUSU awards for excellence in teaching and
improving the student experience
7
Acronyms and Terms


TEL
TOEFL


TSE
Turning Point


Turnitin
UELA


UG
UKPSF

Vitae

VLE
Technology enhanced learning
Test of English as a Foreign Language – an American test of English
competency, sometimes used instead of IELTS but not approved by UKVI
Teaching Support Environment – medical staff facing version of LSE
A software application for gathering student responses, using handsets and
a radio frequency receiver
An internet-based plagiarism prevention service
University English Language Assessment – diagnostic assessment of
English language ability of foreign students on entry
Undergraduate
UK Professional Standards Framework - HEA framework for University
teacher development
UK body which champions the personal, professional and career
development of doctoral researchers and research staff
Virtual learning environment – web based support materials for teaching
HEFCE also has its own official acronyms list – http://www.hefce.ac.uk/acronyms/
Suggestions for additions, deletions and amendments can be sent at any time to
simon.pallett@ncl.ac.uk, as the guide will inevitably need regular updating.
8