Glossary

  • Independent Study - you can apply for it if your research work for the university as well as your grades are outstanding. The IS enables you to drop certain classes and focus on others, and implement a part of your programme at a different faculty. A decision on the IS is made by the Faculty Council based on the student's application and consent of his/her research tutor.
  • 15-minute grace period - students and lecturers alike are allowed to be late for classes by 15 minutes without negative consequences. Unfortunately, it is arbitrary and certain lecturers do not accept latecomers at all.
  • Clearance sheet - a form you need to fill out get approvals before you can receive your diploma and complete your studies. To get the clearance, you need, for instance, the approval of university libraries.
  • Year Tutor - a member of scientific staff assigned to assist students at a given year. Freshmen may need one in particular.
  • ECTS points - points in the European Credit Transfer System. Each course that ends with a grade has a certain number of points, or credits, assigned to it. During an academic year, a student should collect 60 credits for the completion of his/her courses.
  • Study Plan - contains information about courses included in a specific study. The plan lists names of courses, number of hours, ECTS points, form of classes and the form of completion. However, it is futile effort to look for names of your lecturers or hours of lectures in the plan.
  • Traineeship - form of practice included in the curriculum or specialization that tests student’s practical application of theoretical content taught.
  • Study Regulations - set of rules defining the organization and course of studying, as well as relevant students’ rights and obligations. It is advisable to read it to make your university life easier.
  • Seminar - a form of teaching at the final year of studies designed to prepare you for the defense of your BA/BSc. or MA theses.
  • Student representative - a person elected by students of a given year or a group to represent their interests before year tutor, council of student government and lecturers. The representative may also be responsible for communication with lecturers and setting of examination or approval dates.
  • The representative is always the best informed person in a group or a year.
  • Commencement - end of studies ceremony. It is not equivalent to the completion of studies but its objective is to motivate students when they symbolically say farewell to the university.
  • Exercises/conversation and laboratory classes - mandatory classes mostly based on lectures and discussions. Usually, attendance at such classes is checked and people running them, for unknown reason, expect students to be active and prepared.
  • Duty/consultation hours - time when teachers can be approached by students individually. It is an ideal opportunity to make up for a test or an absence.
  • Scholarship - a grant or a payment in the form of welfare or rector’s scholarship (for particular scientific, sports or artistic achievements).
  • Diploma Supplement - a document attached to your diploma. It contains details about your skills and knowledge. The Supplement is not a substitute of a diploma and does not allow you to get an automatic recognition of your diploma abroad.
  • Dean’s leave (i.e. sabbatical) - granted by the dean upon the student’s request to have a break in studying for a maximum period of one year. Your student card remains valid during the leave.
  • USOS (University Student Service System) - a IT system used for the management of your studies. It enables to deal with specific matters related to your studies on-line. The USOS contains your study plan, grades from tests and examinations, and it is often used to subscribe to classes and examinations.
  • EXAMINATION SESSION
  • Session - time when day merges with night and sales of coffee surges. It catches students by surprise twice a year. It occurs at the end of winter and summer semesters. S.E.S.S.I.O.N can be translated as the System for Elimination of Students Sometimes In OperatioN.
  • Early examination - possibility of taking an exam earlier, usually on favorable terms. Not all teachers allow for such an option.
  • Re-sit examination - if you fail your examination or do not get an approval, you can always retake your exam. Re-sit examination or approval deadline can be set not earlier than 7 days after examination results are announced.
  • September Session - a play-off to summer examination session, or a time for free-of-charge re-sit exams or exams proper. Nothing to worry about, true patriots fight the September Campaign!
  • Conditional approval - possibility to continue your studies despite failure to get the approval of a course.

Glossary has been developed by members of the Student Government, Faulty of Political Science and Journalism