Glossary

31 glossary terms

Addenda

Updates to the original information are known as "addenda". eINFO records all addenda items in a list, so that you can refer to it and know what has changed since you last visited the site.

Additional Admission Criteria

Certain programs require you to provide additional information to be considered for admission. These additional admission criteria can include evaluation forms, reference forms or autobiographical letters. In some instances, students must attend an interview or audition, or submit a portfolio. Make note of any additional admission criteria that may apply to you and follow up with the university if you require assistance.

Alternative Offers

If you are not admitted to the specific program you applied to, the university may provide an offer of admission to a different (alternative) program.

Award

Given to recognize a person’s merit and accomplishments, according to criteria outlined by the person or institution granting the award. An award may be monetary or it may be signified by certificates, trophies or other public acknowledgements. It does not require repayment.

Bursary

A monetary award that is granted to a student based on financial need. A bursary does not require repayment.

CanTEST

CanTEST is administered through the University of Ottawa to test English-language proficiency.

Co-operative Education

An educational system that allows students to combine academic studies and practical work experience in their field of study to earn credit toward a degree. Co-op education programs vary widely in how and when you apply to them, how the university implements them, and how you obtain a practical work placement once enrolled.

On eINFO, the following co-op definitions are used:

  • Not available: Co-op is not offered with that program.
     
  • Co-op program: The program is co-op only – you must complete a co-op work placement to achieve the degree.
  • Co-op option available with this program: When you apply to the program, you may choose whether you want to complete a co-op work placement.
  • Co-op available with a different program code: The university offers co-op with this program but you will need to apply using a different code. Return to the university’s list of programs and find the specific co-op program code.
  • Co-op or internship application available at the university after registration: To complete a co-op work placement with this program, you must apply to the co-op option after you are registered at the university in this program.
  • Co-op available by major: Co-op is only available with certain subjects of major interest within this program. Visit the university’s website or contact the university directly to obtain further information about which subjects have a co-op component.
  • Practicum or internship option available: You may choose whether to complete a practicum or internship placement when you enroll in the program.
     
  • Co-op or internship option available with this program: You may choose whether you want to complete a co-op or an internship placement when you enroll in the program.

Degree

A formal, academic recognition that a student successfully completed a university-level degree program. You can enter an undergraduate degree program (also called a bachelor’s degree or baccalaureate) directly from high school.

An undergraduate program generally requires 3 or 4 years of full-time university study to complete.

An honours degree usually involves a higher level of concentration and achievement within the honours subject and may require additional credits. There are many types of undergraduate degrees.

Enrollment

The number of students who enroll in the first year of a given program in the previous academic year. This number varies each year, according to the number and quality of applicants. It is not a cut-off point or enrollment limit but a general guideline.

Grade Range

The admission average for a program in the previous academic year. This range varies each year, according to the number and quality of applicants. It is not a cut-off point or enrollment limit but a general guideline.

Grant

Funds given to a student for a specific purpose, such as specialized research or academic projects. A grant does not require repayment.

Internship

A program that provides hands-on work experience in an occupation or profession, often a component of an educational program. It is a temporary position that may be paid or unpaid, part-time or full-time.

OUAC Program Code

A 2- or 3-letter code assigned to a university program and used to apply through the OUAC application.

Practicum

A component of a university course that consists of supervised practical work.

Prerequisites

Requirements (such as courses and English-language proficiency) that a student must successfully complete before they can register in a particular program.

Professional Program

A program of advanced learning that leads to an occupation governed by a mandatory regulatory body. Members of the profession must complete a licensing exam before they can actively practice and must keep their credentials current, through additional education mandated by the regulatory body. Professional programs include medicine, law, teacher education, rehabilitation sciences, dentistry, optometry, pharmacy, nursing, etc.

Renewable Scholarship

A scholarship that can be received for more than 1 year. Each year, the recipient must meet the university’s stated criteria to continue receiving the scholarship.

Scholarship

Financial aid provided to a student to fund their academic studies. Unlike a loan, a scholarship does not require repayment. Scholarships are granted based on criteria outlined by the person or institution granting the award, including academic merit, financial need, extracurricular activities or other distinctions. You may have to apply for certain scholarships, and you may be automatically considered for others.

On eINFO, the following scholarship terms are used:

  • Application Required: You must submit an application to be considered for the award.
  • Application Not Required: You are automatically considered for the scholarship when you apply to the university. No application is necessary.
  • Renewable: A scholarship that can be received for more than 1 year, if the stated criteria are met each year.
     
  • Non-renewable: A scholarship that is awarded for 1 year only.

Subject of Major Interest

A subject of major interest is a specialization within a general degree program. For example, a university might have a degree called "Arts", but through that program, you could potentially study a number of subjects of major interest, including History, Drama, Economics, English, French, Sociology, Philosophy, etc. Usually you will be asked to choose your "subject of major interest" when you apply for the general degree program.

Undergraduate

A level of university study for which the student will receive a bachelor's degree upon completing.

York English Language Test

The York English Language Test (YELT) test evaluates your ability to read, write, comprehend and speak English at a university level. It also helps determine whether you require additional English as a Second Language (ESL) courses as part of your university program.