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Study abroad glossary

74 terms you will meet when applying abroad, for MBBS abroad and for online degrees, explained in plain words. Updated 25 Oct 2026.

Applications

APS certificateAkademische PrüfstelleGermany
A check of your Indian academic documents by the APS office at the German Embassy in New Delhi. Indian students need it before applying for a German student visa. APS India
Conditional offer
An offer of a place that you accept now but that becomes final only when you meet the listed conditions, such as your final marks or an English test score.
Deferral
Moving your offer to a later intake, usually the next one. Not every university or course allows it, and some keep your deposit only for one deferral.
ECTSEuropean Credit Transfer and Accumulation SystemEurope
The credit system used in European universities. One year of full-time study is usually 60 ECTS credits.
Foundation year
A one-year preparation course before a bachelor's degree, for students whose school qualifications do not meet direct entry.
Intake
The month a course starts and new students join, for example the September or January intake. Most countries have one main intake and one smaller one.
LORLetter of Recommendation
A letter from a teacher or employer describing your ability and character. Master's applications usually ask for one or two.
MOI letterMedium of Instruction letter
A letter from your previous college confirming you were taught in English. Some universities accept it in place of an English test, but a visa may still need a test.
Pathway programme
A preparation course, often run by a partner college on campus, that leads into the second year of a bachelor's or into a master's if you pass at the set level.
Personal statementUK
The essay sent with an undergraduate application through UCAS. One statement goes to all the universities you apply to.
Pre-sessional English
A short English course before your degree starts, for students slightly below the required English score.
SOPStatement of Purpose
A one- or two-page essay explaining why you want this course at this university and how it fits your plans. Some countries call it a personal statement. Our SOP guide
Transcript
The official record of your subjects and marks for each year or semester, issued by your school or university.
UCASUniversities and Colleges Admissions ServiceUK
The central system for applying to undergraduate courses in the UK. You can choose up to five courses in one application. ucas.com
Unconditional offer
An offer with no conditions left to meet. You usually need it before the university can issue the document you need for the visa.
uni-assistGermany
A service that checks international applications on behalf of many German universities before they decide. uni-assist.de

English tests

Band score
An IELTS score for one skill or overall, from 0 to 9 in half bands. Universities often set both an overall band and a minimum for each skill.
CEFRCommon European Framework of Reference for Languages
A scale of language level from A1 (beginner) to C2 (near-native). Visa rules often state English levels as B1, B2 and so on.
Duolingo English Test
An online English test taken at home. Accepted by some universities for admission but not by most visa systems.
GRE / GMAT
Aptitude tests some master's courses ask for. GRE is common for science and engineering; GMAT for business and MBA programmes.
IELTS Academic
The version of IELTS used for university admission. Scores run from 0 to 9 in bands for listening, reading, writing and speaking. IELTS preparation
IELTS for UKVIUK
IELTS taken at a centre approved by UK Visas and Immigration. Needed for some UK visas, such as for courses below degree level.
IELTS General Training
The version of IELTS used mainly for work and migration, not for most university admissions.
PTE Academic
Pearson's computer-based English test. Scores run from 10 to 90 and results usually come within a few days. PTE preparation
SELTSecure English Language TestUK
An English test approved by the UK Home Office for visa purposes, such as IELTS for UKVI or PTE Academic UKVI.
TOEFL iBT
An English test by ETS, scored out of 120. Widely accepted in the US and by many universities elsewhere.

Visas

Biometrics
Fingerprints and a photo taken at a visa application centre as part of most student visa applications.
CASConfirmation of Acceptance for StudiesUK
An electronic reference number your UK university issues once your offer is final and any deposit is paid. You need it to apply for the Student visa.
CoEConfirmation of EnrolmentAustralia
The document your Australian education provider issues after you accept the offer and pay the deposit. You need it for the Student visa.
Credibility interviewUK
A short interview by the university or the Home Office to check that you are a genuine student and understand your course.
CRICOSCommonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas StudentsAustralia
The official list of Australian providers and courses allowed to enrol international students on a Student visa.
DLIDesignated Learning InstitutionCanada
A school approved by a Canadian province to host international students. You can get a study permit only for a DLI.
eVisaUK
The UK's online record of your immigration status, which has replaced the physical biometric residence permit (BRP) card.
Genuine Student (GS) requirementAustralia
Questions in the Australian Student visa application about your study plans and circumstances, used to check you intend to study. It replaced the older GTE statement in 2024.
Graduate RouteUK
The UK's post-study work visa for students who complete a degree. The length depends on the degree and on when you apply. Study in the UK
I-20USA
The form a US university issues to admitted international students. You need it to pay the SEVIS fee and apply for an F-1 visa.
IHSImmigration Health SurchargeUK
A fee paid with the UK visa application that lets you use the National Health Service. It is charged per year of the visa. GOV.UK
OPTOptional Practical TrainingUSA
Work permission in the US related to your field of study, usually up to 12 months, with a possible extension for STEM degrees.
PAL / TALProvincial / Territorial Attestation LetterCanada
A letter from the province or territory confirming you fall within its study permit allocation. Most new study permit applicants need one; IRCC lists who is exempt. IRCC
PGWPPost-Graduation Work PermitCanada
An open work permit for graduates of eligible Canadian programmes, valid for up to three years. Study in Canada
Stamp 2 / Stamp 1GIreland
Irish immigration permissions: Stamp 2 is for full-time students; Stamp 1G is for graduates looking for work after their studies. Study in Ireland
Study permitCanada
The document that allows you to study in Canada. It is approved before you travel and issued when you arrive.
Subclass 485Australia
Australia's Temporary Graduate visa, which lets eligible graduates stay and work after their studies. Study in Australia
Subclass 500Australia
Australia's Student visa.

Money

Blocked accountSperrkontoGermany
A German bank account holding one year's living money, from which you can withdraw only a set amount each month. The amount is set each year by the German government.
Co-applicant
A parent or relative who signs the education loan with the student and shares responsibility for repaying it.
Collateral
Property, a fixed deposit or other security pledged to the bank against a loan.
Education loan
A loan for tuition and living costs, repaid after the course. Loans with collateral (property or deposits) usually have lower interest than loans without.
GICGuaranteed Investment CertificateCanada
A deposit with a Canadian bank that many students use to show living funds. The money is paid back to you in instalments after you arrive.
LRSLiberalised Remittance Scheme
The RBI scheme under which Indian residents send money abroad, including for education, up to a yearly limit. RBI
Moratorium period
The time, usually the course length plus a few months, when you do not have to repay the loan. Interest may still be added during it.
OSHCOverseas Student Health CoverAustralia
Health insurance international students must hold for the whole Student visa in Australia.
Proof of funds
Evidence that you can pay your tuition and living costs, such as bank statements, an education loan sanction letter or a GIC. Each country sets the amount and how long the money must be held.
Sanction letter
The bank's letter confirming the approved loan amount and terms. Many visa applications accept it as proof of funds.
Scholarship vs bursary
Both reduce what you pay. A scholarship is usually based on merit; a bursary is usually based on financial need. Scholarship finder
Section 80E
An Indian income tax deduction on the interest paid on an education loan, available for up to eight years.
Semester contributionGermany
A fee paid each semester at German public universities, even where tuition is free. It usually covers student services and often a local transport ticket.
TCS on foreign remittanceTax Collected at Source
Tax a bank may collect when you send money abroad under LRS. The rate and threshold for education depend on the amount and on whether it is funded by a loan; ask your bank for the current rules.

MBBS abroad

Clinical rotation
Training on hospital wards during the later years of a medical degree. Under the FMGL Regulations, the whole course, including this training and the internship, must be done at the same foreign university.
FMGEForeign Medical Graduate Examination
The screening test foreign medical graduates take to register in India, run by the National Board of Examinations, until NExT replaces it. natboard.edu.in
FMGL Regulations 2021Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Regulations
NMC rules for students who began a foreign medical course from November 2021. They set the course length, the internship, the medium of teaching and the requirement to be eligible for a licence in that country. MBBS Abroad
MD (abroad)
In many countries, such as Georgia, the basic medical degree is called MD (Doctor of Medicine). It is equal to an Indian MBBS, not to an Indian postgraduate MD.
NEET-UGNational Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate)
India's medical entrance exam. Indian students must qualify NEET-UG to study medicine abroad and later practise in India. NTA
NMCNational Medical Commission
India's medical regulator. Its rules decide whether a foreign medical degree lets you register and practise in India. nmc.org.in
WDOMSWorld Directory of Medical Schools
A global list of medical schools. Being listed is useful to check, but it does not on its own mean a degree meets NMC rules. wdoms.org

Online degrees

ABC IDAcademic Bank of Credits
A government ID that stores the credits you earn, so they can count towards a degree. Many universities ask for it at admission. abc.gov.in
LMSLearning Management System
The website or app where an online programme's lectures, assignments and results are kept.
NAAC gradeNational Assessment and Accreditation Council
A quality grade given to Indian universities (A++ is highest). UGC rules link the right to run online programmes partly to this grade.
NIRFNational Institutional Ranking Framework
The Indian government's yearly ranking of universities and colleges.
Online vs ODLOpen and Distance Learning
Online programmes are taught and examined online; ODL (distance) programmes use study material with contact classes. UGC approves them separately.
Proctored exam
An online exam watched through your webcam, by a person or software, to make sure no one cheats.
UGC-DEBUniversity Grants Commission, Distance Education Bureau
The part of UGC that approves universities to run online and distance programmes. Approval is given for specific programmes and academic sessions. deb.ugc.ac.in
UGC-entitled
A university allowed by UGC to offer a particular online programme in a given session. Under UGC rules such online degrees are meant to be treated as equal to regular ones.

Rules and amounts change; each term links to the official page or our guide where you can check the current position. Missing a term? Ask in the chat at the bottom right.

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