c1Vocabulary Pack

Education & Learning

School, university, subjects and the language of studying.

64 words
English vocabulary

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64 words

Definitions in: English
Same-language deck – the back side will show definitions, and example sentences will hide the target word.
  • 1
    curriculumnounformal

    The set of courses and content offered by a school or program

    The national curriculum has been overhauled to place greater emphasis on digital literacy.

  • 2
    syllabusnounformal

    A document outlining topics, assignments, and schedule for a specific course

    The professor handed out the syllabus on the first day and warned us not to fall behind.

  • 3
    dissertationnounformal

    A long piece of academic writing, especially for a doctoral degree

    She spent three years collecting data for her dissertation on climate migration.

  • 4
    thesisnounformal

    A long essay or research paper, especially for a master's degree; also the central argument of an essay

    I'm defending my master's thesis next week and I'm absolutely terrified.

  • 5
    pedagogynounformaltechnical

    The theory and practice of teaching

    Progressive pedagogy encourages students to learn through exploration rather than memorization.

  • 6
    academianounformal

    The world of universities, scholars, and higher education

    After twenty years in academia, she decided to move into the private sector.

  • 7
    tenurenounformaltechnical

    Permanent employment status granted to a professor after a probationary period

    She was denied tenure despite having an impressive publication record.

  • 8
    accreditationnounformal

    Official recognition that a school or program meets certain quality standards

    The university lost its accreditation after an investigation revealed serious academic fraud.

  • 9
    matriculateverbformal

    To formally enroll or be admitted as a student at a university

    Students who matriculate in September must complete orientation the week before.

  • 10
    seminarnounneutral

    A small class focused on discussion, or a professional training session

    The graduate seminar only has twelve students, so there's nowhere to hide if you haven't done the reading.

  • 11
    symposiumnounformal

    A formal conference or meeting where experts present and discuss a topic

    The annual symposium on neuroscience attracts researchers from over thirty countries.

  • 12
    plagiarismnounformal

    Presenting someone else's work or ideas as your own without proper credit

    The student was expelled for plagiarism after submitting an essay copied from the internet.

  • 13
    sabbaticalnounformal

    A period of paid leave granted to a professor for research or travel

    Professor Chen is on sabbatical this semester – she's doing fieldwork in Peru.

  • 14
    extracurricularadjectiveneutral

    Describing activities outside the regular academic program

    Admissions officers look at extracurricular activities as well as grades.

  • 15
    prerequisitenounformal

    A course or condition that must be completed before enrolling in another

    Calculus I is a prerequisite for all advanced engineering courses.

  • 16
    electivenounneutral

    A course chosen by the student that is not mandatory

    I took a film studies elective in my final year just for fun.

  • 17
    interdisciplinaryadjectiveformal

    Involving two or more academic fields or subjects

    The university launched an interdisciplinary program combining data science and public health.

  • 18
    undergraduatenounneutral

    A student pursuing their first university degree

    As an undergraduate, I had no idea how much harder graduate school would be.

  • 19
    scholarshipnounneutral

    Financial award given to a student based on merit or need

    She won a full scholarship to study law at Harvard.

  • 20
    fellowshipnounformal

    A funded position or grant for advanced academic research

    He was awarded a prestigious fellowship to study abroad for two years.

  • 21
    deannounformal

    A senior official in a university responsible for a particular area

    The dean of the law school addressed the incoming class at orientation.

  • 22
    enrollmentnounneutral

    The process of registering for courses or the total number of registered students

    Enrollment in STEM programs has doubled in the last five years.

  • 23
    commencementnounformalAmerican English

    A graduation ceremony at a school or university

    The commencement speaker urged graduates to stay curious and take risks.

  • 24
    vocationaladjectiveneutral

    Relating to training for a specific trade or occupation

    Vocational programs in plumbing and electrical work are seeing a surge in applications.

  • 25
    rote learningnounneutral

    Memorization through repetition without deep understanding

    Critics argue that rote learning produces students who can pass exams but can't think critically.

  • 26
    critical thinkingnounneutral

    The ability to analyze information objectively and make reasoned judgments

    The course is designed to develop critical thinking skills rather than just test factual recall.

  • 27
    peer reviewnounformaltechnical

    Evaluation of academic work by others in the same field

    The paper went through rigorous peer review before being accepted for publication.

  • 28
    dropoutnounneutral

    A person who leaves school or university before completing their course

    The high school dropout rate in the district has fallen by fifteen percent since the new program started.

  • 29
    expulsionnounformal

    The act of permanently removing a student from a school

    Expulsion is a last resort – the school tries every other intervention first.

  • 30
    truancynounformal

    The practice of staying away from school without permission

    Chronic truancy is often a sign of deeper problems at home.

  • 31
    rubricnounformaltechnical

    A set of criteria used to assess and grade student work

    The rubric clearly states that originality counts for thirty percent of the overall mark.

  • 32
    courseworknounneutral

    Work assigned as part of a course, as opposed to exams

    Coursework accounts for sixty percent of the final grade in this module.

  • 33
    auditverbformal

    To attend a course without receiving credit or a grade

    Retired professionals often audit courses at the local university just for the love of learning.

  • 34
    adjunctnounformaltechnical

    A part-time or temporary instructor at a university

    Many adjuncts teach at two or three universities just to make ends meet.

  • 35
    academic probationnounformal

    A warning status for students whose grades fall below the required standard

    If your GPA drops below 2.0, you'll be placed on academic probation.

  • 36
    cramverbinformal

    To study intensively in a short period before an exam

    I spent the entire night cramming for my organic chemistry final.

  • 37
    grade point averagenounneutral

    A numerical measure of a student's academic performance across courses

    You need a grade point average of at least 3.5 to be eligible for the honors program.

  • 38
    remedialadjectiveformal

    Intended to correct or improve weak academic skills

    Nearly a third of incoming freshmen were placed in remedial math courses.

  • 39
    endowmentnounformal

    A fund of money donated to an institution, the income from which supports it

    Harvard's endowment is worth tens of billions of dollars.

  • 40
    mentornounneutral

    An experienced person who guides and advises a less experienced one

    My PhD mentor taught me not just how to do research, but how to think like a researcher.

  • 41
    assessmentnounformal

    The process of evaluating student learning and performance

    Continuous assessment is replacing traditional end-of-year exams in many schools.

  • 42
    tenure-trackadjectiveformaltechnical

    Describing a position that may lead to permanent academic employment

    Tenure-track positions are becoming increasingly scarce in the humanities.

  • 43
    stipendnounformal

    A regular fixed payment to a student or trainee, usually for living expenses

    The PhD stipend barely covers rent in an expensive city like London.

  • 44
    dissertation defensenounformaltechnical

    A formal oral examination in which a doctoral candidate presents and defends their research

    Her dissertation defense lasted nearly three hours, but the committee was very impressed.

  • 45
    lecture hallnounneutral

    A large room designed for lectures with tiered seating

    The lecture hall seats three hundred students, and it's full every Monday morning.

  • 46
    academic integritynounformal

    The ethical code and moral standards expected in academic work

    The university takes academic integrity very seriously – violations can result in expulsion.

  • 47
    alma maternounformal

    The school or university where a person studied

    He donates generously to his alma mater every year out of gratitude for the education he received.

  • 48
    Ivy Leaguenounneutral

    A group of eight prestigious universities in the northeastern United States

    Getting into an Ivy League school is incredibly competitive – the acceptance rate is under ten percent.

  • 49
    learning curvenounneutral

    The rate at which someone acquires new skills or knowledge

    There's a steep learning curve in the first semester of medical school.

  • 50
    alumninounneutral

    Former students or graduates of a school or university (plural)

    The alumni association organizes networking events for recent graduates.

  • 51
    postgraduateadjectiveformal

    Relating to study undertaken after completing a first degree

    She's doing postgraduate research in molecular biology at Cambridge.

  • 52
    facultynounformal

    The teaching staff of a university or a division within a university

    The faculty voted overwhelmingly against the proposed budget cuts.

  • 53
    tuitionnounneutral

    Fees charged for instruction at a school or university (AmE); teaching or instruction (BrE)

    Tuition fees have risen sharply over the past decade, putting higher education out of reach for many.

  • 54
    flunkverbinformal

    To fail an exam or course

    I flunked my driving test twice before finally passing on the third attempt.

  • 55
    aceverbinformal

    To perform extremely well on a test or assignment

    She aced every exam without even seeming to break a sweat.

  • 56
    hit the booksverb phraseinformalcolloquial

    To start studying seriously

    The exam is in three days – I really need to hit the books tonight.

  • 57
    valedictoriannounformal

    The student with the highest academic standing who gives a speech at graduation

    The valedictorian gave a moving speech about overcoming adversity.

  • 58
    plagiarizeverbformal

    To use someone else's work or ideas and present them as your own

    If you plagiarize even a single paragraph, you risk failing the entire course.

  • 59
    dean's listnounneutral

    A list of students recognized for high academic achievement

    She made the dean's list every semester throughout her entire undergraduate career.

  • 60
    publish or perishnoun phraseneutral

    The pressure on academics to continually publish research to maintain their careers

    The publish-or-perish mentality pushes some researchers to prioritize quantity over quality.

  • 61
    enrolmentnounneutralBritish English

    British English spelling of the act of officially registering at an institution, or the number of registered students.

    Late enrolment may limit which optional modules are still available.

    Registering late may limit which optional modules are still available.

  • 62
    plagiariseverbneutralBritish English

    British English spelling of the verb meaning to use another person's words or ideas without proper attribution.

    Any student found to plagiarise their coursework faces disciplinary action.

    Any student found to copy their coursework without attribution faces disciplinary action.

  • 63
    vivanounneutralBritish English

    British English word for the oral examination in which a postgraduate candidate defends their thesis before examiners.

    She spent weeks rehearsing answers before her viva.

    She spent weeks rehearsing answers before her oral thesis examination.

  • 64
    graduate schoolnounneutralAmerican English

    American English term for the division of a university offering study beyond the bachelor's degree.

    After earning her bachelor's, she went straight on to graduate school.

    After earning her bachelor's, she went straight on to postgraduate study.

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Education comes up whenever you talk about your background, plans or opinions, and this pack covers the field. Learn academic vocabulary for subjects, educational levels, and the language of studying, exams and campus life. Built for intermediate and advanced learners, it gives you the words to discuss your studies, describe a school system, and take part in conversations about learning.

Other levels of Education & Learning

More English vocabulary at C1