Understand application terms in plain language
For each term, see what it means, where it appears in the process and which official source to check.
UCAS
Universities and Colleges Admissions Service
The central service used for most undergraduate applications in the United Kingdom.
- Where is it used?
- United Kingdom · undergraduate research and applications
CAO
Central Applications Office
The central applications office used for most undergraduate programmes in Ireland.
- Where is it used?
- Ireland · undergraduate applications
Studielink
Studielink (Dutch national application system)
The national online system where applications and enrolment for Dutch higher education begin.
- Where is it used?
- Netherlands · undergraduate and postgraduate applications
Universitaly
Universitaly (Italian higher education portal)
Italy s official higher-education portal, also used for international pre-enrolment.
- Where is it used?
- Italy · course research and university pre-enrolment
uni-assist
Arbeits- und Servicestelle für internationale Studienbewerbungen e.V.
An application service that checks international documents for participating German universities.
- Where is it used?
- Germany · document review and selected university applications
APS
Akademische Prüfstelle (academic assessment centre)
A certificate from an Academic Evaluation Centre that verifies academic documents. It applies only to specified countries and cases.
- Where is it used?
- Germany · document verification for applicants from specified countries
VPD
Vorprüfungsdokumentation (preliminary assessment document)
A preliminary review document issued by uni-assist and submitted by the applicant directly to the university.
- Where is it used?
- Germany · before applying to selected universities
ISEE
Indicatore della Situazione Economica Equivalente
An official indicator of household finances in Italy, used in some tuition and student-support assessments.
- Where is it used?
- Italy · tuition and student-support assessment
DSU
Diritto allo Studio Universitario
The general name for regional right-to-study support in Italian higher education.
- Where is it used?
- Italy · regional student support and scholarship applications
ECTS
European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System
The European credit system used to describe workload and support credit recognition and transfer.
- Where is it used?
- European Higher Education Area · workload and credit recognition
Blocked account
Sperrkonto
A type of proof of funds for Germany in which money is held with defined withdrawal limits.
- Where is it used?
- Germany · student visa and proof of funds
Degree equivalence
YÖK qualification equivalence
The formal assessment of whether a qualification earned abroad is equivalent to a Turkish qualification.
- Where is it used?
- Türkiye · assessment of foreign qualifications
Recognition
YÖK institution recognition
A check of whether an institution and its education status are officially recognised; it is not the same as degree equivalence.
- Where is it used?
- Türkiye · institution and higher-education status checks
Conditional offer
conditional offer / Zulassung mit Auflage
An offer that requires specified language or academic conditions to be met later. The written offer states the conditions.
- Where is it used?
- University admission · outstanding language or academic conditions
Motivation letter
personal statement / statement of purpose
An application statement explaining the applicant's choice, preparation and goals. The required format varies by institution.
- Where is it used?
- University application · academic motivation
Transcript
transcript of records
An official academic record listing courses, grades and often credits.
- Where is it used?
- Undergraduate and postgraduate applications · academic history
Apostille
Apostille (Hague Convention authentication)
A certificate that authenticates a signature or seal so a public document can be used in another Convention country.
- Where is it used?
- Cross-border use of public documents · depending on country and document
CAS
Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies
The electronic confirmation a UK school issues for the student visa; the application cannot be made without this reference.
- Where is it used?
- United Kingdom · after admission, before the visa
I-20, SEVIS ve F-1
Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status (Form I-20)
The I-20 issued by the US school, the SEVIS record and the F-1 student visa based on them. The SEVIS I-901 fee is separate from the visa fee.
- Where is it used?
- USA · after admission, before the visa
ILEP
Interim List of Eligible Programmes
Ireland's official list of programmes international students may enrol on. The student permission and the right to work depend on it.
- Where is it used?
- Ireland · choosing a school and programme
Stamp 2
Stamp 2 (Irish student residence permission)
The immigration registration given to students in Ireland. The right to work 20 hours a week in term and up to 40 in set holiday periods depends on it.
- Where is it used?
- Ireland · registration after arrival
CRICOS
Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students
Australia's official register of institutions and courses that may enrol international students. A student visa is issued only for registered courses.
- Where is it used?
- Australia · choosing a school and course
OSHC
Overseas Student Health Cover
The health cover required for an Australian student visa. It must cover the whole visa period and is a separate budget item.
- Where is it used?
- Australia · visa file
Studienkolleg
Studienkolleg (university preparatory institution)
The preparatory college in Germany for applicants whose school-leaving certificate does not give direct university entry. It ends with a qualification examination.
- Where is it used?
- Germany · before the undergraduate application
Numerus fixus
Numerus fixus / limited-enrolment programme
The selection procedure for capped-intake programmes in the Netherlands. Their application deadline is much earlier than for other programmes.
- Where is it used?
- Netherlands · programme choice and timetable
TWV
Tewerkstellingsvergunning (work permit)
The work permit a Dutch employer must obtain for a student to work for pay. The permit is issued to the employer, not the student.
- Where is it used?
- Netherlands · work planning
Kvote 1 ve Kvote 2
kvote 1 / kvote 2 (Danimarka kota sistemi)
The two quotas Danish undergraduate applications are assessed under. Applications with a foreign diploma mostly fall into the second quota, which has an earlier deadline.
- Where is it used?
- Denmark · undergraduate application
UNEDasiss ve PCE
UNEDasiss (Spanish international student accreditation)
The accreditation system used in Spain to recognise a foreign school-leaving certificate for university entry, and the subject examinations some programmes require.
- Where is it used?
- Spain · before the undergraduate application
IPREM
Indicador Público de Renta de Efectos Múltiples
The income indicator used as a reference in Spanish official procedures. The funds required for a student visa are expressed as a multiple of it.
- Where is it used?
- Spain · visa file
KHDA
Knowledge and Human Development Authority
The authority that licenses and regulates education providers in Dubai. A school's KHDA licence is the first thing to verify before enrolling.
- Where is it used?
- Dubai · choosing a school
MOHRE
Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation
The UAE ministry that regulates work permits. A student's part-time work permit is obtained here by the employer.
- Where is it used?
- Dubai · work planning
Jobsplus
Jobsplus (Malta istihdam kurumu)
Malta's employment agency. A student's work licence application goes through it and becomes possible after the first 12 weeks.
- Where is it used?
- Malta · work planning
ELT Council
English Language Teaching Council (Malta)
The official body that licenses English language schools in Malta. This licence is the first thing to verify when choosing a school.
- Where is it used?
- Malta · choosing a language school
Common App
Common Application
The shared online undergraduate application platform used by many US universities. Each university may also ask its own additional questions.
- Where is it used?
- USA · undergraduate application