Database

An electronic collection of information, often containing journal articles.

Dean

The head of a university faculty

Debt

This is the amount of money that many students find they need to repay at the end of their studies. Most students do leave university with some debt - either to the Student Loans Company or to a bank. Student Loans do not have to be repaid until you reach a certain level of income - the amount varies each year according to average earnings. Bank loans often have to be repaid on graduation.

Degree

A qualification awarded by a university after the satisfactory completion of the equivalent of three years of full-time study at university level. Foundation degrees may be awarded after two years of study.

Departmental Office

Each faculty has a Departmental Office, which is the administrative base for their courses, run by the Department Administrator. Ensure you know where your department office is located. You must keep the Department Administrator informed of all matters relating to your records - changing address, being absent through illness or other reasons.

Dewey Decimal Classification

A library classification scheme that divides items into subject areas to make them easier to find.

Dissertation

An exercise written for the award of a degree or diploma, on a topic determined by the student, after consulting the tutor, which involves an element of original research or extensive reading.

Download

To transfer computer files or data from a one place to another or onto a disk.