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Study abroad words, explained

ECTS, CAS, I-20, blocked account, foundation year and the other words you meet when applying abroad, in plain language.

By the Studies Multiverse team · checked 26 September 2026 against each official page · how we check

ECTS
The European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System. One year of full-time study is usually 60 ECTS credits, so a three-year bachelor’s is about 180. Official page
Bologna Process
The agreement between European countries that made degrees comparable: bachelor’s, then master’s, then doctorate, measured in ECTS. Official page
Diploma Supplement
A standard document issued with a European degree that describes what was studied, so other countries can understand it. Official page
CEFR
The European scale of language ability, from A1 (beginner) to C2 (mastery). Universities often ask for B2 or C1. Official page
Foundation year
A preparatory year before a bachelor’s for students whose school certificate or English does not meet the entry requirements. Official page
Studienkolleg
Germany’s preparatory course, usually one year, for students whose school certificate does not give direct entry to a German university. It ends with the Feststellungsprüfung. Official page
Proof of funds
The money a visa office wants to see in your account to cover living costs. It is set by each government and is separate from tuition. More
Blocked account (Sperrkonto)
In Germany, a bank account holding a year’s living money that releases a fixed amount each month; the usual way to prove funds for a German student visa. Official page
CAS
Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies: the reference number a UK university gives you once you have an unconditional offer. You need it to apply for a UK Student visa. Official page
I-20
The form a US school issues so you can apply for an F-1 student visa. Official page
CoE (Australia)
Confirmation of Enrolment: the document an Australian provider issues after you accept an offer and pay a deposit; you need it for the student visa. Official page
Letter of acceptance (Canada)
The letter from a Canadian school that admits you; you need it, and usually a provincial attestation letter, to apply for a study permit. Official page
Post-study work
A permission to stay and work, or look for work, after you graduate. Its length and conditions differ by country. More
Apostille
An official certificate that makes a public document from one country valid in another country that has signed the Hague Apostille Convention. Official page
ENIC-NARIC
The network of national centres that give information on recognising foreign qualifications, for example KYSATS in Cyprus and DOATAP in Greece. Official page
Accreditation
Official approval of a university or a programme by the body responsible in that country. Check the programme as well as the university. More
Home and international fees
Many countries charge local (and in the EU, all EU) students less than students from elsewhere. Which fee you pay depends on the country’s rules, not the university’s. Official page
Conditional offer
A university place that becomes firm once you meet stated conditions, such as final grades or an English test score. Official page
Semester contribution (Germany)
A fee each semester at German public universities that pays for student services and often a transport ticket. It is not tuition. Official page
Numerus clausus
A limit on places in a subject, often medicine, with admission by grade ranking or an entrance test. Official page

Rules change. Every line above links to the official page it comes from; read it before you act, and tell us if something has changed: report a correction.

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