Section 2: Glossary

Published for 2025-26.

TermDefinition
ApprenticeshipAn apprenticeship is a job with training to industry standards. It should be about entry to a recognised occupation, involve a substantial programme of on and off-the-job training and the apprentice’s occupational competence should be tested by an independent, end point assessment. In the case of an integrated apprenticeship UCL is the end point assessor.
Apprentice FileAn Apprentice File the formal record of the apprenticeship including onboarding documentation, changes in circumstances and records of tripartite review meetings.  Prior to 25/26 records were kept on SharePoint, from 25/26 the apprenticeship management system BUD will be used.
Apprenticeship Training ProviderAn organisation that has been approved by the Department for Education to be eligible to receive government funding to train apprentices.
Apprenticeship StandardApprenticeship standards are developed and proposed employer groups known as ‘trailblazers’ to set out what apprentices must be doing on a degree apprenticeship programme delivered by an Apprenticeship Training Provider. Apprenticeship Standards are approved by the Skills England. 
Break-in-LearningShould an apprentice be unable to engage with their off-the-job or functional skills training in a calendar month they must be put on a break-in-learning.
Degree ApprenticeshipA higher-level apprenticeship where successful completion results in the award of a level 6 or 7 academic qualification.
Department for EducationBody responsible for funding education and skills for children, young people and adults, including apprenticeships. 
Individual Learning Plan (ILP)Apprenticeship Training Providers must create an ILP for each apprentice based on their initial assessment of the apprentice. The ILP personalises the curriculum for each apprentice, taking into account their prior learning, career aspirations, additional learning requirements and any bespoke training required by the employer. The ILP will include objectives for the apprentice as well as information on their off-the-job-learning and opportunities for feedback.
Individual Needs Assessment (INA)The INA summarises the starting point of the apprenticeship and Includes a skills scan, any RPL documentation, functional skills assessment and review of additional support needs.
Office for Students (OfS)The OfS is responsible for the external quality assurance of registered providers that deliver integrated higher and degree apprenticeships and are therefore responsible for delivering the end-point assessment themselves rather than an independent end-point assessment organisation.
OfstedThe Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills, a non-ministerial department responsible for inspecting services providing education and skills for learners of all ages. 
Skills EnglandAn arm’s length body of the Department for Education they work with employers and education providers to develop, approve, review and revise apprenticeships standards.
Training PlanA tri-partite statement that must be signed by each apprentice, the Apprenticeship Training Provider and employer before training can start. The commitment statement/training plan must include:

i) the planned content and schedule for training, known as the Individual Learning Plan
ii) what is expected and offered by the employer, the training organisation and the apprentice
iii) how to resolve queries or complaints.

Prior to the academic year 23/24 the Training Plan was known as the Commitment Statement.
Training Services AgreementA contract between UCL and the employer for the delivery of a degree apprenticeship programme that must be signed before the programme can start.
Tripartite ReviewsTripartite reviews are a standardised way of monitoring an apprentice’s progress through the degree apprenticeship programme and take place regularly, as set out in the ILP, between the apprentice, the employer and the Apprenticeship Training Provider.