Analytic Quality Glossary A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Home
Citation reference: Harvey, L., 2004-24, Analytic Quality Glossary, Quality Research International, http://www.qualityresearchinternational.com/glossary/
This is a dynamic glossary and the author would welcome any e-mail suggestions for additions or amendments.
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Semester
A semester is a division of the academic year; usually two semesters in a year.
Academic years are usually divided into terms (for example, in the Northern hemisphere, autum, spring and summer) or in some settings into semesters, which tend to be longer periods than terms although often broken by holidays (such as Christmas or Easter in Western Europe). There are usually two semesters a year but in some situations, where the programme is taught intensively, a third semester is added (usually over what would otherwise have been the long holiday period).
The Higher Education Authority (HEA) of Ireland defines it as:
A subdivision of the academic year, one of the two into which it has been divided. (HEA, 2004)
The Higher Education Funding Council for England's (HEFCE) (undated) definition is:
A study period of up to 16 weeks, often with the last two weeks used as an assessment period.
The Northeast Texas Consortium (2002) define semester as:
A period of study of approximately 15-16 weeks, usually half of the academic year (fall and spring semesters).
Higher Education Authority (HEA) [of Ireland] 2004, Glossary http://www.hea.ie/index.cfm/page/sub/id/519