Who is this glossary intended for?
ADE, LMD, ENT, ECTS...
In higher education, acronyms are part of everyday life. They structure exchanges between the academic, teaching, IT, and planning departments, to the point of forming a veritable internal language... which can sometimes be difficult to decipher.
This glossary is intended for both newcomers and experienced teams, particularly BIATSS staff (librarians, engineers, administrators, technicians, social and health personnel in higher education) involved in course management, timetable planning, and campus tool coordination.
"LMD repositories are synchronized from Apogée to ADE via API feeds, while users access EDTs from the ENT in SSO."
Yves, CIO of your university
👉 If this sentence seems perfectly clear to you, you can stop here.
👉 If not, this mini-glossary of higher education terms is for you.
Educational and schooling acronyms
These acronyms structure degrees, student pathways, and regulatory frameworks in higher education. They are central to exchanges between teaching teams, academic departments, and academic management tools.
ESR – Higher education and research
Institutional term referring to all higher education institutions, stakeholders, and policies. It is ubiquitous in official documents and national projects.
ECTS – European Credit Transfer System
European credit system used to validate course units, semesters, and degrees. It facilitates the recognition of study programs between institutions and European countries.
LMD – Bachelor's/Master's/Doctorate
Structure of higher education degrees. It organizes courses into three successive levels (bac+3, bac+5, bac+8) and structures the educational models.
RNCP – National Directory of Professional Certifications
Official directory of degrees and qualifications recognized by the government. Registration with the RNCP guarantees professional recognition of a training program and is often a prerequisite for funding.
EU – Teaching unit
A coherent set of educational content within a degree program. An EU comprises several courses and gives rise to the awarding of ECTS credits.
ECUE – Component of a teaching unit
A detailed component of a teaching unit corresponding to a specific course. It allows for the detailed structuring of the teaching model and assessment methods.
IP – Course registration
Stage during which students choose their course units or ECTS credits for the year or semester. These choices determine the composition of student groups and timetables.
LMS – Learning Management System
A digital platform dedicated to the distribution of educational content and learner tracking. It centralizes courses, assignments, assessments, and educational interactions.
Acronyms for teaching and assessment methods
These acronyms describe teaching formats and assessment methods. They have a direct impact on educational organization, course planning, and space management.
CM – Lecture
A theoretical course taught to a large number of students, usually in a lecture hall. It forms the conceptual basis of a course.
TD – Tutorials
Small group sessions allowing students to apply the concepts covered in class.
TP – Practical work
Courses focused on practice and manipulation or experimentation. They often require equipment and specialized rooms.
CC – Continuous assessment
Assessment method based on several tests spread throughout the semester. It must be included in the academic calendar.
MCC – Assessment procedures
Official document defining the rules for assessing and validating courses. It serves as a reference for teaching teams and the registrar's office.
MOOC – Massive Open Online Course
Online courses open to a wide audience, accessible remotely. They are often used as a teaching supplement or as a tool to enhance the value of training programs.
FOAD – Open and distance learning
A training method based on digital devices, conducted entirely or partially remotely. It has a direct impact on educational organization, planning, and the use of campus spaces!
SPOC – Small Private Online Course
Online training intended for a limited audience. It combines the flexibility of distance learning with educational support.
Campus planning and management acronyms
These acronyms are central to the day-to-day operations of universities and grandes écoles. They relate to planning, space management, resources, and campus tools.
ENT – Digital workspace
Centralized digital portal providing access to the institution's educational and administrative services. It is the main point of entry for students and staff.
ADE – Schedule management software
Solution used by French universities to plan courses, exams, rooms, and resources. Developed by Adesoft, it also has a booking and attendance management module. Find out more
EDT – Timetable
It integrates teachers, groups, classrooms, and the educational and logistical constraints of the institution and the courses.
APOGEE – Application for organizing and managing teaching and students
A school tool used in many universities. It manages administrative and educational registrations, grades, and the awarding of diplomas.
GEM – Space and Equipment Management
A system for tracking the use of rooms and equipment. It helps optimize capacity and manage real estate assets. Certain planning tools can contribute to this. Find out more
GTA – Time and Activity Management
Tool for tracking staff working hours and attendance. It is often connected to the HRIS or payroll tool. Some planning tools, such as ADE, allow you to track activity and validate the services provided by teachers.
EDM – Electronic document management
Digital solution for storing, archiving, and sharing institutional documents. It secures access to information and facilitates collaboration.
CMMS – Computerized Maintenance Management System
A tool dedicated to monitoring the maintenance of buildings and equipment. It allows you to plan interventions and guarantee the availability of spaces.
HRIS – Human Resources Information System
A management tool dedicated to HR processes. It centralizes all data (teams, contracts, services, working hours, and absences) in a single environment to facilitate administrative management.
Bonus: IT acronyms used by your IT department
These acronyms, often used by CIOs, are essential for understanding the challenges of interoperability and security in campus information systems.
IS – Information Systems
All of the institution's software, data, infrastructure, and digital processes. It supports all educational and administrative activities.
SaaS – Software as a Service
A deployment model in which software is accessible via a browser, without local installation. It facilitates updates and remote access.
On-premise
Deployment mode in which the software is hosted on the institution's servers. It offers greater control over data, but requires internal technical management.
API – Application Programming Interface
A technical interface that allows two software programs to automatically exchange data. It eliminates the need for manual re-entry and promotes tool interoperability.
REST API – Representational State Transfer
API that follows the REST standard, based on the web and HTTP. This style of API is widely used to connect modern campus applications.
CSV — Comma-Separated Values
A simple file format, often used to import or export data in the form of Excel tables (students, groups, rooms).
SQL — Structured Query Language
A language that allows software to extract information from tool databases (school records, scheduling, HR). Data exchange and synchronization between educational tools often rely on SQL queries.
JSON – JavaScript Object Notation
A lightweight format for exchanging data between applications, widely used in modern information systems and APIs.
JWT – JSON Web Token
A system for transmitting and verifying a user's identity between multiple applications.
LDAP – Lightweight Directory Access Protocol
Centralized directory used to manage accounts and authentication for students and staff.
SSO – Single Sign-On
A single authentication mechanism that allows access to multiple applications without having to log in again. It simplifies access to campus tools.
GIA – Identity and Access Management
All the rules and tools used to manage user accounts and rights. It is essential for security and smooth operation.
HTTP/HTTPS – HyperText Transfer Protocol
Rules for accessing a website or online application, with HTTPS ensuring a secure connection.
GDPR – General Data Protection Regulation
European regulation governing the use of personal data. It imposes strict obligations on institutions.
RGAA – General Reference Framework for Accessibility Improvement
French standard guaranteeing the digital accessibility of public services, particularly digital workspaces and educational platforms.
Understanding acronyms in higher education is not just about mastering technical vocabulary: it is about gaining a better understanding of the educational, digital, and organizational challenges facing campuses.
Is there an acronym missing or in need of clarification? Write to us to add to this glossary!
ADE Campus: planning at the heart of the campus information system
ADE Campus, Adesoft's planning solution, brings all the acronyms in this glossary to life. Interconnected with the digital workspace, educational tools, and information systems, it centralizes schedules, rooms, and resources for smoother and more controlled campus management.