Academic calendar
Summer Quarter 2026 runs Jul 6, 2026 – Sep 26, 2026. Calendar aliases that share a date range are grouped together, with every source term still shown.
- Summer Quarter 2026Relevant now
- Fall Quarter 2026
- Winter Quarter 2027
- Spring Quarter 2027
- Summer Quarter 2027
Campus language
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Showing 149 of 149 terms
A
- AILPO
- Academic Industry Linkage and Placement Office, responsible for student internships and career placement.
- Annex
- Refers to the housing and facilities located in the university's Annex extension area.
B
- Bell Curve
- The relative grading system where students are ranked against their peers to determine final grades.
- Bell Curve God
- A personification of the relative grading system; students 'pray' to it for favorable moderation.
- Bentelog
- A popular budget-friendly meal (Bento + Itlog/Egg) frequently bought by students from nearby vendors.
- Bizad
- The NUS Business School student society and its associated student culture.
- Blue
- Short for SM Blue Residences, a popular high-rise off-campus housing option for NU Manila students.
- Blue and Gold
- The university's official colors, often used as a rallying cry or to describe school spirit.
- Boarding houses
- The standard term for the off-campus private dormitories and rooms where most students reside in the Sampaloc area.
- Bulldog
- The school mascot, used by students to refer to themselves, especially during athletic events.
- Bulldog Budols
- A term used by students to describe impulsive or enthusiastic purchases of university gear at the Bulldog Exchange.
- Bulldog Exchange
- The official university store that serves as a quick-stop for snacks, drinks, and university merchandise.
- Bulldogs
- The official mascot and the collective name for National University students and athletes.
C
- Canteen
- The primary on-campus cafeteria located within the NU Manila buildings.
- CAP
- Cumulative Average Point, the university's 5.0-scale grading system (equivalent to GPA).
- CAPT
- College of Alice & Peter Tan, a residential college in UTown focused on community engagement.
- CCA
- Co-Curricular Activity, referring to any non-academic club or society.
- Chope
- To reserve a seat in a canteen or library, typically using a tissue pack or umbrella.
- CMI
- Cannot Make It, a common slang term for failing to meet a standard or being unable to attend an event.
- COA
- Council of Alliance, the umbrella organization that oversees all recognized student groups.
- COMEX
- Community Extension; the university's department responsible for social responsibility and student volunteer programs.
- CSC
- Community Service Club, one of the largest student-led volunteer organizations.
- CSEA
- Center for Student Engagement & Activities, the office managing student clubs and campus life.
D
- Dabao
- To pack food for takeaway from the campus canteens.
- Dabao
- The local term used by students to order food for takeaway or to-go.
- Dormers
- A common label for students who live in nearby residences rather than commuting from home.
E
- EH
- Eusoff Hall, a hall known for its competitive sports culture.
- ENYU
- A phonetic, colloquial way students refer to 'NU' (National University).
- Eusoff
- Eusoff Hall, a residential hall known for its competitive spirit in inter-hall games.
F
- Fine Food
- The air-conditioned food court located in University Town (UTown).
- Fine Foods
- An air-conditioned food court located in University Town (UTown) offering premium options.
- Flavours
- The non-air-conditioned food court in UTown, often contrasted with Fine Foods for price and variety.
- Forbes Hall
- A popular student dormitory and study hall located near the Manila campus.
- Frontier
- The canteen serving the Faculty of Science, popular for its diverse food stalls.
- Full CAP
- Achieving a perfect Cumulative Average Point of 5.0.
- FW
- Freshman Welcome, the general term for orientation activities for new students.
G
- Gastambide
- A nearby street famous for its wide variety of student-friendly restaurants and fast food.
- Gold and Blue
- The university's official colors, frequently used as a shorthand for school spirit and identity.
H
- Hepa Lane
- A famous street-food area in the University Belt (U-Belt) known for affordable fried snacks, frequented by NU students.
- Hostels
- A general term used by students to refer to the various student housing and dormitory options around the Sampaloc area.
I
- IFG
- Inter-Faculty Games, an annual multi-sport competition between different faculties.
- IHG
- Inter-Hall Games, a highly competitive sports season between the various residential halls.
- IVLE
- Integrated Virtual Learning Environment, the legacy learning portal (now largely replaced by Canvas).
J
- Jhocson
- The street name used as a metonym for the university itself and its surrounding culture.
- Jhocson
- The residential area immediately surrounding the campus where many students live in private boarding houses and dormitories.
- Jhocson
- Refers to M.F. Jhocson Street, the primary hub for affordable student canteens, street food, and 'carinderias' outside the campus.
- Jhocson Residences
- A popular student housing building located directly across the street from the National University Manila campus.
- JLM
- Junior League of Marketers, a prominent student organization for Business Administration and Marketing majors.
- Jollibee
- The ubiquitous nearby fast-food outlet that serves as a primary meeting and eating spot for students.
- Jollibee Jhocson
- The specific Jollibee branch on M.F. Jhocson Street, a common meeting and eating spot for Nationalians.
K
- KE
- King Edward VII Hall
- KEVII
- King Edward VII Hall, a hall with a long history, originally serving medical students.
- KR
- Kent Ridge Hall, known for its strong culture in sports and performing arts.
L
- Laperal
- The Laperal Apartments/Dormitory, the primary residential building for students near the Manila campus.
M
- MC
- Management Committee, the executive body of a student club or residential hall.
- Meal Credits
- Units used to pay for compulsory breakfast and dinner in residence halls.
- MoA Food Hall
- The primary dining area located within the SM Mall of Asia complex used by students at the NU MOA satellite campus.
- Mod
- Short for 'Module,' referring to an individual course or subject of study.
- ModReg
- The legacy term for module registration, now officially called CourseReg.
- Mug
- To study intensely or cram for exams; a 'mugger' is a student who studies constantly.
- Mugger
- A student who studies intensely for long hours, often in libraries
- Mugging
- Studying intensely or cramming, often in the library or 24-hour study spots.
N
- Nagdorm
- A colloquial verb/noun used by students to describe the act of living in a dormitory or being a boarder.
- National U
- The common shorthand name used by students and the public to refer to the university.
- National University of Stairs
- A humorous student nickname for the campus due to its hilly terrain and many steps
- Nationalian
- The official and prideful term for a student or alumnus of National University.
- Nationalians
- The collective and official term used by students, faculty, and alumni to identify members of the NU community.
- Nazareth
- Refers to the NU Nazareth School campus area, which houses specific student groups and athletes.
- NOC
- NUS Overseas Colleges, a prestigious entrepreneurship program
- NU Cafeteria
- The official on-campus dining facility located within the main university buildings.
- NU Canteen
- The official on-campus cafeteria located within the university buildings.
- NU Dorm
- The official NU Student Residences, primarily housing student-athletes and regular students near the Manila campus.
- NU Manila Dormitory
- The formal name for the university-managed student residence.
- NU-ACM
- The campus chapter of the Association for Computing Machinery, for IT and Computer Science majors.
- NU-JPIA
- Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants, the local chapter for accountancy students.
- NU-SBA
- National University School of Business and Accountancy student organization.
- NU-SCA
- National University Student Council Alliance, the governing body representing student interests across campuses.
- NU-SITES
- National University Society of Information Technology Enthusiasts and Students.
- NUB
- National University Bulldogs; refers to the university's athletic teams and the overall spirit organization.
- NUBT
- National University Bulldogs Trio, the university's premier dance and cheer group.
- NUCES
- National University Civil Engineering Society, the professional organization for CE students.
- NUEA
- National University Engineering Association, the umbrella organization for engineering students.
- NUES
- National University Engineering Society, the primary student organization for the College of Engineering.
- NUnian
- The standard demonym for a student or alumnus of National University.
- NUNS
- National University Nazareth School, the university's basic education and senior high school unit.
- NUPC
- National University Psychology Council, the official organization for psychology students.
- NUPSS
- National University Psychology Students Society, the organization for psychology majors.
- NUSA
- National University Student Alliance, the highest student governing body of the university.
- NUSG
- National University Student Government, the highest governing body for students at NU Manila.
- NUSSU
- National University of Singapore Students' Union, the apex student representative body.
O
- OSA
- Office of Student Affairs, the department managing student services and campus life.
- Over-modding
- The act of taking more modules than the standard workload in a single semester.
P
- P. Campa
- A popular street near the university known for its high concentration of student housing and dormitories.
- P. Noval
- A nearby street in the Sampaloc area known for a high concentration of student-friendly restaurants.
- Paupahan
- Local term for small, budget-friendly eateries or 'carinderias' in the immediate vicinity of the campus.
- PGP
- Prince George's Park Residences, a large-scale student housing complex often used by international students.
- PGPR
- Prince George's Park Residences, a large student housing complex primarily for international and graduate students.
- Pon
- To skip a lecture or tutorial
R
- Rag
- Short for 'Rag and Flag,' a major orientation event involving float displays and performances.
- RC
- Residential College, a living-learning community such as Tembusu or Cinnamon College.
- RC4
- Residential College 4, a residential college in UTown with a focus on systems thinking.
- RH
- Raffles Hall, the oldest hall of residence at the university.
- RVRC
- Ridge View Residential College, a residential option focused on sustainability and workplace readiness.
S
- S.H. Loyola
- A street adjacent to the campus known for its concentration of dining options and student hangouts.
- S/U
- Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory; an option to convert a letter grade into a non-graded pass/fail to protect one's CAP.
- Sampaloc
- The surrounding district in Manila where the majority of students live in various private dormitories and apartments.
- SDAO
- Student Development and Activities Office, the administrative unit that oversees and accredits student organizations.
- Sex
- Short for Sisig Express, a legendary budget-friendly eatery in the U-Belt area popular among students for its quick meals.
- SH
- Sheares Hall, a residential hall located near the Business School.
- Sheares
- Sheares Hall, a residential hall named after the second President of Singapore.
- SM
- Refers to SM Manila or SM San Lazaro, the primary malls where students go for meals and hanging out.
- Stealth Mugger
- A student who pretends not to study while secretly working very hard.
- Steep
- Used to describe a module (course) that is very difficult or has an exceptionally high workload.
- SU
- Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory, a grading option that allows a pass/fail result
- Super Dorm
- The primary off-campus residential building located immediately adjacent to the Manila campus, popular for its proximity to classes.
- Supper Stretch
- A row of late-night eateries along Clementi Road frequently visited by students after dark.
T
- Techno
- Techno Edge, the main canteen for the Faculty of Engineering.
- Techno Edge
- The Engineering canteen
- Temasek
- Temasek Hall, often associated with a close-knit community and artistic activities.
- Terrace
- The canteen serving the Business School and the School of Computing.
- TH
- Temasek Hall, a residential hall located near the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
- The Canteen
- The primary on-campus cafeteria located within the Main Building.
- The Deck
- The primary canteen for the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS), known for its multi-level seating.
- The Dorm
- The official on-campus residential facility located at the NU Laguna campus.
- The Mansion
- A common nickname for the Laperal Apartments dorm due to its origin as a historic family estate.
- The Residences
- The official university-managed student housing located near the Manila campus.
- The Terrace
- The canteen located at the NUS Business School.
U
- U-Belt
- The 'University Belt' area of Manila where NU is centrally located alongside other major colleges.
- U-Belt
- The University Belt area where many students find off-campus apartments and dormitories.
- U-Belt
- The University Belt area, referring to the wider selection of student-priced eateries surrounding the campus.
- UAAP
- The University Athletic Association of the Philippines, the athletic league that defines much of the campus's competitive culture.
- UAAP
- University Athletic Association of the Philippines, the athletic league NU competes in.
- UCI
- University Campus Infrastructure, the office responsible for campus facilities and transport.
- Underpass
- The pedestrian underpass area near campus known for affordable street food and quick meals.
- University Tower
- A popular off-campus high-rise condominium on Galicia Street where many students reside due to its proximity to campus.
- UST Side
- Refers to the area across the street toward the University of Santo Tomas, where students go for a wider variety of food options.
- UT
- Short for University Tower, a common condominium complex where many NU students reside.
- UTCP
- University Town College Programme, referring to the residential colleges located in UTown.
- UTown
- University Town, a residential and educational hub containing several residential colleges like Tembusu and Cinnamon.
- UTR
- UTown Residence, a high-rise residential option located within University Town.
V
- VCF
- Varsity Christian Fellowship, a prominent religious student organization on campus.
- VDP
- Vacation Internship Programme, often managed through faculty-specific career portals.
- VPA
- Visual and Performing Arts, a cluster of cultural groups under the NUS Centre For the Arts.
- VSP
- Vacation Service Project
W
- WSC
- Welfare Services Club, an umbrella body for various social service sub-clubs.
Y
- Youniversity
- The specific brand of student housing suites located within the Laperal building.
- YouPad
- Shorthand for the Laperal YouPad student residences.
Z
- Zhong
- To rush or put in extreme effort to complete a task or project quickly.
- Zhuo
- A Hokkien-derived term used by students to mean 'catching' or 'spotting' someone on campus.
Places and practicalities
Buildings, logistics, and other local references drawn from the approved campus snapshot.
- A1/A2
- The primary shuttle bus routes that loop the Kent Ridge campus in opposite directions.
- Annex
- The extension building housing specialized laboratories, computer rooms, and additional classrooms.
- Annex II
- The university's extension campus located in Mendiola, Manila, housing specific colleges like Dentistry.
- AS1
- Arts and Social Sciences Building 1, part of the FASS complex.
- AS1-AS8
- The series of interconnected buildings housing the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
- AS7
- The Shaw Foundation Building, a primary landmark for students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
- AS8
- A prominent building in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences often used for lectures and tutorials.
- Assessment Form
- The document generated during enrollment that lists subjects, schedules, and total tuition fees to be paid.
- Assessment Slip
- The official document (digital or printed) required to prove enrollment and permit entry into major exams.
- Blue and Gold
- The official school colors, often used to describe school spirit or specific dress codes for university events.
- Bulldog Exchange
- The central location on campus for purchasing official uniforms, processing student IDs, and buying school supplies.
- Camilo Osias Hall
- The university's Main Building, named after the first Filipino president of National University.
- Campos Hall
- A specific academic hall named after the university's founder, Mariano F. Jhocson (often associated with the Campos family legacy).
- Canvas
- The Learning Management System (LMS) used for course materials, assignments, and announcements.
- CAP
- Cumulative Average Point, the 5.0-scale grading system used to measure academic performance.
- Certificate of Registration
- The official proof of enrollment (COR) required for campus entry and various student transactions.
- CL
- Central Library, the main academic library located at the heart of the Kent Ridge campus.
- CLB
- Central Library, the main academic library on the Kent Ridge campus.
- COM
- Certificate of Matriculation; the essential document students must carry for campus entry, ID validation, and official transactions.
- COM1
- The main building for the School of Computing.
- COM1-COM3
- Buildings housing the School of Computing.
- COM1/COM2
- The primary buildings for the School of Computing.
- COMEX
- Computerized Examination; the digital platform used for major departmental, midterm, and final exams.
- CourseReg
- The official system for module registration and selection (formerly known as ModReg).
- EduRec
- Education Records System, the central portal for administrative tasks like checking grades and paying fees.
- Form 138
- A common term used during the admissions process referring to the high school report card required for new students.
- i3
- The iCube building, often associated with innovation and research startups.
- ISB
- Internal Shuttle Bus, the free bus service (Routes A1, A2, D1, etc.) that connects the campus.
- ITSO
- Information Technology Services Office, the campus hub for resolving account, email, and technical issues.
- IVLE
- Integrated Virtual Learning Environment, the legacy portal name still occasionally used by older students to refer to the LMS.
- IVP
- Inter-Varsity Polytechnic games, referring to the competitive sports season against other institutions.
- Jhocson
- The collective term for the main Manila campus site located in Sampaloc.
- Jhocson Building
- A key academic building named after the university's founder, Mariano F. Jhocson.
- Jhocson Hall
- A key academic hall named in honor of the university's founder, Mariano F. Jhocson.
- Laguna
- Refers to the NU Laguna campus, often discussed in the context of sports and residential life.
- Laperal Building
- A prominent structure used for both academic purposes and student housing.
- Late Enrollment
- A formal designated period after the regular registration window where students can still enroll for classes, typically involving a fine.
- Law and Commerce Building
- The dedicated facility for the university's business and legal programs.
- Lazo
- Refers to the Allied Health building area, often associated with the nearby S.M. Lazo Hospital.
- Legarda
- Refers to the LRT-2 Legarda Station, the primary transit point for students commuting to the Manila campus.
- LRT Legarda
- The nearest station on the LRT-2 line, serving as the primary transit point for commuting students.
- LumiNUS
- The previous Learning Management System, now largely replaced by Canvas for course materials.
- LumiNUS/Canvas
- The Learning Management Systems used for course materials, assignments, and announcements.
- Main
- The original Main Building of the Manila campus, containing historic classrooms and facilities.
- Main Building
- The primary academic and administrative hub of the Jhocson campus.
- Matric Card
- The student identification card used for library access, exam identification, and campus payments.
- MC
- Medical Certificate, required to justify absences from graded sessions
- MOA
- The National University campus located at the Mall of Asia complex in Pasay City, often used to distinguish it from the Manila campus.
- ModReg
- The legacy term for the module registration system (now officially 'CourseReg').
- MPB
- Short for Multipurpose Building, which houses the university gym and athletic facilities.
- MPSH
- Multi-Purpose Sports Hall, used for exams, sports events, and ceremonies.
- MTh / TF
- Shorthand for the standard class pairings (Monday/Thursday and Tuesday/Friday) used to organize the weekly academic schedule.
- Multipurpose
- The Multipurpose Building which houses the gymnasium and facilities for large university events.
- Multipurpose Building
- The facility used for indoor sports, physical education classes, and major university events like the pep rally.
- NextBus
- The official mobile app used by students to track real-time shuttle bus arrivals.
- NU MOA
- The satellite campus located at the Mall of Asia complex in Pasay City.
- NU Quest
- The National University Admission Test, the mandatory entrance exam for all incoming freshmen.
- NU-ID
- The official student identification card, which utilizes RFID technology for campus entry and various student services.
- NUAT
- National University Admission Test, the mandatory entrance examination for incoming freshmen.
- NUCAT
- National University Admission Test, the required entrance examination for all incoming students.
- NUIS
- National University Information System, the essential online portal for checking grades, schedules, and enrollment status.
- NUSMods
- A student-created, university-supported website used for planning class schedules.
- Quest
- The official student portal used for checking grades, class schedules, and financial accounts.
- Reading Week
- The week-long break before final examinations dedicated to self-study and revision.
- Recess Week
- A one-week break in the middle of the semester intended for rest or catching up on coursework.
- RFID
- The student ID card system used for automated campus entry and security tracking.
- S/U
- Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory, a grading option that allows students to hide a grade from their CAP calculation.
- S1-S17
- Numbered buildings housing the Faculty of Science.
- S16
- A prominent building within the Faculty of Science often used for lectures and labs.
- S17
- A major building in the Faculty of Science housing the Mathematics and Statistics departments.
- SDE
- School of Design and Environment buildings, often used to refer to the net-zero energy building SDE4.
- Self-bussing
- The mandatory campus convention in the canteen where students are required to clean their own tables after eating.
- SMC
- The SM-National University Sports Academy, a multi-purpose facility used for athletic training and major events.
- The Annex
- The secondary academic building housing various colleges, laboratories, and administrative offices.
- Trisem
- The trimester academic calendar system (three terms per year) followed by the university since 2018.
- UAAP
- University Athletic Association of the Philippines, the major collegiate league that defines the campus sports and social calendar.
- uNivUS
- The official mobile app for students to access digital ID, bus routes, and campus news.
- UTown
- University Town, a major hub containing residential colleges, study spaces, and dining.
- Wednesday Break
- A university-wide scheduling policy where Wednesdays are designated as a break from regular classes to allow for student activities and rest.
- YIH
- Yusof Ishak House, the student activity center housing the student union and various retail outlets.
- YST
- Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music building.
- Zonely
- A term used during health protocols to describe the campus zoning system for crowd control.
- Zoning
- A legacy term from COVID-19 referring to campus divisions, still occasionally used to describe faculty clusters.
Quick answers
Useful facts students can verify from the guide above.
- What academic term is relevant now?
- Summer Quarter 2026 runs Jul 6, 2026 – Sep 26, 2026.
- How much campus context is included?
- 149 approved campus terms and 83 local details are included in full.
- Are all approved campus terms included?
- Yes. The complete approved glossary is available in the scrollable, searchable campus-language section.
- Where does this guide come from?
- Calendar dates, campus terms, and local details come from DormWay's approved campus reference library.