D

1. Declaration of renunciation

   To declare formally that you wish to give up your British citizenship.

2. Degree

   Academic qualification given to someone who has successfully completed a course of study at a university. The first level of degree is a bachelor's degree, and this is normally the minimum qualification you will need for us to recognise you as holding a degree. A master's degree and a PhD (or doctorate) are higher levels of degree, known as postgraduate degrees (because they are normally obtained following further study taken after graduating with a bachelor's degree).

3. Degree level study

   A course which leads to a recognised United Kingdom university qualification at bachelor's level or above, or an equivalent qualification at level 6 or above of the National Qualifications Framework or level 9 of the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework.

4. Dependant

   Someone who depends on you financially, such as a husband, wife, partner, or child.

5. Dependants

   Children under 18 years of age, your husband, wife, civil partners, or unmarried/same sex partner.

6. Dependent children

   Any children you have who depend on you financially.

7. Deprivation

   The taking away or removal of British citizenship.

8. Descent

   British citizenship gained through your parents (or grandparents in some circumstances). This type of citizenship cannot normally be passed on to your own children.  (See also Otherwise than by descent.)

9. Designated service

   Types of employment with specific employers which the Home Secretary has agreed may be treated the same as Crown service for the purpose of British nationality law. See Chapter 4 of the Nationality Instructions, under Law and policy.

10. Diplomatic post

    A British diplomatic post is a United Kingdom embassy, high commission or consulate.

11. Disbarred

    This occurs when a person's right to do a particular thing is removed, usually as a result of official proceedings.

12. Discretion

    This means we can consider the particular circumstances and in special cases grant an application.

13. Discretionary leave to remain

    Permission to stay in the United Kingdom for reasons that are exceptional. This is sometimes given to someone who does not qualify for asylum but whom we believe should be allowed to stay for other reasons.

14. Disqualified

    This occurs when a person's right to do a particular thing is removed.

15. Dividend payment

    A share of a company's profits, paid to people who have invested in it (for example by buying shares).

16. Dividend voucher

    An official document showing the amount of dividend earned both before and after official deductions have been made (for example tax). (See dividends.)

17. Dividends

    A share of a company's profits, paid to people who have invested in it (for example by buying shares).

18. Downgrade

    This applies to the rating we award when an organisation joins the register of sponsors under the points-based system. It is the action we take when we change an A rating to a B rating.

19. Downgraded

    This applies to the rating we award when an organisation joins the register of sponsors under the points-based system. It is the term we use to describe a rating that has been changed from an A rating to a B rating.

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