PRIME minister Theresa May has shed light what form the UK's exit from the EU will be.

Speaking at the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham Mrs May gave the clearest indication yet of how negotiations could go.

Mrs May has given the strongest indication that her negotiations to leave the EU will lean towards a 'hard Brexit."

Since the referendum there has been confusion over just how the UK would pull out of the EU.

For months there has been very little clarity on when Article 50 would be activated, triggering our official exit.

Politicians from both leave and remain camps have argued on the pros and cons of a 'hard Brexit' versus a 'soft Brexit'.

Here we explain some of the key terms, and what they mean:

Article 50: This guarantees the right of European Union member states to withdraw from the EU. Mrs May has said Article 50 will be triggered by March 2017.

Single market: Trading between EU countries without restrictions, fees or tariffs.

Free movement: One of the most contentious aspects of EU membership. It allows free movement of workers between any countries within the EU.

Hard Brexit: A term referring to the negotiation of our exit from the EU. This strategy places control on UK borders above all else, and no concessions will be made, even for access to the single market.

Theresa May seems to be edging towards this exit strategy.

Soft Brexit: The second exit strategy for leaving the EU. This favours keeping access to the free market, seen as a vital resource for UK businesses.

In order to guarantee access to the market, there would have to be a willingness to allow some form of free movement.

Former education secretary Nicky Morgan and remain campaigner Anna Soubry have warned against a "gung-ho" approach to leaving the EU, warning that millions of jobs could be at risk.

"Great Repeal Bill" : A piece of legislation intended to transfer EU laws into British law. It will allow Parliament to amend or cancel and legislation originally implemented by Europe it doesn't want to keep.

This will have to pass through the house of commons and the house of lords.