Course Exemptions
Students completing courses for credit can apply for exemptions if they have previously studied areas of the course. Increasingly, colleges award credits for units of study and credits gained in other institutions may in some instances be applied to programmes of study within the UCD Adult Education Centre. Additionally, exemptions may also be granted for previously certified learning that corresponds directly to modules on adult education programmes.
Applications for course exemptions should be made in a timely fashion in order to allow time to process the request. The charge for course exemption applications is €60. This charge covers the administration costs of processing the application for exemption and applies whether or not an exemption is granted.
Exemptions can only be granted when it is determined that the student has demonstrated a sufficient knowledge and understanding of the particular subject area. Each application will be reviewed in order to establish the range and extent of the student's knowledge, and to determine if this knowledge is at an equivalent level and standard as that required from students studying the same material in UCD.
Students wishing to gain exemption from a module(s) should:
1. Petition
Student petitions to gain exemption from a module(s). This petition must detail why student feels exemption is reasonable.
2. Review
Assigned staff from the Adult Education Centre will review the initial petition. If there is evidence to suggest the student might have grounds for gaining an exemption from a course, he/she will then be invited to submit supporting documentation as outlined below:
- Course transcripts or certificates demonstrating completion of course(s) similar in nature to the one for which exemption is sought
- Course descriptions including details about contact hours and course credits
- Outlines of the assessment procedures
- Letters of attendance
- Letters/evidence from employers that they are familiar with a topic (where appropriate)
- A detailed supporting statement outlining reasons for seeking course exemption
This documentation should satisfy staff and/or tutors of the Adult Education Centre that they have knowledge of the subject for which exemption is sought. Students may be required to attend an interview where deemed necessary.
3. Documentation
Student submits supporting documentation to the Adult Education Centre for consideration.
4. Analysis
Members of the Adult Education staff, along with the course co-ordinator and/or course tutors, will review the documentation and make a recommendation.
5. Sign-off
The recommendation will be sent to the Chair of the Board of Studies for final approval.
6. Records
The student will be advised in writing of the outcome. A note of the exemption will be recorded on the student's electronic file. Students will have the exemption noted on their transcript. Grades will not carry over from other institutions so that the exemption will not be calculated when determining the overall grade for a programme of study.
Limitations
Students can be granted exemption from a maximum of two modules on a certificate programme and a further one module on a diploma programme.
Course exemptions can only be applied towards one programme of study. Exemptions granted for one programme cannot then be used towards another programme of study.
If you have any questions about the course exemption process, please contact us at adult.education@ucd.ie
