• 12 weeks of teaching and learning
• 1 week of revision
• 2 weeks of revision and assessment

(General Regulations 2.1, 2.2)

All teaching, learning and assessment activity associated with a module will normally be completed during one formal semester (i.e., during the 15 weeks).  However, it is recognised that certain activities, such as field work, clinical teaching, professional or work experience, may take place outside, or be spread across, the formal semesters.  This will be permitted, subject to the approval of the relevant University Programme Board.  
(General Regulations 2.1, 2.2)

Modules may be a year long (i.e. delivered over more than one semester) in very exceptional circumstances where there are clear educational reasons.  These must be approved by the relevant University Programme Board. 
(General Regulation 2.1)

Student workload is the amount of time spent by students on university study. It includes both scheduled contact time (lectures, tutorials, laboratories, workshops, etc.) and individual (or group) study. It is measured through the allocation of credits over a standard two-semester session.

Student workload vs. student effort: student effort refers to all time a student spends on a module (General Regulation 1.2) and student workload refers to the overall time, measured through the allocation of credits, a student spends (on all their modules) in a standard two-semester session (General Regulation 2.3).

The normal workload for a full-time undergraduate student is 60 credits in a standard two-semester session.  That is broken down normally into 30 credits or six 5-credit modules each semester. 
(General Regulation 2.3.1) 

There is some flexibility in this workload in that full-time undergraduate students may pursue a greater or lesser number of credits per semester.   The table below outlines the minimum and maximum credit allowances per semester and per academic year.  These minimum and maximum workloads do not include credits for resit modules, but do include credits for repeat modules.

A student taking less than 20 credits in one semester or 50 credits per year must register as a part-time student.
(General Regulation 2.3.1)

Undergraduate students that are registered to a programme on a part-time basis must register to and attempt modules equivalent to a minimum of 15 credits each semester unless exempt from this restriction by the Programme Board. 
(General Regulation 2.3.2)

The normal workload for a full-time graduate student is 30 credits per semester/term, up to a maximum of 90 credits in a full calendar year.

(General Regulation 2.3.3)

There is some flexibility in this workload in that full-time graduate taught students may pursue a greater or lesser number of credits per semester.   Students may take a minimum of 20 credits and a maximum of 40 credits per semester, subject to the approval of the relevant Programme Board.

Graduate students registered to a programme on a part-time basis must register to and attempt modules equivalent to a minimum of 30 credits per academic session, i.e. a minimum of 30 credits across a calendar year, unless exempt from this restriction by the Programme Board.
(General Regulation 2.3.4)

A student may register for additional modules beyond the normal requirements of their programme, provided they do not exceed the acceptable course loads noted above (i.e. 40 credits in a single semester, 70 credits in a two-semester session, and 90 credits in a calendar year).

These additional modules can either be:

• Programme modules (from the approved programme of study); or
• Extra credit modules (non-programme modules that are essentially electives).
  (General Regulations 2.3.1, 2.3.2 and 5.15.9)
  
  A student will receive credit for any additional modules that are completed and passed.  However, only credit from programme modules can be accumulated towards the award of the degree.
  (General Regulation 5.15.9)
  
  Additional Modules: Auditing Modules
  
  Students can register for modules for audit, including where they are already registered to take the maximum amount of credits permissible.
  Where a student registers to a module for audit:
  • The student can attend the module,
  • However, she/he is not required to take any assessment associated with the module and
  • They are not awarded credit or a grade for the module.
    The module will, however, appear on the student’s transcript, with a grade of AU (Audit) attached to it. 

Students should contact the relevant Module Co-ordinator to request permission to audit a module.
(General Regulation 4.4.2)

For further information on auditing modules and how to register for a module for audit, please contact the relevant Programme Office or Graduate School Office. 

Contact details for Programme Offices can be found at:
http://www.ucd.ie/programmeoffices.htm

Contact details for Graduate School Offices can be found at:
http://www.ucd.ie/graduatestudies/graduateschools/

Yes.  Students will be charged for these additional modules on a per module basis.

For more information on fees, please go to:
http://www.ucd.ie/registry/adminservices/fees/index.html
(General Regulation 5.15.9)

The student’s transcript will show grades for all modules taken, including additional modules.  However, only programme modules will count towards the Stage GPA, Compensation GPA and Award GPA. 
(General Regulation 5.15.9)

Normally, student may not be registered to more than one programme within the University, and may not be registered full-time to a programme within the University while registered full-time to a programme outside the University.

In exceptional circumstances, students who wish to register to more than one programme within the University, or to register full-time to a programme within the University while registered full-time to a programme outside of the University, must obtain the approval of the relevant governing board overseeing each University programme and of the relevant University Programme Board(s). 
(General Regulation 2.7)

If a student wishes to obtain a leave of absence from the University, he or she must apply to the Programme Board (for undergraduate programmes) or Graduate School Board (for graduate programmes) for permission, in advance of the leave of absence.

Retrospective leave of absence is not normally permitted.
Retrospective leave of absence applications must be submitted for the approval of the Programme Board (for undergraduate programmes) or Graduate School Board (for graduate taught programmes).
(General Regulation 2.5)

Also, please refer to the UCD Leave of Absence Academic Policy for further information on applying for a leave of absence and the possible implications of same.

Where a student wishes, before they have completed their programme, to withdraw permanently from their programme and from the University they must notify, in writing, the Programme Board (for undergraduate programmes) or Graduate School Board (for graduate programmes).

(General Regulation 2.6)

 Further information on withdrawing, including other options and applying for re-admission can be found in the UCD Withdrawal Procedure.