Academic Council Committee on Examinations (ACCE)

The ACCE meets throughout the Academic Year on the following meeting dates.  All documentation must be submitted and completed by the submission deadlines outlined. 

ACCE Meeting Dates for the upcoming academic year 2025/2026 are now available ACCE Meeting Dates 2025/26.

ACCE Membership

ACCE Policies
 The ACCE is responsible for the following policies:

• UCD Assessment Code of Practice
• Extenuating Circumstances
• UCD Examination Regulations
• Subject Extern Examination Policy
• Policy on Theses in Graduate Taught Programmes
• Aegrotat and Posthumous Definition and Policy
• Policy on Extenuating Circumstances Student Guide
• Policy on Extenuating Circumstances Staff Guide
• Late submission of coursework

 ACCE Forms:

• Required Information for Special Extern Examiner Nomination form
• Aegrotat and Posthumous Form
• Intern Examiner Nomination Form
• Extenuating Circumstances Form
• Change of Examination Committee Chair form
• Change of Examination Committee Intern form
• Application Form for Late Submission of Coursework

Theses in Graduate Research Degree Programmes Policy

Academic Regulations for PhD, Professional Doctorate, MD, Research Masters degree

Graduate Studies virtual viva voce

Guidelines for Preparation, Submission, Examination and Dissemination of Research Degree Theses

Following the examination of a thesis, the Examination Committee completes a joint degree report, which encapsulates the results and recommendations. Initially, the Examination Committee drafts the joint degree report outside of the eThesis Exam system. When compiling the report, it's essential to consult the Joint Degree Reports Guideline Document to ensure that the report is completed correctly and assist ACCE in fulfilling their role as an Examination board and facilitate award approval without delays. Once the report is finalised, the Exam Committee Chair enters it into the system.

eThesis Guidebooks are available to take you through the entire process.

Paper report forms (exceptional circumstances) 

For more information and resources on the eThesis Examination System please click here.

For eThesis Exam system support email ethesis@ucd.ie

In order to fulfil Academic regulation 1.11 in a timely manner, the ACCE established a sub-committee, whose membership assumed responsibility on behalf of ACCE, to adjudicate where such disagreements arise between Programme Examination Boards and Schools.

ACCE Sub-Committee Terms of Reference

As per UCD Academic Regulations and Guidelines for Preparation, Submission, Examination and Dissemination of Research Theses, a physical hardbound copy of your final approved thesis must be submitted to the university, via UCD Student Desk, in order to be eligible to confer.

What is a hardbound thesis?

The hardbound thesis is a professionally bound, hardcover copy of a final thesis that the Exam Committee approved either with no revisions post-examination, or following completion and approval of revisions (if revisions were required). 

I submitted my thesis electronically to the university, do I need to submit a hardbound thesis?

Yes, in addition to the electronic copy, you are required to submit a final hardbound archival copy of the thesis to the UCD Student Desk for deposition to a closed store in the UCD Library. A physical hardbound copy of your final approved thesis must be submitted to the university, via UCD Student Desk, in order to be eligible to confer.

When should my hardbound thesis be submitted?

Your hardbound thesis should be submitted when: a) your Exam Committee has approved your final thesis or any required revisions, and b) at least four weeks in advance of your potential conferral date.

See UCD Conferring Schedule for details.

What are the presentation requirements for my hardbound thesis?

See Guidelines for Preparation, Submission, Examination and Dissemination of Research Degree Theses for detailed presentation and typographical information.

• The title of the hardbound thesis must match the title on SISWeb and the title under which the thesis was examined, unless the Exam Committee required a title change as part of required revisions.

• The year on the hardbound thesis should be the year the degree is approved by ACCE (not the year the degree was started, nor the year the thesis was initially submitted for examination).

• The hardbound cover must have the student name, thesis title, award type, and year of award. The title page within the thesis should have the student number.

How can I submit my hardbound thesis? 

Your hardbound thesis can be submitted as follows:

• In person to the UCD Student Desk, see details on their location and opening hours 
• Via the drop box in the Tierney Building foyer (Building 74 on the (opens in a new window)UCD Map)
• Via registered post to: Student Desk, Tierney Building, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, D04 V1W8.

Please contact (opens in a new window)ethesis@ucd.ie if you have any further queries.

For support in relation to ACCE, contact (opens in a new window)acce@ucd.ie

For support in relation to Extern Examiners, contact (opens in a new window)externexaminer@ucd.ie

For support in relation to eThesis Exam system, contact (opens in a new window)ethesis@ucd.ie