What to know Before Applying

• Availability: You should be available for daytime shifts during the main exam period for the session you have applied for, either December or May, from Monday to Saturday. Shifts vary in length and may include early starts or late finishes.

• Exam venues: Examinations are held across three separate venues:

  RDS in Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 (Simmonscourt for May exams and Shelbourne Hall for December exams)

  Blackrock Exam Centre on Carysfort Avenue, Co. Dublin

  Newman Exam Centre on the Belfield Campus, Dublin 4, which is used exclusively for students with Alternate Exam Arrangements supported by Disability Support.

  When applying, invigilators will be asked to indicate their preferred venue on the application form. While we will do our best to assign you to your first-choice location, this cannot be guaranteed. Note that the highest number of invigilators are required at the RDS, where the largest volume of examinations takes place.

• The role is active: Invigilating involves being on your feet, walking throughout the venue, and standing for long periods.

• You need to be calm and professional: The exam environment requires focus, discretion and a calm presence, especially in stressful or unexpected situations.

• You must follow procedures: Invigilators are expected to follow exam regulations closely and support students in a fair and consistent way.

• Training is required: All new invigilators must attend a paid in-person training session before their first shift.

• You’ll need a PPS Number and Irish bank account: These are required to receive payment.

• You will be part of a team: Clear communication and cooperation with colleagues and supervisors is essential.

Who Can Apply to Invigilate

You are eligible if you are:

• A UCD graduate student not sitting exams in the same trimester

• A UCD staff member who has invigilated in UCD or another Irish public institution before July 2012

• An external applicant who meets all the criteria 

Who Cannot Apply

You are not eligible if you are:

• A current UCD undergraduate student

• A full-time UCD staff member, unless your post is research-funded

• Registered to sit any current trimester exams at UCD, at any venue

• On a Scientific Researcher Visa

• On Stamp 2A immigration permission

The following restrictions apply to newly recruited invigilators (if they are to claim payment for work completed).

1. Invigilators must be available to complete a compulsory in-person training session, the details of which will be provided upon successful acceptance of application.
2. If an appointed invigilator is in receipt of a research grant, they must confirm with their Principal Investigator whether or not they are eligible to carry out additional paid work.
3. Non-EEA Nationals must be in possession of a valid Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB-INIS) card or an Irish Residence Permit (IRP) that entitles them to work in Ireland for the entire exam period. This is a legal requirement. Applicants will be expected to upload a copy of this card/permission in order to receive payment.
4. Non-EEA students on a Stamp 2 permission can work up to 20 hours per week during term time. During June, July, August, and September, and between 15 December and 15 January, they can work up to 40 hours per week.
5. All invigilators must have a PPS number in order to be paid. If you do not have a PPS number you need to apply through (opens in a new window)gov.ie.
6. All invigilators must be over 18 years old.
7. If a newly recruited invigilator is a member of UCD personnel, who has not invigilated in UCD in addition to their main post with UCD prior to July 2012 without a break in service, in line with direction from the Department of Education and Skills, no allowances or premium payments (this includes invigilation payments) of any kind may be paid to new beneficiaries, that is to full-time employees who have not previously been in receipt of an allowance or premium payment prior to July 2012. To be eligible, the invigilators role prior to July 2012 must also have been full-time.

UCD shall be entitled to dismiss invigilators at any time without notice, or payment in lieu of notice, if they commit a breach of the above conditions. In the event that the information provided is discovered to be untrue, inaccurate or misrepresented, UCD shall be prevented from making payment for any work.

What types of roles are available? 

• Standard Invigilators (Supervisors) are responsible for monitoring exam venues, enforcing regulations, and assisting students as needed. This role involves walking around the exam hall for long periods, distributing materials, and responding to queries. Invigilators must remain alert to ensure the smooth running of the exam.
• Exam Helpers provide essential logistical support, including guiding students to the correct exam hall, managing cloakroom facilities, overseeing toilet breaks, and assisting with the setup of exam venues. This role may involve lifting and moving exam supplies. Exam Helpers must remain calm and organised, particularly when assisting latecomers.
• Scribes (Newman Exam Centre Only) assist students who require support by writing or typing answers on their behalf, ensuring accuracy while maintaining exam integrity. This role requires concentration and clear communication.
• Team Leads / Assistant Team Leads are responsible for the overall running of an exam centre section / room. They coordinate invigilators, appoint tasks, complete the necessary paperwork and oversee everything involved in a given exam session.

What is required for AEADS invigilation?

AEADS (Alternate Exam Arrangements - Disability Support) involves invigilation for those registered with Disability Support. These exams are located in the Newman Centre, Belfield Campus.

Invigilators who are hired to work in the Newman Exam Centre in a single room capacity are required to undergo Garda vetting. Prospective single room Invigilators who are new to the Newman Centre, but also returning Invigilators whose Garda vetting has expired (Garda Vetting confirmation lasts for three years) will need to be vetted. These applicants will visit UCD HR during one of the designated Garda vetting sessions to confirm their identification and provide the relevant documentation. UCD HR will then confirm the outcome of the vetting process.