Electives

Elective Modules Explained

• Most undergraduate degree students can take Elective modules.
• Electives give you the chance to study modules from outside your programme area. Always read the information about a module to see if you will be interested in it and if you meet the module requirements. The module spotlight gives you a list of interesting Elective modules that have places available.
• You can also choose to take Structured Electives. This means taking your Elective credits in a structured manner over the course of your programme to form a recognised block of learning in a subject area amounting to a minimum of 15 credits – typically three 5-credit modules. There is a range of Structured Electives available from Languages to Statistics so make sure you explore the available choices before making your decision.
• Discovery modules are an exciting addition to the range of Elective modules on offer. Each module is taught by more than one school and is designed to deepen students’ understanding of different disciplinary perspectives on topics of significant importance. The content of the modules includes cutting-edge research and all relate to an issue of historical or current global significance. Read more about Discovery modules in UCD.
• The UCD Centre for English and Global Languages (formerly Applied Language Centre) offers an extensive programme of language electives to students across the University. Languages available include Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Irish Sign Language, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Swahili. Please see the website for more information or email (opens in a new window)languages@ucd.ie.

Searching for and Selecting Elective Modules

1. When Online Registration opens for you, you can register to your Electives by going to the Electives page of Online Registration.
2. Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. 
3. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.
   When registering, have a look at the Credit Information box on the right-hand side of the module registration pages to see how many credits, including how many Elective credits, you need to have.
4. The Electives page will show all the Elective modules available. You can then use the filters on the left-hand side to narrow your search e.g. subject, trimester etc
5. Read the module information by clicking on the module title (highlighted in blue). Make sure you read all the information about the module to make sure it's the right Elective module for you. Always read the information in Am I eligible to take this module? before making your decision.
6. For full instructions take a look at the step-by-step guide to online registration.

Registering to Elective Modules and Allocation of Places

Incoming Stage 1 Undergraduates

1. You can register to an Elective module in the Spring Trimester.
2. If you want an Elective module, simply click Select Elective under it. Your choices will be recorded in the Electives Modules section of the Electives page.
3. If you see Provisional beside an Elective choice it means that places for that module will be randomly allocated. Registration will close to all students for a short period to facilitate this process. It will then reopen for changes to the Spring Trimester Option and Elective modules. Dates for this will be available on the Key Dates web page.
4. Check your UCD Connect email for regular status updates on the Electives that you have chosen. Check your UCD Connect email once allocation is complete to see if you were successful in getting a place in your Elective module(s). If you get a place, the status will change to Confirmed.
5. If you did not get a place on your original choice you can choose another module. Be sure to click on HIDE FULL MODULES to exclude any modules that do not currently have places available. Places will be first come-first served at that point.

Continuing Undergraduates 

1. You can register to Elective modules in the Autumn Trimester. 
2. If you want an Elective module, simply click Select Elective under it. Your choices will be recorded in the Electives Modules section of the Electives page.
3. If you see Provisional beside an Elective choice it means that places for that module will be randomly allocated in the week before the start of the Autumn Trimester. Registration will close to all students for a short period to facilitate this process. Keep an eye on the Key Dates web page.
4. Check your UCD Connect email for regular status updates on the Electives that you have chosen. Check your UCD Connect email once allocation has happened to see if you were successful in getting a place in your Elective module(s). If you get a place, the status will change to Confirmed. 
5. If you did not get a place on your original choice you can choose another module. Be sure to click on HIDE FULL MODULES to exclude any modules that do not currently have places available. Places will be first come-first served at that point.
6. If you are repeating a programme with an undeclared major, e.g. Arts or Engineering Omnibus, you will be able to select modules that you may wish to study for your next stage on the Electives page.
7. You can make changes to Spring modules during the Spring Trimester registration period.  

Further Information

• Sometimes there is more than one offering of a module. If you don't get a place in a particular time slot you may be able to get a place in another one once module registration opens again after allocation.
• You will find that places become available on many Option and Elective modules as other students change their minds about what modules they want to study.
• Schools may, where appropriate, create and release additional places on certain modules so keep an eye on Module Places for details.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact the Student Desk. We are happy to help.