Policies and Regulations

The principles underlying Marks and Standards were approved by Academic Council on 10 December 2008:

• (i)      Marks and Standards shall be consistent with the National Framework of Qualifications 

• (ii)      The Registrar of the University has ultimate responsibility for the integrity and implementation of Marks and Standards.

• (iii)      The responsibility for the updating, maintenance and publication of the Marks and Standards document rests with the Office of the Vice President Academic Affairs.

• (iv)      All amendments and/or additions to Marks and Standards are subject to Academic Council approval regarding both underlying principles and the detailed wording.

• (v)      Following approval of the revised (2009) Marks and Standards by Academic Council, any future amendments shall be dated, creating a new edition(s). Previous editions of Marks and Standards shall be archived and accessible via the DCU website. A version control document detailing amendments from 2012/13 shall be maintained and accessible via the DCU website.

The following are the approved Marks and Standards which must be always applied consistently and to all taught programmes and modules, including taught modules on research programmes; only derogations required by professional bodies will be considered for approval.

This Marks and Standards document is subject to change.  In any given academic session, a student is subject to the Marks and Standards that are approved by Academic Council for that academic session.

Programme Specific Regulations

Programme-specific regulations, which must be compliant with Marks and Standards, are approved by Faculties each spring, formally approved by the University Standards Committee at its summer meeting each year and made available on the Office of the Vice-President for Academic Affairs website and on Loop.

Provision for a Force Majeure Event

In the case of a force majeure event, for a defined period of time, the Vice President for Academic Affairs/ Registrar) may replace aspects of Marks and Standards and associated programme regulations with alternative arrangements. The Vice President for Academic Affairs/Registrar will then inform Academic Council at the earliest opportunity.

1.1      Awards

AWARD: An award is that which is conferred or granted by DCU and which records that a student has acquired a specified standard of knowledge, skill, and competence. The award is made when the required number of credits has successfully been accumulated, at appropriate levels, from approved modules, and over an appropriate period of time.

MAJOR AWARD: A major award is the principal class of award made at a level.

MINOR AWARD: A minor award recognises attainment of some of the learning outcomes of a (corresponding) major award.

SPECIAL PURPOSE AWARD:  A special purpose award is designed to meet specific, relatively narrow focused legislative, regulatory, economic, social, or personal learning requirements.

SUPPLEMENTAL AWARD: Supplemental awards are for learning which is additional to a previous award. It is designed for education and training with respect to an occupation or profession and may be for updating of education and/or professional development.

• 1.1.1      All DCU awards are placed on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ).

• 1.1.2      DCU primarily confers or grants Major Awards at Level 8, Level 9, and Level 10.

• 1.1.3      DCU may also confer Minor, Special Purpose and Supplemental Awards at Level 7, Level 8, Level 9 and Level 10.   ‘Non-major awards’ is the collective term for an award in the Framework with a smaller volume and more narrow outcomes than major awards.  There are three classes of non-major award: minor, special purpose and supplemental.

Table 1: Awards offered by DCU on the NFQ and Award Credit Accumulation Structure

• 1.1.4      For professional recognition, some awards may require completion of credits in excess of the credit requirements listed in Table 1.

1.2      Award Titles

The following is the list of agreed award titles for undergraduate and taught postgraduate programmes:

• 1.2.1      Undergraduate Programmes
• • BA: Bachelor of Arts
  • BSc: Bachelor of Science
  • BBS: Bachelor of Business Studies
  • BEng: Bachelor of Engineering
  • BCL: Bachelor of Civil Law
  • BEd: Bachelor of Education

• • Certificate in…
  • Diploma in….
  • Higher Diploma in….
  • Professional Diploma in…

• 1.2.2       Taught Postgraduate Programmes
•  
  • LLM
  • MA: Master of Arts
  • MBA: Master of Business Administration
  • MEd: Master of Education
  • MEng: Master of Engineering
  • MSc: Master of Science
  • PME: Professional Master of Education

• • Graduate Certificate in..
  • Graduate Diploma in..
  • Professional Diploma in (e.g. Professional Diploma in Accounting)
  • Professional Certificate in..

• 1.2.3      Erasmus Mundus Joint Taught programmes
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  • ​​​​​​​IM: International Master
  • EM: European Master
  • Erasmus Mundus Master

2.1      ECTS definition and workload

ECTS: ECTS is a learner-centred system for credit accumulation and transfer based on the transparency of learning outcomes and learning processes.

ECTS CREDITS: ECTS credits are based on the workload a typical student needs to complete in order to achieve expected learning outcomes.

ECTS GRADES: The ECTS grading system translates a grade from one institution to another across Europe.

WORKLOAD: Workload indicates the time students typically need to complete all learning activities (such as lectures, seminars, projects, practical work, self-study, and examinations) required to achieve the expected learning outcomes.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Learning outcomes describe the knowledge, skills, and competencies that a typical student is expected to demonstrate upon successful completion of a process of learning.

• 2.1.1      Regulations pertaining to ECTS and ECTS Credits
  • 60 ECTS credits are typically attached to the workload of two full-time semester periods of formal learning and the associated learning outcomes. One ECTS credit corresponds to 25 hours of work; therefore, a student workload equals 1,500 hours per 60 ECTS credits.

2.2      Regulations pertaining to academic session and ECTS credits

• 2.2.1      ACADEMIC SESSION  An academic session is the enrolment period covered by the enrolment fee; the maximum duration of an academic session is 12 months.

• 2.2.2       A 12-month academic session is normally divided into two semesters during which the teaching and assessment take place. The taught programmes of the university will normally be based within the two teaching semesters (Semester 1 and Semester 2) per academic session. The teaching, learning and assessment activities associated with a module will normally be completed during one formal semester, or if a year-long module, two formal semesters.  Field work and other learning activities that take place outside of the formal semesters are subject to approval by the Registrar. However, it is recognised that clinical, teaching, professional placement or work experience may take place outside, or be spread across, the formal semesters.

• 2.2.3      For programmes operating within the semester-based system, the formal teaching semesters (Semester 1 and Semester 2) will comprise a minimum of 15 weeks of student activity: normally 12 weeks of teaching and learning, 1 study week and 2 weeks of assessment.

• 2.2.4      Postgraduate student research activity and dissertation work need not be constrained by the dates of the formal teaching semesters; this applies to activities for awards by research and to the research elements for taught postgraduate awards.

• 2.2.5      For undergraduate students, the maximum allowable number of ECTS credits in an academic session is 75, and the minimum allowable is 5.

• 2.2.6      To permit flexibility and facilitate student choice, students may pursue a greater or lesser number of credits in a single academic session, subject to both feasibility and the approval of the Programme Board.

• 2.2.7      The normal workload for a full-time undergraduate student will be 60 ECTS credits in a standard 2-semester academic session. The workload may be greater than this where learning activities continue outside the standard academic semesters, for example, in international programmes and programmes involving placement.

• 2.2.8      For taught postgraduate students, the normal workload for full-time students is 30 ECTS credits per semester. The workload may be greater than this where learning activities continue outside the standard academic semesters, for example, in dissertation or practicum activities.

• 2.2.9      For taught postgraduate students, the maximum allowable number of ECTS credits in any academic session is 90, and the minimum allowable is 5.

• 2.2.10     ECTS credits achieved are normally held in perpetuity.

2.3      Credits for joint or multiple Awards

• 2.3.1      For JOINT or MULTIPLE awards approved under a duly constituted and processed agreement with one or more approved partner institutions, credit transfer recognition and regulatory matters will be in accordance with Memoranda of Understanding agreed between the institutions.

2.4       Credits for DCU major, minor, special purposes, supplemental awards

• 2.4.1      For DCU MAJOR awards generally (provided the award is worth a minimum of 60 credits), prior learning in the form of ECTS credits achieved, where such learning supports the desired learning outcomes of the award concerned, and where a major award at the same level has not been conferred on the applicant by another institution on foot of those credits, will be recognised subject to a MINIMUM of 60 ECTS CREDITS AT THE LEVEL OF THE AWARD, excluding exempted modules, being taken at DCU. (Such DCU credits may be taken at DCU, at its linked colleges, or at an approved partner institution).

• 2.4.2      For MINOR, SPECIAL PURPOSE OR SUPPLEMENTAL DCU awards, prior learning in the form of ECTS credits achieved, where such learning supports the desired learning outcomes of the DCU award concerned, and where an award at the same level has not been conferred on the applicant by another institution on foot of those credits, will be recognised subject to a MINIMUM OF 50% of the CREDITS, excluding exempted modules, being taken at DCU. (Such DCU credits may be taken at DCU, at its linked colleges, or at an approved partner institution).

• 2.4.3      For any major award, a minimum of 60 ECTS credits must be at the NFQ level of the award. If an award has 60 credits or fewer, all ECTS credits must be at the NFQ level of the award.

• 2.4.4      A student may not present the same ECTS credits as qualification for more than one DCU award. Similarly, a student may not claim exemption in respect of ECTS credits towards one award that have already been presented as qualification for another award.

2.5      Module exemptions and evaluation of prior learning

• 2.5.1      Module EXEMPTIONS may be awarded for prior learning; applications for exemptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis in accordance with approved university procedures and subject to the minimums indicated at 2.4 above.

• 2.5.2      The evaluation of prior learning, whether in the form of experiential learning or of ECTS credits awarded, will be carried out in accordance with approved university entry mechanisms for the awards concerned.

3.1      Module definition, module level, module strength

MODULE: A module is defined as a self-contained unit of teaching, learning and assessment activities, the outcomes of which are assessed during the academic session and which carry a specified number of ECTS credits, at a specific NFQ level, i.e. 7, 8, 9 or 10.

MODULE LEVELS: The following level indicators describe typical modules offered in DCU:

• 3.1.1      Table 2: DCU Awards and Module Level Indicators

MODULE STRENGTH: module strength indicates the contribution of a module to a specific award. The following strength indicators describe a module’s strength contribution to an award: light contribution (LC), moderate contribution (MC), or full contribution (FC). A module may make contributions of different strengths to different awards.

• 3.1.2      Table 3: Awards and Module Strength Indicators

3.2      Regulations pertaining to modules

• 3.2.1      MODULE SIZE: A module will carry a minimum of 5 ECTS credits. Modules can carry 5 ECTS credits, 7.5 ECTS credits and integer multiples of 5 ECTS credits.
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• Where dissertations or research projects form part of an undergraduate programme, these modules can carry 5 ECTS credits, 7.5 ECTS credits and integer multiples of 5 ECTS credits, up to a maximum of 30 ECTS.

• 3.2.2      WEIGHTED AVERAGE MODULE: Where a number of modules in a single cognate discipline are combined to produce an overall weighted average result across those modules, the averaging module should carry no less than 10 ECTS credits and each component module should carry no less than 5 ECTS credits.

• 3.2.3      Students should participate in all activities associated with all of the modules they register for, including attendance at lectures, laboratories and other teaching and learning activities, in accordance with any approved programme requirements. Any programme-specific attendance requirements are indicated to students in the programme-specific regulations.

3.3      Regulations pertaining to Micro-credential Modules (MCM)

• 3.3.1      MICRO-CREDENTIAL MODULE (MCM): A micro-credential is the record of the learning outcomes that a learner has acquired following a small volume of learning. These learning outcomes have been assessed against transparent and clearly defined standards. Courses leading to micro-credentials are designed to provide the learner with specific knowledge, skills and competences that respond to societal, personal, cultural or labour market needs. Micro-credentials are owned by the learner, can be shared and are portable. They may be standalone or combined into larger credentials. They are underpinned by quality assurance following agreed standards in the relevant sector or area of activity. [From A EUROPEAN APPROACH TO MICRO-CREDENTIALS, European Commission, December 2021]. 
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• DCU micro-credential module offerings must comply with the DCU micro-credential characteristics as approved by Education Committee (October 2021).

• 3.3.2      A micro-credential module (MCM) is a module that can be registered for without reference to any award.

• 3.3.3      A MCM will carry a minimum of 1 ECTS credits and a maximum of 30 ECTS. [As per adopted DCU definition and characteristics (Micro-credentialing in DCU, endorsed by Education Committee, 13 October 2021]

• 3.3.4      Micro-credential modules hold industry, societal and professional stakeholder relevance. MCM credits and learning outcomes may entitle the holder to a non-major award or be recognised and counted towards a major award. [Should a learner accumulate sufficient and appropriate credits for a major or non-major award, the award will be approved by the relevant Progression and Award Board (see paragraph 4.3.2)]

• 3.3.5      An MCM approval board will consider and approve individual module results.

• 3.3.6      The ECTS credits for micro-credential modules contributing to a final award retain currency for no longer than 8 years.

• 3.3.7      A repeat opportunity is not provided where a student has failed or deferred an MCM.  If the MCM is provided at a future date, the student may re-register for that MCM as a repeat registration.

• 3.3.8      Micro-credential module activities may take place outside of, or be spread across the University formal semesters.

• 3.3.9.    With the exception of the paragraphs above, micro-credential modules, and awards, which comprise micro-credential modules, are subject to Marks and Standards.

3.4      Regulations pertaining to Stand-Alone Modules (SAM)

• 3.4.1      STAND-ALONE MODULE: A Stand-Alone Module (SAM) is a module that can be registered for without reference to any award. They may be articulated as Continuous Professional Development (CPD) modules, which support individuals in employment in their profession.

• 3.4.2      An accumulation of SAM credits does not automatically entitle the holder to an award.  SAM credits may be recognised and counted towards an existing award.

• 3.4.3      A stand-alone module approval board will consider and approve individual module results, as required.

• 3.4.4      Compensation is not permitted between SAMs.

• 3.4.5      With the exception of the paragraphs above, stand-alone modules and awards, which comprise stand-alone modules, are subject to Marks and Standards.

4.1      Programmes of study definition

PROGRAMMES OF STUDY: programmes of study are approved, academically coherent sets of modules leading to awards of the University and such professional body recognition as may be established from time to time.

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMMES: programmes of study leading to awards at Level 8 or below are defined as undergraduate.

POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMMES: programmes of study leading to awards at Level 9 or above are defined as postgraduate.

Programme academic structures and programme-specific regulations specify module dependencies, for example pre-requisites and co-requisites, if applicable.

A programme of study may lead to different awards.

4.2      Pathway definition

PATHWAYS: An award may be achieved by following different pathways through a programme of study and are supported by temporal, modal and curricular flexibility.

4.3      Regulations pertaining to programmes of study

• 4.3.1      Normally, undergraduate and taught postgraduate students may not be registered on more than one programme of study within DCU.  Exceptions to this regulation must be approved by the University Standards Committee.

• 4.3.2      Each programme of study will have a PROGRESSION and AWARD BOARD (PAB) to determine the progression or award outcomes of the students registered for that programme. The Progression and Award Board will meet after the appropriate assessment process for the programme has taken place. The membership of the Progression and Award Board can be found at this link. (Review and approval of Results for Taught Programmes).

• 4.3.3      The Progression and Award Board will recommend, for the approval of Academic Council, an overall result in respect of each student's performance.

• 4.3.4      A programme of study may have alternative exit routes, named exit awards, whereby a student may receive an award for a lesser number of credits than the programme on which he/she is registered.  Exit awards must be approved either at the time of accreditation or subsequently by Education Committee.  Exit awards are outlined in programme regulations along with any specific core module requirements.

5.1      Registration period definition 

REGISTRATION PERIOD: A registration period is the total time that a student is enrolled on a programme of study; this includes any transfers from a related programme taken at the same level in DCU. All academic sessions from the date of first registration contribute to the overall registration period irrespective of whether the student is registered for such sessions (excluding approved leave of absence).

A student undertaking a taught award of 180 credits or more is subject to a maximum registration period of 8 years.

A student undertaking a taught award of less than 180 credits is subject to a maximum registration period of 4 years.

Maximum and minimum registration periods for research degrees are as provided for in the Academic Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees by Research and Thesis.

5.2      Regulations pertaining to registration period and legacy re-admission

• 5.2.1      The currency of ECTS credits towards a final award will be evaluated by the Progression and Award Board when considering the possibility of an extension to the maximum registration period and/or alternative exit awards.

• 5.2.2      Where a student without a current registration has not received an award for credits completed and is beyond the maximum registration period of a programme he/she may apply for legacy readmission to the programme if the period of time since the last year of registration does not exceed eight years.  The application is made to the Programme Board which makes a recommendation to the Faculty Teaching and Learning Committee. If recommended by the Faculty Teaching and Learning Committee, the application is then submitted to University Standards Committee for approval.  Students may have completed all programme requirements or may have requirements outstanding.  Where requirements are outstanding, these must be completed in order to receive the award. 
•  
• Either of the following circumstances may additionally apply
•  
  • (i)            Where the required number of credits has been completed but where the time elapsed between the last registration and the application for the award is eight years or less the student may be required to undertake additional credits as directed by the Programme Board to ensure currency of the award
  •  
  • (ii)          Where the required number of credits has not been completed and the time elapsed between the last registration and the application for readmission is eight years or less, the student must complete all outstanding requirements which may include additional credits as directed by the Programme Board to ensure currency of the award.

• 5.2.3      Former students, where the period since their prior registration exceeds eight years and who have not been permanently excluded from the University are required to apply for entry to the programme ab initio, irrespective of clause 2.2.10.

• 5.2.4      In exceptional circumstances, former students who have exhausted all permitted attempts at some or all of the modules on a programme without successful completion and have been withdrawn from registration on the programme by the Progression and Award Board may be considered for re-admission.  In order to be considered for re-admission, a period of at least three years must have elapsed since the last year of registration on the programme.

• 5.2.5      Where a suspension of one's study has been granted, it will extend the maximum registration period by one year.

• 5.2.6      Where a deferral of an academic session or examinations/assessment has been granted, it will not extend the maximum registration period.

6.1      Module assessment definition

• 6.1.1      MODULE ASSESSMENT: Module assessment may comprise both continuous assessment and final examination components

6.2      Regulations pertaining to assessment

• 6.2.1      The weighting of each assessment component for the overall module assessment can range from 0% to 100% as specified in the module descriptor.

• 6.2.2      The continuous assessment component may contain multiple elements.

• 6.2.3      For specific modules approved by University Standards Committee, the continuous assessment may include a sequence of core elements with a defined and required pass threshold and may involve sequential progression between elements.  Such core elements will be marked on a pass/fail basis only.

• 6.2.4      For all assessment components and component elements, the assessment methodology, set of assessment criteria and weightings are provided in advance to students.

• 6.2.5      The workload associated with the assessment components of a module will reflect the number of ECTS credits carried by the module.

• 6.2.6      The maximum duration of a final examination component for a module of 5 ECTS credits is 2 hours. The maximum duration of a final examination component for a module of more than 5 ECTS credits is 3 hours.

• 6.2.7      Students are expected to attempt all elements of a module assessment within the academic session and in accordance with the assessment schedule as outlined in the module descriptor. Failure to attempt an element or component of assessment will result in a value of zero for that element or component.

• 6.2.8      MODULE MARKS: Student performance in a module may be marked on a scale 0 - 100 or allocated a Pass / Fail grade as described in the approved module descriptor.

6.3      Regulations pertaining to module marks

• 6.3.1      In a marked module, the final mark will be calculated in accordance with the assessment breakdown outlined in the approved module descriptor. The required pass mark in such a module is 40% of the maximum marks available.

• 6.3.2      In modules which meet the following conditions:
  • (i)      where all the learning outcomes can be assessed by a terminal examination,
  • (ii)      the continuous assessment elements of the module address a subset of the module learning outcomes assessed in the terminal examination,
  • (iii)      the continuous assessment element has a weighting of 20% or less and is formative in nature,
  • (iv)      the module has been designated and approved by Faculty Teaching and Learning Committee and listed in the programme regulations
  •  
  • then
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  • No resit of the continuous assessment is made available, and the module mark will be calculated as the greater of (a) the weighted average of the continuous assessment percentage mark and the terminal examination percentage mark or (b) the terminal examination mark.

• 6.3.3      Where different components of assessment within a module (continuous assessment and final examination assessment) contribute to the final mark, there will be no requirement that a minimum mark be obtained in any one component.

• 6.3.4      Within the maximum registration period, a module, once passed, cannot be retaken, irrespective of whether or not all elements have been attempted or passed.

• 6.3.5     In the case of students re-admitted to a programme on an ab initio basis because their prior registration exceeds eight years, if modules on that programme taken previously are no longer deemed current by the Programme Board, there may be a requirement to complete those modules ab initio, irrespective of clause 2.2.10.

• 6.3.6      Deferral of an overall module mark will be considered where extenuating circumstances are presented. A module is then deferred to the next available opportunity; this is determined by the academic structure of the programme.

7.1      Progression and related definitions

• 7.1.1      Progression: Progression is defined as the permission granted to a student to register in the subsequent academic session for the next diet of modules within his/her programme of study.

• Progression from Semester 1 to Semester 2 is automatic for students in good standing with the University.    

• 7.1.2      Compensation: Compensation is defined as the process by which a student, who fails to satisfy some of the regulations for credit in a specific module, is nevertheless recommended for credit award on the grounds that the failure is offset by his/her performance in other modules of his/her programme of study. 

• 7.1.3      Previous Element Contribution: A previous element contribution is defined as an element which contributes towards the final award.  This is usually a previous study period weighted average mark but may in some cases be a module mark. Where the first attempt at a previous element contribution (precision or module mark), is less than 40 then the value used in the calculation of the overall precision mark is 40.

• Where a student transfers to another programme of study or progresses from a foundation programme to a new programme of study any previous failed attempts at modules that are offered on the new programme of study are not used in the calculation of the precision mark for the new programme of study.  Previous year contributions are not applicable to programmes with continuous mode of study.

• 7.1.4      Precision Mark: the precision mark is normally defined as the overall weighted average for the first full presentation of marks for an academic session. Modules are normally weighted proportionately according to their credit value. For continuous programmes, the precision mark is defined as the overall average weighted mark for the first full presentation of marks for an award.

• Where all modules for an academic session are marked as Pass/Fail only (e.g. year- long INTRA), then no precision mark will be calculated. The overall classification for the academic session in such cases will be recorded as ‘Pass with Honours’ or ‘Fail’.

• Where an individual module is marked as Pass/Fail only, it will have no impact on the precision mark.

• Where an alternative module has been taken by a student it is excluded from the precision mark calculation.

• Where a student requests to exit a programme with a lesser award the following precision rules apply.  Core modules, must be included in the calculation of the precision mark.  When a student has completed more ECTS credits than needed for the award, any remaining credits required for the calculation of the precision mark will be selected from the remaining modules taken, using the best marks obtained.  All marks used in the calculation of the precision mark will be the marks obtained at first attempt.

• 7.1.5      Preponderance Rule: When calculating the precision mark for the purposes of determining classification, the following rules apply:

• A precision mark with a decimal place value of 0.5 or more will automatically be rounded up to next integer value, or where a precision mark is no more than 1% below a classification threshold and the unrounded precision mark has a decimal place value of less than 0.5, this precision mark will automatically be rounded up to the threshold value if one half or more credits are made up of modules with marks, at first attempt, at or above the threshold value. Previous year contributions are excluded when rounding the precision mark for classification purposes. 

• 7.1.6      Resit: A resit assessment offers students another opportunity within an academic session to demonstrate that they have achieved the learning outcomes associated with a module. A resit is normally triggered by a deferral or a module mark of less than 40% (any exceptions are noted in approved programme-specific regulations) 

• It does not require that a student resits all the assessment components of the module; the overall resit module mark is determined according to the approved programme-specific regulations. The maximum number of resit opportunities in any one academic session is one.

• The resit assessment does not have to be identical to the original assessment.

• 7.1.7      Repeat: An opportunity to repeat a failed or a deferred module requires that a student register for that module (or its equivalent) in the next or subsequent academic session. 

7.2      Regulations pertaining to progression, compensation, resits and repeats for taught programmes

• 7.2.1      Progression Regulations
  • 7.2.1.1      Progression is determined according to the approved academic requirements of the programme of study.
  • 7.2.1.2      In certain limited circumstances, progression may be defined as provisional in programme regulations.  Where provisional progression is applied, this may be reversed when final results are confirmed by a Progression and Award Board.

  • 7.2.1.3      A Progression and Award Board may, in exceptional circumstances, which are explicitly recorded, recommend that a decision on a student's progression be postponed to enable the student to complete specific outstanding credit requirements of the programme.

  • 7.2.1.4     Students registered for a Qualifier Programme to a Master's Programme who have successfully obtained the Qualifier Programme credits with a minimum mark of 50% in every level 8 module and/or a minimum pass mark in every level 9 module will be allowed to transfer to the associated Master’s award.

  • 7.2.1.5      Marks for all attempts by a student at a module, including resit assessments and repeat attempts, in the course of a programme of study must be recorded in the transcript.

  • 7.2.1.6      Where programme regulations for a programme permit, failed or deferred module(s) may be carried forward to the following year, subject to the criteria detailed in the programme regulations, and aligned with regulations pertaining to academic session and ECTS credits (M&S: paragraph 2.2.5).

  • 7.2.1.7      Where a Progression and Award Board has permitted a student to progress into the next academic session carrying a failed module(s) (as detailed in the Programme Regulations), the failed module (s) can only be carried for one academic year.

• 7.2.2      Compensation Regulations

  • 7.2.2.1      A programme of study may contain specified, approved modules to which compensation cannot be applied. Details of non-compensatable modules are outlined in the programme-specific regulations.

  • 7.2.2.2      A programme of study may contain specified, approved modules, the credits for which may not be counted for the application of compensation; in such cases, compensation is applied on a pro-rata basis

  • 7.2.2.3      Compensation is not permitted for taught postgraduate programmes.

  • 7.2.2.4      Compensation is permitted for taught undergraduate programmes

    • Compensation is applied only when all of the following conditions are met:

      • (i)      the modules are being attempted for the first time, i.e., a full set of module marks is presented for the first time; compensation is not applied in relation to modules ebing attempted at a second or subsequent sitting

      • (ii)      a minimum precision mark of 45% has been obtained 

      • (iii)      a maximum of 1/6 of the available ECTS credits have been failed in the academic session (regardless of the semester in which the failure(s) occur or of how these ECTS credits are made up in terms of modules e.g., exempted and pass/fail modules

      • (iv)      the marks obtained in the individual failed module(s) is/are 35% or greater.

• 7.2.3      Regulations for resits and resit categories

  • 7.2.3.1      Where a student has failed or deferred a module, he/she must, in order to acquire the credits for the module, resit the assessment for that module in the current academic session (if a resit is offered) or repeat the module (or its equivalent) in the next academic session. The following conditions apply. 

    • (i)      only one repeat academic session is allowed and only one repeat opportunity per module is allowed.  

    • (ii)      a student may be required to register for an alternative module to a failed or deferred module in the next or subsequent academic session if the original module is not available provided the alternative can meet the required award learning outcomes.

    • (iii)      if the original module is not available to repeat in subsequent academic sessions and the required learning outcomes cannot be achieved by taking an alternative module the student will be required to wait until an appropriate module is next available.

  • An alternative module cannot be taken as a resit.

  • 7.2.3.2      Any resit must take place within the academic session, and the results are recorded as an additional opportunity.

  • 7.2.3.3      Where a fail is recorded against the original overall module mark, a mark of less than 40% in a component requires that that component be taken as a resit, where a resit is available.

  • 7.2.3.4      Where a module has a final examination assessment component, a resit of the examination assessment component must be offered within the academic session (Category 1 modules).

  • 7.2.3.5      Where a module has a continuous assessment component, a resit of the continuous assessment may not be feasible within the academic session in all cases (Category 2 and Category 3 modules).

  • 7.2.3.6      Resit arrangements are defined according to the Resit Category of the module which is published in the module descriptor.  Resit Categories are as follows:

    • Category 1:      A resit is available for both components of the module. Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment

    • Category 2:      No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module

    • Category 3:      No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element

  • Where a module is classified as a category 1 module, as outlined above and the student has failed both the continuous assessment and examination elements then both elements must be retaken.   The resit module mark is calculated using the original module weighting.  Marks for any components graded at 40% or more at the original sitting are carried forward and used in the calculation of the overall resit module mark.  Where components are originally graded at less than 40% at the original sitting, it is the resit marks that are used in the calculation of the overall resit module mark even if they are lower than the marks obtained at the original sitting.  Where there is an absence from a resit opportunity, a mark of zero will apply.

  • Where a module is classified as a category 3 module, as outlined above, the resit module mark is calculated used the original module weighting.  The original continuous assessment mark is carried forward and used in the overall resit module mark calculation.  The student is given the opportunity to resit the examination component in order to compensate for a failed continuous assessment component, regardless of the original examination mark.

  • Where a module is classified as category 3, then the percentage of marks overall assigned to the continuous assessment element can be no more than 25%.

• 7.2.4      Repeat regulations
  • 7.2.4.1      Only one repeat opportunity per module is allowed.
  • 7.2.4.2      A repeat attempt requires that a student retakes all the assessment components of the module; component marks from previous attempts are not carried forward.
  • 7.2.4.3      Where exceptional circumstances are made known to a Progression and Award Board, the Board has discretion to approve one further repeat academic session.
  • 7.2.4.4      An alternative module taken in the repeat year is considered a repeat attempt at the module.

8.1      Consideration of award

Progression and Award Boards may consider candidates eligible for an award when they have met all the requirements of the programme of study leading to that award.

An award will not be granted to any student who is disqualified in any way by the University.

8.2      Regulations pertaining to classification of a Level 8 Bachelor degree award by the University

• 8.2.1      Level 8 Bachelor Degree: To be eligible for consideration for the award of a Level 8 Bachelor Degree, a student must accumulate the requisite credits as specified in the Award Descriptor. The mark to be used to determine the grade of classification is the precision mark based on the first attempt at the relevant, approved modules. Where the original precision mark is less than 40%, and the student subsequently successfully completes the requisite credits, the student will be awarded a Third Class Honours degree irrespective of the final marks achieved.

   

  The overall precision marks achieved across some or all years of the programme of study may contribute to the classification of the award.

   

  Where a precision mark is calculated, the student’s results will be classified in accordance with the standards set out below.

• 8.2.2      Table 4: Level 8 Honours Bachelor Degree Award Classification

8.3      Regulations pertaining to the classification of a Level 7 and 8 Certificate, Diploma or Higher Diploma Award by the University

• 8.3.1      Level 7 and level 8 Certificate, Diploma or Higher Diploma: To be eligible for consideration for the award of Level 7 or level 8 Certificate, Diploma or Higher Diploma, a student must accumulate the requisite credits as specified in the Award Descriptor. The mark to be used to determine the grade of classification is the precision mark based on the first attempt at the relevant approved modules. Where the original precision mark is less than 40%, and the student subsequently successfully completes the requisite credits, the student will be awarded a Third Class Honours classification, irrespective of the final mark achieved.

  Where a precision mark is calculated, the students' results will be classified in accordance with the standards set out below.

• 8.3.2      Table 5: Level 7 and 8 Certificate and Diploma or Higher Diploma Award Classification*

*The change in classification of level 7 and 8 certificate, diplomas and higher diplomas will apply from 2021-2022.  No retrospection can apply.

8.4      Regulations pertaining to the classification of a Level 9 Master's Award by the University

• 8.4.1      Level 9 Taught Master's Degree: To be eligible for consideration for the award of a Level 9 Master’s Degree, a student must accumulate the requisite credits as specified in the Award Descriptor. A taught Master’s award consists of a minimum of 60 ECTS credits of taught modules and a maximum of 30 ECTS credits for the dissertation/practicum.  The mark to be used to determine the grade of classification is the precision mark based on the first attempt at the relevant, approved modules. Where the original precision mark is less than 40%, and the student subsequently successfully completes the requisite credits, the student will be awarded a Third Class Honours classification, irrespective of the final marks achieved.

• 8.4.2      Table 6: Level 9 Taught Master's Degree Classification**

**The change in classification of taught Master’s programmes will apply from 2017-2018.  No retrospection can apply.

• 8.4.3      Level 9 Master's Degree (Research): The degree of Master’s (Research) is a Major Level 9 award and is awarded without classification. Further details on Academic Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees by Research and Thesis are available on the OVPAA Policies and Regulations webpage.

8.5      Regulations pertaining to the classification of a Level 9 Certificate or Diploma Award by the University

• 8.5.1      Level 9 Certificate or Diploma: To be eligible for consideration for the award of Level 9 Certificate or Diploma, a student must accumulate the requisite credits as specified in the Award Descriptor. The mark to be used to determine the grade of classification is the precision mark based on the first attempt at the relevant, approved modules. Where the original precision mark is less than 40%, and the student subsequently successfully completes the requisite credits, the student will be awarded a Third Class Honours classification, irrespective of the final marks achieved.

• 8.5.2      Table 7: Level 9 Certificate and Diploma Classification ***

***The change in classification of level 9 certificate and diplomas will apply from 2021-2022.  No retrospection can apply.

8.6 Regulations pertaining to the classification of a level 10 Award by the University

• 8.6.1      To be eligible for consideration for the award of a Level 10 (Doctoral) degree, a student must accumulate the requisite credits as specified in the Academic Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees by Research and Thesis.

• 8.6.2      A level 10 (Doctoral) degree is awarded without classification.

• 9.1 APPEAL: Students have the right to appeal the decisions of a Progression and Award Board. Such appeals will be processed in accordance with the procedures detailed by Academic Council. 

• 10.1      In the event that, after an award being made or credits being approved, plagiarism or academic fraud related to the award or credits, is proven, Academic Council may revoke the approval of the award or credits.

1.        ACADEMIC SESSION: An academic session is the enrolment period covered by the fee; the maximum duration of an academic session is 12 months.

2.         AWARD: An award is that which is conferred or granted by Dublin City University and which records that a student has acquired a specified standard of knowledge, skill and competence.  The award is made when the required number of credits has been successfully accumulated, at appropriate levels, from approved modules, and over an appropriate period of time

3.         COMPENSATION: Compensation is defined as the process by which a student, who fails to satisfy some of the regulations for credit in a specific module, is nevertheless recommended for credit award on the grounds that the failure is offset by his/her performance in other modules of his/her programme of study.

4.         Deferral of Academic Session:  A student can defer their return to a programme of study for a full academic session (i.e. October to September).  An approved deferral of an academic session counts as part of the overall registration period.  Where an academic session has been deferred, a student is not registered as a repeat student on return (except where the deferred academic session is already a repeat academic session).  Forms can be found at the Registry's Application Forms webpage. 

5.         ECTS: ECTS is a learner-centred system for credit accumulation and transfer based on the transparency of learning outcomes and learning processes.

6.         ECTS CREDITS: ECTS credits are based on the workload a typical student needs to complete in order to achieve expected learning outcomes.

7.         ECTS GRADES: The ECTS grading system translates a grade from one institution to another across Europe.

8.         EXIT AWARD:  An exit award is an award for a lesser number of credits than the original registered award.

9.         FACULTY TEACHING AND LEARNING COMMITTEE: A Faculty Teaching and Learning Committee or equivalent has responsibility for the management of the Faculty's taught programmes and related issues of quality and for overseeing teaching and learning policy developments in the Faculty.

10.       LEARNING OUTCOMES: Learning outcomes describe the knowledge, skills and competencies that a typical student is expected to demonstrate upon successful completion of a process of learning.

11.       MAJOR AWARD: A major award is the principal class of award made at a level. 

12.       MICRO-CREDENTIAL: A micro-credential is the record of the learning outcomes that a learner has acquired following a small volume of learning. These learning outcomes have been assessed against transparent and clearly defined standards. Courses leading to micro-credentials are designed to provide the learner with specific knowledge, skills and competences that respond to societal, personal, cultural or labour market needs. Micro-credentials are owned by the learner, can be shared and are portable. They may be standalone or combined into larger credentials. They are underpinned by quality assurance following agreed standards in the relevant sector or area of activity. [From A EUROPEAN APPROACH TO MICRO-CREDENTIALS, European Commission, December 2021]

13.       MINOR AWARD: A minor award is for the partial completion of the outcomes of a major award. 

14.       MODULE: A module is defined as a self-contained unit of teaching, learning and assessment, activities the outcomes of which are assessed during the academic session, and which carry a specified number of ECTS credits, at a specific NFQ level, i.e. 7, 8, 9 or 10.

15.       MODULE ASSESSMENT: Module assessment may comprise both continuous assessment and final examination components. 

16.       MODULE SIZE:  Modules can carry 5 ECTS credits, 7.5 ECTS credits and integer multiples of 5 ECTS credits (please see section 3.3 for Micro-credential Module exception).

17.       SUSPENSION OF STUDY (LEAVE OF ABSENCE): A Suspension of Study (Leave of Absence) is applicable only to students who have ongoing serious or medium-term circumstances and have documentation to support their request. An approved suspension of study (leave of absence) does not count as part of the overall registration period and will extend the maximum registration period by one year.

18.       WEIGHTED AVERAGE MODULE: This a module which is designated as a calculated weighted average of several component modules in a single cognate discipline.  A weighted average module cannot carry less than 10 ECTS credits and a component module can carry no less than 5 ECTS credits.

19.       PATHWAYS: An award may be achieved by following different pathways through a programme of study and are supported by temporal, modal and curricular flexibility.

20.       POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMMES: programmes of study leading to awards at level 9 or above are defined as postgraduate.

21.       POSTPONEMENT OF ASSESSMENT/EXAMINATION: Where valid circumstances exist to prevent a registered student from completing examinations or assessments, the student can submit an application to defer the examinations and/or assessments associated with a module(s) to the next available opportunity.  An approved postponement (deferral) of an examination or assessment counts as part of the overall registration period.  Where examinations or assessments are postponed to the next academic session, a students is registered as a repeat student in the next academic session. Registry forms can be accessed here.  

22.       PRECISION MARK: the precision mark is normally defined as the overall weighted average for the first full presentation of marks for an academic session. Modules are normally weighted proportionately according to their credit value. For continuous programmes, the precision mark is defined as the overall average weighted mark for the first full presentation of marks for an award.

23.       PREVIOUS YEAR CONTRIBUTION: A previous year contribution is defined as an element which contributes towards the final award.  This is usually a previous study period weighted average mark but may in some cases be a module mark.  Previous year contributions are not applicable to programmes with continuous mode of study.

24.       PROGRAMMES OF STUDY: Programmes of study are approved, academically coherent sets of modules leading to awards of the University and such professional body recognition as may be established from time to time.

25.       PROGRESSION: Progression is defined as the permission granted by a Progression and Award Board to a student to register in the subsequent academic session for the next diet of modules within his/her programme of study.

26.       REGISTRATION PERIOD: A registration period is the total time that a student is enrolled on a programme of study; this includes any transfers from a related programme taken at the same level in DCU.

27.       REPEAT: An opportunity to repeat a failed or deferred module requires a student register for that module (or its equivalent) in the next academic session. It also requires that a student retake all the assessment components of the module; component marks from previous attempts are not carried forward. Only one repeat opportunity per module is allowed.

28.       RESIT: A resit assessment offers students another opportunity within an academic session to demonstrate that they have achieved the learning outcomes associated with a module. A resit is normally triggered by a deferral or a module mark of less than 40% (any exceptions are noted in approved programme- specific regulations It does not require that a student resit all the assessment components of the module; passed assessment component marks are carried forward. The resit assessment does not have to be identical to the original assessment.

29.       SPECIAL PURPOSE AWARD: A Special Purpose award is made for specific, relatively narrow purposes. 

30.       STAND-ALONE MODULE: A Stand-Alone Module (SAM) is a module that can be registered for without reference to any award. They may be articulated as Continuous Professional Development (CPD) modules which support individuals in employment in their profession.

31.       SUPPLEMENTAL AWARD: Supplemental awards are for learning which is additional to a previous award.  

32.       UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMMES: programmes of study leading to awards at Level 8 or below are defined as undergraduate.

33.       WORKLOAD: Workload indicates the time students typically need to complete all learning activities (such as lectures, seminars, projects, practical work, self-study, and examinations) required to achieve the expected learning outcomes.

All forms referred to are available on the Registry website.

The text on the process for dealing with alleged academic misconduct is outlined in the flowchart in Appendix III)

This procedure should be read in conjunction with DCU’s Academic Integrity Policy.

Academic  Regulations  for  Postgraduate  Degrees  by  Research  and  Thesis  relate  to  the research degree offerings of Dublin City University (DCU). They are designed to safeguard both the academic standards of the University and the interests of individual students. 

These regulations apply to two types of doctoral awards offered by the University – Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Professional Doctorate. Issues relating to Higher Doctorates (DSc, DEng, DLitt, LLD) are dealt with in a separate document, Provisions and Regulations: Higher Doctorates.  In addition to making doctoral awards, the University makes awards at Master’s level on the basis of research, and these are also subject to these regulations. 

These regulations are guided by the University’s Marks and Standards; the Quality and Qualifications Ireland ‘Ireland’s Framework of Good Practice for Research Degree Programmes’,  (2019);  and the National Framework for Doctoral Education (2015). 

The regulations apply to all research students registered in DCU, irrespective of the institution in which they commenced their studies. Reference is made in the document where an exception applies for students first registered with St Patrick’s College, Drumcondra (SPD) or Mater Dei Institute of Education (MDI). 

These regulations are subject to change.  In any given academic session, a student is subject to the regulations that are in place at the beginning of that academic session.   

1.1 Doctoral Awards 

The doctoral degree is one of the highest academic qualifications awarded by the University and is at Level 10 on the National Framework of Qualifications. It is awarded, without classification,  to  successful  candidates  on  the  strength  of  a  body  of  original  work  of scholarship prepared and presented in accordance with internationally-accepted academic standards. All candidates for doctoral degrees will be examined in the same manner through external  and  internal  examination  of  the  submitted  thesis,  followed  by  a  viva  voce examination.    

1.1.1 Doctor of Philosophy  

The PhD may vary in format of submission, as outlined below. However, the same academic standards apply in all cases. The degree of PhD is awarded in recognition of research which has made a significant and coherent contribution to knowledge.  The degree of PhD is awarded, without classification, on the basis of successful completion and examination of the research thesis. The thesis has a nominal value of 270 ECTS credits.   

The core component of a PhD programme is the advancement of knowledge through original research. At the same time, the PhD is designed to meet the needs of an employment market that is wider than academia. In that context, the PhD involves a high-quality research experience, training and output consistent with international norms and best practice. 

To support the original research activity, the following elements are advised: 

• a formalised integrated programme of education, training, and personal and professional development activities which is planned and often thematically focused;
• the development of discipline-specific knowledge, research skills and generic/ transferable skills; and
• declared outcomes and graduate attributes in line with national and international best practice.  

The University is committed to providing its research students with the best possible research experience. In that context, it is very supportive of research students engaged in PhD research who wish to take additional courses to enhance their generic and disciplinary research skills. Students can take ECTS credits by means of discipline specific modules, generic research and transferable skills, as agreed in their Personal Development Plan (PDP). Students who opt to take such modules must have the permission of their supervisors. The successful completion of such modules will be recorded on the student’s transcript. All module descriptors relating to modules not already accredited as part of an award programme are subject to prior approval by the Graduate Research Studies Board. Results of modules will be approved by the GTE (Graduate Training Elements) Award Board. 

Candidates who wish to pursue a structured PhD programme will undertake disciplinespecific modules, research skills courses, and generic and transferable skills courses, as agreed in their Personal Development Plan (PDP) and/or partnership agreement, to the value of at least 20 ECTS credits, no more than 90 ECTS credits, but typically in the range 30-60 ECTS credits. Normally, 10 ECTS credits will relate to research skills, transferable and generic skills modules.    

Model based on Collaboration with Enterprise 

The University recognises the value of PhD-level research which emerges from or is conducted within the context of a company, healthcare setting, voluntary sector organisation, public body or other such organisation. Such collaborative research facilitates the professional development of the PhD student through the integration of academia with other sectors and contributes to the creation of new knowledge relevant to the needs of society, the economy and policy-forming bodies, through original research. The educational outcomes must, in all cases, correspond to the intellectual challenge of a PhD, so the project must be carefully planned and negotiated to ensure that this potential exists.  

The degree of PhD is awarded, without classification, on the basis of a thesis submitted for examination. The thesis has a nominal value of 270 ECTS credits.

At the time of initial registration, it is  the  supervisor’s  responsibility  to  ensure  that  an agreement between the external organisation and University is put in place which covers such issues as: funding, intellectual property ownership, time which the research student will spend on campus or in the external organisation and the role of the external organisation in the supervision of the student. It is also important that DCU’s expectations regarding research awards are made clear to the collaborating enterprise. 

Students registered under this model can only take a maximum of 30 additional ECTS credits by means of discipline-specific modules, generic research and transferable skills, and active contribution to the University. Students who opt to take such modules must have the permission of their supervisors. The successful completion of such modules will be recorded on the student’s transcript. All module descriptors are subject to approval by the Graduate Research Studies Board. Results of modules will be approved by the GTE Award Board. 

1.1.2 Formats of PhD Submission: Monograph, Publication, Artefact and Creative/ Performance Practice  

As well  as  the monograph format,  the  University  offers  the  opportunity  for candidates to submit their research for the award of PhD in the format of published work, of artefacts such as music compositions, and through creative  or performance practice.   In the case of formats other than a monograph, the submission of an accompanying set of chapters which must satisfy the appointed examiners is also required. Requirements for each format are given in section 9 of these regulations.  

1.1.3 Professional Doctorate  

The Professional Doctorate is awarded in a number of disciplines, without classification, on the basis of a research thesis and other work. The Professional Doctoral Programme is usually a part-time research-based programme. The core aim of the Professional Doctorate is to make significant contributions to knowledge of professional practice through research. In that context, the Professional Doctorate aims to foster professional development through research as well as meeting the requirements of rigour and originality expected of a doctorate. 

A Professional Doctorate normally involves the production of a number of significant pieces of written work followed by a thesis. The total ECTS credits will be in the range 240-270. The thesis should constitute no fewer than half the total credits. 

For components other than the thesis, the regulations relating to assessment and progression are as outlined in Marks and Standards.  The University currently awards the following Professional Doctorates:

• EdD - Doctor of Education
• DBA - Doctor of Business Administration 
• DPsych - Doctor of Psychotherapy 
• DMusPerf - Doctor of Music in Performance
• DProfElite - Doctor of Elite Performance Sport)  

​​​​​​​1.2 Master’s Degree by Research 

The Master’s degree by Research, (Level 9 on the National Framework of Qualifications) is awarded, without classification, on the basis of a thesis submitted for examination. It nominally has a value of 180 ECTS credits. Master’s students may register for a maximum of 20 ECTS credits of discipline-specific modules, research skills courses or generic skills courses. The Master’s degree can be undertaken in the context of collaboration with enterprise. In these cases, it is the supervisor’s responsibility at the time of initial registration to ensure that an agreement between the external organisation and the University is put in place which covers such issues such as: funding, intellectual property ownership, time which the research student will spend on campus or in the organisation and the role of the organisation in the supervision of the student. 

Examination will take place through internal and external examination of the submitted thesis. A viva voce examination is not mandatory but can be requested by the examiners. 

​​​​​​​The following awards may be made:  

• LLM  Master of Laws
• MA  Master of Arts
• MBS  Master of Business Studies
• MEng  Master of Engineering
• MEd  Master of Education 
• MPhil  Master of Philosophy
• MSc  Master of Science  

1.2.1 Formats of Submission for Master’s Degree by Research: Monograph, Artefact and Creative/ Performance Practice   ​​​​​​​

As well as the monograph format, the University offers the opportunity for candidates to submit their research for the award of MA by Research in the format of artefacts such as music compositions, and through creative or performance practice. In the case of formats other than a single thesis, the submission of accompanying documents which must satisfy the appointed examiners is also required. Requirements for each format are given in Section 9 of these regulations.

2.1 Academic  Council  has  overall  responsibility  in  all  matters  related  to  graduate research degrees. The University’s Graduate Research Studies Board is responsible for all policies and procedures relating to graduate research and reports to Academic Council on these. 

2.2 The University is prepared to consider proposals for programmes of graduate research work concerned with fundamental research or other areas of scholarship or with any aspects of industrial, commercial, enterprise, clinical, artistic or professional activity. 

2.3 Students registered for graduate research degree programmes are entitled to the same rights and privileges as all other registered students and are subject to the same Student Code of Conduct and Discipline. Students must comply with the University's regulations governing graduate research degrees and are obliged to adhere to the University’s Code of Good Research Practice, Export Control Policy, research ethics guidelines, Code of Practice on Authorship and Academic Integrity and Plagiarism Policy. Students registered for graduate research degree programmes must also adhere to the National Policy Statement on Ensuring Research Integrity in Ireland, adopted by the Irish Universities Association and aligned with the European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity.   

2.4 A student may normally be registered at any time for one degree only, and work to be submitted for an award cannot be submitted elsewhere for a degree or other similar award. Any  exceptional  application  for  dual  registration  must  be  made  to  the Graduate Research Studies Board. 

2.5 Students on the Doctor of Education are registered with the Faculty. All other research students must register with a single School, notwithstanding the fact that they may conduct the research across a number of Schools or in one or more University Research Centre.  

2.6 In the case of interdisciplinary research projects, the School assuming responsibility for the project must be the School with which the student is registered. 

2.7 The University encourages collaboration in programmes of research between the University and other educational, industrial, commercial, professional or research institutions. Such arrangements are governed by the University Policy on Research Supervision and Awards in Collaboration with Other Institutions. 

2.8 All official communications and administrative procedures relating to graduate research applications, offers of places, registration, continued registration, annual progress reports, examination procedures and results shall be conducted through and by the Registry.

3.1 Prior to submitting an application, a candidate must consult with the appropriate School on the proposed programme of study and must ascertain whether or not the School would be prepared to recommend their application to the University 

3.2 To  register  for  a  graduate  research  programme,   a  candidate  must  normally have obtained a primary degree classification (Level 8) equivalent to a second class honours degree, grade two, in an appropriate discipline, from an approved university or an approved equivalent degree-awarding body, or have an approved equivalent professional qualification in an area cognate to the proposed research topic. Such candidates are considered for entry only on the research Master’s register initially. 

3.3 Candidates with a taught Master’s degree (Level 9) in an appropriate discipline with first- or second-class honours, and candidates with a primary degree in an appropriate discipline  with  first-  or  second-class  honours,  grade  one,  may  apply  and  be considered for entry to the PhD-track register with a view to proceeding towards a PhD. Such candidates will undergo a confirmation procedure, as outlined in section 8, before being admitted to the PhD register. Candidates with a taught Master’s degree (Level 9) in an appropriate discipline with first- or second-class honours, and candidates with a primary degree in an appropriate discipline  with  first-  or  second-class  honours,  grade  one,  may  apply  and  be considered for entry to the Professional Doctorate register.  

3.4 Students on the Master’s register may apply for transfer to the PhD register under the same conditions, and using the same procedure, as PhD-track candidates requesting confirmation on the PhD register. 

3.5 Candidates holding an appropriate Master's degree obtained by research may apply for direct entry to the PhD register to conduct research in a cognate area. 

3.6 In exceptional circumstances only, candidates for a Master’s or Professional Doctorate degree who do not meet the stipulated entry requirements based on their cognate degree but who can demonstrate exceptional ability or aptitude for academic research may apply to pursue studies for a research degree. They may base their application on recognition of their accredited or experiential prior learning, in line with University policies in this regard. 

The admission of candidates not holding a prior degree qualification cognate to the area of research being undertaken shall be strictly limited and applicable in exceptional cases only. Such applications must be fully supported and endorsed by the School in which the research will be carried out and supervised. The onus will be on the School and the supervisor to give clear reasons for their recommendation in such a case, and the Graduate Research Studies Board will make the final decision on admission.   

3.7  Students holding academic qualifications from outside the State will be assessed using the NARIC guidelines and the European Framework of Qualifications.

4.1 Candidates must apply through the Student Application Portal.  Only candidates who have contacted the School with which they wish to be registered, and have got a recommendation from the School to apply, will be able to proceed to the completion of the Student Application Portal application. All such candidates need to have the support of a potential supervisor.

4.2 Successful candidates will be required to register with the University and pay the appropriate fees and seek their Scholarship Contract Letter where applicable from their School.  

4.3 The registration date for Autumn registration is published in the Academic Calendar. The Spring registration date is 2nd March, for Year 1 students only. Students who register on or after this date must re-register for Year 1 in the following September. Students should check these dates regularly in case of changes. 

4.4 All students are required to re-register on an annual basis. Such registration is subject to payment of the appropriate fees and satisfactory progress certified by the supervisory panel (described in 7.1) and endorsed by the Head of School or nominee. 

4.5 In normal circumstances, research students registered at DCU will reside within Ireland. 

4.6 Supervisors, on behalf of registered students, or new applicants not covered by a joint supervision or award agreement but wishing to reside and undertake research outside Ireland for a period of six months or more (based on the Residing Abroad Principles), must inform the Graduate Research Studies Board, and for those wishing to reside and undertake research outside Ireland for the full period of registration, must be approved by the Graduate Research Studies Board, where in either case details are provided as to the rationale for registration abroad rather than locally to DCU, and arrangements for supervisor oversight of the field, experimental or other work. Such arrangements are also subject to the requirements and principles detailed in section 7.15. 

4.7 Where doctoral or Master’s research is to be conducted in formal collaboration with another higher education institution, or undertaken in the context of the enterprise model, the DCU Policy on Research Supervision and Awards in Collaboration with Other  Institutions  applies.  The  context  should  be  made  clear  at  the  time  of  the student's application to DCU so that an agreement on joint supervision or joint award can be drawn up with the partner institution or company prior to registration. Significant advance planning is usually required.

4.8 Advanced entry is permitted into the University, but subject to specific entry requirements being met by the prospective student and subject to the approval of the application by Graduate Research Studies Board. Credits earned and learning outcomes achieved as part of a graduate taught programme cannot be used to gain advanced entry to a graduate research programme, with exception to those seeking advanced entry to Professional Doctorate programmes. A student who is admitted via advanced entry to a programme is governed by the Academic Regulations in place at the time of their admission, including research integrity requirements as per Academic Regulation 2.3.   

5.1 Students register on either a full-time or a part-time basis. Any changes to this will only be reflected in the next academic year.  

5.2 The  minimum  typical  and  maximum  registration  periods  for  Doctoral and  Research Master’s degrees are as follows:

5.3 If a student wishes to submit a thesis before the minimum period stipulated, they must seek  permission  from  the  Graduate  Research  Studies  Board  to  be allowed to do so. Such permission will be granted in exceptional cases only. 

5.4 If a student does not submit a hardbound thesis to Registry within the maximum period stipulated, they must  seek  permission  from  the  Graduate  Research  Studies  Board  to  be allowed to continue their studies. Such extensions will be granted in exceptional cases only.

6.1 It is preferable for students to conduct their research without interruption in so far as possible. Occasionally, a student may have reason to be absent from the University. If this is for a period of less than three months, no change to registration is required, and regular fee liability applies.  

6.2 When a student is externally funded, they should discuss the situation with the Supervisor(s) in the first instance, and the sponsoring agency should be consulted if a temporary cessation of study is necessary. Students and supervisors should be aware of any possible implications which this temporary cessation may have on the funding and of any additional requirements stipulated by the funding body. The Graduate Studies Office should be notified prior to the student seeking a deferral or suspension of study from the University. Students who defer do not receive a stipend during this period, as stipends are paid only during active registration. Students who suspend their study may continue to receive their stipend if such is available, dependent on the circumstances.  

6.3 Deferral

• 6.3.1 There may be situations where a Student is required to defer their studies. Deferrals are granted in keeping with DCU's  Marks and Standards. Deferrals must be approved by the Supervisor and the relevant Head of School and will usually be for a half, or full academic year.
   
• 6.3.2 Students wishing to defer must notify the Registry, in advance of the deferral, in writing submitting an Application for Deferral. Retrospective deferrals are not allowed, except in exceptional cases where a student was adversely affected by illness or other factors, which they were unable or, for
  valid reasons, unwilling to divulge, and is limited to half year.
   
• 6.3.3 During any temporary cessation of registration, the student’s participation in the research programme is suspended and the student will not be entitled to supervision or to use the University facilities, including the Library.
   
• 6.3.4 Consistent with DCU's Marks and Standards, the maximum period of registration is not exceeded.
   
• 6.3.5 Tuition fees are adjusted to account for the deferred period.

6.4 Suspension of Study

• 6.4.1 There may be situations where a Student is required to suspend their studies. Suspension of studies are granted in keeping with DCU's Marks & Standards, and only in such exceptional circumstances. Suspension of study must be approved by the Supervisor and the relevant Head of School and will usually be for a half, or full academic year.  
   
• 6.4.2 Students wishing to suspend their study must notify the Registry, in advance, in writing by submitting an Application for Suspension of Study. Retrospective suspensions are not allowed, except in exceptional cases where a student was adversely affected by illness or other factors, which they
  were unable or, for valid reasons, unwilling to divulge, and is limited to half year.
   
• 6.4.3 During any temporary cessation of registration, the student’s participation in the research programme is suspended and the student will not be entitled to supervision or to use the University facilities, including the Library.
   
• 6.4.4 Consistent with DCU's Marks and Standards, the maximum period of registration is extended.
   
• 6.4.5 Tuition fees are adjusted to account for the suspended period.
   

6.5 Withdrawal

• 6.5.1 Research students withdrawing from the University must notify the Registry, either through the Student Apps Page or via the relevant link on the Registry webpage.
   

6.6 Readmission

• 6.6.1 Where a student does not register or has no current registration, or a student who has withdrawn from the University, they may apply to the Graduate Research Studies Board for re-admission to the programme, subject to the existence of appropriate supervision experience within the University. Readmissions should normally be granted in keeping with DCU's  Marks and Standards, and only in exceptional circumstances. A student who is readmitted to a programme is governed by the Academic Regulations in place at the time of their re-admission.  

7.1 Each graduate research student will have a supervisory panel. The principal aim of the supervisory panel is to participate in formal decision-making with respect to the student’s progress, and provide advice, additional support and pastoral care, and escalate, as appropriate, should problems arise.  This requirement for a supervisory panel does not apply  to candidates registered prior to  2011/2012 and those who initially registered as SPD or MDI students prior to March 2016.

• 7.1.1 The panel will comprise all of the Supervisor(s) plus one additional independent member of academic staff.

• 7.1.2 The panel must include at least one academic supervisor from the academic School in which the student is registered.

• 7.1.3 While a Supervisor will be an expert in the field of study, there is no requirement that all members of the supervisory panel have this expertise, but they should have some experience of research degree supervision in a similar or related discipline.

• 7.1.4 For DCU academics new to being a principal supervisor (not having supervised postgraduate research students to completion), the supervisory panel for their first two research students must include a member experienced in supervision who will be in a position to take an advisory role. Inclusion of such a panel member can be deemed necessary by the Head of School for reasons other than a principal supervisor’s relative inexperience. The panel member may be a member of academic staff in another School, if there are not enough panel members qualified to be advisors available in a School.

• 7.1.5 Heads of School should endeavour to ensure that a supervisory panel has no more than four members in total.

• 7.1.6 The Independent Panel Member should be appointed by the Head of School and notified to Registry within three months of the student’s initial registration. The principal supervisor should notify the student of the appointment and outline the functions of the role. Reference to the Guidelines on the Appointment and Remit of an Independent Panel Member.

7.2 Supervision remains the sole prerogative of the Supervisor(s) who has/have full responsibility for the overall management and supervision of the student’s work and progress. 

7.3 Appointment of too many supervisors for one candidate is to be avoided, and each supervisor should have a defined and clear role in the work. Assisting students in a laboratory for instance does not, of itself, constitute supervising.

7.4 Each graduate research student will have a suitably qualified principal supervisor whose responsibility will be to supervise the student on a regular and frequent basis. 

• 7.4.1 In certain cases, where there is a significant requirement that more than one area of expertise be covered, there may be more than one principal supervisor. The supervisors in this instance are referred to as joint principal supervisors and have equal rights and undertake equal responsibilities. 

• 7.4.2 A principal supervisor is normally employed on a permanent contract with the university or one which extends beyond the normal expected registration period of the candidate. If these conditions are not met, then a supervisory plan must be put in place which satisfies the Head of School. 
   

7.5 In  certain  cases,  there  may  be  secondary  supervisor(s)  as  well  as  principal supervisor(s). A secondary supervisor is appointed when specific expert academic input is required on aspects of the project, or when supervision is being provided by a person who is not a member of DCU staff. 

• 7.5.1 Unless  subject  to  a  joint  award  agreement,  where  a  supervisor  is  not  a member of University staff, such a person or persons will be deemed to be secondary supervisors and a University staff member will be the principal supervisor. This includes adjunct faculty. All relevant forms must incorporate the names of all supervisors. The University will, however, accept the signature of the DCU supervisor(s) as signalling assent on the part of both or all supervisors. 

7.6  For students undertaking Professional Doctorates, appointment of supervisors and the establishment of the supervisory panel may be postponed until the student embarks on the substantive research work. 

7.7  It  is  the  responsibility  of  the  relevant  Head  of  School  to  ensure that appropriate supervision remains in place in situations where a supervisor or independent panel member leaves the University. 

• 7.7.1 Where a principal supervisor retires or resigns from the University during the programme of study of one or more students, then the supervisor is encouraged to continue supervising the students in their new capacity, but as a secondary supervisor. It is the responsibility of the Head of School to appoint a new principal supervisor in cases where it is necessary under the requirements in 7.1 and to notify Registry using the appropriate form. 

• 7.7.2 Where a supervisor is absent (e.g. on sabbatical leave) for part of the duration of the student’s research, it will be the School’s responsibility to determine whether or not a replacement supervisor is needed for the period in question. 

• 7.7.3 It is the responsibility of the supervisor(s) to ensure a smooth and timely transition where a change of supervisor takes place. 

• 7.7.4 Changes in supervisory and/or panel member arrangements must normally be made on the basis of agreement between the supervisor(s), the student, the proposed supervisor(s) and the Head of School or nominee and must be submitted to the Faculty Research Committee for approval and, once approved there, notified to Registry.   

7.8 Supervisors will be appropriately qualified. 

• 7.8.1 Academic staff who undertake the supervision of PhD students or Professional Doctorate students are themselves required to hold a doctoral qualification or a full professorship or professorship and have relevant experience in an area cognate to the proposed area of research, usually reflected by publications relating to the general area of research being undertaken by the candidate.