Support for Pregnant Students Policy

A student will need to plan the academic implications of her pregnancy with her Programme Chairperson. The student may wish to defer a Semester or year or seek alternatives. The University will respect the student’s wishes as far as this is practicable within the limitations of the academic structures.

In cases of deferral, the student’s grades will not be negatively affected and the result of the deferred module will be taken as the grade for calculation of the annual progression mark.

If students experience medical issues or complications during pregnancy and need to be absent from class or require extensions, the normal ‘extenuating circumstances’ procedure should be used. Staff should support students’ requests where feasible and academically viable but such requests should be supported by a note from the medical practitioner, as per normal procedures.

Students taking part in strenuous activity or required to attend labs as part of their programme of study, are asked to carry out a risk assessment, to ensure that any risk to the student or pregnancy is identified and managed appropriately. This can be accessed at http://www.dcu.ie/safety/safety-pregnancy-lab.shtml. Students will not be expected to take part in any activity considered to be ‘risky’ during their pregnancy and, where possible and practicable, an alternative to this activity will be arranged. In the case where a physical activity or lab presence is deemed to be unavoidable for academically sound reasons, the student may have no alternative but to defer the module for her own safety and that of the pregnancy.

In the case of programmes which include a work/clinical or teaching placement or in the case of programmes which contain a study abroad component, the rigour of the academic calendar and agreed arrangements with external partners may not allow flexibility for the students to defer this component within the given academic year and a deferral to the following academic year may be inevitable. This can be discussed with the Programme Chairperson.

Where feasible, the University should attempt to ensure that the geographic location of placements are conducive to the continued care of the student who is pregnant or a new mother. If the pregnancy is not known to the student when placements are allocated, an empathetic approach by the Placement Coordinator in re-assigning the student to a more suitable location, if feasible, will assist the student in the circumstances.

Nursing Placements:

The School of Nursing and Human Sciences and clinical partner services are committed to protecting the health and safety of all new and expectant mothers. Students must inform the BSc Programme Co-ordinator and the partner service SALO, as soon as the pregnancy is confirmed, in order to review their programme plan and ensure that the student and the pregnancy is not put at risk. Failure to inform the University may result in a prolonged interruption to the programme. A particular consideration is being able to identify a suitable placement for new and expectant mothers. A risk assessment is required to be conducted by the Placement Co-ordinator before any new or expectant mother can be allocated to a placement. She should also contact the BSc Coordinator prior to returning to the programme. 

Teaching Placements:

In the case of students completing a placement in a pre-school / primary / post-primary or FET setting, it is in the student’s best interest to disclose her pregnancy to the Co-operating Teacher/Placement Director in order to ensure that the placement setting is in a position to provide all reasonable support to the student. The disclosure by the student may be required in the context of the placement setting’s Health & Safety policy.

INTRA Work Placements:

As students are employed directly by a company, the rules and regulations of the company will apply and may vary. For Health & Safety reasons, the student may be required to disclose her pregnancy to the company.

Exchange / Study Abroad:

For students on Exchange or Study Abroad, the University is limited in the ‘practical’ support it can provide to the student. The International Office will liaise with the institution overseas to ascertain the level of support available in order to allow the student make an informed decision. Where a study abroad period is considered to be a risk to the student, the pregnancy or the new born infant, the student should consider a deferral or transfer to another programme, where this is possible.

In the cases of all placements, the University will endeavour to facilitate the student in securing a placement location which is conducive to the student’s pregnancy or care of the newborn.

In many cases, students who are pregnant will be able to proceed with examinations in the regular fashion. If however, students require additional provisions (e.g. a smaller exam venue), please contact the Registry Office directly at least two weeks before their examinations commence. A candidates’ request for additional provisions must be supported by a medical certificate. The Registry will endeavour to provide reasonable accommodations as far as practically possible.

The University cannot set alternative examinations for a candidate who is unable to sit an examination due to pregnancy but will support a postponement of examination to the next available sitting.

Undergraduate Students:

If a student defers a semester or a year of study due to difficulties during pregnancy or having given birth during the course of the academic year, the University will ensure that no financial penalties will be imposed. The student should inform the University of the situation by applying for fees remission when she returns to her studies. The procedure for applying for remission of fees is documented at this DCU webpage. The HEA may cover fees in a repeat year where evidence of complications in pregnancy are provided – this should be investigated by the student herself, as the University cannot make representation on behalf of the student.

Postgraduate students:

Taught postgraduate students and Research postgraduate students who are paying their own fees should apply for ‘remission of fees’ in the same way as undergraduate students (see above). Funded students should liaise with their School regarding Remission of Fees.

Postgraduate Research Students on DCU Contracts of Employment are treated as DCU Employees. Please consult this DCU webpage for relevant information. 

Students are under no obligation to disclose their pregnancy unless their programme of study puts them or their pregnancy at risk. This may be applicable to students undertaking a programme of study with a lab component or clinical placement, where manual handling or strenuous activity is involved. It is highly advisable to inform the University of a pregnancy in order to develop a comprehensive plan of support and discuss academic implications of the pregnancy.

The Student Health Centre is not in a position to provide comprehensive ante-natal care but can provide information on ante-natal hospitals and facilities, if required. It is very important that a student who is pregnant is under the care of an external medical provider to ensure her safety.

The Health Centre can provide a rest facility for students who are pregnant and require this during the course of the day. Staff in the Health Centre can also refer a student to other services within the University who can provide personal support.

DCU has put in place facilities on campus to allow a mother express milk in a safe and clean environment. 

Mother’s Rest Room Glasnevin Campus: Science Block, XG38

Mother and Baby (Care) Room: New Student Centre, Glasnevin Campus

Mother’s Rest Room St Patrick’s Campus: Student Health Centre, A104

Please contact the Health & Safety Office for swipe card access to the Mother’s Rest Room. Further information can be found at https://www.dcu.ie/safety/policies/mothers-room.shtml.

Access to the Mother’s Rest Room on the St Patrick’s Campus is through the Student Health Centre directly.

There are no specific breastfeeding facilities on our campuses. For reasons of health & safety and to avoid disruption of classes or study, students should not bring a baby into the classes or areas where other students could be disturbed.

DCU has a commercially operated facility on the Glasnevin campus. A student should consult with the Student Advice Centre for information on this facility as early as possible in the pregnancy, as Financial Assistance may be available through the Student Assistance Fund for childcare on or off campus, in a registered crèche.