UCD Arts and Humanities Programme Student Continuation Policy

Policy Scope

This policy seeks in the first instance to identify timely interventions to ensure that students who enter a BA Programme in Stage 1 are supported in completing the programme in keeping with the University Policy on Continuation and Readmission. Following a number of interventions and provision of supports, the Arts and Humanities Undergraduate Taught Programmes Board may decide that a student's registration be discontinued. This policy will work in conjunction with other intervention and support procedures, at school and programme level, which seek to improve student engagement and retention.  It is proposed that students who have not demonstrated academic engagement over any four trimesters may be considered for exclusion from their programme by the Arts and Humanities Programme Board.  Lack of engagement will be defined as: failure to progress to the next stage of the programme and/or 3 or more failed modules in a trimester.

Policy Implementation

Interventions will be considered following the Grade Approvals Process each trimester.

Continuation Review, Step 1

Students whose academic performance is deemed to be unsatisfactory, will be identified. These students will be contacted and a meeting will be arranged with the Chair of the Arts and Humanities Programme Board, (or nominee), to discuss their academic performance. Students will be formally notified of this meeting through their UCD email address.  Students will be given information and advice on supports available and guidance on remediation, extenuating circumstances and leave of absence policies. Students may be accompanied to any meeting by a representative of the UCD Students’ Union.

Outcome

This meeting will agree on a development plan. Students will be informed that their progress is being monitored at both programme and school level and that continued dis-engagement could result in their removal from the programme, should results not improve over the subsequent three trimesters.  

Continuation Review, Step 2

Students who have not demonstrated academic engagement for a second trimester will be formally notified that their academic performance is unsatisfactory and that they are at risk of being in breach of the Continuation Policy. Students will be given the opportunity to meet with the Chair of the Arts and Humanities Programme Board, (or nominee),to explain their performance and will be given information and advice on all supports available and guidance on all relevant policies and regulations as above.

Continuation Review, Step 3

Students who have not demonstrated academic engagement for a third trimester will be formally notified that their performance has continued to be unsatisfactory and that they are now in danger of removal from their programme.  A meeting with the Chair of the Arts and Humanities Programme Board (or nominee) and Head of School(s), or nominee (s) will be arranged where students will be given the opportunity to explain their performance on their programme.  Again, students will be provided with information and advice on all supports available and guidance on all relevant policies and regulations.

Continuation Review, Step 4

Students who have not demonstrated academic engagement for a fourth trimester will be formally notified that the Arts and Humanities Programme Board will review the student’s case.  Depending on the outcome of that review, the Programme Board may refer the case to the Academic Council Standing Committee with a recommendation to discontinue their registration from the Programme, in compliance with the University Policy and Procedures on Continuation and Readmission. Students will be given a period to appeal this outcome and to provide a reasonable explanation to the Board.

If students do not engage with, or respond to the formal communications sent to them, the process will continue and the lack of response will be noted in the Programme Board’s supporting evidence sent to the Standing Committee of the ACCSCC with the recommendation for discontinuation.

(Updated on 30/03/2020)