Student Continuation FAQs

In a typical UCD undergraduate degree programme academic progression refers to the process of a student moving through their programme of study towards completion, stage by stage. A student completes a stage when they have demonstrated the achievement of the learning requirements of that stage, as laid out in the programme specification, and they have acquired the number of credits required for that stage. The standard rate of academic progression expected is 60 credits (ECTS) per stage (typically one academic year) and 30 credits (ECTS) per trimester in a single academic year.

Academic Regulations 2024/25 - 6 - Progression and Completion

60 ECTs is typically referred to as a student’s academic workload for the year. To increase or decrease the academic workload for a student requires the written/explicit consent of the relevant Programme Director. 

Academic Regulations Academic Regulations 2024/25 - 3.7 Workload

No. As per academic regulations “ ..a student may be able to progress to the next stage without completing the previous one (an 'incomplete stage') if approved by the Governing Board, and when the following criteria are met….The credits needed to complete the incomplete stage do not exceed 10 credits…” so if you complete 50 of the 60 ECTS you will be able to progress to the next stage of your academic programme. However you will be expected to remediate the outstanding 10 ECTs at your earliest possible opportunity.

Academic Regulations 2024/25 - 6.4 Programme Progression and Completion

As per above question, if you have a minimum 50 ECTS credits you will automatically be progressed to the next stage of your program.

Academic Regulations 2024/25 - 6.3 - Programme Progression and Completion

Only with the explicit permission of your programme director. The standard academic workload per trimester is 30 ECTS so 60 ECTS per year.  A student may not register to more than 40 credits in any trimester, to include resits and Repeats so cannot exceed 80 ECTS per year.

Academic Regulations 2024/25 - 3.6 Workload

If you have failed more than 10 ECTs (typically at least 15 ECTS) in an academic stage you cannot progress to the next stage and you will be considered under the academic continuation policy which helps support students on a steady path of academic progression throughout the programme.

Academic Regulations 2024/25 - 6.10 - Programme Progression and Completion

No. If a student fails 15 ECTS - typically but not always made up of 3 modules - they cannot progress to the next stage. They  will come under the academic continuation policy and will be directed to avail of college support which involves an academic review meeting with their programme director.  

Academic Regulations 2024/25 - 6.3 - Programme Progression and Completion

If a student fails  10 ECTs - typically but not always made up of 2 modules -  in one stage then that stage will be regarded as incomplete BUT  they will technically be able to progress through that current  academic stage but they will NOT have completed the stage. A student cannot complete their academic programme until ALL academic stages have been completed.

Academic Regulations 2024/25 - 6.4 Programme Progression and Completion

Yes, if you fail 15 ECTS and do not progress to the next stage, so from stage 2, to stage 3, you will still be able to select modules from stage 3 to make up your academic workload for the year but subject dependencies may apply.  However it’s vital that you follow the programme course rules and select necessary core modules. It’s highly recommended that you discuss these kinds of choices with your Academic Programme  Director. 

Academic Regulations 2024/25 - 6.3 - Programme Progression and Completion

Remediating your failed modules should be a priority for your next trimester’s academic workload and module remediation opportunities should be available within one of the two following trimesters. See following links to remediation.

https://www.ucd.ie/registry/staff/registryservices/assessment/gradingsupport/remediation/

Academic Regulations 2024/25 - 5.38 - Module Completion and Remediation

If your academic performance is preventing you from progressing to the next stage you will be invited to avail of support via the academic continuation process. The college of engineering strongly advocates for students to attend academic review meetings with their Programme Director. Students will be notified by the college on the necessary steps to take if they are fall under the remit of the continuation policy

Continuation – Academic Progress Policy and Procedures - 6. - Continuation Procedure for Taught Programmes

The continuation process typically consists of a Continuation Review Meeting or a series of meetings. Here a student can avail of academic advice relevant to their programme and an academic plan is devised to assist students to improve their academic performance.

Continuation – Academic Progress Policy and Procedures - 6.1 - Continuation Procedure for Taught Programmes

No these meetings are designed to support your progression through your degree programme and to provide opportunities to get back on track. Students often derive lots of benefit from direct contact with their programme director or college staff discussing their academic journey?

Continuation – Academic Progress Policy and Procedures - Purpose - 1.1 

There are  3 standard continuation levels and one for extenuating circumstances. These are incremental stages designed to offer multiple avenues of support.  A continuation level typically lasts one full academic year but can also last just one term. A student who proceeds through all 3 continuation levels could be directed to a meeting with the college Dean where their eligibility to remain in the academic programme will be considered.