Awards Explained

National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ)

The NFQ is a ten-level system (1–10) giving an academic or vocational value to qualifications obtained in Ireland. UCD Graduate Courses have associated levels assigned to them in accordance with this framework.

Graduate studies at UCD offer a modularised and credit-based curriculum:

Each module has a credit value typically ranging from 2.5 to 15 credits. This is calculated based on the total student effort. The total student effort includes time spent in-class (at lectures, seminars, laboratories, tutorials or workshops) and time spent on projects or assignments, as well as examinations. It also includes an estimate of independent study time.

One credit represents 20-25 hours of total student effort; therefore, a standard five credit module represents 100-125 hours of student effort.

Graduate Taught Programmes

Graduate taught courses are usually taken by students who hold an undergraduate degree. The majority of the course will involve taking taught modules. In order to graduate with a master’s degree, you will typically need to complete a dissertation.

Graduate Research Programmes

A research degree, i.e. a research master’s degree, MD degree, PhD or professional doctorate, involves the sustained and in-depth study of a specific topic that is then written up as a thesis for examination. Research degrees involve students carrying out their own research and academic study under the guidance of their academic supervisor(s), supported by a Research Studies Panel.