Statement on delivery of teaching in the School of History for the autumn trimester 2020-21
Updated 14 September 2020
UCD is committed to ensuring that each student can engage with their academic programme effectively and has access to the highest quality learning and student experience possible. Schools in the College of Arts and Humanities are prioritising wellbeing, quality, and flexibility, across all our modules. Our stimulating teaching and learning environments are designed to ensure your safety, to meet disciplinary demands, and to provide access for all. Each School will use a specific blend of on-campus and virtual teaching modes to give you the best experience.
The School of History looks forward to welcoming incoming and returning students in September, and we have worked hard throughout the summer to make preparations for the new academic year ahead. In light of the current covid-19 outbreak, we are aware of the difficult circumstances in which many students may find themselves, whether this be in relation to uncertainty about the future, health concerns, family responsibilities, financial constraints or travel difficulties. The School follows government public health regulations and UCD’s guidelines in its plans for teaching in the autumn semester. We aim to continue, where possible, our practice of weekly lectures and seminars, and in general, teaching will consist of a blend of in-person and online delivery, with adapted teaching methods, content and timetabling where necessary. We remain committed to the highest standard of teaching, to sustaining our academic community, and to fostering student engagement with their peers, even if the shape of the coming autumn trimester looks a little different to usual. Above all, we prioritise the health, welfare and equity of our students and staff, ensuring that all face-to-face teaching is in line with prevailing social distancing guidelines (subject to any changes that may arise), and that students who are unable to come onto campus can access course content in comprehensive fashion remotely. A full list of online and on-campus options for undergraduate and postgraduate modules are available via the links in the relevant sections below.
If you have any queries about your academic programme, you may contact us via the student connector Arts and Humanities Student Connecter. You can also direct School-specific queries to (opens in a new window)history@ucd.ie
Undergraduate teaching:
The School plans, as of now, to deliver some modules on campus and some online. All lectures at levels 1-3 will take place online and will be recorded to give students opportunities to access them. A selection of 5 credit modules at levels 1, 2, and 3 will hold weekly on-campus seminars. In addition, all 5 credit modules at level 1-3 will have options for online weekly seminars, thus ensuring inclusivity for students who are unable to attend face-to-face teaching. These online seminars will have a synchronous and asynchronous component (e.g. participation in online discussion forums or learning journals) to maximise students’ opportunities to participate in the exchange of ideas. At level 3, some 10 credit modules will be entirely online and some will offer the weekly two hour seminar on campus. If you cannot come on campus, you should register for the online 10 credit modules (see below). The exact proportion of on campus and online teaching ultimately depends on current public health guidelines and their implications for the availability of teaching space. In all cases the mode of delivery for each module at every level will be made clear by module coordinators on Brightspace at the start of the semester. Students will have the usual opportunities to contact their lecturers and tutors outside the classroom, facilitated by office hours, discussion boards, email and virtual meetings.
For a full list of online and on-campus modules at undergraduate level, please click here.
For more information on all Undergraduate History modules, please visit:
(opens in a new window)Single Major History
(opens in a new window)Law with History
(opens in a new window)History & Politics
(opens in a new window)Archaeology, Geography & History
(opens in a new window)Classics, English & History
(opens in a new window)Celtic Studies, Art History & History
Postgraduate teaching:
Modules in the School’s MA programmes will be available largely through blended delivery with some online only modules. We are currently planning to deliver the majority of MA modules face-to-face (where student numbers, space restrictions and health advice permits), however, students who are unable to attend campus will be accommodated either via technology which enables them to attend seminars synchronously or via asynchronous online activity/exercises. In all cases the mode of delivery for each MA module will be made clear by module coordinators on Brightspace at the start of the module. The School will prioritise maintaining our strong graduate and research community, placing a special emphasis on maintaining staff-student contact in relation to thesis supervision and general support. This will be done through either face-to-face meetings in lecturers’ offices and/or virtually. Our annual MA Conference will also go ahead as planned in April/May 2021 - we are delighted to say the virtual version this year was a great success!
The School continues to welcome applications from PhD students in all areas. The taught credit component of doctoral studies will be made available across the duration of the degree. It is envisaged that this will be provided face-to-face but achievement of these credits virtually will be possible if circumstances warrant. Regular supervision of incoming and existing PhDs, Transfer Assessments and Vivas will continue either in a face-to-face setting or virtually during the academic year 2020/21.
School research seminars, to which all students are most welcome, will continue to run wherever possible throughout the coming academic year, with provision made where necessary for remote access to seminars.
For a full list of online and on-campus modules at MA level, please click here.
For more information on all MA History modules, please visit:
(opens in a new window)European History
(opens in a new window)Global History
(opens in a new window)History of Medicine & Welfare in Society
(opens in a new window)International War Studies
(opens in a new window)Irish History
(opens in a new window)Public History