UCDSU Exam Buses
Timetable - There will be a bus leaving on rotation before each exam, on a first come first served basis. Once the bus is full it will leave for the RDS.
7:15am (9:30 am exam start)
11:15am (1:00 pm exam start)
2:45pm (4:30 pm exam start)
Location
The buses will leave from the Quad, which is located at the back of the student centre. This is the only location for the exam buses. The pick-up and bus route is outlined in this image.
Cost
The buses are free.
UCDSU Exam Support Hub
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Atrium Support Hub
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The UCDSU sabbatical team will be in the atrium of the old Student Centre for the duration of revision and exams week. Drop in to us for peer-to-peer support or to grab some free goodies and stationary before getting onto an SU exam bus.
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Newman Support Hub
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Sabbatical Officers will be on hand with advice, stationary, snacks and anything they can do to help.
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Blackrock Exam Spport Hub
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Your Graduate Officer Marc will be by the Blackrock exams centre on the Smurfit campus during the following dates;
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Tuesday May 9th 12pm-4:30pm ,
Friday 12th of May 12pm-4:30pm,
Monday 15th of May 9am-1pm,
Friday 19th of May 12pm-4:30pm.
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What if I fail?
I failed a module, what happens now?
Whether you need to resit the modules assessment or repeat the module in its entirety depends on the module itself. You can find this out via the module descriptor under the “What happens if I fail?” tab. Find the module descriptor here.
Unfortunately, UCD charges students for a resit/repeat attempt and places a grade penalty on it. The fee and grade penalty are explained here.
Repeat: €230 per module and the grade point awarded to each letter grade is reduced as seen here.
Module Grade
A+ (R)
Grade Point
3.6
Module Grade
A (R)
Grade Point
3.4
Module Grade
A- (R)
Grade Point
3.2
Module Grade
B+ (R)
Grade Point
3.0
Module Grade
B (R)
Grade Point
2.8
Module Grade
B- (R)
Grade Point
2.6
Module Grade
C+ (R)
Grade Point
2.4
Module Grade
C (R)
Grade Point
2.2
Module Grade
C- (R)
Grade Point
2.0
Module Grade
D+ (R)
Grade Point
2.0
Module Grade
D (R)
Grade Point
2.0
Module Grade
D- (R)
Grade Point
2.0
Module Grade
FM + (R)
Grade Point
0.0
Module Grade
FM (R)
Grade Point
0.0
Module Grade
FM- (R)
Grade Point
0.0
Module Grade
NM (R)
Grade Point
0.0
Module Grade
ABS (R)
Grade Point
0.0
Resit: €180 and your grade is capped at a pass [P (R)] with a grade point of 2.0.
I don’t want to redo my failed module; do I have another option?
If you failed your elective, you could take a different module as long as it fulfils the requirements of your programme. If you have any questions around this, you should contact your school or programme office. You can also substitute a module as long as it is not a core module. This does incur a charge which is roughly €500. If you think you’d like to substitute a failed module, please contact your Student Adviser.
GRADES / GPA VALUES
What do my grades mean and how was it calculated?
Remember your module coordinator can use four different mark to grade conversion scales. These are:
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Standard Conversion Grade Scale 40% Pass
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Alternative Linear Conversion Grade Scale 40% Pass
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Alternative Non-Linear Conversion Grade Scale 50% Pass
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Alternative Linear Conversion Grade Scale 60% Pass
If you aren’t sure which one was used in your module, check out the module descriptor. You can find these here.
The University uses three scales to determine a module’s grade:
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Letter grade scale
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Pass/Fail grade scale
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Distinction/ Pass/ Fail grade scale
The following scale is the Letter Grade Scale and is used to determine module grades:
MODULE GRADE
A+
GRADE POINT
4.2
DESCRIPTION
Excellent
Module Grade
A
Grade Point
4.0
Description
Excellent
Module Grade
A-
Grade Point
3.8
Description
Excellent
Module Grade
B+
Grade Point
3.6
Description
Very Good
Module Grade
B
Grade Point
3.4
Description
Very Good
Module Grade
B-
Grade Point
3.2
Description
Very Good
Module Grade
C+
Grade Point
3.0
Description
Good
Module Grade
C
Grade Point
2.8
Description
Good
Module Grade
C-
Grade Point
2.6
Description
Good
Module Grade
D+
Grade Point
2.4
Description
Acceptable
Module Grade
D
Grade Point
2.2
Description
Acceptable
Module Grade
D-
Grade Point
2.0
Description
Acceptable
Module Grade
FM+
Grade Point
0.0
Description
Fail
Module Grade
FM
Grade Point
0.0
Description
Fail
Module Grade
FM-
Grade Point
0.0
Description
Fail
Module Grade
NM
Grade Point
0.0
Description
No grade – work submitted did not merit a grade
Module Grade
ABS
Grade Point
0.0
Description
No work was submitted by the student or the student was absent from assessment
Where module outcomes cannot be assessed to any level of detail, the results may be returned as pass/fail, or distinction/pass/fail, and the following scale is used.
Module Grade
DS
Grade Point
Neutral
Description
Passed with distinction
Module Grade
P
Grade Point
Neutral
Description
Pass
Module Grade
F
Grade Point
0.0
Description
Fail
Module Grade
NM
Grade Point
0.0
Description
No grade – work submitted did not merit a grade
Module Grade
ABS
Grade Point
0.0
Description
No work was submitted by the student or the student was absent from assessment
I have a different grade, what does it mean?
UCD also has what are known as Other Grades. These are used to reflect outcomes of exams outside of pass/fail.
Grade
AU
Explanation
Audit: returned where a student audits the module, and, by prior agreement with the Module Coordinator, does not complete some or all of the assessments and does not wish to be graded. No credit is awarded.
Grade
WN
Explanation
Withdrawn: returned where a student withdraws before the end of week 12 of a trimester, or before the last day of teaching in a trimester, whichever comes sooner. No credit is awarded, and a subsequent attempt at that module is treated as a first attempt.
If you withdrew from a module last trimester, make sure to reregister. If you are having any issues with your withdrawn modules, please contact your School Office.
Grade
IM
Explanation
Incomplete Must Pass (temporary): returned when the following criteria are met:
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the module is a clinical teaching module, a field-based module, or a work placement
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the component is specified in the module descriptor as a “must pass component”
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the activities required to satisfactorily complete the module, and the time available to do this are clearly communicated in writing to the student by the School or Board of Studies responsible for the module; and
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where a student has passed overall the assessments associated with a module but has not satisfactorily completed a “must pass” component of assessment where an in-module repeat for that component was not available.
This temporary grade is resolved when:
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The student satisfactorily completes the outstanding activities, or their equivalent, within the prescribed time. The credit, final grade and the full grade point associated with that grade are awarded; or
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The student does not complete some or all of the required assessments within the prescribed time. The component is graded as a fail (F), and the module grade of FM is recorded.
Grade
IA
Explanation
Incomplete Assessment (temporary): returned when the following criteria are met:
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the module is a clinical teaching module, a field-based module, or a work placement; and
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where a student has been unable to complete a component due to lack of availability of clinical samples, required facilities, professional staff involved in supervision, or the field-based nature of the component of assessment.
This temporary grade is resolved when:
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The student satisfactorily completes the outstanding activities, or their equivalent, within the prescribed time. The credit, final grade and the full grade point associated with that grade are awarded;
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The student does not complete some or all of the required assessments within the prescribed time. The component is graded as a fail (F), and the resulting module grade is recorded; or
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The student may choose to accept an ABS grade for the assessment component, and the resulting grade is recorded.
Grade
IX
Explanation
Incomplete due extenuating circumstances:
This is a grade that may be given to a student if they are unable to complete part of their module assessment due to extenuating circumstances such as a short illness. Documentation is required, e.g. medical certificate, stating why they were unable to complete the module.
Things to note:
• The Programme Exam Board decides if the IX grade will be awarded
• An IX is grade point neutral; it does not count towards the GPA
• Outstanding work (or some equivalent assessment) must be completed within two trimesters of the initial attempt
• Credit is only awarded on completion of outstanding work – the IX grade can then be changed to the new grade
• If the student does not complete the work, then the IX grade will be changed back to the grade they would have received
SU Supports
Virtual Exam Supports
If you need advice about exams, extenuating circumstances, repeats, resists or any academic or welfare issue throughout the exam period, your SU are here to support you. You can book an online meeting with a Sabbatical Officer on www.ucdsu.ie/sabbatical-officers
Study Spaces on Campus
UCD have set up bookable study spaces you can use for your exam and for studying. Use this link for the Booking Page: https://ucd.libcal.com/r
You can currently book a space in:
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James Joyce Library
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Rendezvous 2
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Clinton Auditorium (1st Floor)
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L107 James Joyce Library Building
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Building 71
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UCD Student Centre
More spaces will be added to the booking page in the run-up to exams.
Doing your exam on campus? Plan the following:
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What buses/trains will bring you in. Remember there is reduced capacity so leave plenty of time for travel.
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Book a study space well in advance as the slots book up fast.
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Ensure you are set up at your study space at least 30 minutes in advance of your exam beginning, to allow for any issues which may arise.
Looking after yourself before, during and after exams
Please remember that exams are not the be all end all and the SU is here to support you in any way we can.
If you notice that you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed, take a break. Breathe, eat, rest.
You can reach out to the SU Welfare Officer, Ruairí, at any time for a chat or advice on ruairi.power@ucdsu.ie
Your Student Adviser can also support you through a personal or academic crisis. You can find your Student Adviser here: www.ucd.ie/studentadvisers/about/staffprofiles/
UCD Assessments FAQs are the most up to date source of information on Summer Exams 2023, their FAQs will be updated more frequently than ours and if you are unsure, you should check Assessments FAQs always. Make sure to read any emails you receive from the Registrar and Assessment carefully.
Please scroll down to find some information about exam results.
I’ve been invited to speak to my School’s Plagiarism Committee, what does this mean?
If you are invited to a meeting by your Schools Plagiarism committee, please contact education@ucdsu.ie (undergraduate), graduate@ucdsu.ie (post grads) or your Student Adviser.
As Student Support Officers within the University, we can meet with you to explain the process to you and how a plagiarism hearing is conducted. We can also accompany you to your meeting and can offer you advice and guidance following the result of the hearing.
Supports
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Student Advisers
Student Advisers meet with students in times of need to offer academic and personal support throughout your degree, including during the exam season. Each College has either one or two Student Advisers who will be able to give you programme specific advice and guide you through University procedures and policies.
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UCDSU Education, Welfare and Graduate Officers
The Students’ Union is here for you throughout the exam period from peer to peer support to organising the exam buses. The Education Officer, Martha Ní Riada (education@ucdsu.ie) offers advice and support on issues surrounding academics and finances, the Welfare Officer, Míde Nic Fhionnlaoich (welfare@ucdsu.ie) offers peer to peer support on a range of issues from mental health to housing, and the Graduate Officer, Marc Matouc (graduate@ucdsu.ie) acts as both an Education and Welfare Officer for Graduate students.
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Access and Lifelong Learning
The ALL centre is located on the first floor of the James Joyce Library and offers a wide range of supports. Students can apply for a needs assessment through ALL in order to receive exam support which can include extra time in exams and the option to sit exams in the alternative exam centre in Newman.
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Maths & Writing Support Centre
Both support centres are located in the James Joyce library to either side of the main reception desk. UCD’s Library has a dedicated Maths Support Centre, which can provide help for a huge number of level 0, 1, or 2 modules. UCD Library also has a Writing Centre which provides tuition on all aspects of writing, whether creative, research based or as part of a formal presentation.
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Student Desk
The Student Desk is located in the Tierney building and the support team can provide a range of advice on administrative issues. The team offers advice on the majority of issues which arise surrounding exams and assessment. The student desk operates a walk-in service alongside a 24/7 chatbot service.
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College Office
The College Office should be your go to for finding out info about the nuts and bolts of your degree, including issues around timetabling issues, extenuating circumstances applications and other general queries. Each College within UCD has a College Office and some of the larger Schools have their own specialised office.
Appeals
Contact assessment.appeals@ucd.ie for more information and help. Below we have outlined the basics of the appeals procedure, if you think your concern does not fall under this policy you can still contact your Module Coordinator or Head of School in order to seek clarity or raise a concern. You can find out more information about the Appeals Policy, a FAQ section and a guide for the timeline of an appeal on this webpage.
Can you appeal a grade in UCD?
If you feel you may need to appeal a decision made relating to an assessment UCD does provide an assessment appeals process. Assessment appeals in UCD are guided by the UCD Assessment Appeals Policy and the process is overseen by the Student Engagement, Conduct, Complaints and Appeals unit.
There are certain grounds under which you can apply for an appeal of the decision of an examination board, being dissatisfied or disappointed with the result of your assessment is not one of these grounds. You also cannot appeal on matters of academic judgement.
You can appeal on the following two grounds:
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Procedural irregularity – where you have evidence that procedures relating to the decision made were not followed correctly, and this irregularity may have impacted the decision; or
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Late extenuating circumstances – you had extenuating circumstances at the time of the assessment, the Programme Board was aware of this but had previously rejected them because you made the application late and the reason for these extenuating circumstances being late was not accepted as valid by the Governing Board.
There are two stages to an appeal. The first is an Early Resolution, this is done after you first receive your results, and you express your concerns to either the Module Coordinator and/or the Head of school or Subject Area. If you are unhappy with the outcome of this stage, you can then move to the second stage and submit a Formal Assessment Appeal. This must be submitted within 10 working days of your final result becoming available to you. Here you will need an Assessment Appeal Form which is emailed to assessment.appeals@ucd.ie.
If you are considering submitting an appeal, especially a Formal Assessment Appeal you should contact one of the student support units on campus e.g., the Student Advisors.
You can also come talk to the Education Officer or the Graduate Officer in the Students’ Union.
Results
This page is here to try and give you some answers to some common results day questions. If you don’t see your question here, need more detail or would just like so me advice you can contact education@ucdsu.ie (undergraduates), graduate@ucdsu.ie (post grads), your Student Adviser, or the Student Desk.
If you are struggling following results and feel you need extra supports, please reach out to welfare@ucdsu.ie, graduate@ucdsu.ie, Student Advisers, Chaplains and UCD Student Health. NiteLine and Samaritans are also available if you need help.
Students will receive an email with a link to their own results. You will only be able to access your results via this link when you can then gain access to them by logging into your SISWeb and clicking the Examination Results tab.
Remember if you have any questions you can contact education@ucdsu.ie (undergraduates), graduate@ucdsu.ie (post-grads), your Student Adviser, or the Student Desk.
