This policy applies to all students and staff involved in the application for, the approval of, and the registration of additional module credits.

Any student making an application to take additional credits must provide a comprehensive rationale in their application for the additional credit request. Staff assessing such requests must consider the following factors when approving or rejecting such applications:

1. the current workload of the student’s registered programme
2. possible timetabling issues including per semester maximum loads
3. that the credits requested are at an appropriate level to be
4. the previous ability of the student themselves (e.g. not carrying forward failed modules already for example).
5. Availability of space within the module to accommodate additional students

In addition, any applicable payment schedule for the additional credits taken must be made clear to the student at the time of application.

Any additional learning will be based on a per credits basis not an additional programme basis, with maximum allowable additional credits as stated below. The maximum additional credits allowable depends primarily on the programme on which the student is registered. However, it should be noted that some of the maximum allowable credits will enable particular student cohorts to register for an additional programme e.g. A PhD student who registers for a 30 credit Postgraduate Certificate.

Undergraduate programmes (up to 60 credits per academic year) – In addition to their core program, students can take up to a further 10 credits to a maximum of 70 credits in an academic year. For undergraduates, additional credits taken during the summer period do not count towards the additional credit limit. Please note that 1st year Undergraduate students should not be allowed to apply for additional credits in semester 1 and it should be actively discouraged in semester 2.

Postgraduate Taught

Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma (30-60 credits) – students can take up to an additional 20 credits to a maximum of 80 credits per academic year.

Masters (Taught) (90 credits) – students can take up to an additional 10 credits to a maximum of 100 credits per academic year.

Research Degrees

This section should be read in conjunction with the UCC Policy on Modules for Research Students.

Each year of a research degree has a notional research workload equivalent to 90 credits.

Masters by Research

Although not required, Masters by Research students may take up to a maximum of 15 credits of taught modules over the duration of their research programme and in accordance with the UCC Policy on Modules for Research Students. 

MD

Although not required, MD students may take up to a maximum of 15 credits of taught modules over the duration of their research programme and in accordance with the UCC Policy on Modules for Research Students. 

PhD

Students are required to take a minimum of 15 credits of coursework and training by registering for modules, aligned with the IUA Doctoral Skills Statement.

 3-year PhD: Students are required to complete a minimum of 15 credits, and can take a maximum of 45 credits of coursework and training over the duration of the 3-year full-time programme in accordance with the UCC Policy on Modules for Research

4-year PhD: Students are required to complete a minimum of 15 credits, and can take a maximum of 60 credits of coursework and training over the duration of the 4-year full-time programme in accordance with the UCC Policy on Modules for Research Students.

Note: Students registered on Thematic or Practitioner Doctorate programmes or MRes programmes must follow their particular programme academic entries which have specific module requirements.

For Undergraduate and Postgraduate taught programmes: approval for the additional credits, including University Wide Modules (the maximum of an additional 10 credits should still apply), must be signed off by the Programme Director of the main course of study in consultation with the relevant module coordinator and then approved by the relevant College. For undergraduates, additional credits taken during the summer period do not count towards the additional credit limit.

For PhD programmes: PhD students who wish to use credits, within their maximum credit allowance, in order to register for an additional programme, e.g., a 30-credit Postgraduate Certificate, must be approved to do so by their Lead Supervisor. The Lead Supervisor must confirm this approval to the Graduate Studies Office before the student submits a formal application through UCC Apply for the additional programme.

For Adult Continuing Education programmes (ACE):Part-time students may be able to take more than one programme concurrently providing that the total credits per academic year does not exceed 60 credits. Requests to take two programmes concurrently will be valuated on a case-by-case basis and are subject to the approval of the ACE Academic Standards Board.

University College Cork reserves the right to limit the number of students taking any particular module to a level proportionate to the staff/accommodation available.

Students are solely responsible for full payment of any additional fees incurred in the additional credits taken.

Students voluntarily applying to undertake additional credits in any academic year therewith confirm that this additional workload will not negatively impact on their primary programme of study in terms of submission deadlines, and understand that these voluntary credits will not be taken into account in mitigation or examination appeals.

Students are reminded of the existing UCC guidelines on workload and should seriously consider their own ability to undertake additional credits before applying.

Any additional credits will be on a pro rata basis depending on a student’s registration status (part time or full time).

Students should note that additional credits taken will not contribute to the primary award being taken.

Students are reminded that additional modules or programmes that are not completed will show up as “incomplete” on their transcripts.

It is recommended that students take no more than 40 credits in any one semester. Students are advised to spread their workload evenly throughout the year.

Where students are carrying forward failed modules, these count against the total maximum credits allowed and students carrying forward failed modules need approval from their Programme Director to take any additional credits.

Revisions to this policy must be approved by Academic Board

8 Further Information

Contact Email:registrar@ucc.ie

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