 
Table of Contents 
Foreword ..................................................................................................................................... 1 
   Academic Regulations ............................................................................................................ 2 
1    Academic Governance at the University of Limerick ............................................................................. 2 
2    Enrolment, Annual Registration and Deferral of a Place ....................................................................... 2 
3    Module Selection ................................................................................................................................... 3 
4    Assessment and Grading ....................................................................................................................... 3 
5    Performance Standards ......................................................................................................................... 5 
6    Academic Awards .................................................................................................................................. 6 
7    Implementation, Interpretation and Review ......................................................................................... 6 
   Marks and Standards ............................................................................................................. 7 
1    Assessment  ........................................................................................................................................... 7 
2    Examiners .............................................................................................................................................. 7 
3    Examination Boards ............................................................................................................................... 9 
4    Academic Awards ................................................................................................................................ 10 
5    Grading ................................................................................................................................................ 10 
6    Bachelor’s Degrees, Diplomas and Certificates ................................................................................... 11 
7    Taught Master’s Degree ...................................................................................................................... 12 
8    Master’s Degree (by Research and Thesis) .......................................................................................... 13 
9  Professional Doctorate ........................................................................................................................ 13 
10  Doctor of Philosophy – Traditional Model ........................................................................................... 13 
11  Doctor of Philosophy – Structured PhD ............................................................................................... 14 
12  Aegrotat Awards .................................................................................................................................. 14 
13  Posthumous Awards ............................................................................................................................ 15 
14  Deferral of Examination Results .......................................................................................................... 15 
15  Applicability of Marks and Standards .................................................................................................. 15 
   Programme-Specific Regulations .......................................................................................... 16 
1  Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 16 
2    Cyclical Programme Progression ......................................................................................................... 16 
3    Partner Institutions and Study Abroad Progression ............................................................................ 16 
4    Taught Master’s Degree Offered on a Flexible Part-time Basis ........................................................... 16 
5  Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences .................................................................................. 17 
6  Faculty of Business ............................................................................................................................... 18 
7  Faculty of Education and Health Sciences ........................................................................................... 18 
8  Faculty of Science and Engineering ..................................................................................................... 23 
   Supporting Procedures ......................................................................................................... 25 
1     Examination ........................................................................................................................................ 25 
2    Grading ................................................................................................................................................ 26 
3    Student Progression ............................................................................................................................ 32 
4    Student Status Committees ................................................................................................................. 35 
5   General Examination Regulations  ....................................................................................................... 39 
   Research Postgraduate Academic Regulations ...................................................................... 41 
1  Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 41 
2    Higher Degrees .................................................................................................................................... 41 
3    Applications ......................................................................................................................................... 42 
4  Admission: Entry Requirements for Research Degrees (Including Professional Doctorates) .............. 43 
5  Supervisory Panel and Supervision ...................................................................................................... 45 
6  Research Student Progression ............................................................................................................. 46 
7    Location of Research ........................................................................................................................... 49 
8    Periods of Registration ........................................................................................................................ 50 
9    Leave of Absence ................................................................................................................................. 50 
10  Generic and Transferable Skills Training .............................................................................................. 51 
11  Research Ethics and Research Integrity ............................................................................................... 51 

 
5.12   Thesis Specifications ............................................................................................................................ 51 
5.13  Copyright and Intellectual Property .................................................................................................... 51 
5.14   Examination Procedures ...................................................................................................................... 52 
5.15   Appeals ................................................................................................................................................ 57 
5.16   Review and Interpretation ................................................................................................................... 57 
5.17  Research Postgraduate Academic Regulations Appendices ................................................................ 58 
6.    Code of Conduct .................................................................................................................. 75 
Section 1: General Principles and Types of Offence ...................................................................................... 75 
Section 2: The University Advocate ............................................................................................................... 78 
Section 3: Voluntary Agreement ................................................................................................................... 78 
Section 4: The Minor Offences Committee ................................................................................................... 78 
Section 5: The Discipline Committee ............................................................................................................. 79 
Section 6: The Appeals Process ..................................................................................................................... 81 
Section 7: Penalties ....................................................................................................................................... 83 
Document Control...................................................................................................................... 84 

Page 1

Foreword

This Handbook of Academic Regulations and Procedures sets out the regulations and procedures governing

student enrolment, registration, assessment, grading, progression and graduation at the University of

Limerick. It is divided into six chapters: Academic Regulations, Marks and Standards, Programme-Specific

Regulations, Supporting Procedures, Research Postgraduate Academic Regulations and Code of Conduct.

Appendices relating to the supporting procedures (chapter 4) and the research postgraduate academic

regulations (chapter 5) are included at the end of the respective chapters.

The Student Handbook is a separate document and is available on the Academic Registry website at

https://www.ul.ie/academic-registry/. The Student Handbook outlines all the academic requirements that

must be met by students at the University of Limerick.

The Academic Regulations, Marks and Standards, Programme-Specific Regulations, Supporting Procedures

and Research Postgraduate Academic Regulations are intended to provide effective mechanisms and

structures to ensure that students are fairly and objectively assessed while at the same time maintaining

the University of Limerick’s high academic standards. Academic members of staff are required to comply

with the provisions of these documents. The Code of Conduct is included for the information of academic

staff.

Where relevant, items are cross-referenced with other items and other chapters through the use of

hyperlinks. Some hyperlinks may include the following abbreviations: AR (Academic Regulations), MS

(Marks and Standards), PSR (Programme-Specific Regulations), SP (Supporting Procedures), PG (Research

Postgraduate Academic Regulations) and CC (Code of Conduct). For example, a reference to section 4 of the

Academic Regulations will appear as AR 1.4, while a reference to paragraph 1.4.1 of that section will appear

as AR 1.4.1.

This handbook was compiled in the context of the University of Limerick’s mission statement (see below)

and is intended to be used for reference and action, as appropriate, by all members of staff.

Our mission is to build on the expertise of our scholars in creating, harnessing and imparting

knowledge for the benefit of our students and the enrichment of our community.

The official version of this handbook can be found on the Policy Hub at https://www.ul.ie/policy-

hub/policies. Users are encouraged to reference the online version at all times. Given that the content of

the handbook may be updated from time to time, a printed version will not be provided by the University

to users.

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1. Academic Regulations

1.1 Academic Governance at the University of Limerick

1.1.1 The Academic Council is responsible for academic policy and standards at the University of

Limerick.

1.1.2 The Academic Council Grading Committee reviews and approves submitted module grades and

progression decisions.

1.1.3 The Academic Council Examination Board makes recommendations on final awards for

ratification by the Academic Council.

1.1.4 Each faculty has a Faculty Board. Each Faculty Board, under the chair of its respective Dean, is

responsible for the academic affairs of that faculty.

1.1.5 Faculty Boards are sub-committees of the Academic Council.

1.1.6 Each faculty has a Faculty Examination Board to review student performance.

1.1.7 Faculty Examination Boards shall make appropriate arrangements as are necessary for the

processing of its students.

1.2 Enrolment, Annual Registration and Deferral of a Place

1.2.1 An applicant who accepts a formal offer of a place at the University of Limerick and who pays

the requisite fees may enrol as a student of the University under the conditions specified in the

offer upon commencement of the programme. Such enrolment shall take place at the times

and in the manner specified to the student by the University. Payment of fees shall not

constitute enrolment.

1.2.2 An enrolled student shall register on the relevant programme of study under the conditions

specified in the offer upon commencement of the programme. Such registration shall take

place at the times and in the manner specified to the student by the University. Payment of

fees shall not constitute enrolment and registration.

1.2.3 Following enrolment into a programme of study at the University, a student will continue to be

considered as enrolled until either the relevant academic award is ratified by the Academic

Council or the student’s enrolment is terminated or suspended by the student or the University

in line with these regulations and/or UL policy.

1.2.4 Each student will complete annual registration to confirm their continuing participation on

their programme. Such annual registration shall take place at the times and in the manner

specified to the student by the University. Payment of fees shall not constitute annual

registration.

1.2.5 Each student will complete confirmation of attendance to confirm their participation on their

programme. Such confirmation of attendance shall take place at the times and in the manner

specified to the student by the University. Payment of fees shall not constitute confirmation of

attendance.

1.2.6 Each student is required to pay the requisite programme fee and other fees at the times and in

the manner specified to the student from time to time by the University. A student may be

denied permission to proceed to the next stage of their programme of study if all fees have not

been paid in full.

1.2.7 Failure to comply with the University’s requirements at 1.2.1 and 1.2.6 at the times and in the

manner specified to the student may result in the withdrawal of the offer of a place and/or the

termination of the student’s enrolment.

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1.2.8 At any given time, a student can be registered only for a single programme and for a single

stage on that programme. Exceptions may be approved by the Provost & Deputy President.

1.2.9 A student who wishes to change their academic status (SP 4.4.2.2) may apply to do so at the

times and in the manner specified from time to time by the University.

1.2.10 A student may be personally liable for all relevant fees if they fail to complete relevant tasks,

such as enrolment, annual registration, confirmation of attendance and module selection, in

the manner specified by the University.

1.2.11.1 An applicant who is offered a place on Year 1 of an undergraduate programme through the

CAO can apply to defer their place for one year. Such applicants should not accept their place

through the CAO but should apply in writing to Academic Registry to request the deferral.

1.2.11.2 A student who registers on Year 1 of an undergraduate programme but subsequently finds that

they cannot commence or continue on the programme can apply to Academic Registry for a

deferral up to the end of Week 3 of Semester 1, Year 1. Deferral requests cannot be considered

after Week 3.

1.2.12.1 An applicant who is offered a place on Year 1 of a taught postgraduate programme can apply to

defer their place for one year (or until the next available intake) if the programme has a

deferral option. Such applicants should accept their place through the postgraduate application

process and subsequently apply in writing to Graduate & Professional Studies to request the

deferral. Deferral requests cannot be considered once the programme has started except

under 1.2.11.2.

1.2.12.2 A student who registers on Year 1 of a taught postgraduate programme but subsequently finds

that they cannot commence or continue on the programme can apply to Graduate &

Professional Studies for a deferral up to the end of Week 3 of Semester 1, Year 1 if the

programme has a deferral option. Deferral requests cannot be considered after Week 3.

1.3 Module Selection

1.3.1 Where a student’s programme of study offers a choice, the student is required to complete a

module selection task to confirm the modules in which they wish to receive grades for each

semester. Such module selection shall take place at the times and in the manner specified to

the student by the University. Payment of fees shall not constitute module selection.

1.3.2 A student may change their module selection at the times and in the manner specified to the

student by the University.

1.3.3 Failure to comply with the University’s requirements at 1.3.1 may result in the student’s

exclusion from assessments in the module(s) they fail to select.

1.3.4 A student may not select a module for which they have already been awarded credits except in

accordance with these regulations (AR 1.4.17).

1.4 Assessment and Grading

1.4.1 The University of Limerick operates a modular credit continual assessment system, which

provides continual feedback of information to students on their academic performance.

1.4.2 Students shall be assessed in the set of modules undertaken each semester. The University

shall provide examinations at the end of each semester and at annual repeats. Supporting

procedures shall be adopted in relation to the administration of such examinations. Under

exceptional circumstances (i.e. those not covered by regulations 4.2.3 – I Grades – in chapter 4,

Supporting Procedures) and with the express permission of the Provost & Deputy President,

the student may be allowed to defer an assessment until the next repeat opportunity.

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1.4.3 On starting to teach a module, the academic staff member(s) responsible for teaching the

module shall outline to the students in handout or electronic form the learning outcomes of

the module, indicative grade descriptors corresponding to each grade, the criteria on which

assessment is to be based, the minimum performance standard and the weighting allocated to

each assessment instrument associated with the module. The academic staff member shall also

indicate the repeat assessment instrument(s) associated with the module. Re. non-repeatable

modules, see 1.4.16 below.

1.4.4 The academic staff member responsible for teaching a module shall prepare the assessment

instruments associated with the module and shall meet the requirements of external

examiners at the times and in the manner approved from time to time by the Academic

Council. (MS 2.1 and SP 4.1.2)

1.4.5 The academic staff member responsible for teaching a module shall administer or arrange for

the administration of assessment instruments associated with the module in the manner

prescribed from time to time by the Academic Council. (SP 4.1.2)

1.4.6 A grade that is representative of the quality of a student’s performance in a particular module

shall be awarded at the end of each semester for that module (MS 2.5.1 and SP 4.2). The

module grades that may be awarded shall be specified from time to time in the University’s

Marks and Standards (chapter 2 of this handbook).

1.4.7 The academic staff member responsible for teaching a particular module shall be responsible

for assessing (MS 2.1) and grading (SP 4.2) students on the module material.

1.4.8 Each Faculty Board shall convene meeting(s) of its Faculty Examination Board to review student

performance prior to the Academic Council Grading Committee meeting. There shall be an

appropriate representation of academic staff members at such meetings.

1.4.9 There shall be a meeting of the Academic Council Grading Committee following the final

module grade submission deadline, at which all recommendations for module grades and

progression decisions shall be reviewed.

1.4.10 In cases where the Academic Council Grading Committee is satisfied with the recommended

module grades and progression decisions, these shall be approved. Notwithstanding the

approval of the Academic Council Grading Committee, the final grade or progression decision

may be amended in accordance with section 7 of the Code of Conduct.

1.4.11 In cases where the Academic Council Grading Committee is not satisfied with the

recommended module grades and progression decisions, it shall refer these to the Head of

Department concerned, who shall be responsible for implementing the decisions of the

Academic Council Grading Committee within a specified time and for informing the Provost &

Deputy President of the outcome within the specified time.

1.4.12 Only module grades and progression decisions approved by the Academic Council Grading

Committee shall be released to students. Individual staff who have access to module grades

and progression decisions prior to the Academic Council Grading Committee having approved

them shall not release them or use them to make decisions regarding a student.

1.4.13 When the Academic Council Grading Committee has approved all module grades and

progression decisions for the semester, each student shall be provided with a transcript of their

current academic performance.

1.4.14 It shall be each student’s responsibility to use this transcript in order to monitor their own

progress and to take such action as shall be necessary to ensure that they are complying with

required standards of quality and performance.

Page 5

1.4.15 Should a student consider that they may have been assigned an incorrect module grade, they

may request a recheck of the grade in accordance with the procedures laid down from time to

time by the University. (SP 4.2.9)

1.4.16 The University shall offer annual repeat assessments at a time to be decided by the Academic

Council. Annual repeats will be available in all modules in all years of all academic programmes

except in the following circumstances:

a) Where a Head of Department makes a written submission to the Provost & Deputy

President not to offer a repeat in a module or part thereof in cases where:

i. It would not be feasible to offer a repeat assessment

ii. Specific required skills have not been demonstrated by the student

b) In the case of a PARE (professional accreditation related elements) module where

restrictions apply to repeat opportunities as per section 3.7.1. (PSR 3.7.1)

Approval by the Provost & Deputy President of non-repeatable modules will be granted on an

exceptional basis only. A list of such approved modules will be posted by the end of Week 1 of

the relevant semester by Academic Registry on the Student Hub Online linked from the

Academic Registry website. Permission must be granted by the Provost & Deputy President for

a module to be removed from the approved list of non-repeatable modules.

1.4.17 Annual repeats are available to all students in the year in which they are currently registered

other than graduands, both progressing and non-progressing, who have the following grades in

individual modules after the Spring semester examinations: F, NG, D1, D2. I grades not

previously cleared via alternative mechanisms must also be completed during the annual

repeats.

1.4.18 It is the responsibility of students to make themselves available for the annual repeats.

1.4.19 The repeat assessment need not be identical in form to the original assessment but must be

equivalent in standard.

1.4.20 The provision of annual repeats for a student who fails a professional placement module (for

example: clinical placement, school placement, etc.) will be at the discretion of the relevant

Faculty Examination Board.

1.5 Performance Standards

1.5.1 The quality and standard of a student’s academic performance shall be expressed as a

numerical average of that performance in the credited modules attempted. This average shall

be termed quality credit average (QCA) and shall be calculated on a semester and on a

cumulative basis for each programme or for each part of a programme. (SP 4.3.1)

1.5.2 The Academic Council Grading Committee meeting held to review module grades and

progression decisions each semester shall confirm or amend all Faculty Examination Board

recommendations on students’ cumulative performances to date (SP 4.3.2). The Academic

Council Grading Committee shall report to the next meeting of the Academic Council.

1.5.3 The minimum academic performance standard for each semester, unless otherwise specified

by the Academic Council, shall be the achievement of a cumulative QCA of 2.00, with full

credits awarded in all modules of the prescribed programme to date. (SP 4.3.3)

1.5.4 Students who achieve the minimum performance standard at the end of each academic year

shall proceed to the next year of their programme of study or to graduation.

1.5.5 The Academic Council Grading Committee may terminate a student’s enrolment should the

student’s academic performance fail to reach the minimum standard. A student who considers

that the Academic Council Grading Committee did not take exceptional extenuating

Page 6

circumstances into account in their case may appeal the termination of studies decision at the

time and in the manner specified from time to time by the University.

1.5.6 The Academic Council may recognise the excellent academic performance of an individual

student in a particular semester by placing the student’s name on a list known as the

President’s List. Such students will receive a congratulatory letter from the President.

1.6 Academic Awards

1.6.1 Academic Council Examination Boards shall be convened to review student performance at the

end of the final semester of the final year of a programme.

1.6.2 The Provost & Deputy President shall be responsible for convening Academic Council

Examination Board meetings at appropriate times to make recommendations to the Academic

Council as to the awards to be made to students who have completed programmes of study

and who have requested such consideration in the manner specified.

1.6.3 The Academic Council Examination Boards shall recommend to the Academic Council that a

student who attains at least the minimum standard in accordance with the marks and

standards specified from time to time by the University be conferred with the relevant

academic award. (MS 2.3)

1.6.4 The Academic Council Examination Boards shall recommend to the Academic Council the

classification of the award to be conferred on each eligible student in accordance with the

marks and standards specified from time to time by the University. (MS 2.3) Notwithstanding

the approval of the Academic Council of the relevant award or final classification of the award,

these may be amended in accordance with section 7 of the Code of Conduct.

1.6.5 Where the Academic Council determines that a student does not qualify for an award, the

student shall be informed in writing of the extent of additional or outstanding work required

from them (MS 2.14). Such a student may register to complete the specified requirements at

the times and in the manner specified from time to time by the University. Further

consideration by an Academic Council Examination Board shall be subject to application as at

1.6.1 above.

1.7 Implementation, Interpretation and Review

1.7.1 The Provost & Deputy President shall ensure that all these regulations are implemented. It is

the responsibility of students and staff to take all appropriate steps to comply with the relevant

requirements specified in these academic regulations. To this end, student orientation and staff

induction programmes will introduce students and staff, respectively, to the regulations and to

sources of information and assistance in attempting to comply with them.

1.7.2 Marks and standards associated with these academic regulations are specified from time to

time by the Academic Council. Programme-specific regulations that apply only to particular

programmes of study are specified from time to time by the Academic Council. Supporting

procedures designed to achieve compliance with the academic regulations and with the

associated marks and standards are also specified from time to time by the Academic Council.

1.7.3 Where a dispute arises in interpreting the academic regulations, marks and standards or

associated procedures, the Provost & Deputy President or their nominee shall be the final

arbiter.

1.7.4 The Provost & Deputy President or their nominee shall, from time to time, convene the ARC for

the purpose of reviewing the application and interpretation of the foregoing academic

regulations and associated marks and standards and supporting procedures with a view to

making recommendations, as appropriate, to the Academic Council.

Page 7

2. Marks and Standards

The following marks and standards apply to the majority of University of Limerick programmes.

Programme-specific regulations that fall outside the realm of these marks and standards are given in

chapter 3 of this handbook.

2.1 Assessment

2.1.1 The University defines assessment as a generic term for a set of processes that measure the

outcome of students’ learning in terms of knowledge acquired, understanding developed and

skills or abilities gained. Assessment may be categorised as either coursework (see 2.1.2) or

examination (see 2.1.3) and may be diagnostic, summative or formative in nature.

2.1.2 The University defines coursework as a form of assessment that relies upon performance in

(but not limited to) one or more of the following: practical work, essays, exercises, seminar

papers, reports, presentations, class tests, projects or the production of artefacts, design,

theses, dissertations and similar work, and such other means of assessing performance as may

have been approved or prescribed by the Academic Council in relation to any programme of

study.

2.1.3 The University defines examination as a form of in-person assessment that relies upon

students producing written or oral answers to seen or unseen questions under centrally

arranged and managed formal examination conditions.

2.1.4 The Provost & Deputy President shall have overall responsibility for the conduct of assessments

at the University and shall, in particular, ensure that:

a) Appropriate assessment processes are in place for each student

b) Any reasonable accommodations including, but not limited to, alternatives to printed

material and/or examination booklets, additional time, special facilities and/or

arrangements, special assistance such as readers, and/or other approved special forms of

assessment are in place for each student

c) Examinations and/or coursework are prepared by internal examiners (see 4.1.2) and

approved by external examiners

d) Maximum security is implemented in all matters pertaining to assessment to ensure a high

level of academic integrity

e) Examinations and/or coursework are assessed by internal examiners and that results for

each candidate, as approved by the external examiners, are made available for meetings of

Academic Council Examination Boards

f) Accurate records relating to coursework, along with all associated materials, are

maintained and made available as required, particularly to external examiners

g) Proper arrangements are made for holding meetings of the Academic Council and Faculty

Examination Boards in accordance with the provisions of section 2.3 below

h) The recommendations of meetings of Academic Council Examination Boards are

transmitted in a timely manner to the Academic Council

2.2 Examiners

2.2.1 Academic staff members who are responsible for assessment functions shall be deemed to be

internal examiners.

2.2.2 In the case of a module in which the teaching is shared by more than one academic staff

member, the appropriate Head of Department shall nominate an academic staff member as

internal examiner for that module.

Page 8

2.2.3 The role of the internal examiner shall be as follows:

a) To prepare, in consultation either directly or through course directors and/or Heads of

Department, appropriate assessment instruments that accord with internationally

established and accepted academic practice and reflect internationally acceptable

academic standards

b) To take due account of comments and amendments proposed by the external examiner(s)

c) To submit the agreed examination papers in good time and in sufficient quantities to

Academic Registry (SP 4.1.2)

d) To propose module grades to be awarded to each candidate

e) To attend and contribute to the deliberations of meetings of the appropriate Academic

Council Examination Boards

2.2.4 On the recommendation of the Academic Council, external examiners are appointed by the

Governing Authority so that internal examiners can properly and effectively discharge their

duties set out in 2.2.3. The principal roles of the external examiner are to ensure that the

standards of the University’s assessments are adequate and to maintain uniformity of

standards as far as is practicable from year to year. In particular, external examiners should

ensure that the appropriate standards with regard to academic grades of honours are applied.

Comparability of standards between faculties should be achieved and maintained as far as is

feasible.

2.2.5 External examiners will be provided with drafts of examination papers, marking schemes and

other relevant material. External examiners are entitled to make suggestions, criticisms,

deletions, additions or amendments.

2.2.6 The external examiners shall agree with the internal examiners on the most appropriate ways

of achieving compliance with the highest internationally accepted academic standards. To

achieve this in relation to assessments, Deans, Heads of Department and course directors shall

ensure that external examiners are provided with information detailing the syllabuses, aims,

objectives and structures of all programmes and modules at such time as to allow adequate

opportunity for full assimilation of the information provided and to enable the external

examiners to take into account the implications of individual assessment instruments on the

overall academic curricula concerned.

2.2.7 External examiners will be provided with a representative sample of examination booklets and

other material presented for assessment.

2.2.8 Drawn on a basis agreed between the internal and external examiners, the sample material

should be sufficient to enable the external examiners to form a judgement on the

appropriateness of the marking at all levels of classification, in borderline cases and in

proposed deferred and failed results.

2.2.9 External examiners are expected to visit the University each academic year. The visit takes

place at the time of determination of final results and should conform to the arrangements

made in this regard by the University. Should an external examiner be unable to visit the

University, full consultation shall take place between the external examiner and internal

examiners, a written record of which shall be available to the Examination Board.

2.2.10 Where oral examinations constitute a significant part of the assessment for a module,

appropriate arrangements for the external examining of such assessment shall be made

between the internal and external examiners.

Page 9

2.2.11 When visiting the University, external examiners shall:

a) Review the module grades and, if deemed necessary, interview candidates as the external

examiners see fit

b) Agree with the respective internal examiners and confirm the list of candidates for awards

at different classification levels for consideration by the relevant Academic Council

Examination Board

c) Attend relevant meetings of the Academic Council Examination Boards

2.2.12 Not later than 30 September each year and on the form provided by the Provost & Deputy

President, external examiners are required to submit a full report on the assessments with

which they are involved. One report for each subject examined will normally be sufficient. The

report should be sent to the Provost & Deputy President and copied to relevant individual

members of academic staff and to the Academic Council.

2.2.13 External examiners and the University shall ensure that all communications in relation to

examinations are secure and confidential.

2.2.14 In the event of an unresolved matter between the external and internal examiners, the

Academic Council shall adjudicate on the matter in question, and its decision shall be final.

2.3 Examination Boards

2.3.1 An Examination Board shall be convened by each faculty. The Faculty Examination Board shall

make recommendations to the Academic Council Examination Board.

2.3.2 Academic Council Examination Boards shall make recommendations to the Academic Council in

relation to the awards to be made to students who have completed the University’s

programmes of study.

2.3.3 The dates of Academic Council Examination Board meetings shall be determined by the Provost

& Deputy President, who shall convene such meetings at appropriate times.

2.3.4 The Academic Council Examination Board shall comprise the Provost & Deputy President or

their nominee (chairperson), all internal examiners who participated in the assessments for the

award(s) for which candidates are to be considered at the Examination Board meeting and all

external examiners relevant to the subjects and awards to be considered at the Examination

Board meeting.

2.3.5 The external examiners are entitled to contribute fully to the deliberations and decisions of the

Examination Board meetings.

2.3.6 On approval by Faculty Examination Boards, candidates’ proposed awards are presented at the

Academic Council Examination Board meeting.

2.3.7 Meetings of Academic Council Examination Boards should allow for full and frank discussion of

any individual cases before a final recommendation is made to the Academic Council.

2.3.8 Decisions of the Academic Council Examination Board shall be submitted as recommendations

to the Academic Council, which shall consider and have the right to adopt, modify or reject

such recommendations.

2.3.9 At the meeting of the Academic Council Examination Board, a final results record shall be

presented and endorsed, which shall record the cumulative performance of each candidate and

which, in relation to each candidate’s overall result, shall indicate the level of award or that the

student is not presenting, has been deferred or has failed or is being recommended for a

postgraduate award by research and thesis. In the case of a candidate who is deferred or has

Page 10

failed, recommendations of exemptions, if any, should be indicated on the broadsheet of

results.

2.3.10 Every effort shall be made by the internal and external examiners to agree final module grades

prior to the Examination Board meeting. In the event of a grading disagreement that remains

unresolved between examiners prior to the Examination Board meeting, an examiner who

continues to dissent at the meeting shall have the right to have their dissenting opinion

appended to the final results record.

2.3.11 The final results record shall be signed by the chairperson and secretary of the meeting and by

examiners (external and internal) present at the meeting. The final results record shall be

forwarded by the Provost & Deputy President to the Academic Council at the earliest

opportunity following the Examination Board meeting.

2.3.12 Any dissenting opinion by an examiner that shall have been appended to the final results

record shall be brought to the attention of the Academic Council, whose decision in relation

thereto shall be final, as provided for in 2.3.8 above.

2.3.13 The proceedings and deliberations of Academic Council Examination Boards are strictly

confidential. Under no circumstances should any person attending a meeting of a board

disclose to any other person a decision of the board or any document, information or opinion

considered, conveyed or expressed at the meeting.

2.3.14 Notwithstanding 2.3.13, in the event that an Academic Council meeting is not pending and

where unanimous agreement has been expressed by internal and external examiners, the

Academic Council Examination Board may decide to allow publication of the decisions and

awards being recommended to Academic Council. The awards recommended by the Academic

Council Examination Board are provisional awards, and Academic Council retains the right to

amend all such awards.

2.4 Academic Awards

2.4.1 The granting of a University award shall be on the basis of a candidate’s performance in

assessments or other tests of the attainment of learning outcomes that have been duly set by

the academic staff members of the University and approved and monitored by external

examiner(s).

2.4.2 The Academic Council shall meet to consider the recommendations of a duly constituted

meeting of an Academic Council Examination Board. The decisions of the Academic Council in

the case of each candidate considered shall be final, and appropriate awards shall be granted

to the candidate by the University. This meeting of the Academic Council shall occur as soon

after the Examination Board meeting as is practicable. The meeting shall determine the award,

including grade and classification (if applicable), to be conferred on each candidate considered.

2.4.3 The Provost & Deputy President shall communicate the relevant decisions of the Academic

Council to each candidate at the earliest possible opportunity. Where the candidate is to

receive an award of the University, the Provost & Deputy President shall invite the candidate to

the next relevant conferring ceremony of the University, where the candidate will be conferred

with the award attained.

2.5 Grading

2.5.1 A grade that is representative of the quality of a student’s performance in a particular module

shall be awarded at the end of each semester for each module the student has taken.

2.5.2 The table to follow lists the module grades that can be awarded.

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Table 2.1: Academic Module Grades

Grade

Grade Descriptors: Meta Level

(Indicative grade descriptors at module level will be

determined in accordance with regulation 1.4.3.)

QPV

Credits

Awarded

Outstanding Performance (First honours)

4.00

Yes

Excellent Performance (First honours)

3.60

Yes

Very Good Performance (Honours 2.1)

3.20

Yes

Good Performance (Honours 2.1)

3.00

Yes

Competent Performance (Honours 2.2)

2.80

Yes

Satisfactory Performance (Honours 2.2)

2.60

Yes

Acceptable Performance (Third honours)

2.40

Yes

Minimally Acceptable Performance (Third honours)

2.00

Yes

Weak Performance (compensating fail)

1.60

Yes

Poor Performance (compensating fail)

1.20

Yes

Fail (no compensation allowed)

0.00

Fail (no compensation allowed)

0.00

Audit

–

Incomplete (I) Grade

–

Awarded in cases of projects spanning multiple semesters or

sequences of linked modules

–

Pass in a module taken on a pass/fail basis

–

Yes

Failure in a module taken on a pass/fail basis

–

2.5.3 The following administrative grades can also apply and, if applicable, shall appear on students’

transcripts.

Table 2.2: Administrative Grades

Grade

Meaning

QPV

Credits

Awarded

Student exempted from the requirements of the module

because of previous equivalent study or work. Full credits

awarded.

–

Yes

Student repeating this module. Grade for repeat inserted in

previous attempt at module. Uncapped repeat.

–

Student’s enrolment terminated. New enrolment contains

uncapped repeats undertaken for these modules.

–

An X grade will appear on the student’s transcript when the

student is due to clear an I grade in a module.

–

A Y grade will appear on the student’s transcript when the

student is due to clear a grade in a deficient module.

–

Student formally withdrew from the University. A student exit

form must be completed.

–

2.6 Bachelor’s Degrees, Diplomas and Certificates

2.6.1 The award of a bachelor’s degree, diploma (either undergraduate or postgraduate) or

certificate (either undergraduate or postgraduate) is made at honours levels. To qualify for the

award of a bachelor’s degree or diploma or certificate, a candidate must:

a) Satisfy all the assessment and other requirements set for the programme of study

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b) Achieve a minimum final cumulative QCA of 2.00, with full credits in all prescribed modules

of the programme of study

c) Satisfy any programme-specific regulations as specified for particular programmes

2.6.2 Awards will be at one of the following classifications:

Award Classification Cumulative QCA

First class honours 3.40

Second class honours grade 1 (2.1) 3.00

Second class honours grade 2 (2.2) 2.60

Third class honours 2.00

2.6.3 Notwithstanding the provisions of 2.6.2 above, the Academic Council Examination Board may

consider a candidate whose final cumulative QCA is not more than 0.10 less than the QCA

required for a first class, 2.1 or 2.2 classification and who satisfies the other requirements for

the proposed award.

2.6.4 In the case of programmes that consist of a part 1 and part 2 structure, the award and award

classification shall be made on the basis of performance of candidates in part 2 only of such

programmes. Where there are more than two years in part 2 of the programme, a relative

weighting of 1:2:2 shall be assigned to years 1, 2 and 3 of part 2, respectively. In the case of all

other programmes, the award of the degree shall be based on the candidate’s full cumulative

performance over the complete programme.

2.6.5 In the case of a student pursuing a University of Limerick qualification in both the University of

Limerick and another institution, the student must spend the final year of study in the

University of Limerick or complete the majority of their programme of study in the University of

Limerick.

2.7 Taught Master’s Degree

2.7.1 A master’s degree by coursework and dissertation (or equivalent) may be awarded at honours

classification (first class, second class or third class honours). To be eligible for the award of a

master’s degree by coursework and dissertation (or equivalent) at honours classification, a

candidate must:

a) satisfy all the assessment and other requirements set for the programme of study

b) have achieved a minimum grade of C3 in the dissertation component of the programme

c) achieve a minimum final cumulative QCA of 2.00, with full credits in all prescribed

elements of the programme of study

2.7.2 In the case of taught master’s degree programmes with an optional graduate diploma exit

award, a student availing of the graduate diploma exit award may not register to complete the

outstanding requirements for the related master’s award within the 12-month period following

the end of the final semester containing modules required to qualify for the graduate diploma.

2.7.3 In the case of a linked graduate diploma/master’s degree programme of which the taught

element, in whole or in part, constitutes a graduate diploma programme, a student shall be

required to attain a minimum honours 2.2 standard in the taught component to be eligible for

progression to the master’s component of the programme.

2.7.4 All cases referred to and provided for in item 2.7.2 shall require the approval of the appropriate

faculty postgraduate studies committee for progression to the master’s component of the

programme in question.

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2.7.5 The classification of honours awards shall be determined as follows:

Award Classification Cumulative QCA

First class honours 3.40

Second class honours grade 1 (2.1) 3.00

Second class honours grade 2 (2.2) 2.60

Third class honours 2.00

2.7.5 Notwithstanding the provisions of 2.7.1 above, the Academic Council Examination Board may

consider a candidate whose final cumulative QCA is not more than 0.10 less than the QCA

required for a first class, 2.1 or 2.2 classification and who satisfies the other requirements for

an honours award for the award of a master’s degree at the appropriate honours classification.

2.8 Master’s Degree (by Research and Thesis)

2.8.1 A master’s degree by research and thesis is of honours standard and is awarded without

classification. Subject to its successful completion, the thesis has a nominal value of 180

European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) credits.

2.8.2 In the case of successful candidates, the broadsheet of results presented to the Academic

Council Examination Board should be annotated ‘Recommended’ and signed by the internal

supervisor(s). The external examiner concerned should either endorse the broadsheet of

results or, prior to the Examination Board meeting, have conveyed in their report to the

Provost & Deputy President their recommendation for the award of the relevant master’s

degree to the candidate concerned.

2.9 Professional Doctorate

2.9.1 The professional doctorate is awarded to a candidate on the basis of the candidate having

followed a prescribed programme of study and research. The programme may also include an

experiential and/or professional placement element.

2.9.2 The degree of professional doctorate is awarded without classification. Subject to its successful

completion, the professional doctorate has a nominal value of 270 ECTS credits.

2.9.3 Students must satisfactorily complete all elements of the taught programme and have achieved

a cumulative QCA of 3.00 or higher to be considered for the award of the professional

doctorate.

2.9.4 In the case of successful candidates, the broadsheet of results should be annotated

‘Recommended’ and signed by the internal supervisor(s). The external examiner concerned

should either endorse the broadsheet of results or, prior to the Examination Board meeting,

have conveyed in their report to the Provost & Deputy President their recommendation for the

award of the degree of professional doctorate to the candidate concerned.

2.10 Doctor of Philosophy – Traditional Model

2.10.1 The degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is the highest academic qualification awarded by the

University and is awarded to successful candidates on the strength of a body of original work of

scholarship prepared and presented in accordance with internationally accepted academic

standards and in the form of a doctoral thesis.

2.10.2 The degree of PhD is awarded without classification. Subject to its successful completion, the

thesis has a nominal value of 270 ECTS credits.

2.10.3 In the case of successful candidates, the broadsheet of results should be annotated

‘Recommended’ and signed by the internal supervisor(s). The external examiner concerned

should either endorse the broadsheet of results or, prior to the Examination Board meeting,

Page 14

have conveyed in their report to the Provost & Deputy President their recommendation for the

award of the degree of PhD to the candidate concerned.

2.11 Doctor of Philosophy – Structured PhD

2.11.1 A Structured PhD degree is awarded on the strength of the successful completion of a

structured programme of research, study, and personal and professional development.

2.11.2 Candidates who wish to pursue a Structured PhD programme will:

a) Have a primary supervisor (or supervisors) and a Supervisory Panel, which will be involved

in the annual progression assessment

b) Undertake a training needs analysis and maintain a Personal Development Plan (PDP)

c) Undertake discipline-specific modules, research skills, and generic and transferable skills

courses as agreed in their PDP, to the value of at least 30 ECTS credits

2.11.3 The total credits from a combination of the taught and research elements of a Structured PhD

will not be fewer than 300 and not more than 360 ECTS credits. Within these overall limits, the

credits for the Structured PhD are made up as follows:

a) A research thesis equivalent to 270 ECTS credits

b) Technical/discipline-specific courses of a minimum of 20 and up to a maximum of 80 ECTS

credits

c) Research, transferable and generic skills courses of a minimum of 10 and up to a maximum

of 50 ECTS credits (pass/fail)

See Appendix 4 of chapter 5 for further details on the Structured PhD.

2.12 Aegrotat Awards

2.12.1 An aegrotat award may be awarded to a student who has died or is unable to complete their

programme of study due to very serious illness or other grave circumstances. An award made

on an aegrotat basis is unclassified and does not entitle the student to the benefits of an award

of the university, including meeting the entry requirements of a programme of further study,

exemptions or recognition by professional bodies or the right to practise in a profession. In the

event that a student who has received an aegrotat award makes a significant recovery from an

illness, the student may be permitted to re-enter the programme of study.

2.12.2 Students eligible for consideration are those who:

a) Are on a taught programme of study of minimum 60 ECTS credits and have completed at

least two-thirds of the programme of study; or

b) Are on a research master’s programme of study (180 ECTS credits) for at least one full

calendar year and have successfully progressed following all annual review; or

c) Are on a professional doctorate or PhD programme of study or other research programme

of study of minimum 270 ECTS credits for a least two full calendar years and have

successfully progressed following all annual reviews

2.12.3 The award title will reflect the title of the degree programme (reference to Professional

Qualification, where applicable, will be removed).

2.12.4 The award level will not be classified (in terms of first-class honours, etc.).

2.12.5 The award is not aligned with the National Framework of Qualifications.

2.12.6 The recommendation by a Faculty Examination Board to award an aegrotat award will be

considered at the next scheduled meeting of the University Examination Board and then at the

next scheduled meeting of the Academic Council. In exceptional circumstances, the Dean of

Faculty may request the Provost & Deputy President to convene an exceptional University

Page 15

Examination Board meeting to consider a Faculty Examination Board aegrotat award

recommendation. The exceptional University Examination Board has delegated power from

Academic Council to approve an aegrotat award. Aegrotat awards will be conferred at the next

conferring ceremony or, in exceptional circumstances, at another appropriate ceremony.

2.13 Posthumous Awards

2.13.1 A posthumous award may be awarded to a student who has died without having met the

eligibility criteria for an aegrotat award. To be eligible for a posthumous award, the deceased

student must have completed at least 30 ECTS credits on a taught programme or successfully

passed at least one annual progression review on a research programme.

2.13.2 The award title will reflect the title of the degree programme (reference to Professional

Qualification, where applicable, will be removed).

2.13.3 The award level will not be classified (in terms of first-class honours, etc.).

2.13.4 The award is not aligned with the National Framework of Qualifications.

2.13.5 A Faculty Examination Board’s recommendation to confer a posthumous award will be

considered at the next scheduled meeting of the University Examination Board and then at the

next scheduled meeting of the Academic Council. The parchment may be presented to the next

of kin at a future conferring ceremony.

2.14 Deferral of Examination Results

2.14.1 A board of examiners may recommend that a final decision on a candidate’s result be deferred

to enable the candidate to complete specific outstanding requirements of the programme of

study that the candidate has pursued.

2.14.2 Any deferral of a decision in relation to a candidate’s result shall be for a limited period,

normally not exceeding one academic year.

2.15 Applicability of Marks and Standards

2.15.1 These general marks and standards and all associated procedures shall apply to all assessments

and examinations leading to University of Limerick awards unless and until amended by the

Academic Council. These marks and standards shall be read and interpreted in conjunction with

the academic regulations determined from time to time by the Academic Council and shall

apply to all programmes of study that stand approved by the Academic Council and that lead to

University of Limerick awards. Course approval documentation adopted by the Academic

Council shall stipulate compliance with the provisions of these marks and standards.

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3. Programme-Specific Regulations

3.1 Introduction

3.1.1 Notwithstanding the general applicability of the academic regulations and marks and standards

stipulated in the foregoing sections of this Handbook of Academic Regulations and Procedures,

there are regulations approved by Academic Council that apply only to particular programmes

of study, which are detailed in this chapter.

3.1.2 Each such academic programme is specified, and its programme-specific regulations are

detailed below.

3.1.3 In instances where there is potential for conflicting or contradictory interpretation between the

University’s general regulations and any such programme-specific regulations, the general

regulations shall take precedence. In the event that this method of interpretation does not

provide a clear resolution or unequivocal outcome, the final arbiter in the matter shall be the

Provost & Deputy President. The decision of the Provost & Deputy President shall be final and

binding.

3.2 Cyclical Programme Progression

3.2.1 Students on part-time cyclical programmes may, on an exceptional basis, be allowed to

progress to the next year with a maximum of one deficient grade. This grade must be cleared

by the end of the following academic year.

3.3 Partner Institutions and Study Abroad Progression

3.3.1 Students who undertake placement in partner institutions may, on the recommendation of the

Faculty Examination Board, progress to the next year with deficient grades from their

placement in the partner institution. The deficient grade must be cleared during the next

academic year and prior to graduation. Where the deficient grade is cleared following a repeat

assessment instrument, then in accordance with section 4.2.6, the repeat grade is capped.

Where the deficient grade is cleared following submission of a grade from the partner

institution, the grade is uncapped.

3.4 Taught Master’s Degree Offered on a Flexible Part-time Basis

3.4.1 Students undertaking a master’s degree offered on a flexible part-time basis may select the

number of modules they take each semester. Students must meet the normal selection

deadlines in accordance with academic regulation 1.3. Students are required to complete all

modules in the master’s degree within three years.

3.4.2 Students undertaking a master’s degree offered on a flexible part-time basis are not required to

undergo critical review until they have attempted 90 ECTS credits or have been registered on

the master’s degree for three years.

3.4.3 Students who have completed 90 ECTS credits and have achieved the minimum standard for

the award shall be considered for the award using the Academic Council examination process in

accordance with academic regulation 2.7.

3.4.4 Students subject to critical review who have not achieved the minimum standard for the award

outlined in academic regulation 2.7 will, at the discretion of the relevant Faculty Examination

Board, be required to do one of the following:

a) Take annual repeats for a maximum of four modules in any two-semester academic year.

b) Register for an additional year on the master’s programme. The student is subject to critical

review at the end of the extension period.

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c) For programmes with an exit award option, register for the appropriate exit award in

accordance with programme-specific regulations

d) Have their enrolment terminated

3.5 Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

3.5.1 PhD in Applied Languages Studies (School of Modern Languages and Applied Linguistics)

Entry Qualifications

3.5.1.1 An undergraduate degree as per 5.4.1 b, or taught postgraduate degree at 2.1 level or higher,

or equivalent, from a recognised third-level institution in a relevant field, or an interdisciplinary

degree with a substantial language studies component, plus the submission of a research

proposal.

3.5.1.2 As per the UL regulations for Structured PhD programmes, degrees from the programme will be

awarded on completion of the taught programme and a research component. Semesters 1, 2, 3

and 4 of the programme will comprise Stage 1 of the programme. At the end of Semester 4,

student progress will be evaluated by the Assessment Panel established by the Doctoral Course

Board, which will determine whether or not students can progress to the PhD register. The

Assessment Panel will base its judgement at the end of Stage 1 on a written statement of

progress and a research plan from the candidate, and a written progress report from the

principal supervisor, and satisfactory completion of the modules in Stage 1. Students will be

deemed to have satisfactorily completed the modules in Stage 1 if they have a cumulative QCA

of 3.0, but the Assessment Panel may decide to permit progression where there is evidence of

significant research potential and progression in Stage 1.

3.5.1.3 Students in possession of suitable qualifications or research experience equivalent to the work

done in Semesters 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the programme and who wish to enter the PhD programme

directly may only be admitted with the agreement of the course board and may be asked to

provide evidence of their suitability in the form of written work, through interview or both.

ECTS credits acquired as part of a prior qualification cannot be counted as part of the ECTS

credits towards the taught/generic components of the Structured PhD.

3.5.2 Languages Studies (School of Modern Languages and Applied Linguistics)

3.5.2.1 Students studying a language to degree level who receive an F for the oral examination

component of the language module in Semester 8 receive an F for the overall module. The

repeat examination will include an oral examination component.

Relevant programmes:

BA (Education) in Languages

BBS with French

BA in Arts

BBS with German

BA in Applied Languages

BBS with Japanese

BA in European Studies

BBS with Spanish

BA in Journalism and Digital Communication

LLB (Law Plus)

3.5.2.2 The above regulation applies to the following modules: FR4148, FR4248, FR4928, GA4148,

GA4248, GE4148, GE4248, GE4928, JA4918, JA4248, SP4148, SP4158, SP4248.

Page 18

3.5.3 BA Irish Music and Dance (Irish World Academy of Music and Dance)

3.5.3.1 Students who receive an F grade for any of the components listed below receive an F for the

overall module.

Musicians

Dancers

• Keyboard skills

• Yoga

• Ear/Notation/Theory

• Movement awareness

3.5.3.2 The above regulation applies to the following modules: MD4001, MD4002, MD4003, MD4004,

MD4006, MD4017, MD4018.

3.5.4 MA Music Therapy (Irish World Academy of Music and Dance)

MU5004 Music Therapy Fieldwork Practice 3

3.5.4.1 The case presentation will only be presented if the mark given in the final supervisor report is

50%, i.e., C1 or higher. If the mark for the supervisor report is lower than 50%, the module in

total will receive a fail grade and the presentation to the external examiner will not take place.

A fail grade can only be given in consultation with the Director of the Irish World Academy of

Music and Dance and the external examiner. Students will then be advised of their options for

continuation on the programme, i.e., clear the fail grade or leave the programme.

3.5.4.2 If a student does not receive a mark of at least 50% for the case presentation from the external

examiner, they fail the module in its entirety and must repeat it, including ten weeks of clinical

placement two days per week.

3.5.5 Structured PhD in Politics (Department of Politics and Public Administration)

3.5.5.1 To be considered for progression in the Structured PhD in Politics, student must have achieved

a cumulative QCA of 2.90 at the end of the academic year.

3.6 Faculty of Business

3.7 Faculty of Education and Health Sciences

3.7.1 Professional Accreditation Related Elements

On the basis of submissions from heads of department, the Provost & Deputy President may

designate specific modules as PARE (professional accreditation related elements) modules.

The following regulations apply to PARE modules.

3.7.1.1 A student who fails a PARE module taken on a normal (N) participation type shall be awarded

an F grade. A student who fails a PARE module taken on a pass/fail (P) participation type shall

be awarded an N grade.

3.7.1.2 The compensating fail grades D1 and D2 will not be awarded for PARE modules.

3.7.1.3 The provision of repeat opportunities for students who fail a PARE module will be at the

discretion of the relevant Examination Board.

3.7.1.4 Where a PARE module is designated as non-repeatable, a repeat of the module is normally

provided, subject to the provision in 3.7.1.3 above, on a link-in basis in the next academic year.

3.7.1.5 A student who fails two PARE modules (i.e. who fails the first attempt and retake or who passes

the retake but fails a subsequent module) will normally have their enrolment on their current

programme of study terminated.

A list of EHS PARE modules approved by the Provost & Deputy President under section 1.4.16 (b) is given on the Student Hub

Online, which is accessible from the Academic Registry website.

Page 19

3.7.1.6 A student who fails two PARE modules (i.e. who fails the first attempt and retake or who passes

the retake but fails a subsequent module) at any stage of their programme of study will be

eligible for consideration, at the discretion of the relevant Examination Board, for an exit award

or for transfer to an appropriate exit programme.

Affected programmes:

BA Psychology and Sociology

BEd Languages

BSc (Ed) Biological Sciences with Physics or Chemistry

BSc (Ed) Physics and Chemistry

BSc Mathematics and Computer Science

BSc Midwifery

BSc Nursing (General)

BSc Nursing (Intellectual Disability)

BSc Nursing (Mental Health)

BSc Physical Education

BSc Physiotherapy

BSc Psychology

BTech (Ed) Materials and Architectural Technology

BTech (Ed) Materials and Engineering Technology

MSc Human Nutrition and Dietetics

MSc Occupational Therapy (Professional Qualification)

MSc Physiotherapy (Professional Qualification)

MSc Speech and Language Therapy (Professional Qualification)

Professional Master of Education

3.7.2 Master of Arts in Guidance Counselling and Lifespan Development (School of Education)

Grading of Practice and Process Modules

3.7.2.1 The compensating fail grades D1 and D2 will not be awarded for the following modules:

• EN6221 Counselling Theory & Practice l

• EN6192 Theory and Skills of Experiential Group Learning

• EN6114 Counselling Theory & Practice ll

• EN6124 Practicum 1: Practice Placement

• EN6015 Practicum 2: Practice Placement

Repeat of Practice and Process Modules

3.7.2.2 Provision of annual repeats for students who fail one or more of these modules will be at the

discretion of the relevant Examination Board.

A list of the relevant exit programmes and awards is given on the Student Hub Online, which is accessible from the Academic

Registry website.

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3.7.3 Graduate Diploma in Integrative Psychotherapy (School of Education)

Progression following Autumn Semester

3.7.3.1 All students in Year 1 are subject to critical review in the Autumn semester. Students who fail

EN5161 Therapeutic Group Process 1 cannot progress to the Spring semester.

Repeating the Therapeutic Group Process Modules

3.7.3.2 Students who fail EN5161 Therapeutic Group Process 1 may, subject to the approval of the

course board, repeat it once only at its next offering and cannot progress on the course until

that F is cleared. Students who successfully repeat this module must subsequently pass EN5192

Therapeutic Group Process 2 on the first attempt (no repeat of EN5192 Therapeutic Group

Process 2 will be possible for these students).

3.7.3.3 Students who pass EN5161 Therapeutic Group Process 1 at the first attempt but fail EN5192

Therapeutic Group Process 2 may repeat it once only at its next offering, subject to the

approval of the course board, and may not progress on the course until the F is cleared.

3.7.4 MA in Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapy (School of Education)

Progression following Autumn Semester

3.7.4.1 All students in years 2 and 3 are subject to critical review in the Autumn semester. A student

who fails EN5513 (Group Therapy 2) cannot progress to Spring semester Year 2. A student who

fails EN5515 (Professional Placement 1) cannot progress to Spring semester Year 3.

Passing the Professional Placement Modules

3.7.4.2 In the case of EN5515 Professional Placement 1 and EN5516 Professional Placement 2, a

student must achieve a minimum grade of C3. D1 and D2 grades are not awardable for these

modules.

Repeating the Group Therapy Modules

3.7.4.3 Students who fail EN5512 Group Therapy 1 may, subject to the approval of the course board,

repeat it once only at its next offering and cannot progress to the next year of the programme

until the F is cleared. Students who successfully repeat EN5512 must subsequently pass EN5513

Group Therapy 2 on the first attempt (no repeat of EN5513 will be possible for these students).

3.7.4.4 Students who pass EN5512 Group Therapy 1 on the first attempt but fail EN5513 Group

Therapy 2 may repeat EN5513 once only at its next offering, subject to the approval of the

course board. Students who fail EN5513 cannot progress to the next semester of the

programme (Spring semester) until the F is cleared.

Repeating the Professional Placement Modules

3.7.4.5 Students who fail EN5515 Professional Placement 1 may, subject to the approval of the course

board, repeat it once only at its next offering. The student cannot progress to the next

semester of the programme (Spring semester) until the F is cleared. These students must pass

EN5516 Professional Placement 2 on the first attempt (no repeat of EN5516 will be possible for

these students).

3.7.4.6 Students who pass EN5515 Professional Placement 1 at the first attempt but fail EN5516

Professional Placement 2 may, subject to the approval of the course board, repeat EN5516

once only at its next offering.

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3.7.5 Doctoral Programme in Clinical Psychology (Department of Psychology)

3.7.5.1 Requirements of the professional doctorate are specified in chapter 2, Marks and Standards

(MS 2.9). The following programme-specific academic regulations apply to the Doctoral

Programme in Clinical Psychology.

Award

3.7.5.2 To be considered for the award of the professional doctorate, students must have achieved a

cumulative QCA of 3.00 or higher.

Grading

3.7.5.3 The research component is graded on a pass/fail basis. The research component includes thesis

proposal, thesis and journal article.

3.7.5.4 The Personal Development Module is M-graded over years 1, 2 and 3. Students will have

achieved a pass grade, at minimum, in order to progress to the next year of the programme

and to be eligible for the doctoral award.

3.7.5.5 Grading of modules, other than those specified above, is illustrated in Table 2.1 of chapter 2,

Marks and Standards (MS 2.5).

Repeats

3.7.5.6 One opportunity is provided to repeat one clinical placement module. A fail grade on a repeat

or subsequent clinical placement will result in immediate termination of the student’s

enrolment, irrespective of performance on any other component of the programme.

3.7.5.7 Permission to repeat a clinical placement module is at the discretion of the course board, which

will make its decision with due regard to the student’s rights and the University’s duty of care

to the public.

3.7.5.8 Students who are awarded a fail grade in a professional placement module will normally repeat

the entire module. In exceptional cases, the course board may vary the requirement to repeat

the entire module.

3.7.5.9 The three clinical placements are non-repeatable modules, i.e. there will not be an opportunity

to repeat one immediately in the event of failing. This fail grade must be cleared before the

student can be presented to the final Examination Board.

3.7.5.10 Two pieces of academic work (case studies, essays, journals, small research reports, etc.) may

be repeated once during the course of the programme, following the award of a fail grade (F)

or compensating fail grade (D1/D2).

Note: A clinical placement is defined as a period of time devoted primarily to supervised clinical

practice which ends at the point of being graded by the programme staff, i.e. it is not defined

by geographic location.

3.7.6 MSc in Occupational Therapy (Professional Qualification) (School of Allied Health)

3.7.6.1 There is no compensatory grade on OT modules in the MSc Occupational Therapy (Professional

Qualification). Students must achieve a C3 to pass all academic and practice placement

modules. For specific information, please refer to the course documentation handbook.

3.7.6.2 Students cannot progress to the next semester if they have a deficient grade on any PARE

module.

3.7.7 MSc in Speech and Language Therapy (Professional Qualification) (School of Allied Health)

3.7.7.1 There is no compensatory grade on SL modules in the MSc Speech and Language Therapy

(Professional Qualification). Students must achieve a C3 to pass all academic and placement

modules. For specific information, please refer to the course information handbook.

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3.7.7.2 Students cannot progress to the next semester if they have a deficient grade on any PARE

module.

3.7.8 MSc in Human Nutrition and Dietetics (School of Allied Health)

3.7.8.1 Students cannot progress to the next semester if they have a deficient grade on any PARE

module.

3.7.9 BSc in Physiotherapy and MSc in Physiotherapy (Professional Qualification) (School of Allied

Health)

3.7.9.1 Students cannot progress to the next semester if they have a deficient grade on any PARE

module.

3.7.10 Higher Diploma in Midwifery (18-month programme) (Department of Nursing & Midwifery)

3.7.10.1 Students who fail competency assessments on practice placements will be given one

opportunity to repeat each competency assessment over a period of two to four weeks,

depending on the year of the programme. Students who fail a repeat competency assessment

may be requested to exit the programme.

3.7.11 BM BS Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery (School of Medicine)

Progression following Annual Repeats of Year 1 and Year 2 Modules

3.7.11.1 The BM BS Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery (School of Medicine) is a year-based

programme across all four years of the programme. Students who do not achieve the minimum

standard of a P grade in all modules following annual repeats will be required to repeat the

year in full. Students will not be permitted to repeat individual modules. One opportunity only

is provided to repeat a year of study during the first two years of the programme. Therefore,

students must complete the first two years of study within a maximum of three years.

Year 3 and Year 4 Placement and Professional Competency Modules

3.7.11.2 The compensating fail grades D1 and D2 will not be awarded for any modules in Year 3 and

Year 4.

3.7.11.3 Provision of annual repeats for students who fail a placement module (clinical placement) will

be at the discretion of the relevant Examination Board.

3.7.11.4 Students who have deficient grades following annual repeats will be required to repeat all

modules with deficient grades. One opportunity only is provided to repeat each year in Year 3

and Year 4, subject to the student completing their studies within six years. Therefore, students

who have repeated a year of their programme in Year 1 or Year 2 must complete Year 3 and

Year 4 within a maximum of three years.

3.7.12 MA in Psychology (Department of Psychology)

3.7.12.1 The following modules have programme-specific grading requirements:

• PS6111 Biological Psychology

• PS6101 Personality and Individual Differences

• PS4901 Empirical Psychology

• PS6102 Developmental and Lifespan Psychology

• PS6122 Cognition

• PS6112 Research Methods in Psychology

• PS6022 Advanced Empirical Psychology

3.7.12.2 Students who fail to achieve a C2 grade or higher in these modules will be awarded an F grade.

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3.7.12.3 The compensating fail grades D1 and D2 and the C3 grade shall not be awarded for the above

modules.

3.7.12.4 Students who are repeating any of the above modules will have their grade capped at C2.

3.7.12.5 Students cannot progress to the next semester and sign up for the Major Research Project

PS6003 if they have a deficient grade in PS6022 Advanced Empirical Psychology.

3.7.13 Undergraduate Programmes with Year 2 School Placement Elements

3.7.13.1 The minimum requirement for progression to the Spring semester in Year 2 of the following

programmes, all of which include a school placement, is a minimum residual QCA of 2.00 with

no more than two F grades.

• BEd Languages

• BSc (Ed) Biological Sciences with Physics or Chemistry

• BSc Mathematics and Computer Science

• BSc Physical Education

• BTech (Ed) Materials and Architectural Technology

• BTech (Ed) Materials and Engineering Technology

• BSc (Ed) Physics and Chemistry

The relevant Examination Board decisions will be in accordance with section 4.3.5 (Progression

Following Autumn Semester).

3.8 Faculty of Science and Engineering

3.8.1 Bachelor of Architecture (School of Architecture)

Grading of Design Studio or Thesis Modules

3.8.1.1 Students who fail Design Studio or Thesis modules shall be awarded an F grade. The

compensating fail grades D1 and D2 should not be awarded for Design Studio or Thesis

modules.

3.8.2 Professional Diploma in Mathematics for Teaching (EPI•STEM, National Centre for STEM

Education)

3.8.2.1 Students undertaking this programme are not required to undergo critical review until they

have attempted 75 ECTS credits or have been registered on the programme for two years.

3.8.3 BSc in Aircraft Maintenance and Airworthiness Engineering (School of Engineering)

3.8.3.1 This programme has a part 1 structure only. The final award shall be based on the student’s

cumulative performance over the four years of the programme.

3.8.3.2 Grade C3 or higher is required to pass an EASA-linked module (currently 75% in EASA

(European Aviation Safety Agency) regulations).

3.8.3.3 Students who fail to achieve a C3 grade or higher in an EASA-linked module will be awarded an

F grade for that module.

3.8.3.4 The compensating fail grades D1 and D2 shall not be awarded for an EASA-linked module.

3.8.3.5 The above regulations apply to the following EASA-linked modules:

• ME4085 Physics

• ME4074 Basic Aerodynamics

• ME4067 Electrical Fundamentals

• ME4077 Human Factors

• ME4069 Digital Techniques for Electronic Instrument Systems

• ME4072 Materials and Hardware

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• ME4073 Maintenance Practices 1

• ME4075 Turbine Aeroplane Aerodynamics, Structures and Systems 1

• ME4076 Gas Turbine Engines 1

• ME4068 Electronic Fundamentals

• ME4078 Aviation Legislation

• ME4080 Turbine Aeroplane Aerodynamics, Structures and Systems 2

• ME4081 Gas Turbine Engines 2

• ME4079 Maintenance Practices 2

• ME4082 Propellers

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4. Supporting Procedures

4.1 Examination

4.1.1 Examination Scheduling

4.1.1.1 Academic Registry shall schedule and administer an examination period of not more than 2.5

hours for each module requiring an examination. (Special exemption for an examination of

longer duration may be requested from the Academic Council by application to the Office of

the Provost & Deputy President.)

4.1.1.2 Where a student identifies a provisional examination timetable clash (two examinations at the

same time) related to their modules, they should notify Academic Registry immediately via

TopDesk. Where a clash is due to registration issues, Academic Registry may adjust the

provisional examination timetable or put other arrangements in place to address the clash.

4.1.1.3 End-of-semester examinations shall be conducted in accordance with the regulations specified

in section 4.5.

4.1.2 Preparing/Printing Examination Materials

4.1.2.1 Academic staff members shall comply with any procedures and deadlines their academic

department has in place regarding the typing, preparation and printing of examination

materials (AR 1.4.4 and MS 2.1). In the case of examinations, these procedures and deadlines

shall be designed to comply with the requirements at 4.1.2.2 and 4.1.2.3 below.

4.1.2.2 Sufficient copies of the examination paper (and any additional examination material) shall be

delivered to Academic Registry five working days before the first examination.

4.1.2.3 All examination papers shall contain standard header information.

4.1.3 Academic Staff Attendance at Examinations

4.1.3.1 The academic staff member responsible for a module or their nominee shall be present at the

scheduled examination venue of the examination for the first 30 minutes of the scheduled

examination time to respond to queries. Where the final schedule lists more than one

examination venue for the module examination, the academic staff member or their nominee

shall attend at the main venues listed on the final examination schedule. The academic staff

member or their nominee is required to present UL staff identification to the Exam Venue

Coordinator prior to entering the examination venue.

4.1.3.2 If an examination paper containing inaccurate information is distributed to students in an

examination venue, the academic staff member shall immediately bring this to the attention of

the Exam Venue Coordinator.

4.1.4 Academic Cheating

4.1.4.1 Academic cheating is defined as a major offence in the University’s Code of Conduct. (CC

6.1.5(l))

4.1.4.2 Anyone who believes that they see a student attempting to cheat or cheating during an

examination shall immediately inform an Exam Venue Coordinator in the examination venue of

the time and nature of the allegation and shall indicate to the Exam Venue Coordinator where

the student concerned is seated. The Exam Venue Coordinator is then required to follow the

procedure specified in the Breach of General Examination Regulations forms used to record

such an allegation. The procedure permits the student concerned to continue with the

examination. Academic Registry shall refer all such allegations to the Office of the Provost &

Deputy President immediately following the examination concerned. All allegations and

complaints are considered by the University Advocate under the University’s Code of Conduct.

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4.1.4.3 Anyone who believes that they see a student attempting to cheat or cheating during an

assessment by coursework shall immediately inform the academic staff member responsible

for the module. The academic staff member shall inform the student concerned of the

allegation. (If it is the academic staff member who believes an incident of cheating has

occurred, they shall similarly inform the student concerned.) Where viable, the academic staff

member shall mark the student’s assessment answer material or otherwise indicate in writing

at what stage of the coursework the allegation was made. In all cases, the student shall then be

permitted to continue with the coursework.

Immediately following the coursework, the academic staff member shall send written details of

the allegation to the Office of the Provost & Deputy President. The written notification shall

include the student’s name and ID number and the name of any witness(es). All allegations and

complaints are considered by the University Advocate under the University’s Code of Conduct.

4.1.4.4 An academic staff member who believes that a student has cheated based on an analysis of the

student’s assessment answer materials ( coursework or examination) shall immediately write

out a detailed allegation, including the student’s name and ID number, and send it to the Office

of the Provost & Deputy President. All allegations and complaints are considered by the

University Advocate under the University’s Code of Conduct.

4.2 Grading

4.2.1 Grading Lists

4.2.1.1 A grading list that lists each student taking a module in the current semester shall be sent by

Academic Registry to the academic staff member responsible for the module by the end of

Week 13 of the semester. (AR 1.4.7)

4.2.1.2 The academic staff member responsible for the module shall ensure that:

a) The final grade each student has achieved in the module is submitted on the grading list

b) The name, ID number and grade of any student who is not included on the list but who has

been assessed in the module in the current semester is submitted using the Module Grade

Entry Additional Students document

4.2.2 Submission of Grades

4.2.2.1 The academic staff member responsible for the module shall review the completed grading list

and shall submit final grades to the SI records system. After the grades for a module have been

submitted, an email confirmation detailing the grade distribution and average QPV for the

module will be sent to the module leader, Head of Department and Department Coordinator.

4.2.2.2 The Head of Department or their nominee shall review the grades submitted by the academic

staff member and may, within a period of three days from the date of notice of grade

submission, request Academic Registry to return the grading list to the academic staff member.

4.2.2.3 Academic staff members are encouraged to submit grades at the earliest opportunity following

the completion of assessments in a module. Heads of department shall make every effort to

support academic staff in so doing.

4.2.2.4 The precise dates and deadlines in each semester will be confirmed by memo to all members of

academic staff from Academic Registry.

4.2.2.5 The grades that may be awarded are listed in the Marks and Standards chapter (MS 2.5.2).

Academic staff members should refer to their Head of Department for more detailed guidance

on the standard of performance required for the award of each grade. The student

participation type listed on the class and grading lists issued by Academic Registry has the

following implications for the type of grade for which the student is eligible.

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Table 4.1: Student Participation Type

Participation

Type

Meaning

Associated Grades

Normal participation

Award any grade except G, EX, R, RE, W, X, S,

Pass/Fail participation

Award grade P (Pass) or N (Fail) only

Audit participation

Award G or NG only

No cap

Repeat participation

Award appropriate academic grade

Cap

Repeat participation type

where the grade is capped

Award appropriate academic grade. The

system will cap to a maximum of C3 while

maintaining an audit record of the actual

grade awarded.

I clear

Participation to clear I

grade

Award appropriate academic grade

4.2.3 Incomplete (I) Grades 

4.2.3.1 The University supports students who find themselves in an immediate crisis that has a

substantial and material effect on their ability to prepare for or participate in an

examination/assessment and, where relevant, takes actions to avert recurrence. 

4.2.3.2 An incomplete (I) grade shall be granted only in cases where the student has not attended the

relevant examination (if required) and/or submitted all coursework for assessment (if

required).

4.2.3.3 Incomplete (I) grades are granted for individual modules.

4.2.3.4 Module credit is not awarded for incomplete (I) grades.

4.2.3.5 An incomplete (I) grade in a module that is a required part of a student’s programme must be

replaced by an appropriate academic grade prior to progression or graduation. 

4.2.3.6 An incomplete (I) grade shall be awarded only in cases where there is certifiable evidence of

one (or more) of the following:

a) Illness/condition, if within sufficient proximity to the examination/assessment to have a

substantial and material effect

b) Death of a person close to the applicant including (but not limited to) a parent/guardian,

sibling, spouse, child (or person to whom the applicant is in loco parentis), mother-in-law,

father-in-law, grandparent, grandchild or any person who was habitually resident in the

home of the applicant, if within sufficient proximity to the examination/assessment to

have a substantial and material effect

c) Circumstances outside the control of the applicant, which make it legally, factually or

physically impossible for the applicant to attend an examination/assessment or if within

sufficient proximity to an examination/assessment to have a substantial and material

effect

d) Pregnancy and related issues

e) Other circumstances that the Incomplete (I) Grade Committee considers to be analogous

to any of the aforementioned

4.2.3.7 For the avoidance of doubt, incomplete (I) grades shall not be assigned in response to pleas of

pressure of work. 

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4.2.3.8 An incomplete (I) grade shall be granted only in cases where the student has submitted

certifiable evidence that meets the requirements set by the Incomplete (I) Grade Committee at

the times and in the manner specified from time to time by the University.

4.2.3.9 To be considered for an incomplete (I) grade, it is the responsibility of the student to complete

all application requirements at the times and in the manner specified to the student from time

to time by the University.

4.2.3.10 The Incomplete (I) Grade Committee will meet to consider all applications for incomplete

grades following each examination period and will make a recommendation for the granting of

incomplete (I) grades to the Academic Council Grading Committee (see 1.1.2).

4.2.3.11 Students are informed of the outcome of their application for an incomplete (I) grade when

results are released for the relevant semester (see 1.4.13).

4.2.3.12 Students who wish to appeal the decision of the Academic Council Grading Committee in

relation to the awarding, or not, of an incomplete (I) grade may do so at the times and in the

manner specified to the student from time to time by the University.

4.2.3.13 Students shall be required to clear all incomplete (I) grades no later than the repeat assessment

period following the award of the incomplete (I) grade or in the case of non-repeatable

modules, the next time the module is offered.

4.2.3.14 Students who receive an incomplete (I) grade for the first time in a module during the repeat

assessment period will retain their original grade.

4.2.3.15 Students who receive an incomplete (I) grade during the repeat assessment period may not

progress on their programme of study until they are awarded full credits in all modules of the

prescribed programme to date (see 1.5.3).

4.2.3.16 All clearance grades will be processed following the relevant Repeat Assessment period with

the exception of prospective graduating students where clearance of I grades awarded in a

student’s penultimate semester may be considered by the Academic Council Grading

Committee either prior to the next relevant Academic Council Examination Board or following

the relevant Repeat Assessment period.

4.2.3.17 A student who receives an incomplete (I) grade shall contact the academic staff member

responsible for the module immediately following the publication of the grade to determine

how the outstanding requirements are to be completed. If the academic staff member is

unavailable, the student should contact the appropriate Head of Department for a decision.

4.2.3.18 The academic staff member responsible for the module shall determine which of the following

options apply for a student to meet the outstanding requirements and clear the incomplete (I)

grade:

a) An evaluation of the work submitted by the student to date together with the student’s

general performance in the module to date

b) An adequately documented viva voce examination

c) Performance in sequential or linked modules

d) Evidence of mastery of concepts or skills that can be obtained from performance in

modules related to that in which the I grade has been awarded. As part of the grade

review process, the academic staff member may require the student to submit additional

work.

e) Examination during the relevant repeat assessment period

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4.2.4 M Grades

4.2.4.1 An M grade shall be awarded only in the case of sequential modules approved for such grading

by the Provost & Deputy President prior to the commencement of the sequence and satisfying

the following conditions.

a) Normally, there shall be no more than two modules in an M-graded sequence.

b) The Provost & Deputy President will need to be satisfied that there is a sound pedagogic

reason for assessing over two modules.

c) The Provost & Deputy President will need to be satisfied that students on whose

programmes the module sequence is a requirement do not have an excessive number of

M-graded modules in the relevant semesters.

d) Both modules in the sequence shall be offered in consecutive semesters of the same

academic year.

e) To provide feedback to students, an interim assessment shall take place by the end of the

first semester of the M-graded sequence, which shall be worth at least 20% of the total

grade in the module.

f) Normally, both modules shall be taught and co-ordinated by the same academic staff

member(s).

g) Credits shall be awarded only at the end of the sequence.

h) The final grade awarded shall be the same in each semester in which the M-graded

sequence occurred. In exceptional circumstances, e.g. the case of the major project

module, the award of different grades in each of the semesters may be permitted.

4.2.5 NG Grades

4.2.5.1 NG grades should be awarded only in cases where a student has submitted no assessment

material for a module and no certification has been received to support the award of an I

grade.

4.2.6 Repeat Grades

4.2.6.1 Grades awarded at the annual repeats will be capped at C3. In such cases, the higher of the

original grade and repeat grade will stand.

4.2.6.2 Grades awarded to students repeating a maximum of two modules per semester on a link-in

basis will not be capped. In such cases, the higher of the original grade and the repeat grade

will stand. For the avoidance of doubt, where a module that is repeated on a link-in basis is

further repeated at the annual repeats, the grade awarded for the latter will be capped at C3,

provided that in such circumstances the higher of the original grade and the repeat grade will

stand.

4.2.7 Grading of Modules Taken in Partner Institutions

4.2.7.1 The University encourages students to participate in placements in other academic institutions,

both nationally and internationally. To this end, the University may recognise grades awarded

by the partner institution and award credits accordingly.

4.2.7.2 An institutional agreement shall be in place prior to participation by University of Limerick

students in placements in other institutions. Such agreements shall be executed only in the

case of University of Limerick compatible institutions.

4.2.7.3 A learning agreement and grade translation agreement shall be in place in advance of student

exchange/placement. Learning agreements shall be executed only in the case of University of

Limerick compatible courses.

4.2.7.4 Up to 50% of part 2 of an academic programme can be taken in partner institutions, i.e. a total

of three of the six semesters in part 2, including Cooperative Education placement. This would

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be an upper limit. Placement on programmes such as ERASMUS is limited to a total of one

academic year.

4.2.7.5 A more restrictive policy may operate at individual programme level.

4.2.7.6 Course directors of academic programmes that require students to undertake a compulsory

placement in a partner institution shall ensure that the precise parameters are specified in the

programme documentation approved by Academic Council. Course directors of academic

programmes that offer students the option of a placement in a partner institution shall,

following consultation with the International Office or Exchange Coordinator, as appropriate,

seek relevant course board approval of the proposed placement.

4.2.7.7 UL Global shall be consulted in relation to the proposed parameters for studying abroad in new

courses or during the revision of existing courses prior to approval being sought in accordance

with item 4.2.7.6.

4.2.7.8 The exchange co-ordinator or equivalent shall approve individual student participation in a

placement in another institution.

4.2.7.9 In advance of the study abroad placement, the exchange co-ordinator or equivalent shall advise

students registered on University of Limerick academic programmes incorporating modules

exempted by professional bodies of any implications for exemptions, postgraduate study, etc.

4.2.7.10 Students are expected to spend their final year at the University of Limerick. Exceptions must

be approved in advance by the course director and exchange co-ordinators.

4.2.7.11 Unless otherwise approved by Academic Council, the following arrangements shall apply in

relation to the grading of students undertaking placements in partner institutions.

a) Final year modules taken in a partner institution, including any final year modules taken in

lieu of Cooperative Education placement or professional placement, should be quality

graded.

b) Students undertaking a compulsory placement shall be graded on a pass/fail basis in all

years prior to their final year of study.

c) Students undertaking an elective placement in all years prior to their final year of study

shall be graded on either a pass/fail or quality-graded basis. The grading type for the

placement will be determined in advance of the placement following consultation

between the course director and the student and subsequent approval by the course

board.

d) With the exception of final year modules (which should be graded in accordance with item

a. above), modules taken abroad in lieu of Cooperative Education placement should be

graded Pass/Fail.

4.2.7.12 All assessments should be completed before the University of Limerick student leaves the host

university. In addition, the onus is on individual students, in consultation with their exchange

co-ordinators, to ensure that arrangements are in place for the transmission of grades from

their host university to the appropriate office in the University of Limerick.

4.2.7.13 The exchange co-ordinator shall advise Academic Registry and UL Global of individual student

study abroad arrangements.

4.2.8 Grade Changes

4.2.8.1 In exceptional cases, a grade may be changed after the original grade has been approved by the

Academic Council Grading Committee. Such grade alteration may occur when an academic staff

member:

a) Discovers an error in the grade

Page 31

b) Reviews overall or individual performance in a module on the advice of the external

examiner

c) Reviews an individual grade in response to a grade recheck request in accordance with

section 4.2.9

d) Reviews an individual grade in response to a grade appeal request in accordance with

section 4.2.10

e) Reviews an individual grade in response to a request from the Head of Department

4.2.8.2 In cases where the grade change places the student in another final award classification

category, the course director and/or Head of Department should ensure that the external

examiner(s) is consulted.

4.2.8.3 The academic staff member shall complete and sign the appropriate grade alteration form. The

reason for the alteration shall be stated on the form. The signature of the Head of Department

or their nominee is required before the form can be submitted to Academic Registry for

processing.

4.2.9 Grade Recheck

4.2.9.1 Should a student consider that they may have been assigned an incorrect grade, they may

request a recheck of the grade within two weeks of the relevant semester results becoming

available.

4.2.9.2 To request a recheck, the student must complete the appropriate form (available from

Academic Registry) and pay a fee, the amount of which shall be decided by the Provost &

Deputy President.

4.2.9.3 A grade recheck cannot be carried out on those parts of an assessment where a sufficient and

intact record of the original assessment is not available. This includes assessments where the

original submission by the student does not remain under the control of the University or

where sufficient records are not available to permit regrading.

4.2.9.4 The following procedure should be followed by the academic staff member responsible for the

relevant module:

a) Where available, review all submissions in relation to the module assessment.

b) Review all submissions to establish whether or not the original mark/grade awarded was

correct. Where a sufficient and intact record of the original assessment is not available, the

original mark/grade assigned to that element of the assessment remains.

c) Check to ensure that marks given to individual elements of an assessment are included in

the total marks.

d) Check that the original total mark, where applicable, is accurate and that the grade

awarded is correct.

4.2.9.5 Where the decision is to change the grade, the academic staff member shall pass the form to

the Head of Department for the Head’s authorisation, and the Head of Department shall return

the signed form to the academic staff member.

4.2.9.6 The academic staff member shall return the recheck request form to Academic Registry with

their decision noted on it, within three weeks of the publication of results for the semester in

which the request is lodged.

4.2.9.7 It should be noted that, should the grade recheck so determine, grades may be changed to

lower or higher grades.

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4.2.10 Grade Appeal

4.2.10.1 Should a student not be satisfied with the outcome of the grade recheck, the student may

appeal the matter to the Head of Department responsible for the module. The appeal must be

made within two weeks of the publication of the grade recheck result.

4.2.10.2 To appeal a grade recheck, the student must complete the appropriate form (available from

Academic Registry) and pay a fee, the amount of which shall be decided by the Provost &

Deputy President. The appeal must be on stated grounds and should include a full and

complete statement on why the student believes the grade awarded is incorrect.

4.2.10.3 A grade appeal cannot be carried out on those parts of an assessment where a satisfactory

record of the original assessment is not available. This includes assessments where the original

submission by the student does not remain under the control of the University or where

sufficient records are not available to permit regrading.

4.2.10.4 The following procedure should be followed by the Head of Department or their nominee(s)

when dealing with grade appeals:

a) Review the stated grounds on the grade appeal request.

b) Regrade all submissions in relation to the module assessment with reference to the stated

grounds of appeal. Where a sufficient record of the original assessment is not available,

the original mark/grade assigned to that element of the assessment remains.

c) Check to ensure that marks given to individual elements of all submissions to the module

assessment are included in the total marks.

d) Check that the original total mark is accurate and that the grade awarded is correct.

4.2.10.5 The Head of Department shall return the appeal request form to Academic Registry, with their

decision noted on it, within three weeks of receipt of the grade appeal request.

4.2.10.6 It should be noted that, should the grade appeal so determine, grades may be changed to

lower or higher grades.

4.3 Student Progression

4.3.1 Quality Credit Average (QCA)

4.3.1.1 The semester quality credit average (QCA) represents the average quality of a student’s

performance in all modules taken in one semester. The cumulative QCA represents the average

quality of a student’s performance in all modules taken to date in a particular programme of

study.

4.3.1.2 Semester QCA is calculated using the following formula (where QCS = quality credit score, Att

Hrs = attempted hours and Non-Q hours = non-quality hours).

Sum of QCS

(Sum of Att Hrs) – (Sum of Non-Q hours)

Note 1: The QCS score for a particular module is the quality point value (QPV) score for that

module multiplied by the module credit value (e.g. 3). The QPV score is a numerical value

assigned to grades A1 to NG on a scale from 4 to 0.

Note 2: Each year of study of a programme is given a factor weighting. For programmes that

include a three-year part 2, Year 2 carries a factor weighting of 1 while years 3 and 4 each carry

a factor of 2.

Refer to the Calculating QCA section of the Student Handbook (accessible on the Academic

Registry website for a detailed explanation of how cumulative and semester QCA are

calculated.

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4.3.2 Faculty Examination Boards

4.3.2.1 Each Faculty Board shall appoint a Faculty Examination Board/Boards to review, each semester,

the module grades awarded to each student in the programme(s) assigned to that board for

consideration.

4.3.2.2 Where a programme is managed by a sole department, the relevant Faculty Examination Board

shall be convened and chaired by the Head of that department or their nominee. Where a

programme is managed by more than one department within a faculty, the Dean or their

nominee shall convene and chair the relevant Faculty Examination Board.

4.3.2.3 Where a programme is managed by more than one department across more than one faculty,

the relevant Deans’ nominee shall convene and chair the relevant Faculty Examination Board.

4.3.2.4 In all cases, the Faculty Examination Board shall comprise the relevant heads of department,

course directors, specialist academic staff and appropriate academic staff responsible for

teaching the modules graded in the semester under consideration.

4.3.2.5 Faculty Examination Boards shall decide on the progress of students within the marginal

performance limits specified in sections 4.3.5, 4.3.6 and 4.3.7.

4.3.2.6 Faculty Examination Boards shall make recommendations to the Academic Council Grading

Committee as to the progress of students whose academic performance falls below the

marginal performances specified in sections 4.3.5, 4.3.6 and 4.3.7.

4.3.2.7 Faculty Examination Boards shall convene each semester in advance of the meeting of the

Academic Council Grading Committee. (AR 1.5.2)

4.3.3 Minimum Performance Standards

4.3.3.1 Minimum performance standards are specified in academic regulation 1.5.3. The Academic

Council Grading Committee normally allows a student to complete one full academic year of a

programme before formally reviewing the student’s progress with a view to determining

whether or not the student should proceed. The Academic Council Grading Committee formally

reviews the progress of students at the end of each academic year of a programme, at the end

of the final academic semester of a part of a programme, prior to placement on Cooperative

Education or other professional placement (for example, school placement and clinical

placement) and following the annual repeats. These students’ progress is reviewed initially by

the relevant Faculty Examination Board.

4.3.3.2 Students whose academic performance conforms to the minimum standards are required to

proceed.

4.3.3.3 Academic Registry produces reports at the end of each semester that summarise the

performance of each student. Items 4.3.5.1, 4.3.6.1 and 4.3.7.1 below state the critical

categories of students about whose progression Examination Boards are required to make

recommendations.

4.3.4 Progression

4.3.4.1 Progression decisions are conveyed online to Academic Registry by 11:00 on the morning of the

Academic Council Grading Committee meeting. The outcomes of the Academic Council Grading

Committee’s decisions on progression are conveyed to the students by Academic Registry.

4.3.4.2 No additional provisions will be made for visiting students.

4.3.5 Progression Following Autumn Semester

4.3.5.1 Only students due to start Cooperative Education placement or other professional placement in

the Spring semester are subject to critical review. Once a student has progressed into the year

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in which the Cooperative Education or other professional placement takes place, progression to

such placement is automatic except in those cases where students who are required to repeat

the year or part thereof would be prevented from doing so by the timing of the placement.

4.3.5.2 Students who have not met the minimum standards will, on the recommendation of the

relevant Examination Board, be required to do one of the following:

a) Take annual repeats for a maximum of two modules (excluding I grades) from the Autumn

semester

b) Repeat a full semester

c) Repeat the full year

d) Have their enrolment terminated

4.3.5.3 Faculty Examination Boards may specify modules to be repeated by non-progressing students.

4.3.5.4 Eligibility for access to the annual repeats is based on a residual QCA of at least 2.00.

4.3.6 Progression Following Spring Semester

4.3.6.1 All students are subject to critical review in the Spring semester. Progression to Cooperative

Education placement is automatic except in those cases where students who are required to

repeat the year or part thereof would be prevented from doing so by the timing of the

placement. However, prospective graduates are dealt with via the Academic Council

Examination Board process.

4.3.6.2 Students who do not achieve the minimum standard outlined in academic regulation 1.5.3

shall, at the discretion of the relevant Faculty Examination Board, be permitted to do one of the

following:

a) Take annual repeats for a maximum of four modules in any two-semester academic year.

b) Repeat a full semester

c) Repeat the full year

d) Have their enrolment terminated

4.3.6.3 Faculty Examination Boards may specify modules to be repeated by non-progressing students.

4.3.6.4 Eligibility for access to the annual repeats is based on a residual QCA of at least 2.00.

4.3.7 Progression Following Annual Repeats

4.3.7.1 All students availing of annual repeats are subject to critical review following the annual

repeats. With the exception of students on Cooperative Education placement who are not

required to repeat any Autumn semester modules under 4.3.7.2 below and provided the

Examination Board has not required their enrolment to be terminated, students who have not

achieved the minimum standard cannot proceed to the next year of study.

4.3.7.2 Students who do not achieve the minimum standard outlined in academic regulation 1.5.3

shall, at the discretion of the relevant Faculty Examination Board, be permitted to do one of the

following:

a) Repeat a maximum of two modules with deficient or compensating fail grades in any one

semester on a link-in basis

b) Repeat a full semester

c) Repeat the full year

d) Have their enrolment terminated

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4.4 Student Status Committees

4.4.1 Composition

4.4.1.1 In the case of departments who run programmes fully, each department head shall appoint at

least three members of academic staff to the Student Status Committee of the department to

review applications from students on that programme(s) (one of whom shall be appointed as

chairperson).

4.4.1.2 In the case of programmes run jointly by more than one department within a faculty, the Dean

of Faculty shall appoint an appropriate Student Status Committee.

4.4.1.3 In the case of programmes run jointly by more than one faculty, the relevant Deans shall

appoint an appropriate Student Status Committee.

4.4.1.4 In the case of a faculty whose Dean appoints course boards on the recommendation of the

Faculty Board, the relevant course board shall appoint sub-committees of their members as

Student Status Committees.

4.4.2 Functions

4.4.2.1 The Student Status Committees must operate within the parameters laid down in the Academic

Regulations and Marks and Standards chapters of this handbook.

4.4.2.2 The Student Status Committees deal with the following applications (AR 1.2.8):

a) Application for readmission

b) Application for leave of absence

c) Application for internal transfer (programme or pathway)

d) Application for exemptions

e) Application for alternative to external academic placement

f) Application to appeal academic status

4.4.2.3 The decision of the Student Status Committees in relation to such applications shall be final.

4.4.2.4 All academic status appeals against decisions of the Academic Council Grading Committee shall

be considered in the first instance by the Student Status Committees. The Student Status

Committees will operate as Examination Board sub-committees when considering such

appeals.

4.4.3 Schedule

4.4.3.1 The committees shall convene not later than:

a) Autumn semester business: Wednesday Week 2, Spring semester

b) Spring semester business: Wednesday, six weeks after module grade submission deadline

c) Annual repeats business: Wednesday of Week 2, Autumn semester

and at other times as deemed necessary following discussion between the Provost & Deputy

President (or nominee) and committee chairs(s).

4.4.3.2 The chairs of all Student Status Committees shall meet together within two working days

following each scheduled meeting of the committees. The Provost & Deputy President (or

nominee) shall convene and chair this meeting. The meeting is designed to (i) ensure that

decisions of the Student Status Committees are in compliance with the academic regulations

and associated procedures, (ii) facilitate the exchange of information, (iii) provide an

opportunity for a review of the norms being applied by the Student Status Committees and (iv)

elicit, for the information of the Academic Status Appeals Committee, the views of the chairs

on any individual case being referred to it.

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4.4.4 Procedures

4.4.4.1 Application forms and advice on eligibility for consideration of all student requests for a review

of their status are available from Academic Registry. Details can be found on the Student Hub

Online, which is accessible from the Academic Registry website.

4.4.4.2 Students whose status has been changed by the Academic Council Grading Committee are

informed of this in a letter from the Provost & Deputy President.

4.4.4.3 All applications must be lodged by the relevant deadline set by Academic Registry.

4.4.4.4 All applications shall be considered at the first available sitting of the relevant Student Status

Committee.

4.4.4.5 In certain circumstances, it may be necessary to obtain a decision on an application before the

next available sitting of the relevant Student Status Committee. Where this occurs, the Provost

& Deputy President (or nominee) shall be responsible for obtaining a decision from the relevant

chairperson. The chairperson may decide to seek the views of other members of their

committee before making a decision.

4.4.4.6 Where the Provost & Deputy President has written to a student on behalf of the Academic

Council Grading Committee informing the student of a change in their student status, the

student’s adviser receives a copy of the letter.

4.4.4.7 Normally, the student under consideration is required to attend the relevant Student Status

Committee meeting. The adviser or a nominee of the Head of Department may accompany the

student if the student so desires.

4.4.4.8 The Student Status Committee shall have due regard to the following factors in deciding on

applications that request a transfer, readmission or repeat of a year/semester:

a) Points requirement in the year of entry/re-entry for the programme of study sought

b) Quotas applying in the year of entry/re-entry to that programme

c) The Central Applications Office (CAO) policy and Academic Registry procedures for the

filling of vacant places in Year 1

d) The timing of the request for transfer and its implications for the student’s ability to

complete the programme in the normal way

e) The views of the Student Status Committee in the department from which the student is

requesting a transfer

4.4.4.9 In granting a transfer or readmission, the Student Status Committee may attach special

conditions and/or require satisfactory completion of additional prescribed work.

4.4.4.10 Status decisions affecting individual students are notified to the student by letter from the

Provost & Deputy President. An appeal form and notification of the date, time and venue of the

Student Status Committee that will hear such an appeal will be included with the letter. See

section 4.4.10 below.

4.4.4.11 Should the student concerned decide to appeal the decision notified in the letter referred to in

4.4.4.10 above, they should comply with the instructions in the letter and the accompanying

form(s). See section 4.4.10 below.

4.4.5 Application for Readmission

4.4.5.1 Students seeking readmission to the University after at least one semester’s absence are

required to make their application to Academic Registry at least three weeks prior to the

commencement of the relevant semester.

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4.4.6 Application for Leave of Absence

4.4.6.1 Normally, students should lodge leave of absence applications with Academic Registry before

the end of the semester (or the year for year-based programmes) preceding that in which they

intend to take leave.

4.4.6.2 Normally, the student will be expected to fulfil the following conditions before being granted

leave of absence:

a) Completion of one semester (or the year for year-based programmes) at the University on

the programme for which the student is currently enrolled

b) Be in good academic standing

c) Where the chairs’ meeting is satisfied that the student’s academic standing was directly

affected by the factors cited in support of the student’s application for leave, the ‘good

standing’ condition may be waived

4.4.6.3 The following circumstances shall be considered to be acceptable reasons for granting leave of

absence:

a) Certified illness

b) Financial hardship

c) Family bereavement

d) Psychological, emotional or social problems that can be verified by confidential report

from one or more of the following people:

o Medical officer

o Family doctor

o Counsellor

o Chaplain

4.4.6.4 Verification of vocational uncertainty will be required from the student’s adviser and the

counsellor. The student will be expected to submit evidence of a plan to deal constructively

with the vocational uncertainty during the leave of absence.

4.4.6.5 The information required by the administration of the University shall not be such as to breach

any code of ethics or professional practice of those persons supplying the information.

4.4.6.6 The leave of absence form shall be completed by the student and signed by the chairperson of

the relevant Student Status Committee.

4.4.7 Application for Internal Transfer

4.4.7.1 Normally, students should lodge internal transfer applications with Academic Registry before

the end of the semester preceding that in which they intend to enter a new programme or

pathway of study.

4.4.8 Application for Exemption

4.4.8.1 The question of exemption from a full semester or year(s) of a programme of study is handled

as part of the student’s admission. Application for exemption from an individual module not

covered in the admission process shall be made to Academic Registry before the

commencement of the semester in which the module is due to be taken. To be eligible for

exemption, students are expected to have achieved a minimum pass standard in any equivalent

module.

4.4.8.2 Upon consultation with the relevant course directors, the Student Status Committee may

decide to award an exemption or carry forward the previous module grade, as appropriate.

4.4.8.3 Students required to repeat a year or a full semester under the progression policy are not

eligible for exemption in individual modules in that year or semester.

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4.4.9 Application for Alternative to External Academic Placement

4.4.9.1 In exceptional circumstances, students on programmes where an external academic placement

is a core element may apply to achieve by alternative means the relevant number of credits

applicable to the external academic placement.

4.4.9.2 Normally, students should lodge applications with Academic Registry by July for placements

commencing the following January or by February for placements commencing the following

September.

4.4.10 Application to Appeal Academic Status

4.4.10.1 Students whose status has been changed by the Academic Council Grading Committee are

informed of this in a letter from the Provost & Deputy President and are given the right to

appeal and full information on how to do so.

4.4.10.2 Normally, students should lodge appeals against their academic status with Academic Registry.

4.4.10.3 An appeal against the decision of an Academic Council Grading Committee/University

Examination Board shall be considered on the following grounds only:

a) On grounds of severity (in academic terms only) of the method of repeat specified by the

Faculty Examination Board. The Student Status Committee shall be entitled to modify the

decision on the method of repeat.

b) If there is information relating to a module grade recheck or grade change that was not

known to the Faculty Examination Board.

c) If there is evidence of substantive irregularity in the conduct of the examination or its

assessment. The chair of the relevant Student Status Committee shall refer such cases to

the Academic Status Appeals Committee following consideration of the case by the chairs

committee. The chair of the relevant Student Status Committee shall present the case to

the Academic Status Appeals Committee.

4.4.10.4 The committee will consider cases brought on grounds of substantial irregularity in the conduct

of examination or assessment.

4.4.10.5 The Academic Status Appeals Committee shall comprise the Provost & Deputy President, who

shall be chair and convenor, the Deans of Faculty and a person from outside the University of

Limerick appointed by the Academic Council.

4.4.10.6 The Associate Vice President Academic Affairs and the Assistant Deans Academic Affairs shall

be alternate members and shall deputise in the event of unavoidable absence of one or more

members. Where the appeal relates to a postgraduate research candidate, the Assistant Deans

Research shall deputise.

4.4.10.7 The Dean (or alternate) of the faculty affected by the appeal shall withdraw from the Academic

Status Appeals Committee while such an appeal is being considered.

4.4.10.8 The Academic Status Appeals Committee will, in accordance with the principles of natural

justice, consider an appeal on the grounds on which it is based and consult with all appropriate

stakeholders, including internal examiner(s) and, where it considers it necessary, external

examiner(s).

4.4.10.9 The Academic Status Appeals Committee will make such recommendations as it deems

necessary but on a basis that will not undermine the University’s regulations. The committee

shall present to the Academic Council a report summarising the case and incorporating

recommendations for consideration by the Academic Council

4.4.10.10 The decision of the Academic Council shall be final.

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4.5 General Examination Regulations

4.5.1 Attendance at Examination Venues

4.5.1.1 Students shall not be permitted to enter the examination venue after the first 20 minutes of

the scheduled examination time has elapsed.

4.5.1.2 It is a breach of the general examination regulations for students to leave the examination

venue before the first 30 minutes of the examination time has elapsed.

4.5.1.3 It is a breach of the general examination regulations for students to leave the examination

venue during the last 10 minutes of the examination. Students present during the last 10

minutes of the examination must remain in their seats until all examination materials have

been collected.

4.5.2 Authorised and Unauthorised Material

4.5.2.1 Students may bring only authorised material into the examination venue. Authorised material

comprises writing instruments, non-programmable calculators, University of Limerick student

ID card, drawing instruments and material provided by the Exam Venue Coordinator, such as

mathematical tables and handouts. Additional materials, such as dictionaries, textbooks,

lecture notes, programmable devices and computers/laptops, may be classified as authorised

material with the express permission of the relevant academic staff member. It is a breach of

the general examination regulations for a student to have in their possession authorised

material that includes or has attached to it unauthorised material, such as written notes or

inserts.

4.5.2.2 Students shall not bring unauthorised material into the examination venue. Unauthorised

material includes calculator covers, pencil cases, mobile phones, smart watches, electronic

devices not explicitly approved by the relevant academic staff member, outdoor clothing and

bags.

4.5.2.3 If a student is in doubt as to whether material is authorised or unauthorised, they should ask an

Exam Venue Coordinator before the examination begins.

4.5.2.4 Writing of any kind on clothing or any part of the body may be considered to be unauthorised

material.

4.5.2.5 All authorised material, such as paper, examination booklets, graph paper, electronic file

storage devices, etc., will be provided by the Exam Venue Coordinator. In the examination

venue, students can write only on authorised paper and/or create and store data using only

authorised electronic devices, and only such authorised material will be submitted to the

examiner(s) for correction. Students shall not remove any of these items from the examination

venue.

4.5.3 During the Examination

4.5.3.1 Students shall comply with all directions from the Exam Venue Coordinators.

4.5.3.2 Students are required to present on entrance to an examination venue a valid UL student card.

In exceptional circumstances, other valid photo identification or documentation as prescribed

by the University will be acceptable. Entry will not be permitted without such identification or

documentation.

4.5.3.3 Students shall display valid identification on their desk or assigned work areas.

4.5.3.4 A clean desk policy is in operation for all examinations: only authorised stationery and material

and the valid identification will be allowed on the desk.

Page 40

4.5.3.5 Students shall not engage in unauthorised collaboration or attempted collaboration, copying or

attempted copying.

4.5.3.6 Students shall not have in their possession, use or attempt to use a mobile phone, smart watch

or other unauthorised material.

4.5.3.7 Each student is responsible for ensuring that their examination materials are in the possession

of an Exam Venue Coordinator before leaving the examination venue. Students shall write their

ID number clearly on all materials submitted to the Exam Venue Coordinator.

4.5.3.8 A student who is considered to have breached or attempted to breach the general examination

regulations shall be informed at the earliest opportunity by an Exam Venue Coordinator, in the

presence of a witness (viz., another Exam Venue Coordinator, an academic staff member or a

student). Where a breach of the general examination regulations relates to possession of

unauthorised material, such material may be retained by the Exam Venue Coordinator and

forwarded to the Office of the Provost & Deputy President along with the completed Breach of

General Examination Regulations forms. The student is then allowed to finish the examination.

Subsequent procedures are outlined in the Code of Conduct.

Page 41

5. Research Postgraduate Academic Regulations

5.1 Introduction

5.1.1 In addition to this chapter of the handbook, research postgraduate students and their

supervisors are referred to the general academic regulations, marks and standards,

programme-specific regulations, supporting procedures and code of conduct contained in

chapters 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 of this handbook. Furthermore, the Doctoral College website contains

codes of practice which support the research postgraduate process.

5.1.2 For the purpose of these regulations, the Provost & Deputy President nominees are the

Assistant Deans Research. The Provost & Deputy President may also delegate some or all of

their functions to the Associate Vice President Doctoral College.

5.1.3 The academic regulations detailed hereunder shall apply to all postgraduate studies

undertaken by a research and thesis mode at the University of Limerick. The regulations apply

in each faculty and department of the University. In cases of any differences between these

regulations and other documents, these regulations will supersede any other documents. The

regulations concerning taught master’s programmes are covered in chapter 2, Marks and

Standards.

5.1.4 The Academic Council may approve changes to these regulations from time to time. The

updated regulations will apply from the date of their approval and are available in electronic

format on the Policy Hub.

5.1.5 An individual faculty of the University may stipulate specific regulatory requirements over and

above those specified herewith. Insofar as such proposed additional requirements do not in

any way conflict with or compromise the University regulations detailed below, such additional

requirements may be implemented by the faculty concerned provided such requirement(s) are

approved by the Academic Council.

5.1.6 Any such additional requirements approved by the Academic Council shall be implemented, in

conjunction with the University’s academic regulations, by the faculty that has presented them

to the Academic Council. The requirements may only be rescinded by a decision of the

Academic Council.

5.1.7 A number of references are made throughout these regulations to the completion of

Postgraduate Research (PGR) forms. The PGR forms underpin the postgraduate process from

admission to graduation. These forms are available on the following website Postgraduate

Research Forms..

5.1.8 Research postgraduate students will be expected to develop and maintain a personal

development plan that sets goals and timelines for the delivery of targets. The plan will also

include a record of generic and transferable skills programmes completed. It will be agreed and

signed by both the student and supervisor(s).

5.2 Higher Degrees

5.2.1 The University of Limerick provides opportunities for the study and submission of research

postgraduate degrees in the following ways:

• Master’s and PhD degrees by research and thesis

• Professional doctorates – see chapter 2, Marks and Standards, regulation 2.9 and Appendix 5

• Structured PhD programmes – see Appendix 4

• Monograph or article-based theses – see Appendix 2

• Joint research degrees – see Appendix 6

Page 42

5.2.2 To qualify for a higher degree by research, students must be registered with the University of

Limerick for the minimum lengths of time specified by the regulations in section 5.8 below.

Students pay continuation fees to remain on the research postgraduate register.

5.2.3 The University of Limerick currently offers the research degrees LLM, MA, MArch, MBS, MChir,

MD, MEd, MEng, MSc, MTech at research master’s level and the PhD at doctoral level.

5.2.4 All higher degrees by research in the University of Limerick are deemed to be honours awards

without classification.

5.2.5 Students for higher degrees must meet the requirements and hold the academic qualifications

outlined below. These qualifications must have been obtained from the University of Limerick

or from another institution or awarding body that is acceptable to the University of Limerick for

this purpose.

5.3 Applications

5.3.1 Students should, in the first instance, identify a suitable project and supervisor(s). Students are

encouraged to use personal contacts, the literature and the websites of the University to help

them achieve this. The Doctoral College will also provide an expression of interest form, which

will be forwarded to the appropriate Assistant Dean Research to facilitate this process. Once a

suitable project and supervisor(s) have been identified and funding issues have been resolved,

applicants should complete the Research Postgraduate Studies application form, available from

the Doctoral College website in consultation with the proposed internal supervisor(s).

5.3.2 Once the form has been signed by the relevant Head of Department, it should be forwarded to

the Doctoral College by the applicant. Any student who is to receive fees remission and/or

stipend, from any source administered by the University of Limerick, must complete a Financial

Aid form. Students who will be in receipt of fees and/or stipend are required to sign the

Postgraduate Agreement form (see also Copyright and Intellectual Property regulations in

section 5.13). Copies of these documents should be downloaded from the Doctoral College

website. Completed Financial Aid forms and Postgraduate Agreement forms must accompany

the application forms; otherwise, the application will be considered to be incomplete and

returned to the applicant.

5.3.3 Students for registration for higher degrees may be required to participate in an interview in

order to determine their ability to carry out the proposed postgraduate research and the

suitability of the proposed topic.

5.3.4 Students may be required to demonstrate their competence in the English language by

interview (see 5.3.3 above and Appendix 1). In addition, students must either provide certified

confirmation that they have completed a primary or a master’s degree through the medium of

English or submit the official results of English proficiency tests as per the requirements

specified in the table below. The University may consider English proficiency tests other than

those listed in the table as meeting the English language requirements for pursuing a higher

degree at UL.

Page 43

Table 5.1: English Language Entry Requirements

Proficiency Test

Requirement

IELTS (International English

Language Testing System)

Overall score of 6.5 or above, with no less than 6.0 in

any one component

TOEFL (Test of English as a

Foreign Language)

Minimum score of 580 (paper-based) or 90 (internet-

based)

ESOL (English for Speakers of

Other Languages)

Examination, University of

Cambridge

Grade C or higher on a Certificate of Proficiency in

English (CPE)/Grade A on a Certificate of Advanced

English (CAE)

5.3.5 Students who seek to undertake a joint research degree should apply to the coordinating

institution for admission to that research award. Students who successfully register at the

coordinating institutions will be deemed to be students of the University of Limerick and added

to the postgraduate research register.

5.3.6 The Postgraduate Research Committee will consider recommendations from the Faculty

Research Committee on all applications for entry to the master’s and PhD registers.

5.3.7 Where an applicant does not enrol and register within 12 months from the date of the initial

offer letter, the applicant should submit an updated application for reconsideration.

5.4 Admission: Entry Requirements for Research Degrees (Including Professional

Doctorates)

5.4.1 The primary degrees referred to in this section are Level 8 or equivalent honours degrees as

defined by the National Framework of Qualifications. The usual minimum requirements for

entry to a research master’s, professional doctorate or PhD degree are:

a) An appropriate master’s or equivalent qualification that has been obtained from a

university or other institution recognised by the University of Limerick following a period of

study similar to that required in the University of Limerick. (A student who holds a master’s

degree in a discipline other than that in which the doctoral research is intended to be

pursued shall be considered for entry under 5.4.1b.)

b) An honours primary bachelor’s degree with a minimum classification of 2.1 honours or

equivalent qualification

c) An honours primary bachelor’s degree with a classification of 2.2 honours or equivalent

qualification. (Students who enrol with a 2.2 honours degree or equivalent will be required

to undergo a progression review after the first six months of their programme of study.)

d) A degree, or equivalent qualification, other than that specified in 5.4.1a, 5.4.1b or 5.4.1c

and a minimum of four years’ acceptable professional experience at an appropriate and

relevant level may be considered for entry to the master’s register. Students within this

category without a minimum of four years’ acceptable professional experience will be

considered for entry under regulation 5.4.4.

5.4.2 Additional programme-specific requirements may apply to students for professional doctorate

or Structured PhD programmes. These will be specified in the relevant documentation for each

programme. Entry to professional doctorate programmes requires qualifications that satisfy

5.4.1a or 5.4.1b above.

Page 44

5.4.3 Applications for entry to the Doctor of Medicine (MD) and Master of Surgery (MChir) degrees

will be considered from medical graduates of the University of Limerick (BM BS) and those with

equivalent medical qualifications. Applicants must have three years’ relevant post-qualification

experience. Ideally, applicants will be working at a hospital or clinical site affiliated to the

University of Limerick or working in the University itself. Other applicants may be accepted with

the endorsement of the Head or Director of Research of the School of Medicine.

5.4.4 Persons who do not possess a primary bachelor’s degree may be considered for entry to the

master’s register as follows:

a) Persons whose prior experiential learning equips them adequately for entry to a master’s

programme by research, including persons who have made a significant contribution in a

field of study that falls within the ambit of disciplines catered for by the University of

Limerick and whose contribution in their chosen field is evidenced by patents, publications,

books, compositions, works of art, inventions or any other scholarly endeavours that may

be deemed by the University of Limerick to be appropriate contributions to the particular

field of study.

b) Persons who have a qualification other than a degree and who possess a substantial

portfolio of industrial, artistic, commercial, laboratory, professional, teaching or research

experience, usually developed over a period of not less than eight years, by virtue of which

they could be deemed to be suitable entrants to a master’s research programme.

c) Applicants who fall into any one of the categories listed under 5.4.4 shall be considered in

the first instance at the Postgraduate Research Committee and then a recommendation

would be made by the appropriate Faculty Research Board, on the advice of a senior

University of Limerick academic staff member

in the relevant discipline and with the

support of the Assistant Dean Research, to the Doctoral College. The Provost & Deputy

President and Associate Vice President Doctoral College will adjudicate on each of these

cases individually.

d) Students approved under the process described in c) above will be required to sign up for

and complete successfully the master’s qualifying module MQ5000 prior to formal

progression to research master’s studies. The procedure for the MQ5000 module is

described in section 5.4.5.

5.4.5 The MQ5000 Module

5.4.5.1 The requirements listed in 5.4.5.2 to 5.4.5.5 shall apply to applicants approved for entry under

regulation 5.4.4.

5.4.5.2 An applicant shall be required to sign up for and complete successfully the master’s qualifying

module MQ5000 prior to formal progression to the master’s register. This shall include, inter

alia, the submission of a detailed research proposal that outlines the aims and objectives of the

proposed research, the methodologies to be used, the broad outcomes expected and a

comprehensive literature review of the relevant field.

5.4.5.3 Applicants may be required to complete not more than six relevant modules (which may be

taught or project-based) selected by the proposed supervisor and approved by the relevant

Assistant Dean(s) Research in the faculty in which the research is to be undertaken. Where

appropriate, the level of formal and relevant academic qualification(s) attained will determine

the taught and project-based module requirements, including the minimum number of ECTS

credits to be completed on a normal graded basis. Any such modules shall, if possible, be taken

over two semesters and shall be evenly distributed over the two semesters. The minimum

An academic staff member who is a member of a Faculty Board

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cumulative quality credit average (QCA) to be attained in the prescribed taught and project-

based modules shall be 3.00.

5.4.5.4 In the case of a student who does not possess a degree and who is proposed for master’s

studies in accordance with the procedures set out above, the approval of an external examiner

in the relevant field of study shall be required. The external examiner shall take into account in

their assessment of the applicant’s proposal the applicant’s performance in the taught and

project-based modules and in the master’s qualifying module MQ5000. Additionally, if the

external examiner so wishes, a viva voce examination of the applicant may be arranged and

taken into account in the external examiner’s evaluation and recommendation.

5.4.5.5 In appropriate cases, use should be made of current the University of Limerick undergraduate

project modules as a means of assessing an applicant’s ability or potential to undertake

research leading to a higher degree.

5.4.5.6 On successful completion of the provisions specified in 5.4.5.2 to 5.4.5.5, the Postgraduate

Research Committee shall approve the enrolment of the applicant for a master’s degree at the

University of Limerick.

5.4.5.7 Should any ambiguity arise with regard to these regulations, the regulations shall be subject to

interpretation by the Provost & Deputy President in consultation with the relevant executive

dean(s).

5.5 Supervisory Panel and Supervision

5.5.1 Each postgraduate research degree student shall be assigned a primary supervisor and, where

appropriate, joint supervisor(s) who have been approved by the Head of Department and the

Postgraduate Research Committee. Where the research is interdisciplinary, the supervisory

arrangements must reflect this. Where a joint research degree is proposed, the supervisors will

be appointed in accordance with the requirements of the coordinating institution and terms of

the Memorandum of Understanding. When supervisors are being nominated, due cognisance

should be taken of any potential conflicts of interest, including those of a personal, research or

professional nature.

5.5.2 The primary supervisor shall be an academic staff member of the University of Limerick faculty

in which the research student is registered. The joint supervisor(s) may be a University of

Limerick academic staff member or may be employed by another institution.

5.5.3 For PhD degrees, the primary supervisor shall be one or more of the following: (i) a professor;

(ii) the holder of a PhD degree; (iii) an academic staff member who has already supervised a

doctoral degree to completion. The Postgraduate Research Committee will require an

additional joint supervisor in the case of supervisors whose employment contracts end prior to

the anticipated completion of the research programme.

5.5.4 For master’s degrees, the primary supervisor shall be one or more of the following: (i) a

professor; (ii) the holder of a master’s degree or higher; (iii) an academic staff member who has

already supervised a master’s degree to completion.

5.5.5 Notwithstanding the provisions of 5.5.3 and 5.5.4, the Postgraduate Research Committee may,

in exceptional circumstances, permit the appointment of a primary supervisor not meeting the

requirements specified in 5.5.3 and 5.5.4.

5.5.6 Joint supervisors shall hold at least the qualification equivalent to that for which the supervised

student is studying.

5.5.7 Notwithstanding the provision of 5.5.6, the Postgraduate Research Committee may approve

the appointment of a joint supervisor not meeting the requirement of 5.5.6.

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5.5.8 Where a supervisor retires or resigns from the staff of the University or is unable to continue to

supervise the research for any other reason, such as because of an issue that may have arisen

in relation to the professional interaction between the student and the supervisor(s) that is not

in accordance with the Student Charter and that may have been dealt with in accordance with

the Student Complaints Policy and Procedures, the Head of Department and Assistant Dean

Research, using the appropriate Alteration of Supervisor(s) PGR form, shall propose to the

Postgraduate Research Committee the revised arrangements for the supervision of the student

for ratification.

5.5.9 Supervisors must be accessible to the student for consultation, advice and assistance and

should meet the student on a regular basis during the academic year. They should also give the

student all reasonable assistance regarding access to the material, equipment and other

resources essential to the research.

5.5.10 Where applicable, the primary supervisor will inform the student of the taught modules that

require attendance and/or examination and will outline a programme of generic and

transferable skills to be completed before the annual review. The supervisor(s) will be

responsible for the assessment of the generic and transferable skills portfolio prior to the

annual review. The student will be responsible for signing up for the taught modules with

Academic Registry.

5.5.11 Complaints about the adequacy of supervision will not be considered once the thesis has been

presented for examination.

5.5.12 Students have the right to appeal to the Provost & Deputy President if they consider that the

regulations have been unfairly applied.

5.6 Research Student Progression

5.6.1 Research Review Panels will be formed in each department to review on an annual basis the

progress of all research students within the department. Where the Research Review Panel is

not satisfied that the student is making satisfactory progress, the panel can refer the student to

the Research Confirmation Panel, where the student will be required to present and defend

their work. Students have the right to appeal the decision of the Research Confirmation Panel

to the Research Progression Appeal Panel. Students who undertake a joint research degree

shall follow the research progression requirements of the coordinating institution. Students

who successfully complete progression at the coordinating institution will be deemed to have

satisfactorily progressed at the University of Limerick.

5.6.2 In the case of research students registered on a part-time basis, the Research Review Panel will

take cognisance of the student’s part-time registration in determining whether or not

satisfactory progress has been made.

5.6.3 The annual review process does not need to be undertaken by research students who have

submitted a copy of their thesis for examination by the internal and external examiner. All

other research students must undergo a review.

5.6.4 Students entering postgraduate studies on the basis of regulations 5.4.1c or 5.4.1d shall

undergo two reviews during their first year of study. In the event that completion of their first

semester of study does not coincide with the end of the academic year, the department will

convene a special meeting of the Research Review Panel.

5.6.5 Students on the research master’s register who wish to transfer to the PhD register must

undertake the master’s transfer process prior to month 18. The Research Confirmation Panel

will be convened to enable students to meet this requirement.

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5.6.6 Students on the PhD register may, with the written agreement of their supervisor(s), request

that their registration be changed to the master’s register.

5.6.7 Research Review Panel

5.6.7.1 Each department shall convene a meeting of its Research Review Panel(s) to review on an

annual basis the performance of all research students. Furthermore, a research student or their

supervisor can request a Research Review Panel to be convened at any time to review the

performance of that student. These panels will review each student’s submission and a

progress report of the student’s work in a format to be agreed by each department. The format

agreed by the department may require the research student to: (a) present a transcript of their

results in the taught element of the programme, if applicable; and/or (b) make a written

presentation of their research; and/or (c) present their research to the Research Review Panel.

5.6.7.2 The Research Review Panel will consist of the supervisor(s), the Head of Department or their

nominee, who will act as chairperson, and at least one independent panel member, nominated

by the Head of Department, who satisfies the criteria of appointment of supervisor (as per

section 5.5). Where the student undertakes a structured PhD programme, the programme

director may act as the independent panel member. The supervisor cannot act as chairperson

of the Research Review Panel. The chairperson of the Research Review Panel will act as the

adviser to all research students presenting for review. The chairperson, independent panel

member or programme director are not precluded from membership of the Research

Confirmation Panel or from acting as an internal examiner at the examination stage.

5.6.7.3 Where the Head of Department is a supervisor of the research student, the Dean of Faculty or

their nominee will assume the role of Head of Department by acting as chairperson and

nominating the independent member to the panel.

5.6.7.4 The Research Review Panel’s assessment of research students will take cognisance of the

approved research programme, the duration on the research register and, where applicable,

the programme structure, including taught components, approved by the University. Students

on the master’s register will state whether or not they wish to be considered for transfer to the

PhD register.

5.6.7.5 The Research Review Panel will assess the student’s performance to date and determine the

appropriate recommendation. The Panel’s recommendation shall be one of the following:

a) The student’s progress is of a sufficiently high standard to warrant continuation on the

master’s or PhD register as applicable. (G)

b) The student’s progress is not satisfactory and the student is required to undertake the

Research Confirmation Process. (NG)

5.6.7.6 The Research Postgraduate Progression Report PGR-9 form should be used by the Research

Review Panel(s) within each department to record the student’s performance to date and

determine the appropriate recommendation. A copy of the completed progression form should

be held on file in the department office.

When the Research Review Panel(s) have been completed, the grades for all the research

postgraduate students in each department must be entered by each Head of Department via

the Academic Registry grading system prior to the January Academic Council Grading

Committee meeting. Please note that only one of two status grades can be entered on the

online system:

G: Research to continue

NG: Research not progressing satisfactorily

5.6.7.7 Successful completion of the research review process is not a guarantee that the student will

be awarded the appropriate research award.

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5.6.7.8 Where relevant, each semester, a student’s performance on the taught modules within their

research programme will be reviewed by the Faculty Examination Boards (as per section 4.3.2)

in advance of the meeting of the Academic Council Grading Committee. Where a student has a

deficient grade (F, I, NG, N) in a taught module that is not a progression requirement for their

programme, the student may be allowed to progress provided there is agreement that the

deficient grade will be cleared either at the next available opportunity or at the annual repeats.

Additionally, any deficient grade must be cleared prior to the submission of the thesis for

examination.

5.6.8 Research Confirmation Panel

5.6.8.1 Each department shall convene a meeting of its Research Confirmation Panel(s) to review

research student performance following referral from the Research Review Panel. The Research

Confirmation Panel will also convene to consider applications from research students who wish

to transfer from the master’s to the PhD register. The confirmation panel will consider: (a) the

report from the Research Review Panel; (b) a transcript of the student’s results in the taught

element of the programme, where applicable; (c) a written presentation of the research; and

(d) a viva voce examination following presentation by the student of their research. The final

date for submission by the panel of the outcome of the review will be in accordance with the

grading deadline of the following Academic Council Grading Committee meeting.

5.6.8.2 The Research Confirmation Panel will consist of the Head of Department or their nominee, who

will act as chairperson, and two independent panel members, one nominated by the Head of

Department and the other nominated by the Assistant Dean Research. To be appointed, the

independent panel members must satisfy the criteria of appointment of supervisor (as per

section 5.5). Where the student undertakes a structured PhD programme, the programme

director may act as the independent panel member. The chairperson of the Research

Progression Panel will act as the adviser to all research students presenting for review. The

chairperson, independent panel member or programme director are not precluded from acting

as an internal examiner at the examination stage.

5.6.8.3 Where the Head of Department is a supervisor of the research student, the Dean of Faculty or

their nominee will assume the role of Head of Department in acting as chairperson and

nominating the independent member to the panel.

5.6.8.4 The Research Confirmation Panel will assess the student’s performance to date and determine

the appropriate recommendation. The Panel’s recommendation shall be one of the following:

a) The student’s research progress is of a sufficiently high standard to warrant continuation

on the master’s or PhD register as applicable. (G)

b) The student’s research progress on the master’s register is of a sufficiently high standard to

warrant transfer to the PhD register. (G)

c) The student’s research progress on the PhD register is unsatisfactory and the student is

transferred to the master’s register. (T)

d) The student’s research progress is unsatisfactory and the student’s enrolment on the

master’s or PhD register, as applicable, should be discontinued. (W)

5.6.8.5 In relation to recommendation d. above, the Research Confirmation Panel will determine, in

consultation with the course director, whether or not the student meets the requirements for

entry to an appropriate taught postgraduate programme.

5.6.8.6 In addition, the Research Confirmation Panel may recommend to the Postgraduate Research

Committee a change in the supervisory arrangements for the student.

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5.6.8.7 The outcome of the Research Confirmation Panel must be submitted on a completed and

signed PGR-3a form to Academic Registry. The status grades are defined as follows:

G: Research to continue

NG: Research not progressing satisfactorily

T: Transfer to master’s register

W: Withdraw/Discontinue studies

Where a research student does not attend a Research Confirmation Panel that has been

convened to review their performance, the appropriate recommendation must be submitted to

Academic Registry.

5.6.8.8 Should the student not be satisfied with the outcome of the Research Confirmation Panel

review, they may appeal the matter to the Head of Department. The appeal must be made

within two weeks of the publication of the research review grade.

5.6.9 Research Progression Appeal Panel

5.6.9.1 The Research Progression Appeal Panel will comprise the Associate Vice President Doctoral

College or their nominee, who will act as chairperson, and two independent panel members,

one nominated by the Head of Department and the other by the Associate Vice President

Doctoral College. In exceptional circumstances, the Head of Department may appoint an

external academic from a recognised third-level institution as one of the two independent

panel members. All members of the panel should satisfy the criteria for appointment as a

supervisor (as per section 5.5). The chairperson and independent panel members are precluded

from acting as examiners at the examination stage.

5.6.9.2 The Research Progression Appeal Panel will assess the student’s performance to date and

determine the appropriate recommendation. The Panel’s recommendation shall be one of the

following:

a) The student’s research progress is of a sufficiently high standard to warrant continuation

on the master’s or PhD register as applicable. (G)

b) The student’s research progress on the master’s register is of a sufficiently high standard to

warrant transfer to the PhD register. (G)

c) The student’s research progress on the PhD register is unsatisfactory and the student is

transferred to the master’s register. (T)

d) The student’s research progress is unsatisfactory and the student’s enrolment on the

master’s or PhD register is discontinued. (W)

5.6.9.3 In relation to recommendation d. above, the Research Progression Appeal Panel will determine,

in consultation with the course director, whether or not the student meets the requirements

for entry to an appropriate taught postgraduate programme.

5.6.9.4 In addition, the Research Progression Appeal Panel may recommend to the Postgraduate

Research Committee a change in the supervisory arrangements for the student.

5.6.9.5 The outcome of the Research Progression Appeal Panel must be submitted on a completed and

signed PGR-3b form to Academic Registry. The status grades are defined as follows:

G: Research to continue

NG: Research not progressing satisfactorily

T: Transfer to master’s register

W: Withdraw/Discontinue studies

5.7 Location of Research

5.7.1 To qualify for a higher degree by research, students must be registered with the University of

Limerick. The research may be carried out at the University of Limerick or at another location

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with the approval of the Postgraduate Research Committee or the Provost & Deputy President

or their nominee.

5.7.2 The Provost & Deputy President or their nominee must be satisfied that the student can attend

the University of Limerick for such periods as are necessary for the adequate supervision of the

research or that satisfactory arrangements are in place.

5.8 Periods of Registration

5.8.1 The minimum period of registration for a master’s degree by research is one year and for a PhD

degree by research is three years. Where a student has been registered for research

postgraduate studies at universities or institutions other than the University of Limerick, the

Postgraduate Research Committee shall determine the year of study the student enters the

master’s or PhD programme subject to a minimum period of registration of one year at the

University of Limerick.

5.8.2 The minimum period of registration for a professional doctorate programme is three years.

5.8.3 Registration for part-time research may be permitted by the University of Limerick provided

that students can attend the University for such periods as are necessary for adequate

supervision. Permission for such part-time registration, setting out all the circumstances, must

be made at the time of registration. Research students on the full-time register who obtain

other full-time employment after two years on the master’s register or three years on the PhD

part-time register for the remainder of their registration. Such applications must have the

written support of the supervisor. Where transfer is effected, the new time limits apply from

the original date of full-time registration.

5.8.4 If a student decides to seek readmission after voluntarily discontinuing their studies or having

been withdrawn as a result of not returning from an approved leave of absence, the student

must re-apply as a new applicant. During the re-application process and prior to enrolment, the

Fees Office, in conjunction with the relevant academic department and the Associate Vice

President Doctoral College, must adjudicate on any matters pertaining to tuition fees (including

outstanding fees from a previous enrolment).

5.9 Leave of Absence

5.9.1 In special circumstances (e.g. financial, medical or personal reasons), a student may be granted

up to a period of one year’s leave of absence off the register. Application should be made to

the Associate Vice President Doctoral College or their nominee. Supervisors should indicate any

academic, contractual or financial implications to the student when leave of absence is

requested. In exceptional circumstances and with the agreement of the Associate Vice

President Doctoral College or their nominee, this period may be extended up to one year.

Extensions to a leave of absence beyond two years may be considered where there are serious

extenuating circumstances (medical or personal reasons that preclude the student from

resuming their studies). Where a student does not apply for an extension to their leave of

absence, they will be deemed to have withdrawn from their studies.

5.9.2 Prior to readmission to the PhD or master’s register, as applicable, the student must review in

detail their work to date with their supervisor(s). Once the Research Postgraduate Readmission

Form has been completed and signed by the student, supervisor and Head of Department, it

should be forwarded to Academic Registry.

5.9.3 In instances where the student’s research or data has been superseded or any required

facilities/resources are no longer available, the supervisor(s) and Head of Department will

review any revised research proposal. The student may be required to present to a Research

Confirmation Panel as per section 5.6.8. Once the revised research proposal has been agreed

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and the Research Postgraduate Readmission Form has been completed and signed by the

student, supervisor(s) and the Head of Department, it should be forwarded to Academic

Registry.

5.9.4 In instances where the supervisory expertise in the original or new research area is unavailable,

the Head of Department will recommend appropriate supervision arrangements to the

Assistant Dean Research on the relevant PGR form (Alteration to Research Degree Supervisor(s)

form). The recommendation will be approved by the Assistant Dean Research and forwarded to

Academic Registry.

5.9.5 On resumption of their studies, a student who has completed the minimum registration period

for their research degree must re-register and pay the appropriate fee for a minimum of one

year.

5.10 Generic and Transferable Skills Training

5.10.1 All research students are required to attend the annual induction programme for postgraduate

researchers provided by the Doctoral College. Additional to this, some faculties or departments

may require students registered in their departments to attend short subject-specific induction

courses.

5.10.2 All research students shall undertake to develop a personal development plan in consultation

with their supervisor(s).

5.10.3 The training requirements of students on Structured PhD programmes will be determined in

accordance with the requirements of the individual programmes.

5.11 Research Ethics and Research Integrity

5.11.1 All research will be conducted in accordance with the policies, procedures and guidelines of the

University of Limerick Research Ethics Governance Committee.

5.11.2 All research will be conducted in accordance with the Research Integrity Policy.

5.12 Thesis Specifications

5.12.1 The thesis must be presented and produced in accordance with the University of Limerick

Requirements for the Preparation and Submission of Master’s and Doctoral Theses (see

Appendix 2). Students who enrol on joint research degrees will comply with the requirements

of the coordinating institution and terms of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and/or

Memorandum of Agreement (MoA).

5.12.2 The maximum permitted length for a master’s degree thesis is 60,000 words and for a PhD

thesis is 100,000 words.

5.12.3 The thesis shall be written in English, Irish or another language subject to the provisions set out

in Appendix 1, Presentation of Master’s and Doctoral Theses in a Language Other Than English.

5.12.4 The practice of engaging professional editorial services is not permitted.

5.12.5 The University of Limerick recognises the importance of peer-reviewed publications and

welcomes monograph-based or article-based theses for its research degrees. See Appendix 2.

5.13 Copyright and Intellectual Property

5.13.1 Copyright in the thesis resides with the candidate. All other intellectual property (including

inventions, discoveries, copyright in computer software (including source and object codes) and

other kinds of copyright, semiconductor maskworks, trade secrets, know-how, research data,

tangible research property and similar property/rights) conceived, invented or reduced to

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practice by the candidate during, or as a result of, research undertaken at the University shall

be the property of the University.

5.13.2 University policy with respect to ownership and exploitation of intellectual property is set out

in the current University Intellectual Property policy (to which the attention of the candidate is

drawn generally), copies of which are available from the Research Office. Benefits accruing to

the University from the subsequent commercialisation of the intellectual property referred

shall be allocated in accordance with such policy.

5.14 Examination Procedures

5.14.1 A thesis submitted for a master’s degree must show evidence of independent enquiry and/or

originality in either conclusions or method. A thesis submitted for a PhD degree must show

evidence of independent enquiry, originality in the methods used and/or in the conclusions

drawn and must make an appreciable new contribution to knowledge or thinking in the

candidate’s field.

5.14.2 By using the relevant PGR form, the candidate must obtain the agreement of their supervisor to

submit the thesis for examination. The supervisor’s agreement that the thesis be submitted

may not be taken by the candidate as an a priori judgement that the candidate will be

successful in their examination.

5.14.3 In the event that their supervisor does not agree to the submission of the thesis for

examination, the candidate shall have the right to appeal to the relevant Head of Department.

If the thesis is not to be submitted, the supervisor should give reasons in writing to both the

candidate and Head of Department (or the Assistant Dean Research if the Head of Department

is the supervisor). Following consultation with the relevant Assistant Dean Research, the Head

of Department may ask an independent arbitration panel, which shall comprise two members

of academic staff, one from the department and one external to the department, to consider

whether or not the thesis is worthy of external examination. The recommendation shall be

final.

5.14.4 The candidate shall submit the prescribed number of copies of the thesis to the Doctoral

College for examination.

5.14.5 The thesis must be accompanied by a statement, signed by the candidate, that the thesis

represents the candidate’s own work or, in the case of a thesis based on a group project, that

indicates the extent of the individual’s contribution and makes reference to any other thesis

submitted or material published by each collaborator in the project.

5.14.6 The candidate’s thesis shall be examined by an examination panel. Using the relevant PGR

form, the supervisor, in conjunction with the relevant Head(s) of Department or Dean, shall

nominate members of the Examination Panel to the Postgraduate Research Committee for its

approval. When nominating members of the Examination Panel, due cognisance should be

taken of any potential conflicts of interest, including those of a personal, research or

professional nature.

5.14.7 The Examination Panel for a master’s thesis will comprise an internal examiner and an external

examiner. The external examiner shall not be a member of or affiliated to the University of

Limerick or to any linked provider of the University of Limerick. Where the candidate is a UL

staff member, the internal examiner is replaced with a second external examiner. In the event

that the external or internal examiner requests that a viva voce examination form part of the

examination process or the examiners fail to agree, the Associate Vice President Doctoral

College will request the Head of Department or Faculty Dean to nominate a chairperson to the

Examination Panel subject to approval by the Postgraduate Research Committee. For

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examination panels that include a chairperson, the chairperson shall not have been involved in

the research and shall fulfil the supervisory requirements set out in section 5.5.

5.14.8 The Examination Panel for a PhD thesis will comprise an internal examiner, an external

examiner and the Head of Department or Faculty Dean, or their nominee, who will act as

chairperson. In exceptional circumstances, where a suitable internal examiner is unavailable to

examine a PhD candidate, a second external examiner will be appointed to the Examination

Panel. Furthermore, where the candidate is a UL staff member, the internal examiner is

replaced with a second external examiner. The normal expectation is that the viva voce

examination for research degrees will take place at the University with all the relevant parties

in attendance. In exceptional circumstances, remote viva voce examinations may be conducted.

Guidelines for conducting viva voce examinations remotely are available on the Doctoral

College website.

5.14.9 The external examiner shall normally be an academic staff member of a recognised third-level

institution and shall have a formal academic and/or professional qualification as well as

expertise in the subject area and knowledge of the academic standards required for a PhD

degree in the research area of the thesis being examined. Evidence of these requirements

should be included in the external examiner’s curriculum vitae, which accompanies the form

for the nomination of examiners for research degrees. The external examiner shall not be a

member of or affiliated to the University of Limerick or to any linked provider of the University

of Limerick.

5.14.10 For PhD degrees, the internal examiner shall be an academic staff member of the University of

Limerick or a linked provider of the University of Limerick and shall either be a professor or

have a PhD degree.

5.14.11 For master’s degrees, the internal examiner shall be an academic staff member of the

University of Limerick or a linked provider of the University of Limerick and shall be either a

professor or the holder of a master’s degree or higher.

5.14.12 Notwithstanding the provisions of 5.14.9, 5.14.10 and 5.14.11, the Postgraduate Research

Committee may, in exceptional circumstances, approve the appointment of an internal and/or

external examiner not meeting the requirements specified above.

5.14.13 Following Postgraduate Research Committee approval, members of the Examination Panel shall

be deemed appointed by the Academic Council.

5.14.14 An external examiner cannot examine more than two theses in any five-year period for the

University of Limerick. This does not affect the examiner’s role as external examiner on taught

programmes or on the taught element of professional/structured PhDs. In exceptional

circumstances, an appeal to allow the same external examiner to examine within the exclusion

period can be made to the Associate Vice President Doctoral College.

5.14.15 A viva voce examination is a required element of the PhD examination process and may be a

required element of the master’s examination process. Subject to the approval of the

Postgraduate Research Committee and in exceptional circumstances only, an alternative

assessment instrument to the viva voce may be utilised. Two working days before the viva voce

examination, the external and internal examiners should share independent pre-viva reports

with each other and the chairperson. These reports will form the basis of the final examination

report, which should be appended to the relevant PGR form (examiners report). The format of

the examination is the responsibility of the examiners. Taking the wishes of the candidate into

account, the supervisor(s) may attend the viva voce examination with the agreement of the

Examination Panel. When the supervisor(s) is not in attendance at the viva voce examination,

they should be available for consultation, if required, with the Examination Panel. A code of

practice for the viva voce examination is available on the Doctoral College website.

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5.14.16 When the examination of the thesis and, where applicable, the viva voce have been concluded,

the examiners shall submit to the Doctoral College the relevant (typed) PGR examiners’ report

form. Where both examiners are in agreement on the content of the report, a single (typed)

report signed by both examiners will fulfil this requirement. If a disagreement arises between

the examiners, the chairperson is required to clarify and, where possible, reconcile differing

viewpoints. If this is not possible, the examiners should submit separate (typed) reports to the

Doctoral College and the matter will be referred to the Associate Vice President Doctoral

College. In exceptional circumstances, an additional external examiner may be asked to

adjudicate.

5.14.17 The report(s) should be returned by the chairperson to the Doctoral College within five working

days from the date of the viva voce examination. Where the aforementioned timeline expires,

the chairperson will notify the Associate Vice President Doctoral College, who will advise the

examiner(s) in writing that the report(s) must be returned within a further 15 working days

from the date of the viva voce examination. Where an external examiner’s report is not

returned to the in accordance with the aforementioned timelines and subsequent to

consultation with the Associate Vice President Doctoral College, the internal examiner, with

support from the chairperson of the viva voce examination, shall submit the relevant report

within a further five working days.

5.14.18 In exceptional circumstances, a change to the timeline outlined above can be authorised by the

Associate Vice President Doctoral College.

5.14.19 The examiners’ report must comment on the following areas:

• The overall standard and quality of research in the thesis

• The original contribution the thesis makes to knowledge and scholarship

• The writing style and overall presentation of the thesis

• The ability of the student to defend the research in the oral examination

• The nature of the amendments and/or corrections required

• Conclusion and award recommendation

5.14.20 Where the examiners’ report is completed in a language other than Irish or English, the

examiners must include in the report a summary paragraph written in English that specifies the

overall conclusion and award recommendation.

5.14.21 In the case of a master’s degree, the examiners must make one of the following

recommendations on the examiners’ report form:

a) The degree of Master of ____________ be awarded

b) The degree of Master of ____________ be awarded subject to the correction of minor

errors and/or the completion of amendments within a period of three months for

reconsideration by the internal examiner and/or external examiner

c) The degree of Master of ____________ be awarded subject to the completion of any

prescribed amendments within a period of six months for reconsideration by the internal

and/or external examiner

d) No degree be awarded and the candidate continue on the master’s register

e) No degree be awarded

5.14.22 In the case of a PhD degree, the examiners must make one of the following recommendations

on the examiners’ report form:

a) The degree of Doctor of Philosophy be awarded

b) The degree of Doctor of Philosophy be awarded subject to the correction of minor errors

and/or the completion of amendments within a period of three months for reconsideration

by the internal examiner and/or external examiner

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c) The degree of Doctor of Philosophy be awarded subject to the completion of prescribed

amendments within a period of six months for reconsideration by the internal and/or

external examiner

d) No degree be awarded and the candidate continue on the PhD register

e) The degree of Master of ____________ be awarded subject to the completion of

prescribed amendments within a period of six months for reconsideration by the internal

examiner

f) No degree be awarded

5.14.23 In relation to the examiners’ recommendations 5.14.21c and 5.14.22c above, the examiner(s)

must indicate on the relevant PGR examiners’ report form whether or not they deem it

necessary to review the thesis following the completion of the prescribed amendments. The

candidate must undertake these amendments in conjunction with their supervisor(s) in the

timelines recommended by the examiners.

5.14.24 In relation to the examiners’ recommendation 5.14.21b, 5.14.21c, 5.14.22b and 5.14.22c

above, the candidate must be informed, by means of an annotated copy of the thesis, a typed

list or both, of the corrections and/or amendments that need to be made to attain the relevant

degree. The candidate must undertake these corrections and/or amendments in conjunction

with their supervisor(s) in the timelines recommended by the examiners. In addition, a typed

document detailing the corrections and/or amendments undertaken, including responses to

any comments emanating from the examiners’ report(s), must be submitted by the candidate

for review in conjunction with the revised copy of the thesis submitted to the examiner(s) for

reconsideration.

5.14.25 In relation to the examiners’ recommendation 5.14.22e above, the candidate must be

informed, by means of an annotated copy of the thesis, a typed list or both, of the

amendments that need to be made to attain the master’s degree and of the reasons why a PhD

degree shall not be awarded. The candidate must undertake these amendments in conjunction

with their supervisor(s) in the timelines recommended by the examiners. In addition, a typed

document detailing the corrections and/or amendments undertaken, including responses to

any comments emanating from the examiners’ report(s), must be submitted by the candidate

for review in conjunction with the revised copy of the thesis submitted to the examiner(s) for

reconsideration.

5.14.26 In relation to the examiners’ recommendations 5.14.21b and 5.14.22b above, the internal

examiner or, in the case of the candidate being a University of Limerick staff member, the

external examiner must confirm in writing to the Doctoral College that the required corrections

have been made to a satisfactory standard.

5.14.27 In relation to the examiners’ recommendations 5.14.21c and 5.14.22c above, the internal

examiner and, if applicable in accordance with regulation 5.14.23, the external examiner must

confirm in writing to the Doctoral College that the required amendments have been made to a

satisfactory standard.

5.14.28 In relation to the examiners’ recommendations 5.14.21c and 5.14.22c above in the case of the

candidate being a University of Limerick staff member, one of the external examiners must

confirm in writing to the Doctoral College that the required amendments have been made to a

satisfactory standard.

5.14.29 In relation to the examiners’ recommendation 5.14.22e above, the internal examiner must

confirm in writing to the Doctoral College that the required amendments have been made to a

satisfactory standard.

5.14.30 In relation to the examiners’ recommendations 5.14.21b, 5.14.21c, 5.14.22b and 5.14.22c

above, if a candidate does not resubmit the revised final version of their thesis, signed off by

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the examiner(s), to the Doctoral College within the prescribed time period, the examination

process will be deemed to be concluded. Thus, the candidate’s enrolment will continue on the

relevant register. In due course and with the supervisor’s agreement, the candidate will be

required to commence a new examination process as per section 5.14. In this case, in so far as

is possible, the same examination panel will be used.

5.14.31 In relation to the examiners’ recommendations 5.14.21d and 5.14.22d above, where the

candidate continues on the relevant register, the examination process will be deemed to be

concluded. In due course and with the supervisor’s agreement, the candidate will be required

to commence a new examination process as per section 5.14. In this case, in so far as is

possible, the same examination panel will be used.

5.14.32 In relation to the examiners’ recommendation 5.14.22e above, if the candidate does not

resubmit the revised final version of their thesis, signed off by the examiner(s), to the Doctoral

College within the prescribed period, the examination process will be deemed to be concluded

and the candidate’s enrolment will continue on the master’s register. In due course and with

the supervisor’s agreement, the candidate will be required to commence a new examination

process as per section 5.14. In this case, in so far as is possible, the same examination panel will

be used.

5.14.33 In relation to the examiners’ recommendations 5.14.21e and 5.14.22f above, following the

submission to the Doctoral College of the examiners’ report, which should provide a detailed

review of the areas in which the thesis is deficient and a clear and comprehensive explanation

as to why no degree shall be awarded, the examination process will be deemed to be

concluded and the candidate’s enrolment will be discontinued. The candidate should be

advised in relation to the appeals process as set out in section 5.15.

5.14.34 In exceptional circumstances (certified medical or personal reasons), a candidate may, prior to

the expiration of the prescribed time periods specified in 5.14.21 and 5.14.22, apply in writing

to the Associate Vice President Doctoral College for an extension to the aforementioned time

periods. An extension may be granted for a maximum of three months. If the candidate does

not resubmit within the extended time period, the examination process will be deemed to be

concluded. Thus, the candidate’s enrolment will continue on the relevant register.

5.14.35 A candidate cannot submit their master’s or PhD thesis for examination on more than two

occasions.

5.14.36 The final outcome of the examination process shall be communicated formally to the candidate

by the Doctoral College. Neither an examiner nor any other person is empowered to

communicate the result formally to a candidate before the official notification of the result to

the candidate by the Doctoral College. Where an examiner chooses to give the candidate an

informal indication of the recommendation that will be submitted to the Doctoral College, the

examiner concerned must stress that the recommendation is subject to ratification by the

Academic Council.

5.14.37 For candidates who have submitted the final hard-bound copy of their thesis in fulfilment of

the requirement(s) specified in the examiners’ report, a recommendation for the award of the

relevant degree shall be presented to the next relevant University Examination Board for

ratification by the Academic Council.

5.14.38 Following ratification of the degree award by the Academic Council, one copy of the thesis shall

be forwarded by the Doctoral College to the University of Limerick Glucksman Library.

5.14.39 Candidates who pursue a joint research degree will comply with the examination requirements

of the coordinating institution and terms of the Memorandum of Understanding and/or

Memorandum of Agreement.

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5.15 Appeals

5.15.1 An appeal cannot be made against the examiners’ decision. If the candidate wishes to appeal

on the grounds of substantial irregularity in the process, the appeal will be considered as per

the regulations in section 4.4.10. The appeal must be submitted within 15 working days from

the date that the candidate received the examiners’ final written report. In consultation with

the Provost & Deputy President, the Associate Vice President Doctoral College shall seek the

Academic Council’s permission to withhold the name of the candidate and the examiners’

report until after the hearing of the appeal.

5.15.2 The result of the appeal, whether upholding the examiners’ recommendations or the

candidate’s appeal, will then be submitted, together with the examiners’ report, to the

Academic Council by the Provost & Deputy President.

5.15.3 If the Academic Council upholds the student’s appeal, the Provost & Deputy President, in

consultation with the Associate Vice President Doctoral College and the Dean of Faculty and/or

Head of Department concerned, shall invite two further examiners to read the thesis as it stood

at the first examination.

5.15.4 If the examiners recommend revision and if the registration has lapsed, the candidate must re-

examination within a period of registration.

5.16 Review and Interpretation

5.16.1 The Provost & Deputy President shall ensure that all these regulations are implemented. In the

event of any disagreement or conflict with regard to the implementation or interpretation of

any or all of the regulations, the matter shall be referred to the Academic Council, and its ruling

shall be final.

5.16.2 The foregoing regulations are subject to review, as required, by the Academic Council.

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5.17 Research Postgraduate Academic Regulations Appendices

Appendix 1

Presentation of Master’s and Doctoral Theses in a Language Other Than English

1. Theses that constitute all or part of the requirement for the purposes of the award of a master’s or

doctoral degree of the University of Limerick may be presented in English, Irish or another language.

2. The use of a language other than English for thesis preparation shall be subject to the availability of

academic staff who are competent to supervise and examine in the language concerned.

3. The proposed language will be agreed with the student in consultation with their supervisor(s) and the

relevant Head(s) of Department.

4. The supervisor(s) shall advise the Assistant Dean(s) Research of the faculty/faculties in which the

postgraduate research is to be carried out of the student’s intention to present the thesis in a language

other than English, and the language concerned shall be specified prior to the commencement of the

postgraduate studies.

5. The Assistant Dean(s) Research shall notify the Associate Vice President Doctoral College of the

student’s intention to present the thesis in a language other than English.

6. The Associate Vice President Doctoral College shall ensure that the academic staff members being

proposed as the internal supervisor and internal examiner are fully competent in the language in

question.

7. As well as having appropriate expertise in the relevant field of study, the external examiner to be

appointed shall be competent in the language in which the thesis is to be written.

8. An abstract in English or Irish shall accompany each of the three copies of the thesis that are lodged in

the Office of the Associate Vice President Doctoral College for examination.

9. The library copy of the thesis shall be accompanied by a copy of the abstract in English or Irish.

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Appendix 2

Requirements for the Preparation and Submission of Master’s and Doctoral Theses

A master’s thesis must be submitted as a monograph. A doctoral thesis can be submitted in either

monograph or article-based format. Section 1 of this appendix presents the general requirements for the

preparation and submission of a thesis. Section 2 presents the specific requirements for the preparation

and submission of a monograph thesis (applicable to master’s and doctoral theses). Section 3 presents the

specific requirements for the preparation and submission of an article-based thesis (applicable to doctoral

theses only). Irrespective of the format of the presentation of the thesis, all doctoral theses will be

examined in accordance with examination procedures set out above in section 5.14 (PG 5.14).

Only theses prepared in accordance with the requirements specified below are acceptable for the award of

higher degrees by research at the University of Limerick. It is the responsibility of the internal and external

examiners to ensure that theses are prepared in accordance with the specified requirements.

1. General Requirements

1.1 Number of Copies

1.1.1 The candidate is required to prepare three soft-bound copies of the thesis, which they must submit

to the Doctoral College. The Doctoral College will forward one copy each to the internal examiner,

external examiner and supervisor.

1.1.2 At the conclusion of the examination process and when amendments and/or minor textual

modifications (if required) have been made and signed off as completed by the relevant

examiner(s), the candidate must submit two hard-bound copies and one electronic copy of the

final version of the thesis to the Doctoral College. The Doctoral College will deposit one hard-bound

copy and one electronic copy of the thesis in the University of Limerick Glucksman Library and will

send the other one hard-bound copy to the supervisor.

1.2 Language

1.2.1 The thesis shall be written in English, Irish or another language subject to the provisions set out in

Appendix 1 above.

1.3 Format for Presentation

1.3.1 The thesis must be submitted on A4 white 80g/m

paper. The thesis must be printed on both sides

of the page, and a 12-point, serif typeface must be used (e.g. Times New Roman).

1.3.2 Double or one-and-a-half line spacing must be used in the body of the text. Single spacing may be

used for footnotes and indented quotations.

1.3.3 Margins at the binding edge must be not less than 40mm and the other margins not less than

20mm.

1.4 Pagination

1.4.1 Pages should be numbered consecutively throughout the text, including whole pages of

photographs or diagrams. Where the thesis consists of more than one volume, the pagination

should indicate the Arabic number of the volume as well as the page number of the particular

volume.

1.4.2 Page numbers should be inserted at the bottom of the page and approximately 20mm above the

edge of the page.

1.4.3 Appendix titles should be preceded by Appendix A or 1, Appendix B or 2, etc., as follows:

Appendix A/1 Title of Appendix A/1

Appendix B/2 Title of Appendix B/2

Appendix C/3 Title of Appendix C/3

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1.5 Title Page

1.5.1 The title page of each volume of the thesis should contain the following information:

a. The full title of the thesis and the sub-title (if any)

b. If there is more than one volume, the total number of volumes and the number of the

particular volume

c. The full name of the author (as recorded on their birth certificate) with, if desired, any

qualifications or distinctions

d. The award for which the thesis is submitted to the University

e. The name of the university. Where the University of Limerick logo is used at the top of the title

page, it must conform to the UL corporate specifications.

f. The name(s) of the supervisor(s) of the research

g. As the last line on the page, the statement ‘Submitted to the University of Limerick, (Month)

(Year)’

1.6 Abstract of Thesis

1.6.1 An abstract in English or Irish, not exceeding 300 words or one page in length, should be bound as

an integral part of the thesis and should precede the main text.

1.6.2 The abstract should be printed in single spacing and should indicate the author and title of the

thesis in the form of a heading.

1.6.3 A separate copy of the abstract should accompany the electronic copy of the submitted thesis.

1.7 Length of Thesis

1.7.1 A master’s thesis should not exceed 60,000 words. A doctoral thesis should not exceed 100,000

words. The word-count limits apply to the abstract and numbered chapters only.

1.7.2 The word counts are maxima, and it is expected that the majority of theses will be considerably

shorter.

1.8 Presentation of References

1.8.1 References must follow consistently:

a) The BS ISO 690:2010 standard. This gives guidelines on the name-date, numeric and running

notes style. It forms the basis for the guidelines to the Harvard (Name-Date) referencing style

specified by the Glucksman Library in the Referencing Guide section of its website:

b) A recognised standard appropriate to the discipline and agreed with the supervisor.

1.9 Binding and Cover

1.9.1 The final version of the thesis must be securely bound within boards in such a way that sheets

cannot be removed or replaced. Any photograph or diagram that is not reproduced integrally with

the text should be fixed firmly in place. The boards should have sufficient rigidity to enable the

thesis to stand upright on a shelf without other support. The binding should be such as to enable

the pages to lie flat when the thesis is placed lying down and opened at any page. The colour of the

cover boards for the final version of the thesis shall be black for a master’s thesis and UL Heritage

Green for a doctoral thesis. The aforementioned cover colour must conform to the UL corporate

specifications, which are available from

https://www.ul.ie/marcomms/sites/default/files/UL_BrandGuidelines_2020.pdf.

1.9.2 The front cover of the thesis must contain the following information only:

a) The title of the thesis in at least 24-point (8mm) print

b) The name of the candidate: one forename, other forenames initialised and the candidate’s

surname

c) The award for which the thesis is submitted and the year of submission

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d) Where the thesis consists of more than one volume, the volume number and the total number

of volumes

The same information (excluding the title of the thesis) must be printed in at least 24-point (8mm)

print along the spine of the cover in such a way as to be easily legible when the copy is lying flat

with its front cover uppermost. All lettering on the cover and spine must be clearly legible.

1.10 Electronic Copy

1.10.1 The electronic copy must be submitted as a single file in PDF format, or similar fixed format, to

allow viewing and printing of the document exactly as it appears in the final hard-bound version.

1.10.2 The file must be submitted on a portable data storage device, i.e., CD, memory stick, etc., together

with the hard-bound copies.

1.11 Other Requirements

1.11.1 The University of Limerick will arrange appropriate and convenient access by the internal and

external examiner(s) to such facilities as are required for the full and proper assessment of the

thesis.

1.11.2 In the case of a thesis in which the development of computer software is a primary objective, the

candidate’s supervisor, in consultation, as necessary, with the internal and external examiner(s),

shall specify how such software is to be presented, and may specify any or all of the following

forms:

a) On an appropriate storage medium or other relevant electronic format, as specified

b) By a working demonstration

c) Appropriate printouts or report produced by the software

d) Appropriate flowcharts and other system documentation

e) Any other appropriate form prescribed

f) Printed listing of source or other code. Such listings may consist of:

(i) Closely packed high-quality printed code, reduced and bound in with the thesis as an

appendix on A4 paper

(ii) Normal listing bound separately as an appendix in good-quality standard computer

binding

(iii) Such other form as may be specified

g) In the case of source code, the candidate may, with the prior approval of the supervisor and of

the Office of the Associate Vice President Doctoral College, arrange that the code be listed and

bound in such a way as to enable the confidentiality of the code to be preserved for a specified

period following assessment of the programs by the examiners.

h) Where a full listing of source code is provided, the candidate must also provide sample test

material to facilitate testing by another user.

1.11.3 In the case where a process or artefact (e.g., music composition or other work of fine art, machine,

working model or prototype, sculpture, etc.) produced or developed by the candidate forms a

significant part of the thesis or in the case of a research degree based on practice research, the

University will arrange appropriate and convenient access to the process or artefact for the

purposes of assessment by the internal and external examiner(s).

1.11.4 In all cases of presentation of theses under special arrangements as approved in accordance with

paragraphs 1.11.2 and 1.11.3 above, the candidate must, in addition to whatever, if any, other

documentary material forms part of the thesis, present a written account of the programme of

work leading to the completion of the research. This account should be bound in with the other

documentary material in accordance with the requirements specified above or, if there is no such

material, should be presented separately in accordance with those requirements. Photographs,

slides, films, tapes, disks or other permanent records relating to the thesis product should, where

practicable, be similarly bound.

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1.12 Pre-publication, Copyright and Intellectual Property

1.12.1 The candidate is encouraged to publish material before presenting the thesis. Reference to such

published material should be listed in an appendix to the thesis.

1.12.2 Copyright and other intellectual property (IP) regulations are specified in chapter 5, section 5.13. It

is important that issues relating to IP and publishers’ copyright are resolved before the thesis is

submitted. Accordingly, candidates are required to obtain from copyright holders (normally the

publisher) permission to republish their already published work and to include in an appendix a

declaration stating that permission has been granted.

1.12.3 Candidates must agree with their primary supervisor(s) the final content of the thesis, including the

number of published papers and any externally funded contractual obligations, including IP and

confidentiality issues that may pertain to the underpinning research.

1.12.4 The Glucksman Library will retain its copies of the thesis and will make these copies available for

consultation, in the library and on the University of Limerick Institutional Repository (ULIR), in

accordance with normal academic library practice and subject to 1.12.6 and 1.12.7 below.

1.12.5 The Glucksman Library will make provision for the inclusion of a description and abstract of the

thesis in appropriate directories of abstracts for reference by the international academic

community.

1.12.6 In cases where the material in the thesis is confidential or proprietary, the internal and external

examiner(s) are required to sign a non-disclosure undertaking in respect of the material comprising

the thesis.

1.12.7 The primary supervisor should advise the Office of the Associate Vice President Doctoral College of

the basis on which access to the thesis for purposes of research may be given to third parties.

1.12.8 In cases where the material in the thesis has been deemed to be confidential or proprietary by the

relevant Assistant Dean Research, the Glucksman Library shall embargo access to both the hard-

bound and electronic copies of the thesis for a specified time after they have been lodged in the

library. This embargo will cease after five years but may be extended at the request of the

Associate Vice President Doctoral College in consultation with the relevant Assistant Dean

Research.

1.12.9 Notwithstanding paragraph 1.12.7, a hard-bound and electronic copy of the final version of each

thesis completed in the University of Limerick must be deposited in the Glucksman Library in the

interest of academic and historical scholarship.

1.13 Submission and Presentation of Final Thesis to the Examination Board

1.13.1 The two copies of the final hard-bound thesis must be submitted to the Doctoral College no fewer

than five working days prior to the meeting of the University Examination Board that will

recommend on the award to the candidate in question. The Associate Vice President Doctoral

College or their nominee will certify to the Examination Board that two hard-bound copies and one

electronic copy of the thesis have been received.

2. Specific Requirements: Monograph Thesis

2.1 Monograph style is the conventional style in which theses are presented. The work is laid out in a

series of chapters, typically following this structure: introduction, literature review, methodology,

results, discussion and conclusions. Alternatively, a monograph-style thesis may be presented

within a structure where the relevant chapters are set out in a pre-publication format that

facilitates the submission of the relevant chapters for publication.

2.2 Students are advised to check with their department that the structure of the thesis conforms to

the academic conventions associated with the discipline and for any specifications that may be

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stipulated by that department. The list below gives a suggested structure for the presentation of

material in monograph style.

Title Page

Abstract

Declaration

Acknowledgement (optional)

Dedication (optional)

Table of Contents

List of Tables

List of Figures

List of Appendices

Nomenclature/List of Abbreviations

Body of Thesis

References

Appendices

3. Specific Requirements: Article-based Doctoral Thesis

3.1 Overview

3.1.1 An article-based thesis comprises interrelated but independent research articles (at least three and

usually four or five) that are produced by the doctoral candidate while registered as a research

student.

3.1.2 As there are various academic conventions associated with each discipline in terms of (i)

authorship; (ii) the minimum number of articles required; and (iii) the appropriate word count

within published articles, some faculties or departments may have specific guidelines that must be

adhered to by candidates who choose the article-based thesis format.

3.1.3 The articles must be published, pending publication or accepted for publication in peer-reviewed

academic journals or, where appropriate to the discipline, as chapters within peer-reviewed

academic books. Articles that are in draft form are excluded.

3.1.4 An article that is ‘pending publication’ is defined as one that has been verified by a letter from the

journal editor stating that the article has been accepted in a final form and is awaiting publication

in a specified forthcoming issue/volume. The signed letter of verification must be included as an

appendix in the thesis.

3.1.5 An article that is ‘accepted for publication’ is defined as an article that has been reviewed by the

journal editor and deemed to be suitable for publication at a future date subject to minor

corrections. A signed letter confirming the status of the article must be included as an appendix in

the thesis.

3.1.6 Conference papers cannot be included. Publications that essentially report the same data or

findings to separate readerships are considered as a single publication.

3.1.7 It is expected that the articles presented shall deal with the same research question or set of

questions. The publications included in the thesis may include jointly written papers, although the

candidate must normally be the principal author of a major part of the work. Disciplinary

differences regarding policy on authorship will be respected.

3.1.8 The number of articles required will depend on the scope of the work and on the candidate’s

contribution to them. In cases of multi-authored articles, in addition to the statement at the start

of each chapter, candidates are required to provide a signed statement in an appendix specifying

their contribution to the work. The statement must be verified and signed by the primary

supervisor(s) and principal co-authors.

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3.1.9 Candidates should be the main author on at least 50% of the published work and should be able to

demonstrate clearly in the thesis and examination that they are the primary investigator of the

research findings. Joint and co-authorship is encouraged as a general principle. However, the

publications should demonstrably be based on the candidate’s research and reflected through first

authorship of at least half, and ideally the majority, of the publications.

3.2 Format and Presentation of the Article-based Doctoral Thesis

3.2.1 There should be a logical sequence to the thesis. While each chapter comprises a published article,

the chapter must include a preamble and a statement of the contribution the candidate made to

the publication. (If there are multiple authors, see no. 3.1.8 above.) A concluding statement or

discussion that leads the reader to the next article should be added to the end of the chapter.

3.2.2 The articles should be presented in manuscript format and not as journal-ready files, such as the

PDF file with full journal formatting. Full citation details for the work must be provided, including a

URL link to the journal and ISSN number, where appropriate. (The inclusion of copies of final-

format PDFs of the published work in an appendix to the thesis is problematic because of the

varying views of publishers on copyright issues.)

3.2.3 A concluding chapter must be included to summarise and discuss the results of the research. This

final chapter should present a critical synthesis or analysis of the overall contribution of the work to

the relevant discipline.

3.2.4 The published and thesis versions of an article do not have to match exactly, although generally it is

expected that they will be very similar. While slight variations may exist between the two versions

(introduced at the proofreading stage, for example), the document included in the thesis will

generally be the final accepted manuscript of the article.

3.2.5 The following list shows a suggested structure for the presentation of material in an article-based

thesis. Students are advised to check with their department for any specifications that may be

stipulated by that department.

Title Page

Abstract

Declaration

Acknowledgement (optional)

Dedication (optional)

Table of Contents

List of Tables

List of Figures

List of Appendices

Nomenclature/List of Abbreviations

Introduction

Chapter 1 Literature Review

Chapters comprising articles (body of work): see no. 3.2.2 above

Discussion

Conclusion

References

Appendices

3.3 Library Versions

3.3.1 In line with UL policy, doctoral theses submitted in article-based format will be made available

electronically in the UL Institutional Repository (ULIR) subject to agreed procedures with the library

– see no. 1.12 above.

3.3.2 The electronic version should be exactly the same as the printed version. Prior to submission,

candidates should check with the publisher or ULIR administration to determine the publisher’s

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open access policy as it is possible that the candidate cannot include some published articles online

in a particular form or before a specific period of time has passed. The ULIR administration will

redact any embargoed material and link to the definitive published version from the ULIR record.

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Appendix 3

Research Postgraduate Forms

Name of Form

Form Code

Nomination of Examiners for Master’s and Doctoral Degrees by Research

PGR-1

Master’s Qualifier – (MQ5000)

PGR-2

Research Confirmation Panel (including transfer from master’s to PhD register)

PGR-3a

Research Progression Appeal Panel

PGR-3b

Submission of Thesis for Higher Degree by Research

PGR-4

Examiners’ Report – Master’s Degree by Research and Thesis

PGR-5

Examiners’ Report – Doctor of Philosophy Degree

PGR-6

Alteration of Research Supervisor(s)

PGR-7

Application for an Extension to the Duration of a Master’s or Doctoral Degree by

Research

PGR-8

Research Postgraduate Progression Report

PGR-9

These forms are designed to ensure that each stage of the postgraduate student’s progress is correctly

administered in accordance with the research postgraduate academic regulations. The stage and/or

process to which each form applies is referred to in the title of the relevant form.

The forms are available on the Postgraduate Research Forms page of the Current Research Students

section of the Doctoral College website.

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Appendix 4

Structured PhD Programmes

1. Doctor of Philosophy

As with all PhDs, the core component of a Structured PhD programme is the advancement of knowledge

through a high-quality experience of original research that is integrated with professional development.

The programme will develop the students’ research skills and generic and transferable skills through a

formalised and integrated programme of activities. Taught modules are integral to this programme of

activities and may include both transferable skills development and discipline-specific modules. The choice

of specific activities can be tailored to suit the requirements of individual students and to reflect the

disciplinary requirements in each broad field.

A Structured PhD programme is created when a group of doctoral supervisors work together to create a

coherent shared experience for their Structured PhD students. The programme comprises advanced

education, training and research focused on an identified area of study. The Doctoral College will establish

and publish criteria by which the University will formally recognise, through Academic Council, Structured

PhD programmes.

Structured PhD programmes will be managed by a Doctoral Programme Board, which may be inter-

institutional, and will work under the direction of a Programme Director. The Doctoral Programme Board

will review the operation of the PhD programme on a regular basis and will be required to ensure that

students are acquainted with the regulations relating to their programme of study. A University of Limerick

Programme Director, who is a member of the Doctoral Programme Board, will direct the operation of the

programme within the University of Limerick. The Doctoral Programme Board may formulate local

regulations that relate to their programme, thus ensuring that they do not conflict with University of

Limerick academic regulations.

2. Entry Requirements, Application Procedures and Registration

An applicant applying for admission onto a Structured PhD programme should, in the first instance, contact

the Doctoral Programme Board, which will advise on the applicant’s suitability to make an application to a

participating institution for a position on the programme.

All students applying to the University of Limerick must fulfil the University’s admissions requirements and

procedures, including those relating to specific programme requirements as outlined in chapter 5.

Applicants will formally be considered for admission at the monthly meeting of the Postgraduate Research

Committee and processed by the Postgraduate Admissions Office. The candidates will be registered on the

PhD register in accordance with the regulations specified in chapter 5.

3. Research Supervision

The Doctoral College will appoint a principal supervisor of the candidate’s research and, where

appropriate, may appoint a second and additional supervisor(s) on the recommendation of the University

of Limerick Programme Director and with the approval of the relevant Head(s) of Department. In instances

where the principal supervisor is not known at the commencement of the Structured PhD programme, the

Doctoral College will appoint a provisional supervisor on the recommendation of the Head(s) of

Department and the University of Limerick Programme Director.

The principal supervisor must be a member of the academic staff of the University whose appointment has

been approved by the Governing Authority. The principal supervisor will be an active researcher in the

broad area of the student’s research topic and will usually hold a doctoral degree.

Where a supervisor retires or resigns from the staff of the University or for any other reason is unable to

continue to supervise the research, the Head of Department shall inform the Doctoral College. On the

recommendation of the Head of Department and the University of Limerick Programme Director, the

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Doctoral Programme Board shall make appropriate arrangements for the supervision of the student,

including, where required, the appointment of a new supervisor.

The research for the PhD degree shall largely be carried out under the direct supervision of the

supervisor(s), which may include research visits to other institutions. However, if a substantial proportion

or all of the research is to be carried out elsewhere under the general supervision of the supervisor(s), the

prior approval of the Doctoral College must be sought. The Doctoral Programme Board may permit

research to be conducted elsewhere on a case-by-case basis or may establish formal mechanisms for the

inter-institutional mobility of research students in the context of inter-institutional graduate programmes.

The arrangements for the inter-institutional mobility of research students shall be subject to review by the

Doctoral Programme Board and to any policy on credit transfer that the University may establish.

4. Structured PhD Programme

The PhD degree is awarded on successful completion of a structured programme of research, study, and

personal and professional development, prescribed by the supervisor(s), with the advice of the Structured

PhD Supervisory Panel. Structured PhD programmes shall comply with the policies and regulations of the

University and such guidelines as may be published by the Doctoral College.

The University records work conducted in the pursuit of research degrees on a credit basis; one calendar

year of full-time research is considered to be equivalent to 90 ECTS credits. Where research is conducted on

a part-time basis or combined with taught activity, the credit value of the research activity must reflect the

actual time devoted by the student to research.

The total credits from a combination of the taught and research elements of a Structured PhD will not be

fewer than 300 and not more than 360 ECTS credits. Within these overall limits, the credits for the

Structured PhD are made up as follows:

• A research thesis equivalent to 270 ECTS credits

• Discipline-specific modules, research skills and generic and transferable skills to a maximum of 90

credits

A Structured PhD programme will usually consist of two stages. Stage 1 will largely comprise

technical/subject-specific courses and generic skills training alongside early-stage research. Stage 2 will

largely focus on the research leading to the completion of the thesis but may also include some further

coursework and training.

Credit for taught modules is awarded after satisfactory completion of the modules and successful

completion of any associated assessment.

Research and generic skills training, including experiential research training, may also be delivered as

modules with credit values determined by the student effort involved, specified learning outcomes and

appropriate assessments. The credit for such modules is awarded after satisfactory completion of the

modules and successful completion of any associated assessment.

Credit for original PhD research activity shall only be awarded where the work conducted has been

assessed on the basis of a submitted thesis in acceptable form and deemed to be of a satisfactory standard.

Students will be required to agree educational, training, and personal and professional development needs

with their Structured PhD Supervisory Panel, which, along with the proposed programme of research, will

inform the development of a Personal Development Plan (PDP). The Structured PhD Supervisory Panel will

monitor progress against the prescribed programme of research and study and the PDP on a regular basis

but at least once per year. Where the Structured PhD Supervisory Panel considers that progress or the

arrangements for supervision of the student are not adequate, and such inadequacies cannot be resolved,

the Structured PhD Supervisory Panel will inform the Head of Department, the University of Limerick

Programme Director and the Doctoral College.

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5. Progression for Students on Structured PhD Programmes

The Doctoral Programme Board will establish appropriate processes and procedures to monitor the

progress of individual PhD students registered in the department or programme and to assess each student

formally at the end of Stage 1 of the Structured PhD. These processes and procedures will comply with the

regulations and policies of the University and with such guidelines as may be agreed from time to time by

the University or the Doctoral Programme Board. The processes and procedures should be reviewed at

appropriate intervals by the Doctoral College.

The Doctoral Programme Board will establish an Assessment Panel or Panels to assess the progress of the

student and their competence and capacity to complete a doctorate at the end of Stage 1 and at any other

suitable point in the programme. The Assessment Panel must have the experience and disciplinary

expertise to conduct the assessment. The Assessment Panel will base its judgement at the end of Stage 1

on a written statement of progress and a research plan from the candidate, a written progress report from

the principal supervisor, and satisfactory completion of the modules in Stage 1. These may be integrated

into the PDP. The Assessment Panel may also require the student to make a presentation and may

interview the student and/or the principal supervisor. The Assessment Panel will, subject to review by the

Head of Department and the University of Limerick Programme Director, make one of the following

recommendations to the Doctoral College:

(i) That the student should progress to Stage 2 of the Structured PhD

(ii) That the student should resubmit for further assessment after a prescribed period

(iii) That the student should transfer to another graduate programme

(iv) That the student should graduate with a graduate diploma or master’s degree, subject to the

regulations of the relevant Structured PhD programme

(v) That the student’s registration be terminated and that the student be awarded a certificate of

credit for any modules for which credit has been awarded

The Assessment Panel or Doctoral College may recommend a second formal assessment of progress and

competence within Stage 2 of the Structured PhD, or such an assessment may be a normal element of a

Structured PhD. This will most often occur where there are substantial taught and research training

elements in Stage 1, and insufficient opportunity for the candidate to demonstrate capacity to pursue

original doctoral research. The Structured PhD Supervisory Panel will recommend the nature and timing of

any such assessment. The formal Confirmation Process for continuation on the PhD register will normally

occur after this second formal assessment, or in programmes that do not implement a second formal

assessment, after the assessment at the end of Stage 1.

6. Responsibilities of Candidates

Candidates are required to pursue the programme of research, study and personal and professional

development prescribed by the supervisor(s) and to work with their supervisor(s) to meet the requirements

articulated in the PDP.

Candidates cannot register concurrently for another programme without the approval of the Doctoral

College.

When undertaking their research, candidates must comply with the University’s research regulations,

policies and guidelines, including guidelines on research ethics.

7. Preparation and Submission of the Thesis for Examination

The preparation of the thesis for submission should conform to the University’s academic regulations and

procedures as outlined in chapter 5, Appendix 2.

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8. Examination of the Thesis

Existing University of Limerick procedures, as outlined in chapter 5, will apply and will be supplemented by

the following provisions:

• All matters relating to the examination must be treated as confidential. Examiners are not

permitted to divulge the content of previously unpublished material contained in a candidate’s

thesis until such time as the thesis has been deposited in the library and is publicly available.

• A printed and electronic copy of each thesis on the basis of which the degree of PhD has been

awarded shall be submitted to the Doctoral College for deposition in the library.

• All theses remain the property of the University of Limerick. All issues relating to intellectual

property will be subject to the University’s practices and policies.

9. Official Transcript

All taught courses, including technical/subject-specific courses and transferable skills training events, will

be recorded on the student’s final transcript. Technical/subject-specific courses will be graded as per the

regulations in chapter 5. Transferable skills courses will be graded on a pass/fail basis. An “Audit” grade will

be used to give formal recognition on the student’s transcript of courses for which the student attended no

less than 80% of the contact hours for the course but did not participate in the assessment instruments of

the course.

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Appendix 5

Professional Doctorate Programmes: (Doctor of …)

1. Professional Doctorate

A professional doctorate is a practice-based (or practitioner work-based) level 10 specialist qualification

that incorporates both a taught and research component. The qualification, which is designed to promote

professional development in a specific academic discipline, is normally pursued on a part-time basis. For

some professions, the qualification is an entry-level requirement. The general aim of these higher degrees

is to develop novel approaches to integrating academic and professional knowledge. Professional practice

is a key tenet for the experienced professionals undertaking the qualification because the candidate taking

the professional doctorate programme is expected to make a contribution to both theory and practice in

their field. The final award shall be determined in accordance with chapter 2, section 2.9 of this handbook.

Common to all professional doctorate qualifications and in keeping with the traditional PhD is the

completion by the candidate of an original piece of research presented as a thesis and examined by an

expert in the relevant field. The research project usually relates to ‘real-life’ issues in a professional practice

context. Professional doctorates generally include taught elements, such as lectures, seminars, workshops

and practice-based placement. Such elements are formally assessed through a combination of coursework,

examinations, practical demonstrations and a thesis.

While both a professional doctorate and traditional/structured PhD qualification confer a doctorate-level

qualification on a successful candidate, the two qualifications are distinct in format and function. A PhD is a

research-based doctoral programme of study of an academic nature where a total value of 270 ECTS credits

is assigned to the thesis. While a professional doctorate programme is as challenging as a PhD and

culminates in a qualification of equal status to a PhD, it is more appropriate for those wishing to pursue

professional, industry-based rather than academic careers or those who are interested in gaining

accreditation or reflecting on and adding to best practice.

2. Entry Requirements, Application Procedures and Registration

A person who wishes to apply to the University of Limerick for admission onto a professional doctorate

programme should, in the first instance, contact the relevant programme course director, who will advise

on the applicant’s suitability to the programme.

Applicants must fulfil the University’s academic regulations and procedures (chapter 5, section 5.4),

including those relating to specific programme requirements as advised by the Doctoral Programme course

director. Applicants apply for a place on a specific professional doctoral programme through UL’s online

taught postgraduate application system, which is accessible through UL’s website. Applications for a

professional doctorate programme are not processed by the Postgraduate Research Committee.

Registration for the programme must be completed prior to the end of Week 1 of the first semester during

which the programme commences.

3. Research Supervision

The candidate will be assigned a principal supervisor in line with the academic regulations for supervisory

panels and supervision (chapter 5, section 5.5). For particular professional doctorate programmes, an

additional external supervisor may be appointed to support the candidate. However, this appointment

should not conflict with the academic regulations that apply to supervision or to the appointment of

external examiners.

4. Programme Structure

The taught and research elements of the programme are interdependent. Therefore, an undenominated

degree award with a nomenclature of Doctor of [Profession Name] is awarded on the successful

completion of a programme of taught modules where a cumulative QCA of 3.00 or greater has been

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attained and a thesis has been examined and deemed to be satisfactory. Progression is based on the

successful completion of a series of modules, one of which deals specifically with the candidate’s research

to date. Due to the nature of the professional doctorate qualification, candidates must complete any

amendments that are prescribed by the thesis examiners within the agreed timeframe as defined by the

relevant professional doctorate programme board.

The professional doctorate carries a total value of 270 ECTS credits. The research thesis related to a

particular professional doctorate programme should be worth no fewer than 135 and no more than 200

ECTS credits. Due to the nature of the professional doctorate programme, it is not usual to have an exit

award. However, if an exit award is approved by the University for a professional doctorate programme,

cognisance must be taken of the proportion of discipline-specific content completed within the taught

element of the programme. In terms of the title of the exit award, it is important for the Doctoral

Programme Board to ensure that the title does not conflict with a full programme award title from another

institution.

Because the professional doctorate is a discrete programme, candidates registered on a professional

doctorate cannot transfer to a research master’s or traditional/structured PhD programme.

5. Responsibilities of Candidates

Candidates are required to pursue the programme of research, study, and personal and professional

development defined within the programme and adhere to the deadlines specified within each specific

module. As the programme follows the regulations for taught programmes, candidates will not be granted

extensions beyond semester grading deadlines.

Candidates cannot register concurrently for another programme without the approval of the Doctoral

College.

When undertaking their research, candidates must comply with the University’s research regulations,

policies and guidelines, including guidelines on research ethics.

6. Preparation of the Thesis

The preparation of the thesis should conform to the University’s academic regulations and procedures as

outlined in chapter 5, Appendix 2.

7. Examination of the Thesis

The relevant professional doctorate Doctoral Programme course director and/or Doctoral Programme

course board is responsible for nominating examiners, administering the viva voce and submitting the final

examination result to Academic Registry. In terms of the examination of the thesis, section 5.14 of chapter

5 (PG 5.14) applies to the selection of examiners and to the viva voce examination. In addition, cognisance

should be taken for the following points:

• In some professional doctorate programmes, external examiners may be appointed to examine a

cohort of candidates on a programme.

• All matters relating to the examination of the thesis must be treated as confidential. Examiners are

not permitted to divulge the content of previously unpublished material contained in a candidate’s

thesis until such time as the thesis has been deposited in the UL library. All theses remain the

property of the University of Limerick. All matters pertaining to copyright and intellectual property

shall be dealt with under section 5.13 of chapter 5 (PG 5.13).

• Some external professional bodies operate within a regulatory framework that requires candidates

who have been awarded a professional doctorate to comply and register with the body that

oversees their profession.

• Any appeal of the thesis examination outcome will be dealt with under section 5.15 of chapter 5

(PG 5.15).

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Appendix 6

Joint Research Degrees

The University of Limerick (UL) supports links and collaborations with other appropriate partners, including

higher education institutions and industry partners. Where appropriate and in line with UL’s strategic goals,

the University will enter into agreement, on an individual-case or cohort basis, with such higher education

partner institutions for accrediting and awarding a joint research degree to students who undertake their

higher research degree at UL and at partner institution(s). As per the Policy on Collaborative and

Transnational Education Provision, applications to engage in joint research degrees must be approved by

the Standing Panel on Collaborations (SPC) by way of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and/or

Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between the partner institutions and signed in accordance with UL’s

Signing Authority Policy.

1. Definitions

Joint research degree: An award at NFQ level 9 or 10 or equivalent jointly made by UL and one or more

partner institutions to a student who has studied for their higher research degree at UL and at one or more

of these partner institutions.

Lead institution: The institution of the primary supervisor and where the relevant administrative,

examination and financial processes are undertaken and accepted as meeting the requirements of the

partner institutions.

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU): This is a non-legally binding document that expresses an intention

to cooperate with another partner institution but does not commit UL to a specific collaborative

programme.

Memorandum of Agreement (MoA): This is a legally binding written agreement that commits the

institutions to a specific activity.

2. University of Limerick Consent

2.1 For joint degrees, permission to proceed with the development of an MoU must be obtained from

the SPC. Once approval is gained, an MoU must be developed. In addition, an MoA may be

required, which would take precedence over the MoU.

2.2 An MoU and/or MoA will be drawn up for each approved joint research award proposal prior to the

student’s application to enrol in UL. The MoU and/or MoA from a lead institution other than UL will

ensure that:

• The research project title is identified and the aims, objectives, research methodology and

project description are included.

• The duties and responsibilities of the participating institutions are identified.

• Supervisors are identified and supervision arrangements are consistent with UL’s regulations.

• The financial responsibilities of the partner institutions are identified.

• A lead institution is identified from the participating institutions to manage student

recruitment, progression, thesis examination and research project management. On request,

the lead institution will provide these details to the participating institutions.

• Approval from UL’s Provost & Deputy President or their nominee is required for the

appointment of external examiners.

• The intellectual property of the participating institutions is protected.

• A time limit for the life of the MoU and/or MoA is specified.

• A termination and dispute resolution process is specified.

If there is more than one institution involved in the collaboration, a single MoU and/or MoA –

preferably that of the lead institution – should be agreed.

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2.3 Where UL is not the lead institution, the student must spend a minimum of one fee-paying year at

UL.

2.4 Where UL is the lead institution, the student can spend a maximum of two years at the partner

institution(s).

3. Application/Enrolment

3.1 Whether or not UL is the lead institution, all applicants on joint award programmes will apply

through the normal UL process (PG 5.3).

3.2 The approved MoU and/or MoA agreement must be attached to the student’s application. Where

UL is not the lead institution, the application must be accompanied by confirmation that the

applicant has enrolled at the lead institution. If UL is the lead institution, the Doctoral College will

supply a letter confirming enrolment to the partner institution.

3.3. In conjunction with 3.1 and 3.2 above, a change to joint award degree status for current students

will be considered by review of an MoU and/or MoA. Any amendment must be approved in line

with the Policy on Collaborative and Transnational Education Provision.

4. Yearly Progression

4.1 Where UL is the lead institution, the normal progression regulations apply (PG 5.6). For research

students who are researching at a partner institution (as a resident and not on a short visit) at the

time of the progression panels, the supervisor must furnish a report to the progression panel,

outlining the progress of the research to date and indicating the dates of the visit. The outcome of

the progression process will be conveyed by the UL supervisor to the partner institution.

4.2 Where UL is not the lead institution, the progression regulations of the lead institution apply. The

UL supervisor will be responsible for informing the relevant UL progression panel of the decision of

the lead institution and, where necessary, the subsequent outcome of the lead institution’s

progression process.

5. Examination

5.1 Where UL is not the lead institution, the supervisor will arrange for the outcome of the final

examination to be notified to the UL Doctoral College by submission of a copy of the examiner’s

report. Recommendation of the award will be noted at the UL Academic Council Examination

Boards, with ratification taking place at the following Academic Council.

5.2 Where UL is the lead institution, the UL Doctoral College will forward a copy of the external

examiner’s report to the relevant office of the partner institution.

6. Parchments

6.1 The content and design, position of crests and signatures on parchments must be approved and the

details included in the MoU and/or MoA.

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6. Code of Conduct

Section 1: General Principles and Types of Offence

1.1 This Code of Conduct and the matters contained therein shall govern the conduct of and apply to

all persons studying, whether whole-time, part-time or otherwise, in the University of Limerick, and

such persons shall thereafter be referred to as the Campus Community.

The University may have agreements in place for visiting students from other institutions, and in

certain situations, the discipline process from that institution may apply to these students.

1.2 Members of the Campus Community shall:

(a) Not engage in any conduct likely or calculated to infringe the rights or lawful activities of others

on the University Campus or otherwise engage in any activity likely or calculated to bring the

University into disrepute, whether on the University property or otherwise

(b) Treat all property of or on the University Campus with respect and shall not cause any damage

to any such property

University Campus where entry to such property or facilities is not authorised or is prohibited

For the purpose of this Code of Conduct, the University of Limerick and the University Campus shall

be deemed to mean all property occupied or under the control of the University of Limerick,

including, but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, student villages.

1.3 It shall be an offence to engage in any act or conduct contrary to the matters set out above.

1.4 Without prejudice to the foregoing, this Code of Conduct shall also apply to a member of the

Campus Community while on cooperative education placement, school placement, clinical practice

placement, research placement, student exchange programme or other off-campus assignment

that is part of the member’s programme of study.

1.5 Without prejudice to the matters herein before set out, it shall be deemed to be a major offence

for any member of the Campus Community to:

(a) Assault or abuse physically or verbally any other member of the Campus Community or any

other person on the University Campus.

(b) Sexually assault any other member of the Campus Community or any other person on the

University Campus.

(d) Sexually harass any other member of the Campus Community or any other person on the

University Campus.

(e) Engage during one’s programme of study in conduct that may be harmful to others while on

campus or cooperative education placement, school placement, clinical practice placement,

research placement, student exchange programme or other off-campus assignment that is part

of the programme of study.

(f) Engage during one’s programme of study in the misuse of University property, the property of

any other member of the Campus Community or the property of any other person or

organisation to whom they are accountable while on cooperative education placement, school

placement, clinical practice placement, research placement, student exchange programme or

other off-campus assignment that is part of the programme of study.

(g) Forge, alter or misuse any University document, record, stamp, identification mark, seal or

identification card (including documents/records stored on electronic media).

(h) Engage in conduct likely to bring the University into disrepute.

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(i) Engage in any form of industrial espionage or improperly publish, use or misuse any University

information, facility or system.

(j) Use or possess any offensive weapon.

(k) Furnish during one’s programme of study any false or misleading information calculated to

deceive or mislead the University or calculated to deceive or mislead any other person or

organisation to whom they are accountable while on cooperative education placement, school

placement, clinical practice placement, research placement, student exchange programme or

other off-campus assignment that is part of the programme of study.

(l) Breach general examination regulations or engage in academic cheating in any form

whatsoever.

(m) Steal or remove or use without authority any item of property (including computer

software/hardware).

(n) Jeopardise the integrity of any computer equipment, systems, networks, programs or any other

stored information, including the propagation of computer viruses.

(o) Use computer facilities in such a way that interferes with or disrupts the use of such facilities by

other users.

(p) Contravene the Code of Conduct for users of the University of Limerick’s computing resources.

(q) Drive or park any vehicle in or on the University Campus in a manner that constitutes a danger

to others.

(r) Fail to comply with a penalty imposed by the Minor Offences Committee or Discipline

Committee, as the case may be, within one month of notification of such penalty or such longer

time as the notification may specify.

(s) Cause damage to any property in excess of 10% of the annual fee for a Bachelor of Arts degree

programme.

(t) Abuse the use of alcohol so as to be incapable of exercising reasonable control over their

behaviour.

(u) Use or be in possession of or deal in any substance the use or possession of which is prohibited

by law.

(v) Fail to abide by the terms of an agreement entered into with the University Advocate.

(w) Interfere with or attempt to exert improper influence at any stage of the disciplinary process or

request a member of staff or others to do so.

(x) Incite any person to commit an offence as defined under this Code.

(y) Contravene the University’s vetting policy or fitness to practise policy.

(z) Engage in disorderly conduct on or off campus.

1.6 It shall be deemed to be a minor offence for any member of the Campus Community to:

(a) Litter the University environment.

(b) Smoke in any areas other than those designated as smoking areas.

(d) Consume alcohol at any time in any area of the University Campus other than licensed

premises or student accommodation, except for special circumstances approved in advance by

the President of the University or their nominee.

(e) Cause damage to any property less than or equal to 10% of the annual fee for a Bachelor of

Arts degree programme replacement cost.

(f) Be in or enter off-limit areas without authorisation.

(g) Steal or remove or use without authority any item of property (including computer

software/hardware) less than or equal in value to 10% of the annual fee for a Bachelor of Arts

degree programme.

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(h) Fail to vacate any area or fail to go to any area when lawfully requested so to do in

circumstances that endanger life or property.

(i) Engage in driving on campus property in breach of regulations and posted signs, including, but

not limited to, speed limits, zebra crossings, road markings, etc.

(j) Fail to produce a valid University of Limerick student ID card when properly and lawfully

requested to do so.

(k) Carry out an offence listed under 1.5 that has been considered by the University Advocate to be

a minor offence.

1.7 For the purposes of this Code, any University staff member or authorised person shall, subject to

identifying themselves, be entitled, where they have reasonable grounds for believing that a breach

or an offence under this Code has been committed, to require any member of the Campus

Community to identify themselves and to require to be produced to them the said person’s ID card,

and it shall be an offence for such member of the Campus Community to fail or refuse to furnish

such identification.

1.8 It shall be an offence to fail to act in accordance with all Regulations and By-Laws or Rules of the

University or those as shall be laid down by any body, committee or other institution within the

University duly authorised to make regulations governing the University or any part thereof.

Regulations made dealing with any specific unit, area or activity of the University and in respect of

which a breach would constitute an offence shall be notified on the making thereof to the Minor

Offences Committee. Such regulations governing a particular area shall be prominently displayed in

that area.

1.9 This Code of Conduct and any regulations made thereunder shall be enforced by the University

Advocate (in the case of voluntary agreements), the Minor Offences Committee and/or the

Discipline Committee of the University. hereinafter defined. The University Advocate (in the case of

voluntary agreements), the Minor Offences Committee or the Discipline Committee shall deal with

any alleged breach of the Code of Conduct and any offence alleged to have been committed

thereunder in the manner set out in the Code of Conduct.

1.10 In the event of an action carrying with it an immediate threat to life or the safety of any person or

property, the Provost & Deputy President or person duly authorised to act in their stead may

exclude the person who is reasonably suspected of being responsible for such action from access to

University facilities or property pending a formal hearing of any complaint made in that regard.

1.11 A copy of the Code of Conduct shall be included in the University of Limerick Handbook of

Academic Regulations and Procedures, which is accessible from the Policy Hub at

https://www.ul.ie/policy-hub/policies.

1.12 The Complaints, Discipline & Vetting Unit within the Office of the Provost & Deputy President shall

deal with all queries, requests and correspondence relating to discipline cases. Complaints should

be forwarded in writing using the forms available here (https://ulsites.ul.ie/executive/student-

complaints).

1.13 The University may, in certain circumstances and without the consent of any person, including the

complainant, refer to the appropriate authorities a matter brought to its attention that may give

rise to the commission of a criminal offence or may constitute a criminal offence.

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Section 2: The University Advocate

2.1 The President shall appoint a person or persons who shall be known as the University Advocate(s).

2.2 All complaints shall, in the first instance, be referred to a University Advocate, who shall:

(i) Consider a complaint and decide if there is a case to answer.

(ii) Categorise a complaint as a major or minor offence.

(iii) Enter into a voluntary agreement with a student.

(iv) Refer a minor offence to the Minor Offences Committee.

(v) Refer a major offence to the Discipline Committee.

(vi) Prosecute all cases in the disciplinary process.

2.3 The University Advocate may, as part of the initial investigation of an alleged offence, meet with

the student(s) concerned. Attendance by the student(s) at the meeting with the University

Advocate is voluntary. Prior to deciding whether to attend this meeting, students should familiarise

themselves with the process followed by the University Advocate and the possible outcomes. This

information is available here (https://www.ul.ie/provost/functions-processes/office-university-

advocates).

2.4 For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in these provisions shall prevent the University Advocate from

initiating an investigation and pursuing the disciplinary process as a result of information that has

come to their attention but that has not been the subject of a direct formal complaint.

Section 3: Voluntary Agreement

3.1 Where the University Advocate is of the view that the Code of Conduct has been breached and the

student admits to the breach, the University Advocate may enter into a voluntary agreement with

the consent of the student.

3.2 The voluntary agreement may include a sanction that must not exceed those penalties permitted in

Section 7 of the Code of Conduct.

3.3 Where a voluntary agreement is not reached, the University Advocate will refer the offence to the

relevant committee as per 2.2 (iv) or 2.2 (v).

3.4 Failure to abide by the terms of a voluntary agreement entered into with the University Advocate is

deemed a major offence as per 1.5 (v).

3.5 The student shall receive a copy of the voluntary agreement by email to the student’s UL email

account.

Section 4: The Minor Offences Committee

4.1 The Minor Offences Committee shall consist of:

(a) A nominee of the President

(b) A nominee of the UL Students’ Union (ULSU)

4.2 The Minor Offences Committee shall hear all cases where referred by the University Advocate

except as allowed for in 5.12 (b).

4.3 The Minor Offences Committee shall, within 10 workings days of the conclusion of a hearing, send

to the Office of the Provost & Deputy President a written copy of its findings in relation to all cases

dealt with and of any penalty imposed.

4.4 The complainant(s) will be notified of the outcome of the hearing.

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Section 5: The Discipline Committee

5.1 A Discipline Committee shall deal with all breaches of discipline other than those that, pursuant to

this Code, shall be dealt with by the Minor Offences Committee or where the University Advocate

has entered into a voluntary agreement with a student.

5.2 The Discipline Committee shall consist of:

(a) A nominee of the President of the University, who will chair the Committee

(b) One academic staff member of the University to be nominated by the Academic Council

(d) A nominee of ULSU

5.3 An alternate member will be chosen for each nominee to the Discipline Committee.

5.4 The administrative support for the work of the Discipline Committee will be provided from the

Complaints, Discipline & Vetting Unit within the Office of the Provost & Deputy President.

5.5 The Chairperson of the Discipline Committee shall, in the event of a tied vote in respect of a

decision, have a casting vote.

5.6 The Chairperson of the Discipline Committee shall have a good working knowledge of all University

Regulations and of this Code of Conduct.

5.7 The Discipline Committee shall be deemed quorate if there are three members present.

5.8 No member of the Discipline Committee may sit as a member of the Minor Offences Committee.

5.9 No member of the Discipline Committee may sit as a member of the Discipline Committee

investigating a particular case (the "Case") if they are:

(a) The complainant.

(b) A person who has consented to testify in the Case.

not take part in the investigation of and decision on the Case. In this instance, the person who

considers themselves disqualified shall so notify the Chairperson of their decision.

(d) A person considered by the Discipline Committee, for some reason relevant to the Case, to be

disqualified. If disputed, the decision on this matter shall be made by a majority of the

Discipline Committee excluding the person whose disqualification is under consideration.

5.10 In the event that a member of the Discipline Committee withdraws during the course of a hearing,

the Discipline Committee shall be entitled in its discretion to continue with the hearing or to

convene a rehearing.

5.11 In the event that any of the persons or bodies referred to under 5.2 shall fail, refuse or be unwilling

or unable to nominate members, that function shall be exercised by the President of the University.

5.12 The Discipline Committee shall hear complaints that are:

(a) Major offences, and

(b) Minor offences where

(i) the person charged does not admit responsibility to the Minor Offences Committee, or

(ii) the person charged does not consent to the complaint being dealt with by the Minor

Offences Committee, or

(iii) the Minor Offences Committee is of the opinion that it is not appropriate to deal with the

complaint by summary procedure, or

(iv) in the opinion of the Minor Offences Committee, the hearing is likely to be complex and/or

lengthy.

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The standard of proof in respect of any matter before the Minor Offences Committee, Discipline

Committee or Appeals Committee shall be on the balance of probabilities.

5.13 In all cases under 5.12 (b), the Minor Offences Committee shall notify the Office of the Provost &

Deputy President in writing of the charge(s) against the person charged, such notification to issue

within 14 working days from the date on which the Minor Offences Committee received original

notification of the complaint in accordance with the procedures contained in the Code of Conduct.

5.14 If it is decided by the University Advocate in respect of a complaint that there is a prima facie case

to answer, the person who is the subject of the complaint shall be notified of such by email to their

UL email account and by registered post sent to the address notified to the University or by

personal delivery by any employee or agent of the University. The notification will specify each

charge and require the person, on at least 10 working days’ notice, to appear before the Discipline

Committee. The notification shall be accompanied by a copy of the Code of Conduct and shall draw

particular attention to the right of the person charged to representation, their right to submit

written evidence and their right to call such witnesses in defence as they may think fit. The

notification will also include the following:

(a) A statement of the charges against the person charged

(b) A list of witnesses whom the University Advocate proposes to call

Relevant material for the purpose of this Code means any material that may go before the

Discipline Committee and any material in the possession of the University Advocate that may assist

the defence of the person charged.

5.15 At least five working days prior to the date of the Discipline Committee meeting referred to in 5.14,

the person charged may request and the Chairperson of the Discipline Committee may grant a

further period of time, not exceeding seven working days, to prepare their case.

5.16 The person charged shall have the right to inspect all relevant material, which will normally be

available at the Complaints, Discipline & Vetting Unit within the Office of the Provost & Deputy

President.

5.17 At any time, the University Advocate may, with the agreement of the Chairperson of the Discipline

Committee, cause to be served on the person charged and furnished to the Discipline Committee

further evidence or the names of additional witnesses whose names have not already been

supplied to the person charged. The Chairperson shall grant such permission unless satisfied that it

would be unfair to the person charged to accede to the University Advocate’s request.

5.18 The person charged shall, at least three working days in advance of the hearing, notify the

Complaints, Discipline & Vetting Unit within the Office of the Provost & Deputy President in writing

of the name(s) and address(es) of the witness(es) they propose to call and shall supply to the

Complaints, Discipline & Vetting Unit a copy of any document(s) and a list of any exhibit(s) that they

propose to submit at the hearing.

5.19 The evidence to be offered on behalf of the University at a hearing of the Discipline Committee

shall be presented by the University Advocate. Evidence of the witnesses will be presented at the

hearing in accordance with the terms of this Code of Conduct.

5.20 The Discipline Committee shall be entitled to have a legal adviser present at any of its meetings.

5.21 A person charged shall be entitled to be accompanied by a person of their choosing or to have a

legal adviser present.

5.22 If a complainant decides not to pursue a complaint, the University Advocate may nevertheless

pursue that complaint to conclusion.

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5.23 If the person charged fails to appear before the Discipline Committee on the appointed day without

making a valid excuse, the Discipline Committee, if satisfied that such person has had due notice of

the hearing of their case, may proceed to deal with the case in their absence. No inference of

culpability shall be drawn from the said person’s non-appearance at the hearing of their case.

5.24 The Discipline Committee shall conduct all hearings with respect to the principles of natural justice

and fair procedures. A person charged may be accompanied by the representative(s) of their

choice. At the opening of the proceedings, if the complaint is denied in whole or in part by the

person charged, the University Advocate shall present the case against the person first. The person

charged may question any witness. The person charged may then present the defending case and

they may call any witness(es) or produce any document(s) they consider necessary to their case.

The University Advocate may question witnesses called by the person charged. Members of the

Discipline Committee may question the person charged and any witnesses called by either party.

5.25 At no time shall the person charged be compelled to give evidence or to answer any questions. If

the Discipline Committee considers that the evidence given for the complainant would, in the

absence of explanation by the person charged, establish the culpability of the person charged, the

Discipline Committee may so inform the person charged and thereafter the Discipline Committee

may draw such inference as it considers reasonable from the absence of any such explanation by

the person charged.

5.26 At any hearing, on the finding that the facts of the complaint have been proved, the person

charged shall have the right to address the Discipline Committee before a penalty of any kind is

imposed.

5.27 In the case of each investigation made by the Discipline Committee, a copy of the Discipline

Committee’s decision and reason(s) for its decision in such form and content as is determined

appropriate by the Discipline Committee in the circumstances, together with the penalty (if any)

determined, together with the reason(s) for the penalty in such form and content as is determined

appropriate by the Discipline Committee in the circumstances, shall be sent within five working

days after the hearing by email to the person’s UL email account and by registered post sent to the

address notified to the University or by personal delivery by any employee or agent of the

University.

5.28 The complainant(s) will be notified of the outcome of the hearing.

5.29 A summary report of the activities of the Minor Offences Committee, Discipline Committee and

Appeals Committee, outlining the investigations conducted, conclusions reached and findings and

penalties imposed, shall be submitted annually by the Office of the Provost & Deputy President to

the Academic Council.

Section 6: The Appeals Process

6.1 Decisions of the Minor Offences Committee may be appealed by a person deemed culpable of an

offence to the Discipline Committee, whose decision on the matter shall be final. Decisions of the

Discipline Committee may be appealed by a person deemed culpable of an offence to the Appeals

Committee.

6.2 The Appeals Committee shall consist of:

(a) A nominee of the President of the University, who will chair the Committee

(b) Two members nominated by the Academic Council

In the event that any of the persons or bodies referred to shall fail, refuse or be unable to nominate

members, the President of the University will nominate members to the Committee.

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6.3 An alternate member will be chosen for each nominee to the Appeals Committee.

6.4 Nominees shall not be members of the Minor Offences Committee or the Discipline Committee.

6.5 The Chairperson of the Appeals Committee shall, in the event of a tied vote in respect of a decision,

have a casting vote.

6.6 The Chairperson of the Appeals Committee shall have a good working knowledge of all University

regulations and of this Code of Conduct.

6.7 The Appeals Committee shall be deemed quorate if there are three members present.

6.8 Appeals may be made only on the grounds of one or more of the following:

(a) That the conclusions reached by the Minor Offences Committee or the Discipline Committee,

as the case may be, were not reasonable or were not supported by the evidence

(b) That the penalty imposed was excessive

misconstrued a provision of the Code of Conduct

6.9 Appeals must be lodged in writing with the Office of the Provost & Deputy President within seven

working days from the date of issue of notification by the relevant committee of its decision.

Appeals must specify the reasons for appeal in accordance with 6.8.

6.10 The Discipline Committee or the Appeals Committee, as the case may be, shall, as soon as possible

after receipt of the note of appeal, be furnished with a written report incorporating the facts of the

case and the reasons for the decision together with any relevant material that was presented.

6.11 A copy of the report shall be furnished to the Appellant at least three working days before the

appeal hearing.

6.12 The Appellant shall be given at least seven working days’ written notice of the date and place of the

hearing. They shall at the same time be furnished with a copy of this Code of Conduct and be

informed of their right to representation. At least five working days prior to the date of the Appeals

Committee hearing, the person charged may request and the Chairperson of the Appeals

Committee may grant a further period not exceeding seven working days to prepare their case.

6.13 The person charged shall, at least three working days in advance of the hearing, notify the Office of

the Provost & Deputy President in writing of the name(s) and address(es) of the witness(es) they

propose to call and supply to the Office of the Provost & Deputy President a copy of any

document(s) and a list of any exhibit(s) that they propose to submit at the hearing.

6.14 In an appeal hearing, the Appellant shall be first to present their case, after which the University

Advocate shall be entitled to present their case. The Appellant shall be entitled to be heard in reply.

6.15 The Discipline Committee or Appeals Committee, as the case may be, shall be entitled to examine

such evidence as, in its discretion, it deems fit, including calling the complainant(s) to be in

attendance. Members of the Discipline Committee or Appeals Committee shall be entitled to

question the complainant(s).

6.16 The Discipline Committee or Appeals Committee, as the case may be, shall be entitled to have a

legal adviser present at any of its meetings.

6.17 The appellant shall be entitled to be accompanied by a person of their choosing or to have a legal

adviser present.

6.18 At the conclusion of the appeal hearing, the Discipline Committee or Appeals Committee, as the

case may be, shall retire to consider its decision.

6.19 In the case of an appeal against penalty, the Discipline Committee or Appeals Committee, as the

case may be, may uphold, set aside or vary the original penalty. If the offence is a Minor Offence,

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the revised penalty may exceed the maximum penalties that the Minor Offences Committee is

entitled to impose in respect of Minor Offences in accordance with 7.2.

6.20 In the case of an appeal on the grounds specified in 6.8 (a) or (c), the Discipline Committee or

Appeals Committee, as the case may be, shall pronounce its decision and proceed as it deems

appropriate and may, if it so considers it appropriate, direct a rehearing of the charge. If the

Committee affirms the decision of the Minor Offences Committee or Discipline Committee, as the

case may be, the decision of the Minor Offences/Discipline Committee stands.

6.21 The reasoned decision of the Appeals Committee shall be announced by the Chairperson in the

presence of the parties.

6.22 The Office of the Provost & Deputy President will confirm in writing the reasoned decision of the

Appeals Committee within five working days of the hearing. A copy will be sent to the appellant(s).

6.23 The complainant(s) will be notified of the outcome of the hearing.

Section 7: Penalties

7.1 If, after investigation as hereinbefore set out, the Minor Offences Committee or the Discipline

Committee, as the case may be, is satisfied that the complaint is well founded, such Committee

shall impose the penalty it may deem appropriate. Such penalty may be monetary, academic or

otherwise and, without prejudice to the generality hereof, may consist wholly or partly of the

restitution or repair of property. The Committee, instead of or in addition to dealing with the

offender in any other way, may order the offender to pay compensation, in whole or in part, to a

person who has suffered such loss.

7.2 In the case of all Minor Offences as herein defined or where the Minor Offences Committee is of

the opinion that the offence alleged can be so dealt with, any enquiry necessary or appropriate

hereunder and the imposition of any penalty herein prescribed shall be conducted and imposed by

the Minor Offences Committee.

7.3 In the case of a monetary penalty, the maximum penalty that the Minor Offences Committee shall

be entitled to impose shall be 10% of the annual fee for a Bachelor of Arts degree programme.

7.4 The Discipline Committee shall be entitled to impose penalties including suspension or expulsion

where, in its view, the gravity of the complaint or offence or the University disciplinary record of

the offender shall so warrant.

7.5 It shall be a major offence for any person to fail to comply with a penalty imposed by the Minor

Offences Committee or Discipline Committee, as the case may be, within one month of notification

of such penalty or such longer time as the notification may specify.

7.6 The Complaints, Discipline & Vetting Unit within the Office of the Provost & Deputy President is

responsible for the administration of penalties. Offenders are required to contact this office in

order to receive instructions relating to the discharge of their penalties.

7.7 A student may not graduate from the University until they have fully complied with the terms of a

sanction imposed by the Minor Offences Committee, Discipline Committee or Appeals Committee,

as the case may be, or under a voluntary agreement with the University Advocate.

7.8 Where a complaint is made to the Minor Offences Committee and the Minor Offences Committee

is of the view that the complaint would amount to a minor offence, the Minor Offences Committee

shall be entitled to inform the person complained against that the said complaint shall be deemed

disposed of and no investigation as set out herein shall be undertaken by the Minor Offences

Committee on payment within seven days of such sum not exceeding 10% of the annual fee for a

Bachelor of Arts degree programme as the Minor Offences Committee shall deem appropriate.

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Document Control

Document Version

2023/24 Version 1

Document Owner

Provost & Deputy President

Approved by

Academic Council

Date

14 June 2023

Effective Date

1 September 2023

Scheduled Review Date

Academic Council meeting June 2024

Changes in This Version

Regulation/Section

Details of change

1.2.3

New regulation inserted after regulation 1.2.2 to clarify the term ‘enrolled’

Throughout

sections 1.4, 4.1.4,

4.2.3, 4.2.9, 4.2.10

Examination/assessment/coursework terminology updated throughout

Throughout

sections 4.1.1,

4.1.2 and 4.1.3

Operational elements removed relating to end-of-semester examinations managed

by Academic Registry

4.1.3.2

Regulation wording updated to support Academic Registry procedure

Sections 4.1.3.2,

4.1.4.2, 2.1, 2.3,

2.5, 3.1, 3.7, 4.2

‘invigilator’ changed to Exam Venue Coordinator’

Throughout section

4.2.3

Regulations removed and new updated set of regulations added in line with the I

grade process.

4.2.9.4 (b)

The term ‘Regrade’ changed to ‘Review’

4.5

Conversion of what had been Appendix 1 into standard regulations format.

Terminology changed from ‘assessment regulations’ to ‘general examination

regulations’

Throughout

chapter 5

‘Associate Vice President Doctoral College’ to replace all instances of ‘Dean of

Graduate & Professional Studies’

‘Doctoral College’ to replace all instances of ‘Graduate & Professional

Studies/Graduate School’

‘masters’ changed to ‘master’s’

5.13.1

‘practise’ changed to ‘practice’ in ‘reduced to practise’

6 (Code of

Conduct), 1.5 (l)

The term ‘assessment regulations’ changed to ‘general examination regulations’

6 (Code of

Conduct), 1.6 (b)

Item 1.6 (b) moved from being a minor to a major offence (now 1.5 (z))