Overview

The BA (Hons) World Languages is a four-year full-time honours degree programme. Applicants for this programme must fulfil the minimum entry requirements (see here).

Languages available:

• First Arts (World Languages): Chinese, English as a Second or Other Language (ESOL), French, Gaeilge/Irish, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latin, Portuguese, Spanish;
• Second Arts (World Languages): as First Arts (World Languages);
• Fourth Arts (World Languages): as Second Arts (World Languages), plus Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL).

World Languages

Language	Second Arts	Fourth Arts
Chinese	10 or 151 or 20 or 30	10 or 151 or 20 or 30
English as a Second or Other Language	102	102
French	10 or 15 or 20 or 25 or 30	10 or 15 or 20 or 25 or 30 or 40 or 50
Gaeilge/Irish	10 or 15 or 20 or 25 or 30	10 or 15 or 20 or 25 or 30
German	10 or 151 or 20 or 25 or 30	10 or 151 or 20 or 25 or 30 or 40 or 50
Italian	10 or 151 or 20 or 25 or 30	10 or 151 or 20 or 25 or 30 or 40 or 50
Japanese	10 or 151 or 20	10 or 151 or 20
Korean	10 or 151 or 20	10 or 151 or 20
Latin	10 or 151	10 or 151
Portuguese	10 or 151 or 20	10 or 151 or 20
Spanish	10 or 151 or 20 or 25 or 30	10 or 151 or 20 or 25 or 30 or 40 or 50
Teaching English as a Foreign Language		15

¹

May also be taken as a new subject for 15 credits, subject to timetable constraints.

²

May be taken for 10 credits only in either Second Arts or Fourth Arts.

Notes:

** May also be taken for 10 or 20 credits by students who took it as a new subject in Second Year, subject to timetable constraints.
 

First Year - Arts (World Languages)

In First Arts (World Languages) students take three languages (15 credits each) from those listed below, together with dedicated content (World Languages: 15 credits). To avoid timetable clashes no more than one subject may be chosen from any separate group below.

1. Portuguese
2. Gaeilge/Irish
3. Chinese Studies¹, German¹, Latin
4. French
5. Italian
6. Spanish
7. English as a Second or Other Language
8. Japanese
9. Korean

¹

Note: Some provision has been made to allow students to take both Chinese and German language, but this may affect the possibility of combining with other languages.

Points to Note

General: Students must pass the subject World Languages to progress to Second Year.

At least one language taken in First Arts (World Languages) must be continued throughout the four years of the programme. All languages not taken in First Arts (World Languages), except English as a Second or Other Language, French and Gaeilge/Irish, may be taken in Second or Fourth Arts (World Languages) at beginner level, subject to timetable constraints, but students may not take more than 15 credits of Level 1 modules in Fourth Arts (World Languages). Please note that some modules may be taught in the evening: a full timetable will be available in advance of registration.

1. Portuguese: This subject is available in First Arts (World Languages) and thereafter as a 30-credit, 25-credit, 20-credit, 15-credit or 10-credit subject in the Second and Fourth Years of the programme. Students may spend all or part of the Third Year of their degree studying at an approved university and/or on a work placement in a Portuguese-speaking country, subject to having completed 25 credits of Portuguese in total across First and Second Arts (World Languages).
2. Gaeilge/Irish: This subject is available in First Arts (World Languages), and thereafter as a subject for 30, 25, 20, 15 or 10 credits in Second and Fourth Arts (World Languages). Students spend the Third Year of their programme studying at an approved university and/or on a work placement in one or two of the countries of the other language or languages studied.
3. Chinese Studies: This subject is available in First Arts (World Languages) and thereafter as a subject for 30, 20 or 10 credits in the Second and Fourth Years of the programme. Students may spend all or part of the Third Year of their degree studying at an approved university in China, subject to having completed 30 credits of Chinese in total across First and Second Arts (World Languages). 
4. German: This subject is available in First Arts (World Languages), and thereafter as a subject for 30, 25, 20, 15 or 10 credits in Second Arts (World Languages) and for 50, 40, 30, 25, 20, 15 or 10 credits in Fourth Arts (World Languages). Students wishing to select German (Non-Beginners) should have a minimum grade H4 in German in the Leaving Certificate Examination (or equivalent). Students wishing to take German (Beginners) must, in any case, satisfy the special language requirement for the programme of the equivalent of a minimum of Grade H3 in any language other than English in the Leaving Certificate Examination (or equivalent). Students will be accepted to the Beginners group only if they have no prior German, or if they have reached a level no higher than Junior Certificate German. Students may spend all or part of the Third Year of their degree studying at an approved university and/or on a work placement in a German-speaking country, subject to having completed 30 credits of German in total across First and Second Arts (World Languages).
5. Latin: This is available in First Arts and thereafter only as a 15-credit or 10-credit subject. Students spend the Third Year of their programme studying at an approved university and/or on a work placement in one or two of the countries of the other language or languages studied.
6. French: A student will not normally be allowed to select French unless he/she has attained a pass standard in French in the Leaving Certificate Examination (or equivalent). This subject is available in First Arts (World Languages), and thereafter as a subject for 30, 25, 20, 15 or 10 credits in Second Arts (World Languages) and for 50, 40, 30, 25, 20, 15 or 10 credits in Fourth Arts (World Languages). Students may spend all or part of the Third Year of their degree studying at an approved university and/or on a work placement in a French-speaking country, subject to having completed 30 credits of French in total across First and Second Arts (World Languages).
7. Italian: This subject is available in First Arts (World Languages), and thereafter as a subject for 30, 25, 20, 15 or 10 credits in Second Arts (World Languages) and for 50, 40, 30, 25, 20, 15 or 10 credits in Fourth Arts (World Languages). Students wishing to select Italian (Non-Beginners) should have a minimum grade H4 in Italian in the Leaving Certificate Examination (or equivalent). Students wishing to take Italian (Beginners) must, in any case, satisfy the special language requirement for the programme of the equivalent of a minimum of Grade H3 in any language other than English in the Leaving Certificate Examination (or equivalent). Students who have studied Italian at second level and obtained a grade below H4 can join the Beginners' Italian course. Students may spend all or part of the Third Year of their degree studying at an approved university or on a work placement in Italy, subject to having completed 25 credits of Italian in total across First and Second Arts (World Languages).
8. Spanish: This subject is available in First Arts (World Languages), and thereafter as a subject for 30, 25, 20, 15 or 10 credits in Second Arts (World Languages) and for 50, 40, 30, 25, 20, 15 or 10 credits in Fourth Arts (World Languages). Students wishing to take Non-Beginners' Spanish must have obtained a minimum Grade H4 in Spanish in the Leaving Certificate Examination (or equivalent). Students wishing to take Spanish (Beginners) must, in any case, satisfy the special language requirement for the programme of the equivalent of a minimum of Grade H4 in any language other than English in the Leaving Certificate Examination (or equivalent) OR evidence of competence equivalent to a minimum Grade H4 in a foreign language other than Spanish. Students who have studied Spanish at second level and obtained a Grade below H4 can also join the Beginners' Spanish course. Students may spend all or part of the Third Year of their degree studying at an approved university or on a work placement in a Spanish-speaking country, subject to having completed 30 credits of Spanish in total across First and Second Arts (World Languages).
9. English as a Second or Other Language (ESOL): This subject is available in First Arts (World Languages) and thereafter as a 10-credit subject in the Second and Fourth Years of the programme. Students may spend all or part of the Third Year of their programme studying at an approved university and/or on a work placement in an English-speaking country, subject to having completed 25 credits of ESOL in total across First and Second Arts (World Languages).
10. Japanese: This subject is available in First Arts (World Languages) and thereafter as a subject for 20, 15 or 10 credits in the Second and Fourth Years of the programme; Students may take Japanese as a 20-credit Subject in Fourth Arts (World Languages) on condition that they have the prerequisite for AS3008, namely 'a significant standard of Japanese Language (assessed before entry)', and would normally be expected to have made good progress having spent the Third Year studying at a Japanese university. Students may spend all or part of the Third Year of their degree studying at an approved university in Japan, subject to having completed 25 credits of Japanese in total across First and Second Arts (World Languages).
11. Korean: This subject is available in First Arts (World Languages) and thereafter as a subject for 20, 15 or 10 credits in the Second and Fourth Years of the programme. Students may take Korean as a 20-credit Subject in Fourth Arts (World Languages) on condition that they have the prerequisite for AS3006, namely 'a significant standard of Korean Language (assessed before entry)', and would normally be expected to have made good progress having spent the Third Year studying at a Korean university. Students may spend all or part of the Third Year of their degree studying at an approved university in Korea or studying Korean in Japan, subject to having completed 25 credits of Korean in total across First and Second Arts (World Languages).

Notes:

• As specified in the general regulations for passing the year, students must pass the subject World Languages with an aggregate of at least 40% in modules WL1101 Language: Sounds and Structures and WL1103 Becoming Multilingual.
• Programme Requirements are listed below by language.
• Some provision has been made to allow students to take both Chinese and German language, but this may affect the possibility of combining with other languages.
• Please note that some modules may be taught in the evening: a full timetable will be available in advance of registration.

Programme Requirements for Language Choices begin here.

Second Year - Arts (World Languages)

No student may register for Second Arts (World Languages) until he/she has passed the First University Examination in Arts (World Languages). The selection of any module is conditional on the Professor or Lecturer concerned and the College being satisfied that a student is capable of profiting by attendance thereat. Students may not select modules which involve a timetable clash. Please note that some modules may be taught in the evening: a full timetable will be available in advance of registration.

In Second Arts (World Languages), students take 10 credits of designated World Languages modules, plus two or three languages from those listed below, including at least one continued from First Year, for a total of 50 credits in any of the following combinations: 25+25; 30+20; 20+15+15; 20+20+10; 25+15+10; 30+10+10. Before choosing the number of credits to be taken in each language, students must consult with the Programme Director, who will bring to students’ attention the need to ensure that the credits taken provide appropriate pathways to Third Arts (World Languages), which is to be spent in one or two countries of the languages studied, postgraduate study, teaching careers, etc.: to this end, students must attend a meeting held in June of the First Year. In choosing the languages to be studied in the Year Abroad, students should be aware that one of them must be continued in Fourth Arts (World Languages).

Two Languages

Students register for 10 credits of World Language modules, plus option A or B (at least one language must be continued from First Year)

Module List

Code	Title	Credits
Option A
World Languages modules		10
Select twenty-five credits each in any two of these languages:		50
French
Gaeilge/Irish
German
Italian
Spanish
Option B
World Languages modules		10
Select thirty credits in one of these languages:		30
Chinese
French
Gaeilge/Irish
German
Italian
Spanish
Select twenty credits in one of these languages:		20
French
Gaeilge/Irish
German
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Portuguese
Spanish

Three Languages

Students register for 10 credits of World Language modules, plus option A or B or C or D (at least one language must be continued from First Year)

Module List

Code	Title	Credits
Option A
World Languages modules		10
Select twenty-five credits in one of these languages:		25
French
Gaeilge/Irish
German
Italian
Spanish
Select fifteen credits in one of these languages:		15
Chinese 1
French
Gaeilge/Irish
German
Italian
Japanese 1
Korean 1
Latin
Portuguese
Spanish
Select ten credits in one of these languages:		10
Chinese
English
French
Gaeilge/Irish
German
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Latin
Portuguese
Spanish
Option B
World Languages modules		10
Select thirty credits in one of these languages:		30
Chinese
French
Gaeilge/Irish
German
Italian
Spanish
Select ten credits each in any two of these languages:		10
Chinese
English
French
Gaeilge/Irish
German
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Latin
Portuguese
Spanish
Option C
World Languages modules		10
twenty credits in any two of these languages		20
Chinese
French
Gaeilge/Irish
German
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Portuguese
Spanish
Select ten credits in one of these languages:		10
Chinese
English
French
Gaeilge/Irish
German
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Latin
Portuguese
Spanish
Option D
World Languages modules		10
Select twenty credits in one of these languages:		20
Chinese 1
French
Gaeilge/Irish
German
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Portuguese
Spanish
Select fifteen credits in any two of these languages:		15
Chinese 1
French
Gaeilge/Irish
German
Italian
Japanese 1
Korean 1
Latin
Portuguese
Spanish

¹

Note: Only available as a 15-credit subject if taken as a new language in Second Arts (world Languages).

Notes

• Students must continue at least one language studied in First Arts (World Languages) throughout the four years of the programme.
• Programme Requirements are listed below by language.
• New subjects may be added in Second Arts (World Languages) subject to timetable constraints.
• Please note that some modules may be taught in the evening: a full timetable will be available in advance of registration.

Programme Requirements for Language Choices begin here.

Third Year - Arts (World Languages)

Students complete the Third Year of BA (World Languages) by choosing Option 1 below. In exceptional circumstances, Option 2 or 3 may be chosen.

1. Students spend the Third Year Abroad
2. Students for whom travel restrictions are in place in the host country spend the Third Year at UCC
3. Students for whom travel restrictions are in place in the host country spend One Semester Abroad and One Semester at UCC.

Students are reminded that if they wish to transfer from the BA (World Languages) - CK110 to the BA - CK101, they may do so at the start of Semester 1 by submitting a student request form to the Office of the College of Arts, Celtic Studies, and Social Sciences.

1. Students spending Third Year Abroad
   
   Students spend Third Arts (World Languages), at an approved partner institution or at an approved partner institution and on an approved work placement in one or two countries of the languages studied: students taking English as a Second or Other Language or Gaeilge/Irish must spend the Third Year of their programme studying at an approved university and/or on a work placement in one or two of the countries of the other language or languages studied. Subject to a sufficient number of credits being taken in First and Second Arts (World Languages), as specified in the requirements for individual languages, students may spend either two semesters in one country (study at partner institution or at a partner institution and work placement), or one semester at a partner institution in one country and one semester studying or on a work placement in a second country. Students will be assessed by their host university and, in the case of work placements, by the Work Placement Module, LL3901 International Work Placement (20 credits) and the Online Language Module, LL3902 or HS3012 Online Advanced Spanish Language (B2) (10 credits). The Third Year will be assessed entirely on a Pass/Fail basis.
   
   Note:
   • Students will be consulted regarding study and work placements, but there is no guarantee that they can be accommodated exactly as they wish.
   • Students will be advised of the partner institutions in the meeting held in June of the First Year.
   • Students are encouraged to take the initiative in organising work placements themselves, this being a valuable learning experience in itself, but this will be facilitated by the Board of Studies in collaboration with the Careers Service. All placements must be approved by the Board of Studies.
   • Please note that work placements in China, Japan and Korea will not initially be available.
   • One of the languages taken in Third Arts (World Languages) must be continued on return to UCC for Fourth Arts (World Languages).
2. Students spending Third Year in UCC
   
   This option is only available to students (1) where travel restrictions are in place in their host country as a result of Covid-19 or (2) whose host university is no longer able to accept international students as a result of Covid-19.
   
   In Third Arts (World Languages) students must take a total of 60 credits for the Year, chosen in agreement with their Departments and Programme Director. At least one of the languages studied in First Arts (World Languages) and Second Arts (World Languages) must be continued in Third Arts (World Languages).
   
   No electives may be repeated from Second Year modules (i.e. if these modules have already been taken); modules chosen from Final Year (including one of the electives from WL4101 Language and Power, WL4102 Languages and Information Technologies, WL4103 Introduction to Translation Studies) may not be taken again in Fourth Arts (World Languages).
3. Students spending One Semester Abroad and One Semester in UCC
   
   In some instances, students may complete one semester in UCC and one semester abroad taking a total of 60 credits for the year, in agreement with the Programme Director.
   
   This option is only available to students (1) where travel restrictions are in place in their host country as a result of Covid-19 or (2) whose host university is no longer able to accept international students as a result of Covid-19.
   
   No electives may be repeated from Second Year modules (i.e. if these modules have already been taken); modules chosen from Final Year (including one of the electives from WL4101 Language and Power, WL4102 Languages and Information Technologies, WL4103 Introduction to Translation Studies) may not be taken again in Fourth Arts (World Languages).
   
   Note: Students studying in UCC in Semester 2 may not select modules for which they do not have the relevant pre- and co- requisites.
   
   Where students spend one semester in UCC they will be required to take modules to the value of 30 credits. These must be agreed with the relevant Department and the Programme Director.

Fourth Year - Arts (World Languages)

No student may register for Fourth Arts (World Languages) until he/she has passed the Third University Examination in Arts (World Languages). The selection of any module is conditional on the Professor or Lecturer concerned and the College being satisfied that a student is capable of profiting by attendance thereat. Students may not select modules which involve a timetable clash.

In Fourth Arts (World Languages), students take 10 credits of designated World Languages modules, plus two or three languages from those listed below, including at least one continued from First Year and studied during the Second Year and the Third Year abroad, for a total of 50 credits in any of the following combinations: 50; 40+10; 25+25; 30+20; 20+15+15; 20+20+10; 25+15+10; 30+10+10. N.B. Students may not take more than one 15 credit new subject (including Teaching English as a Foreign Language) in Fourth Arts (World Languages). As for Second Year, students will be made aware of the fact that their choices may determine postgraduate and teaching options.

Major Language

Students register for 10 credits of World Language modules, plus 50 credits of French, German, Italian or Spanish (this language must have been studied from First Year)

Module List

Code	Title	Credits
World Languages modules		10
Select fifty credits in one of these languages:		50
French
German
Italian
Spanish

Two Languages

Students register for 10 credits of World Language modules, plus option A or B (at least one language must be continued from First Year)

Module List

Code	Title	Credits
Option A
World Languages modules		10
Select twenty-five credits each in any two of these languages:		50
French
Gaeilge/Irish
German
Italian
Spanish
Option B
World Languages modules		10
Select thirty credits in one of these languages:		30
Chinese
French
Gaeilge/Irish
German
Italian
Spanish
Select twenty credits in one of these languages:		20
Chinese
French
Gaeilge/Irish
German
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Portuguese
Spanish
Option C
World Languages modules		10
Select forty credits in one of these languages:		40
French
German
Italian
Spanish
Select ten credits in one of these languages:		10
Chinese
English
French
Gaeilge/Irish
German
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Latin
Portuguese
Spanish

Three Languages

Students register for 10 credits of World Language modules, plus option A or B or C or D (at least one language must be continued from First Year)

Module List

Code	Title	Credits
Option A
World Languages modules		10
Select twenty-five credits in one of these languages:		25
French
Gaeilge/Irish
German
Italian
Spanish
Select fifteen credits in one of these languages:		15
Chinese 1
French
Gaeilge/Irish
German
Italian
Japanese 1
Korean 1
Latin
Portuguese
Spanish
Teaching English
Select ten credits in one of these languages:		10
Chinese
English
French
Gaeilge/Irish
German
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Latin
Portuguese
Spanish
Option B
World Languages modules		10
Select thirty credits in one of these languages:		30
Chinese
French
Gaeilge/Irish
German
Italian
Spanish
Select ten credits each in any two of these languages:		10
Chinese
English
French
Gaeilge/Irish
German
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Latin
Portuguese
Spanish
Option C
World Languages modules		10
twenty credits in any two of these languages		20
Chinese
French
Gaeilge/Irish
German
Japanese
Korean
Italian
Portuguese
Spanish
Select ten credits in one of these languages:		10
Chinese
English
French
Gaeilge/Irish
German
Italian
Japanese
Latin
Portuguese
Spanish
Option D
World Languages modules		10
Select twenty credits in one of these languages:		20
Chinese
French
Gaeilge/Irish
German
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Portuguese
Spanish
Select fifteen credits in any two of these languages:		15
Chinese 1
French
Gaeilge/Irish
German
Italian
Japanese 1
Korean 1
Latin
Portuguese
Spanish
Teaching English

¹

Note: Only available as a 15-credit subject if taken as a new language in Second Arts (world Languages).

Notes

• Students must continue at least one language studied in First and Second Arts (World Languages) and in Third Arts (World Languages) – the Year Abroad.
• Programme Requirements are listed below by language.
• New subjects may be added in Fourth Arts (World Languages) subject to timetable constraints.
• Please note that some modules may be taught in the evening: a full timetable will be available in advance of registration.

Programme Requirements for Language Choices begin here.

Programme Requirements

For information about modules, module choice, options and credit weightings, please go to Programme Requirements. 

Programme Requirements

First Arts (World Languages)

Module List

Code	Title	Credits
Year 1
WL1101	Language: Sounds and Structures	10
WL1103	Becoming Multilingual	5
Select three languages (15 credits each) from the following:		45
Chinese
English as a Second Language (ESOL)
French
Gaeilge/Irish
German
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Latin
Portuguese
Spanish
Year 2
WL2101	Intercultural Communication	5
WL2102	Introduction to Semiotics	5
Select 50 credits of language modules: 1		50
30 Credits
Chinese
French
Gaeilge/Irish
German
Italian
Spanish
25 Credits
French
Gaeilge/Irish
German
Italian
Spanish
20 Credits
Chinese
French
Gaeilge/Irish
German
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Portuguese
Spanish
15 Credits
French
Gaeilge/Irish
German
Italian
Latin
Portuguese
Spanish
15 Credits (New Subject)
Chinese
German
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Latin
Portuguese
Spanish
10 Credits
Chinese
English as a Second Language (ESOL)
French
Gaeilge/Irish
German
Italian
Japanese
Latin
Portuguese
Spanish
Year 3
Select one of the following options: 2		60
Option 1: Students spend the Third Year Abroad
Option 2: Students spend the Third Year at UCC 3
Option 3: Students spend One Semester Abroad and One Semester at UCC 3
Year 4
Select two of the following:		10
WL4101	Language and Power (5)
WL4102	Languages and Information Technologies (5)
WL4103	Introduction to Translation Studies (5)
Select 50 credits of language modules: 4		50
50 Credits
French
German
Italian
Spanish
40 Credits
French
German
Italian
Spanish
30 Credits
Chinese
French
Gaeilge/Irish
German
Italian
Spanish
25 Credits
French
Gaeilge/Irish
German
Italian
Spanish
20 Credits
Chinese
French
Gaeilge/Irish
German
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Portuguese
Spanish
15 Credits
Chinese
French
Gaeilge/Irish
German
Italian
Latin
Portuguese
Spanish
15 Credits (New Subject)
Chinese
German
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Latin
Portuguese
Spanish
Teaching English as a Foreign Language
10 Credits 5
Chinese
English as a Second Language (ESOL)
French
Gaeilge/Irish
German
Italian
Japanese
Latin
Portuguese
Spanish
Total Credits		240

¹

in any of the following combinations: 25+25; 30+20; 20+15+15; 20+20+10; 25+15+10; 30+10+10

²

Students complete the Third Year of BA (World Languages) by choosing Option 1 below. In exceptional circumstances, Option 2 or 3 may be chosen.

³

Students for whom travel restrictions are in place in the host country.

⁴

in any of the following combinations: 50; 40+10; 25+25; 30+20; 20+15+15; 20+20+10; 25+15+10; 30+10+10

⁵

continued from First and/or Second Arts (World Languages)

Programme Learning Outcomes

Programme Learning Outcomes for BA (Hons) (World Languages) NFQ Level 8, Major Award

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

1
1-1
demonstrate a high level of linguistic competence in each of the languages studied, and at a level commensurate with the number of credits taken;
1-2
2
read texts at an appropriate level in each of the languages studied and perform tasks based on their comprehension;
1-3
3
communicate in writing at an appropriate level and in a range of registers in each of the languages studied;
1-4
4
perform tasks based on aural comprehension and communicate orally at an appropriate level and in a range of registers in each of the languages studied;
1-5
5
demonstrate awareness of aspects of non-linguistic communication relevant to each of the languages studied;
1-6
6
engage in meta-linguistic discourse: i.e. discuss, describe and analyse language as a system;
1-7
7
read and analyse a range of texts (including film and audio-visual texts) pertaining to the culture(s) of one or more of the languages studied;
1-8
8
convey their knowledge in critical essays and oral presentations, using the critical vocabulary and methodologies of the relevant disciplines.

*** Only for Incoming First Years and Repeat First Years 2024/2025 ***
*** Click here for Marks and Standards for all other years ***

Marks and Standards

These Marks and Standards should be read in conjunction with the Programme Requirements and the Book of Modules.

Fitness to Practise

All students on programmes subject to Fitness to Practise in UCC will be required to comply with the Fitness to Practise Policy and meet the relevant Fitness to Practise standards, in order to progress to the next year of his/her/their programme. Click here for a list of programmes subject to the Fitness to Practise Policy.

Marks and Credits

Students are required to take modules to the value of 60 credits.
Total Marks for year: 1200.

First Year - Pass and Progression Criteria

To pass first year and progress to second year, students must achieve:

1. An aggregate mark of 40% across all modules,
2. A pass mark in modules to the value of at least 50 credits, and
3. A module mark of at least 30% in any remaining modules.

Pass by Compensation: Students who satisfy each of the above criteria are allowed to compensate in modules to the value of 10 credits and pass the year overall.

Award of Honours in the Degree Award

An honours classification is awarded for the final degree using the final year examination results and marks carried forward from the penultimate year. The aggregate of 33.33% of the penultimate year marks plus 66.67% of the final year marks will be used to calculate the final degree award.

Honours will be awarded as follows:

1. First Class Honours: ≥ 70%
2. Second Class Honours, Grade I: ≥ 60% and <70%
3. Second Class Honours, Grade II: ≥ 50% and <60%
4. Pass: ≥ 40% and <50%

Award of Honours when a student undertakes Study Abroad
When students study abroad as part of his/her/their degree programme, the calculation of the final degree award is based on modules in the Book of Modules only.

Examination Boards

• Provisional marks for Semester 1 examinations are released in January/February of each year. These marks are subject to approval at the University Examination Board.
• Marks for all modules taken in Semester 1 and 2, including those wholly assessed by Continuous Assessment, will be presented to the University Examination Board at the end of Semester 2.

Supplemental Examinations and Assessment

• Students who fail to achieve the progression standard for the year at the Summer Examination Board must complete Supplemental Examinations and/or Continuous Assessment for those specific module(s), where there is provision to do so.
• Please refer to the Book of Modules for requirements governing the Supplemental Examination and Assessment for individual modules. Note: For some modules there is no Supplemental Examination and Assessment.
• The marks achieved in the Supplemental Examinations and/or Continuous Assessment of a repeat module are considered at the Autumn Examination Board.
• The actual mark achieved by the candidate in the Supplemental or Repeat Year Examination will be recorded on the student record (Academic Transcript).
• The maximum mark that will be taken into account for aggregation and progression purposes is a pass level, unless the student has been granted a cap waiver or deferral by the University Mitigation Committee, or a University Examination Board, or has been approved to defer the previous attempt by the University Mitigation Committee.
• At the Autumn Examination Board, marks from all passed modules approved at the Summer Examination Board are carried forward and are combined with the marks achieved in Supplemental Examinations and/or Assessments. The pass and progression criteria are applied to the aggregate mark achieved.

Note: The mark achieved at the last examination/assessment attempt is the mark that is included in the calculation of the aggregate mark for pass and progression purposes.

Study Abroad

• When students study abroad as part of his/her/their degree programme, they will be assessed by his/her/their host university.
• To pass the study abroad period and progress to the subsequent year, a student must achieve a pass standard as applied by the host institution.
• A Pass/Fail judgement will be presented to the UCC Examination Boards:
  • At the Summer Examination Board for students spending Semester 1 abroad.
  • At the Autumn/Winter Examination Board for students spending the full academic year abroad or Semester 2 only.
• For students failing to achieve a pass mark, Supplemental Assessment will be prescribed by the School in UCC, and these results will be presented at a Winter Examination Board.

Exemptions

All passed modules carry an exemption, which is limited to a period of five academic years (or two in the case of Computer Science modules) subsequent to the award of the exemption.

Repeat Year Examinations

Students repeating the year may do so choosing one of the following mechanisms:

1. Students retain module exemptions, if any, and must repeat all failed/absent modules, including those modules where the failing mark previously achieved was greater than the level of compensation (≥ 30%) but who failed to achieve the progression standard for the year (see above). The pass and progression criteria are then applied to the combination of full marks achieved in modules passed at the first attempt, plus capped marks achieved in modules in the Repeat Year Examinations.​

Note: For students selecting different modules not previously taken, there are no restrictions on the marks awarded for those modules at the first attempt in a repeat year. The selection of different modules by the student means that the student foregoes any previous marks achieved in the original modules (including previously passed modules).

2. Students may forego all module exemptions achieved and repeat the year choosing modules to the value of the full 60 credits. In determining pass and progression, there is no restriction on the marks awarded for modules taken at the first attempt of the Repeat Year. Modules taken at the subsequent Supplemental Examination and Assessment are capped at the pass mark.

Subject to capacity, all students - whether they have failed or passed - are allowed to choose this second option, in an attempt to improve his/her/their grade.

Students repeating the final year are eligible for the award of Honours in the first Repeat Year only. Final year students wishing to repeat the year with a view to improving his/her/their degree result may do so only if they have not been conferred.

Three Year Rule

Students must pass/progress within three academic years of the date of first registration for a year, otherwise they cannot continue in the programme.

Terms and Definitions

Programme Description

• The programme description is outlined in the Programme Requirements tab.

Module Descriptions/Assessment

• Module descriptions, including the pass standard for a module, special requirements to pass a module, and assessment elements and their weightings, are contained in the Book of Modules.

Marks and Credits

• A maximum of 100 marks may be awarded for every five credits of a programme.
• Some modules are assessed on a Pass/Fail basis only, i.e. marks are not awarded.

Pass and Progression

• Progression is defined as the permission granted to a student to register in the subsequent academic year for the next set of modules within his/her/their programme of study.
• Compensation is defined as the process by which a student, who fails to satisfy some of the regulations for credit in a specific module, is nevertheless recommended for credit to be awarded on the grounds that the failure is offset by his/her/their performance in the other modules on his/her/their programme of study.