Academic FAQs

For some courses there is no choice in subjects so don’t worry about submitting your subject choice. However for the majority of students this is necessary and is very important to future opportunities in further education. The most important piece of advice is submit your choice early (there is some modules that are very popular).

Also:

• Research your choices….don’t forget to look at the book of modules online this will describe the module in detail and the marking scheme.
• Go with what you like not what’s popular! Remember you still have to pass the module and there’s nothing worse than having to spend hours on a subject that you don’t like.

 You should never be late with assignments without consulting with your lecturer/tutor beforehand. If you have a genuine reason for your late submission they will probably allow you extra time but don’t rely on this you are always better off consulting with them before the deadline. If you are late and not given extra time you will be either deducted a percentage off your grade or given a zero. The marking scheme for each module is in the book of modules. Whatever it says in this is gospel there is no changing of the marking scheme outlined there!

For example if your lecturer gives you a surprise quiz and uses this mark as continuous assessment it needs to be outlined in the book of modules that an exact percentage of the overall year marks will be given for in class exams. Basically if it doesn’t say anything about in class exams being used as marks for the module then you cannot be graded on the surprise test!

Most of us consider this at one point or another maybe when we have a horribly long assignment to do or sitting in a class we don’t really find that interesting but remember first year is very different to second year and the same for third year compared to second .I know for myself I found my classes very generalised in first year but that certainly changed in second year! Before you make any definite plans there is a few people you should talk to this is not a light decision to be made. Discuss this with your fellow classmates, the Students’ Union officers(it’s what we’re here for), some students in the years ahead of you and the staff in your department.

If you do decide to change course you have two main options:

• Apply through the CAO: CAO applications close on the 1^st of February. Late applications must be received by the 1^st of May, but the later application will cost you more. For more information check out the website www.cao.ie.
• Applying to a related course: you can sometimes change from one college course to another on the grounds that they are related. However, these opportunities are limited.

The exam timetables are published approx. a month prior to exam sittings. You can access your timetable through your IT service account on the UCC website. You will need to enter your student number and PIN number to enter this portal where you email account is also found.

 It’s the same way as getting your exam timetable (Click Here) but remember that if you don’t pay your registration fee you will be unable to access your results. Any queries about exam results can be answered by the Exam and Records office. Or if you want to talk to someone about your results or anything to do with exams just send an email or call in to my office.