Expand+How To Register?
Students can provisionally register and book their Open Learning module on our website (www.ucd.ie/all/study/openlearning), over the phone (01 716 7123) or in person, at the UCD Access and Lifelong Learning Centre.

Provisional ...

Hide-How To Register?
Students can provisionally register and book their Open Learning module on our website (www.ucd.ie/all/study/openlearning), over the phone (01 716 7123) or in person, at the UCD Access and Lifelong Learning Centre.

Provisional registration for 2017-18 will open on Tuesday 8th August 2017.

Registering for Semester 2:
Our dedicated Semester II brochure will be released in early December. You can also find more details of our Semester 2 modules on our website. Provisional registration for Semester 2 will open from Tuesday 8th August 2017.

Confirming Your Registration?
Your registration will be provisional until you confirm it online. After you’ve booked and paid for your module you will receive an email. Please read this email carefully as it will:

• confirm your student number

• tell you how to confirm your registration by logging into the UCD system (UCD Connect)

• give you information on how to upload your photo and get your student card It’s important to confirm your registration, otherwise you can’t collect your student card, see your timetable or access your exam results.

Expand+Open Learning Fee (audit only) €350 per module

Open Learning Fee (with assessment) €500 per 5 credit module

Upgrading from audit to credit: You may upgrade from being an audit student to a credit student up to three weeks into term. Please no...

Hide-Open Learning Fee (audit only) €350 per module

Open Learning Fee (with assessment) €500 per 5 credit module

Upgrading from audit to credit: You may upgrade from being an audit student to a credit student up to three weeks into term. Please note, however, that you can't change back to being an audit student - if you decide not to complete the assignments and/or sit the exams, this will appear on your academic record.

Concessions
There are no concessions available for Open Learning modules.

Refunds
Refunds may in some instances be available for extenuating circumstances, such as serious illness, within two weeks of the start of the module. Requests for refunds must be submitted in writing, with supporting documents where appropriate.

Expand+Open Learning at UCD
UCD Open Learning is an innovative and unique approach to part-time study in UCD. You can choose from a wide range of undergraduate modules for either audit or credit. There are no entry requirements to the programme - you just...

Hide-Open Learning at UCD
UCD Open Learning is an innovative and unique approach to part-time study in UCD. You can choose from a wide range of undergraduate modules for either audit or credit. There are no entry requirements to the programme - you just need to find a module or modules that interest you and register!

What Level is my Module? What Does This Mean?
Each module is assigned a level. We recommend that you begin Open Learning with level 1 modules. The levels represent academic progression, with the higher levels assuming that you have already mastered the key concepts and skills required for academic writing and critical reflection.

Guidance
Before registering for a module, please take the time to read the module descriptor and if you’ve any further questions, please get in touch with us.

Credit Option
If you opt to take a module for credit, this means that you’ve committed to participating in the module and taking the assessment. Every module that is successfully completed is worth 5 credits towards your award. Upon successful completion of your module(s), you can access your Academic Transcript online via SISWeb, free of charge.

Audit Option
Alternatively, you can choose to take a module for audit, which allows you to fully participate in the modules without taking any assessments. As an audit student you will not receive any credits or qualifications as you will not sit any assessments.

Upgrading to Credit
If you are unsure about whether you want to take a module for credit, we’d encourage you to first register for audit. You will have three weeks from the start of the semester to upgrade to credit. Remember to choose wisely, as it isn’t possible to apply for a partial refund of fees if you change your mind. Students who have taken modules for credit cite a number of reasons for doing this:

• Motivated to earn credits for their learning

• Have a preference for the structures and deadlines imposed when taking a course for credit

• Consider that they learn more when they are required to complete assignments and study

• Like the idea that they have the potential to add to their accredited modules in the future

Duration of Module / Missing Classes
UCD modules are typically 12 weeks, however, there can be some exceptions to this. We’d recommend that you review the module descriptor for your chosen module to ensure that you know how many contact hours are involved. Unfortunately classes may be cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances, it is at the discretion of the lecturer as to whether they offer a replacement class. Class cancellations are often announced on Blackboard, so it’s important to check this on a regular basis.

Tutorials / Practicals
Some modules will have tutorials, labs or practicals, which Open Learning students can also attend. If your chosen module offers one of these options, we’ll contact you and help you select the most appropriate option for you. They usually commence in Week 2 or 3 of term.

Awards Structure
You can opt to take any combination of modules towards an award. In September 2016, ALL introduced two new awards for Open Learning – the Certificate in Open Learning (30 ECT) and the Diploma in Open Learning (60 ECT). These are designed for students who are interested in accumulating credits towards an award. There is no time limit on credit accumulation, so this can be achieved over successive semesters or over a longer period of time.

Assessment / Results
Students who choose to take a module for credit, should ensure that they have familiarised themselves with the assessment for the module. The exam schedule will not be published until early November, but the majority of end of term assessment will take place from 11th-22nd December 2017. Provisional results for Semester I will not be released until January 2018.

Fees Per Module
Audit €350
Credit €500

Expand+School of Politics and International Relations
UCD School of Politics and International Relations (SPIRe) is a dynamic, multi-faceted and highly-international school offering exciting and professionally-valuable programmes of study at the undergrad...

Hide-School of Politics and International Relations
UCD School of Politics and International Relations (SPIRe) is a dynamic, multi-faceted and highly-international school offering exciting and professionally-valuable programmes of study at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The QS University Rankings by Subject 2017 placed SPIRe at #51-100 in the world and No. 1 in Ireland by subject. Our academic staff are engaged in cutting-edge research on a wide variety of political issues, including ethno-political conflict, human rights, and Ireland’s role in the European Union, to name just a few. The School is also home to three research centres: the UN-linked Centre for Sustainable Development Solutions, the Dublin European Institute, and the Institute for British-Irish Studies.

The objective of this course is to introduce students to the workings of the Irish political system. We start by locating Irish politics in comparative terms, showing how unusual a political system it is in comparison to other European states. The course then examines the historical, constitutional, social and political context of Irish politics. It deals with the ground rules within which Irish elections take place, the evolution of the Irish party system, and voting behaviour in elections and referendums. The course examines the operation of the main political institutions: the Dail, the Seanad, the government, the judiciary and major offices such as those of President and Taoiseach. Other important forums for political activity are also considered. This course will be taught entirely by lectures; there will be no tutorials.