Please read before deciding on a course

[u/Content-Culture-9928]

Hi everyone, I’m not sure if this might come a little late since some of you may have already accepted your offers, but I wanted to share something I wish I had known before starting college. This isn’t to scare anyone, just to give you more info so you can make the best decision for yourself.

Long story short: during the academic year I went through a lot of personal difficulties. I was granted “extenuating circumstances,” but I still had to resit some exams over the summer. That meant teaching myself those modules in just 2–3 months. I spent the entire summer studying, barely leaving the house.

Even with that effort, I just missed the pass mark in one module. Because of how my college structures repeats, I now have to spend an entire year redoing only that single module. On top of that, I won’t receive the same financial support (like SUSI), and my graduation will be delayed by a full year.

I know it’s easy to think, “That won’t happen to me,” but the truth is that unexpected things can happen in life, and the way colleges handle repeats can really affect you.

My situation is really frustrating, especially knowing that not every college in Ireland has this rule. Some allow you to progress with one or two failed modules and make them up later, while still moving on to the next year, and being able to graduate on time.

I won’t name my own college, but I really encourage you to look into your college’s rules on repeating modules. If I had known how this worked before choosing my college, I honestly don’t think I would have picked it.

I really hope this information is helpful to you all. I know I would have found it extremely useful before starting college, especially as the first person in my family to attend college, I wasn’t as aware as others might be of the key things to consider when choosing a course.

If anyone has any questions feel free to ask!

[u/blueishbagels]

can you not just ask them can you continue into the next year and just do an extra module at the same time no

[u/Content-Culture-9928 → u/blueishbagels]

in certain colleges you are able to do that! but in a few (including mine) you cannot progress into the next year without passing every module. thank you for your question! if you have anymore don’t be afraid to ask :)

[u/Dan_Ye2612 → u/Content-Culture-9928]

Does that apply to just Year 1 students or all years?

[u/Content-Culture-9928 → u/Dan_Ye2612]

good question! it’s all years unfortunately, it’s most common in first year but it’s still a possibility up until u graduate, it can even happen multiple times

[u/Dan_Ye2612 → u/Content-Culture-9928]

Ahh ok. What is exactly the pass mark in universities? Is it still 40%?

[u/Content-Culture-9928 → u/Dan_Ye2612]

it can depend on the course, but the majority of courses are a 40% for a pass

[u/Chat_noir_dusoir → u/Content-Culture-9928]

Keep in mind that, for some subjects, you absolutely do need the basis learned in the previous year to understand the current year's curriculum. As frustrating as it is, your situation can happen to anyone, even in colleges that allow progress & carry, if the module is essential, or too many credits to carry.

[u/Ok-Committee-5190]

also, even in colleges that allow you to 'carry a deficit' , you will have to pay to do that additional module the next year. Not all modules will be able to be carried/there's a limit of credits you can.

On a more positive note, I do know in some colleges you may be allowed to progress even if you didn't pass a required module if you drop the subject (usually in the first year of arts degrees)

[u/Delicious_Spend_5713]

Would you not tell us which college so we can avoid?

[u/Content-Culture-9928 → u/Delicious_Spend_5713]

As far as i am aware, this is the case for Trinity, DCU, UCC, and possibly Maynooth? there may be others that this is the case for, which is why i did not state specific colleges initially, i thought it may urge people to look at their specific courses they’re deciding between and determine whether this issue is relevant to their courses. I am also aware that in some places the rule varies depending on courses, but in colleges such as the ones i mentioned, to my knowledge, you need to pass every module to progress into the next year. I hope this was helpful and I wish you the best of luck with deciding and if you have any questions i can possibly help with let me know!

[u/Responsible-Soil-204 → u/Content-Culture-9928]

Can confirm that you are correct about MU, at least for Education courses

[u/Delicious_Spend_5713 → u/Content-Culture-9928]

Thank you

[u/midnight_barberr]

Wow, that's shocking. Is there no way you can go on to the next year and repeat the module as well no? I'm so sorry though and thanks for sharing

[u/Content-Culture-9928 → u/midnight_barberr]

In certain colleges you are allowed to go into the next year and do that module in the next year aswell, some colleges also offer an option to allow u to sit that module the next summer so u can finish your degree on time, unfortunately in my college this isn’t allowed, they do not allow you to progress into the next year without finishing every module of ur current year if that makes sense. Thank you for your comment!

[u/undercoverdrr → u/midnight_barberr]

in trinity at least you absolutely cannot progress to the next yr if you fail even a single module in resits