19
Jargon Buster – Modules, Programmes, Levels
All courses in NUI Galway are made up of ‘modules’. These are usually described by a set of ‘Learning Outcomes’ that state what you should be able to do after successfully completing the module and a number of ‘ECTS’ credits. ECTS is basically an indicator of how big the module
is. A module that is rated at 5 ECTS, for example, means that you need to spend at least 100 hours of concerted effort (including lectures, exams and self-study) in order to complete it satisfactorily. A module that is 10 ECTS, requires double that effort.
A whole year’s worth of modules (if you are a full-time student) should total up to 60 ECTS (30 in each semester). To be awarded the credits for a module you must have successfully completed it in terms of attendance, participation, coursework and examinations.
Optional Modules: Options that you can choose within your course
Core Modules: Modules that you must study as part of your course
A ‘programme’ is a whole degree course, made up of all the individual modules.
All of our degree programmes are recognised by employers and other educational institutions and comply with international agreements on course structure (the ‘Bologna Process’). All programmes are subject to regular quality reviews where the quality of the teaching and learning is scrutinised by an external panel with international experts in the subject. Every programme also has an ‘external examiner’ (a senior academic from another university) who oversees the final decisions about grades, checks the examination papers and processes and guarantees that the quality of our courses and graduates compare well with the standards in the subject.
An undergraduate honours degree (BA, BSc, BComm, etc) is a ‘level 8’ qualification. A Masters would be level 9 and a PhD level 10. So what does this mean in practice? Well, that you must attend all the scheduled classes, spend time every week on reading, studying and working through course materials. There’s still plenty of time to socialize and get involved in clubs and sports! The lectures, labs, tutorials
STUDENTS MUST ACTIVATE THEIR
!
CASS ACCOUNT TO HAVE ACCESS TO BLACKBOARD.
and other classes, combined with the textbooks, online materials, and the library are
all resources that the university provides to help you succeed. At the end of the day, though, success depends on your own efforts. But the good news
is that we know that it is possible to not only succeed in the
assessments and feel a sense of achievement at having learned new knowledge and skills, but also to enjoy being a student in your chosen subject. Your final qualification will be well-regarded and recognised internationally by employers and other educational institutions across the world.
The University hopes that you will be a member of our academic community. That you will be able to get the most out of being in a city of ideas and learning not just about the basics of your subject but also get a feel for the latest research, the big ideas, the debates and where future opportunities lie for further study, research or employment.
NUI Galway | Student Guide 2016
Galway | Student Guide 2018/19 |
www.nuigalway.ie 4/17
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