BA Public & Social Policy – FAQ
NB The following is intended as a general guide only. We will endeavour to keep
answers as accurate as possible, but no responsibility is taken for errors, as
information may become outdated. In case of doubt, students should consult the
Course Co-ordinator or the Arts Faculty Administrator.
Q: What exams do I have in first year, and when are they held?
A: All first year exams are held at the end of the year, except for Irish Legal System
(end of semester 1, before Christmas) and EC106 (no exam; continuous
assessment in semester 1).
Q: I am in first year, how are marks calculated in the different subjects?
A: In first year only, marks are aggregated for some modules which are combined to
form Subjects. Thus, the marks for the three Legal Policy modules (Law and
Social Policy, Irish Legal Systems and Public Law 1) are aggregated, and the
student gets the average grade for the subject Legal Policy. The student must pass
the subject, rather than the individual component modules. The same applies in
Economics and Sociological & Political Studies. Marks for Public & Social
Policy in Ireland and Introduction to Research in Public & Social Policy are not
aggregated with other modules to form a larger subject.
Q: I am in second/third year, how are marks calculated in the different
subjects?
A: The programme is made up of individual modules. Credit is awarded for each
module and you need to complete 60 credits (ECTS). All modules are separately
graded, there is no aggregation.
Q: I am in first year, what are the rules regarding compensation? Do I have to
pass every subject?
A: Of the 60 credits (ECTS) that must be passed, you can compensate in up to 15
ECTS worth of subjects, provided you have at least 35% in that subject, have not
failed anything else and have a surplus equal to double the deficiency in the
subjects you have passed. E.g. if you get 35% in Economics, and this the only
subject in which you have less than 40%, you must have at least 10 marks to spare
in the subjects you have passed.
Q: How are honours calculated, and what honours are available in each year?
A: First class honours (70%) and second class honours (60%) may be awarded in
first year. In second or third year, students may obtain first class honours (70%),
2.1 honours (60%), 2.2 honours (50%), third class honours (45%) or pass (40%).
Honours are awarded on the aggregate of results obtained in all modules taken in
the relevant year. The degree award is based on the performance in the final year
alone or, if it is to the student’s advantage, on the average of second and third year
combined.
Q: My overall result for the year is Fail, what should I do?
A: You will need to re-sit the failed modules in the autumn (or if you failed in the
autumn, you will need to wait till the next exam sitting). You should also attend
on the student consultation day in summer to discuss the results and how to
prepare for the repeat exams with the relevant lecturer/s.
Q: I have to re-sit my exam in the autumn, does this mean I can’t get honours?
A: No, you can still get honours as there is no cap on repeat grades for Arts students
(unlike students of some other faculties).
Q: I failed the year, should I repeat internally or externally?
A: This is at the student’s discretion, except where you decide to replace some of the
modules you have failed with new modules that you have not attended already –
you must attend these and pay for them. The fees are lower if you repeat
externally than if you formally register as an internal repeat. However, you may
find it harder to study if you are working and repeating externally. You may also
be unaware of any changes in the course content or exam. If you decide to repeat
externally, make sure you contact the relevant lecturer/s early in the term to find
out about any changes to the course. There is little point contacting a lecturer the
week before the exam and finding out that the entire course has changed.
Q: Do I have any optional subjects in first/second/third year?
A: All subjects are compulsory in first year. There is one option in second year, in
semester 2, when students must choose between Modern Political Thought and
Political Sociology. Third years have two options (10 ECTS) per semester (20
ECTS total), which may be selected from any of the options offered by the
Departments of Law, Economics and Political Science & Sociology.
Q: Where do I find out what options are available in third year?
A: All current options are listed in the student handbook provided by the Arts
Faculty Office. If you are repeating the year you need to consult the Programme
Co-ordinator or the Arts Faculty Office.
Q: Are there any restrictions on the options I take in third year?
A: There are no restrictions in principle, but note that it may not always be possible
to take all your preferred options, due to timetabling clashes. Also, the numbers in
Soc & Pol options are capped, so you need to register with the Department of
Political Science & Sociology as early as possible for any Soc & Pol options. No
departmental registration is required for Law or Economics modules, as numbers
there are not capped.
Q: How should I go about choosing my options in third year?
A: One way to choose is simply to pick what seems most interesting, or what you are
good at – e.g. perhaps your marks in Law have always been higher than in
Economics, or vice versa. However, you may also wish to choose options that
examine a particular area from different perspectives, e.g. each of the three
departments involved with the BAPSP offers modules related to issues such as
crime, work or the environment. A third possibility is to specialise in one of the
particular streams, e.g. Economics, and to take only options offered by that
department. This can be useful if you plan to specialise in a particular area later
on. Finally, bear in mind when/how the option will be examined. If you take two
year-long options, you may have a lot of exams at the end of the year. If you take
four semesterised modules, you may have a lot of essays due in at the same time.
Finally, students wishing to pursue postgraduate studies in Economics are advised
to take EC363 Econometrics and at least two other options in Economics.
Q: I am repeating the year, can I take different options this year?
A: You cannot change an option you have already passed. You may select a different
option to one you have failed, but you must attend lectures in the new option and
pay fees for this. Please contact the Fees Office in this regard.
Q: Can I take a language as part of the BA PSP?
A: No, there are no language options available for this programme.
Q: Do I have to take Law options to do the LLB?
A: No, doing Law options will not enhance or reduce your eligibility for the LLB.
However, if you think you would like to do the LLB, it is advisable to do at least
some Law options to see if you really like the area.
Q: What are the entry requirements for the LLB?
A: To do the LLB, you need to get a 2.2 in your degree (i.e. an average grade of over
50%).
Q: How long is the LLB for BA PSP graduates?
A: You can do the LLB in two years, i.e. enter into the second year of the
programme. Entry to a one-year LLB is not possible regardless of the number of
Law options taken.
Q: Can I do a research masters after completing the BA PSP?
A: Different institutions have different admission requirements, but the following is a
general guide in relation to programmes offered by NUI Galway. BAPSP
graduates will be considered for a research LLM in Law, but 2.1 honours
would normally be required and students would probably do better to do the LLB
or a taught masters first (e.g. the LLM in Public Law or the LLM in Human
Rights). A 2.1 minimum is also usually required for a research MA in the
Department of Political Science & Sociology, although a 2.2 is generally
acceptable for the taught MA in Community Development. In general the
Economics Department is reluctant to allow any graduate to go straight into a
research masters, and regards the taught masters is a more feasible option. This is
a general guide only, and in all cases, students should contact the department
concerned for further guidance.
Q: Can I take a Year Abroad as part of the BA PSP?
A: Yes, you can do this after you have passed your second year exams. Please
consult the Arts Faculty Office or the International Affairs Office for details.
Students who take the Year Abroad must complete the degree year on their return
(i.e. the normal third year is now a fourth year). Students then graduate with a BA
(International) in PSP.