FAQ

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endeavour to keep answers as accurate as possible, but no responsibility is taken for errors, as information may become outdated.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: A: What exams do I have in first year, and when are they held? 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). I am in first year, how are marks calculated in the different subjects? 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. I am in second/third year, how are marks calculated in the different subjects? 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. I am in first year, what are the rules regarding compensation? Do I have to pass every subject? 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. How are honours calculated, and what honours are available in each year? 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: A: Q: A: Q: A: Q: A: Q: A: My overall result for the year is Fail, what should I do? 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. I have to re-sit my exam in the autumn, does this mean I can’t get honours? No, you can still get honours as there is no cap on repeat grades for Arts students (unlike students of some other faculties). I failed the year, should I repeat internally or externally? 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. Do I have any optional subjects in first/second/third year? 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. Where do I find out what options are available in third year? 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. Are there any restrictions on the options I take in third year? 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. How should I go about choosing my options in third year? 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 Q: A: Q: A: Q: A: Q: A: Q: A: Q: A: 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: A: I am repeating the year, can I take different options this year? 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. Can I take a language as part of the BA PSP? No, there are no language options available for this programme. Do I have to take Law options to do the LLB? 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. What are the entry requirements for the LLB? To do the LLB, you need to get a 2.2 in your degree (i.e. an average grade of over 50%). How long is the LLB for BA PSP graduates? 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. Can I do a research masters after completing the BA PSP? 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: A: Q: A: Q: A: Q: A: Q: A: Q: A: Can I take a Year Abroad as part of the BA PSP? 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.