UCD to admit more students with exam upgrades
STUDENTS who applied to UCD who get a late offer after the results of Leaving Certificate appeals are released will get their place this year – but only if space is available.
UCD’s Academic Council Executive Committee has agreed to extend the September 30 offers deadline introduced this year, in order to offer places to upgraded students if there is spare capacity on the course in question.
The decision, which was expected, follows the High Court ruling in the case of Rebecca Carter, the Co Wexford student who successfully sought the results of a recheck of a Leaving Cert paper ahead of the normal release date in order to beat the September 30 deadline.
About 60 UCD CAO applicants are expected to receive a belated offer this week.
Many may have settled into other courses and may not be interested in switching.
“For incoming students for the academic year 2018/2019, the university will offer a place to upgraded students if there are places available on October 10 in the course in which they are now entitled,” UCD said.
“Cognisant that the university will be six weeks into semester, these students may choose to join the course or to defer with a guarantee that they will have a place on this course next year, regardless of any subsequent upward movement in points.
“Where courses are at capacity, the university will offer deferrals to the academic year 2019/2020 as is consistent with the current practice across the sector.”
While the SEC argues that it needs until October 10 to process appeals and meet its quality assurance standards, UCD is of the view that a student is seriously disadvantaged starting a course six weeks late.
There has been a trend in recent years of third-level colleges starting in the first week of September, rather than later in the month.
UCD stated that students who get a late offer this week should consider the fact that orientation week started on September 3, while lectures, classes, laboratories, tutorials, projects and practicals commenced on campus on September 10.