Semesterisation

In 2024/25 IADT is semesterising its undergraduate programmes.

From the academic year 2024/25, undergraduate programmes at IADT will be semesterised. This means that the academic year is divided into two parts; Semester 1 and Semester 2.

Each stage (i.e. year) of each undergraduate programme consists of a number of components called modules. Modules are assigned to either Semester 1 or Semester 2 and are examined/assessed at the end of that semester.

Each semester will be made up of 12 weeks of teaching/lectures, with time allocated at the end for examinations and assessments of the modules delivered in that semester.

What is semesterisation?

A semester-based system is one where modules are exclusively taught and assessed in a single teaching period or semester. It also allows for formal Institute assessments before Christmas as well as the familiar summer assessments and exams.

What are the benefits of semesterisation for students?

Semester-based systems are generally recognised to improve the student learning experience and allows more flexibility in teaching and access to programmes.

Your examinations and assessment workload will be spread evenly across the two semesters of the academic year. There should be less cramming for end of year exams/assessments!

Students will be given clear, consistent and transparent guidelines on assessment related issues.

Semesterisation is designed to be compatible with the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) which will provide a better opportunity for students to study abroad for short periods and for student exchange programmes, e.g. Erasmus.

What will the academic year look like in 2024/25?

The academic year will consist of two semesters, Semester 1 which will run from September to January and Semester 2 running from January until April/May.

Workload and assessments will be balanced between the two semesters. Your progression from Semester 1 to Semester 2 is automatic.

Repeat examinations/assessments for both semesters will be held in August, as is currently the case.

Visit Important Dates 2024/25 to see the key dates for students for the academic year 2024/25 at IADT.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the structure of undergraduate programmes?

Each stage or year of an undergraduate programme is divided into two semesters, Semester 1 and Semester 2. A year of full-time study is worth 60 credits or ECTS.

Programmes at IADT have the following overall structures and these conform to the structures for similar programmes nationally and internationally.

The major higher education award types awarded at IADT are:

Level		Credit
Level 7	Bachelor Degree	180 credits
Level 8	Honours Bachelor Degree	180 – 240 credits depending on the programme
Level 9	Postgraduate Diploma	60 credits
Level 9	Master’s Degree	90 – 120 credits depending on the programme

What is a Semester?

A semester is typically worth 30 credits and consists of a number of modules. Programmes will be delivered over two semesters at IADT; Semester 1 from September to January, and Semester 2 from January to April/May.

What is a Module?

A module is a unit of learning and assessment. Each stage of your programme consists of a number of modules, each module has a number of credits assigned to it.

What are Credits?

Credits are awarded to students who successfully complete a module. For early stages of the programme, the credit value of a module is typically 5 or 10 credits. Later stages e.g. the final stage may consist of modules of up to 20 credits.

What is an Assessment?

Assessment may consist of examinations, projects, essays, presentations, performance, exhibitions etc.

What happens if I fail one or more modules in Semester 1?

Advancement at the end of Semester 1 in January to Semester 2 is automatic. Repeat examinations/assessments will be held in August for modules failed in Semester 1.

What happens if I fail one or more modules in Semester 2?

Repeat examinations/assessments for modules failed in Semester 2 will be held in August.

When will I get the results of my examinations/assessments?

Results will be issued in February for Semester 1 modules and in June for Semester 2 modules. Results of autumn repeat exams/assessments are issued in September.

Do I have to Register for each Semester?

You will be asked to register for the full year in September – you will be automatically registered on both Semester 1 and Semester 2 modules.

Do I have to pay Fees per Semester?

There are deadline dates for the payment of fees and these will not change in a semesterised format. They are:

Fees	Deadline
Deadline for first 50% of your fees	30 September 2024
Deadline for final 50% of your fees	31 January 2025

Will my SUSI Grant be affected?

As long as you are registered for your programme, your SUSI grant will not be affected. But it is important to know that, if you are not registered, it will affect your grant and payments so ensure you register as soon as you receive your registration email.

How will this affect Deferrals?

You will still be able to defer modules, if necessary. You can defer for the periods below:


From Semester 1 to Autumn	or	From Semester 1 to Semester 1 of the following year
From Semester 2 to Autumn	or	From Semester 2 to Semester 2 of the following year

If you require further information regarding Semesterisation, please contact registration@dev.iadt.ie.

Phone	+353 1 239 4000
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