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Home » For Students

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Students

Tutors

Course Changes

Leaving College

Receiving an NS standing

Exam procedures

Fees and Financial Assistance

College Discipline

Supports

1. How do I contact my Tutor?

You can contact your Tutor by email, phone or by visiting his/her office. Click on tutor contact details to find the email address, college address and extension number of your Tutor.

If you do not know who your Tutor is then you click on the link TCD Portal (SIS) which is on the TCD Local Homepage and enter your student number and details as requested.

2. When should I go to see my Tutor?

Whenever you are worried or concerned about any aspect of College life or your personal life, in particular if it is affecting your academic work. Everything you say to your Tutor is in strict confidence. Unless you give him/her permission to do so, s/he will not give any information to anybody else, whether inside College or outside (to your parents/family for example). Your Tutor can only help you if s/he knows you are facing difficulties, so if you are worried about anything go and see your Tutor before things get out of hand.

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3. What if I wish to change my Tutor?

You can change your Tutor easily, without being asked the reason for your decision.

  • Identify a new Tutor and ask them if they would agree to take you on as one of their tutees
  • Apply to the Senior Tutor's Office giving the names of your previous Tutor and your new Tutor.
  • Consult the Senior Tutor's Office in House 27 for advice on identifying a new Tutor.

It is advisable not to change your Tutor without careful consideration.

 

4. What do I do if I am unsure about my course choice?

Go to your Tutor and discuss this with him/her. There can be many reasons for your unhappiness with your course and they should be explored. You may also need to find out more about the course in the following years. Your Tutor will help you to find the relevant information.

If you feel that you wish to change courses then you can apply for a transfer of course. You will need to complete a Transfer Application Form, which you can get from your Tutor. Your Tutor will also sign the form and forward it to the Admissions Office on your behalf.

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5. How do I change course/ tranfer to a different course?

The first thing to remember is that to transfer to the Junior Freshmen year of any course, you must have the points for the course you want to transfer into. You will need to complete a Transfer Application Form, which you can get from your Tutor or download from this homepage. Your Tutor will also sign the form and forward it to the Admissions Office on your behalf.

If you are an incoming JUNIOR FRESHMAN

  • You may apply before the 15th October. Remember that all applications are held until the deadline and that the decision to allocate you a place is based on your Leaving Certificate points, the availability of places on the course and potential time-table constraints. You will be informed directly and in writing by the Admissions Office and, if offered a place, you need to confirm your acceptance by e-mail
  • If you have missed the first deadline, you can apply before the 19th November. Places are offered on a first come, first served basis, provided that places are available and that you have the required number of points. In addition, the approval of the department is required. Be aware that the later you transfer, the more difficult it is going to be to adjust to the new course and catch up.

If you are a CONTINUING JUNIOR FRESHMAN or a NON JUNIOR FRESHMAN and are

  • Transferring to the Junior Freshman year of another course you should apply before 1st August.
  • You will be assessed on your Leaving Certificate points.
  • If you miss this deadline, you can apply in the same way as newly entered Junior Freshmen.
  • Remember that a transfer which results in the repetition of a year means that you will not qualify for the fee remission scheme and you will have to pay fees for every year that you have completed.

Other students looking for a transfer into a year OTHER THAN THE JUNIOR FRESHMAN YEAR of a different course must apply before the start of Michaelmas Term and will be assessed on the basis of the total qualifications presented (L.C. points and exam results)

For more details, consult the College Calendar.

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6. What if I want to leave College?

  • First of all, you should contact your Tutor to discuss it with him/her. Your Tutor's job is not to convince you to stay in College, but to ensure that you have fully explored all the implications and dimensions of such an important decision.

  • The next step is to inform the Senior Lecturer, through your College Tutor, by completing the withdrawal form which can be downloaded from the Senior Lecturer's Website; http://www.tcd.ie/undergraduate-studies/academic-progress/withdrawal-college.php

  • You should be aware of the fee implications of withdrawal from College and are advised to consult the Calendar.

 

7. What if I wish to take a year out (go 'Off-Books")?

You cannot just leave or stop going to College. You must get permission from the Senior Lecturer to interrupt your studies. You should discuss your reasons for going 'off-books' with your Tutor and ask him/her to apply to the Senior Lecturer on your behalf. Make sure you discuss your reasons for doing so with your Tutor to ensure this is the right choice for you at this time.

8. I have received an NS. What does this mean?

If you do not fulfill the requirements for your course regarding attendance and course work (Consult your course hand-book!), you may be returned as 'Non-Satisfactory" (N.S.). If your hand-book does not state specific requirements, you may be returned as Non-Satisfactory if you miss more than a third of your classes/lectures or fail to submit a third of the required course-work in any term.

If you have received an N.S., you should contact your tutor so that any mitigating circumstances such as illness or personal difficulties can be taken into account and, if appropriate, the NS return will be cancelled. Remember that discussions with your tutor are strictly confidential.

If you are returned as Non-Satisfactory twice in the same year, you may be refused permission to sit your annual examination and you may be required to repeat the year. Whatever the reason for your non-attendance or your non-submission of work, it is therefore important that you contact your Tutor when you are returned N.S. so that you may avail of the support you may require.

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9. What if I am ill at the time of my exams?

Students who are ill at the time of their examinations should consult their doctor and request a medical certificate for the appropriate period. All medical certificates must be dated and include the date on which the illness started & the length of incapacitation. This must then be given to your Tutor within three days of the beginning of the period of absence from the examination. Medical Certificates presented at the time of an examination must state clearly that the student was unable to sit his/her exams. Your Tutor will forward your Medical Certificate to the Senior Lecturer's Office. Depending on your year, the length of your illness and the exam session, it might be possible to have your exam re-scheduled during the exam period. Remember that medical certificates are not accepted in explanation or excuse for poor performance.

10. What do I do if I arrive late for an examination?

  • Contact your Tutor immediately when you arrive in College.
  • If your Tutor is not here, check if s/he has organised somebody to cover.
  • If you can't find your Tutor, contact the secretary in your department or come to the Senior Tutor's Office in House 27.
  • If nobody has left the examination room, you may be allowed to sit the exam.

11. What happens if I miss an exam (I forgot, I got the dates mixed up, I was ill)?

  • Contact your Tutor immediately so that s/he can find the best solution for your situation.
  • If you don't attend an examination without a valid explanation, you will not be allowed to sit Supplementals in September.
  • If you are ill, make sure you see a doctor and get a medical certificate. Remember that the certificate must be dated, and must state clearly that you are unfit to sit the examination. You must give (or send) this certificate to your Tutor within 3 days.
  • Remember that a medical certificate will not be accepted in explanation for poor performance.

12. What do I do if I feel ill during an examination?

If you are feeling unwell during an examination, DO NOT LEAVE without speaking to the invigilator. If appropriate, you will be taken to the Health Centre and your situation will be assessed. Depending on the outcome of the assessment, you may be allowed to continue with the examination.

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13. How do I get a breakdown of my marks?

If you have not received one in the post with your examination results, contact your head of Department or your course director/co-ordinator.

14. Do I need to register or pay a fee for the Supplemental exams in September?

No, you don't need to register to sit Supplemental exams and you don't have to pay a fee. Remember that you don’t have an automatic right to sit Supplementals. In most cases, you need to have made a 'serious attempt' in the Summer to be allowed to sit Supplementals. If in doubt about your entitlement to Supplementals, consult your Tutor.

15. What if I want my examination re-checked?

First of all, once the results are published you should discuss your examination /assessment performance with the examiners to understand why a specific mark was awarded. This is your right and you should contact the Head of your Department who will make the necessary arrangements. Some Departments organise specific times for these consultation. Check the relevant notice board or your course hand-book.

You are entitled to view your script when discussing your examination or assessment.

If you are still unhappy with your result and you have reason to believe that:

a. The grade is incorrect because of an error in calculation of results,

b. The examination paper contained questions on subjects which were not part of the course prescribed for the examination, or

c. Bias was shown by the examiner in marking the script,

you should contact your Tutor to discuss the situation. Your Tutor can request a re-check (a) or a re-mark (b) or (c)

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16. What if I wish to appeal my results?

You should discuss your appeal with your Tutor who, if appropriate, will present your case to the Court of First Appeal of your Faculty. If unsuccessful, your case may be taken to the Academic Appeals Committee. If your Tutor is unwilling to act on your behalf you can contact the Senior Tutor in House 27.

There are 3 grounds on which you can take an appeal :

  • Your case/ situation is not adequately covered by College regulations
  • The regulations were not properly applied
  • Ad misericordiam grounds, such as illness, bereavment, serious personal crisis, etc.

Remember that an Appeal cannot change exam results or marks but can change the effect of the results.

17. I have broken my arm/wrist/hand and I can't write. What do I do for the exams?

Contact your Tutor who will find out what arrangements can be made to facilitate you, such as a scribe or extra time. A medical certificate will be required.

18. If I have to repeat the year, do I have to pay fees?

In most cases yes. If you are entitled to the fees remission scheme and you repeat a year, you will have to pay fees for the year that you repeat. Once you've passed that year, you can again avail of fees remission.

If you are repeating because you had to withdraw during the year or were unable to sit the exam on medical grounds, you should contact your Tutor to discuss your situation. Depending on your personal circumstances, you may qualify for a medical repeat.

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19. What if I require Financial Assistance?

Contact your Tutor to discuss your situation. Financial Assistance is not normally given to students in the Junior Freshman year, nor to students who are repeating a year. Application forms for financial assistance can be obtained from your Tutor, the Senior Tutor's Office or they can also be downloaded from here. If you are a postgraduate student you should contact Jennifer Hill in the Graduate Studies Office for financial assistance. The Senior Tutor's Office does not provide any financial assistance to postgraduate students. Should you require more detailed information, click here.

20. I have been called for interview by the Junior Dean. What happens now?

The Junior Dean is responsible for discipline in College. If you have breached the College regulations (see the General Regulations Booklet you received at registration), the Junior Dean will ask you to meet him/her to discuss the situation. You can ask your Tutor to attend and support you. If you are called for interview by the Junior Dean, it is probably a good idea to contact your Tutor and discuss the situation with her/him. If appropriate, your Tutor will act as your advocate.

21. I feel I am being bullied or sexually harassed

Trinity College is committed to supporting the right of all members of the College community to work and study in an environment which is free from all forms of harasssment, including sexual harassment and bullying.

If you feel that you are being bullied or harassed, you should contact any of the following people who have been nominated as contact persons. They will advise and support you.

(From outside, dial 896 in front of the following numbers)

22. What kinds of supports are for available for student parents?

The Student Parent Group (SPG) is a self supporting group for any student (male or female) who is already a parent or may be about to become one. The group meets once a week in lecture term for an hour at lunch time normally on a Wednesday. It is very informal and friendly and is intended to bring student parents together in order that they may share their experiences and lend support to one another. A light lunch consisting of sandwiches, tea or coffee and biscuits is provided by the Senior Tutor's Office in House 27.

 

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Last updated 25 January 2013 Senior Tutor Office (Email).

Trinity College Dublin, College Green, Dublin 2.
Central Switchboard: +353 1 896 1000.