Current Undergraduates

What We Expect Of Our Students

Students of History at the University of Galway are expected to attend classes, read widely and to learn to study independently. This will help you develop your own evidence-based arguments and ideas about a range of topics.

Teaching will take a wide variety of forms, including lectures, tutorials and seminars.

All modules in University of Galway are specified in terms of ECTS.

ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) is a Europe-wide measurement system based on the average student workloads for particular modules. See here for greater detail: ECTS_QG_v1.3.pdf

To summarize, the modules you take in History during your degree will be either 5 ECTS or 10 ECTS modules.

5 ECTS modules require a total workload of 100 hours spread out over the semester and examination periods; 10 ECTS modules require 200 hours.

Within the BA programme this means that:

First Year History students take a total of 20 ECTS of History;
Second and Final Year History students take 30 ECTS of History.

To register for modules, go to https://www.universityofgalway.ie/reg/

If you have queries, please make sure to read all the information on the History webpages. If still in doubt, contact your lecturer. For contact details, see https://www.universityofgalway.ie/colleges-and-schools/arts-social-sciences-and-celtic-studies/history-philosophy/disciplines-centres/history/staff/

Information on Assessment

History students will be assessed in a variety of ways. Examinations are a core part of undergraduate assessment and take place at the end of each semester in a process managed by the Exams Office. See https://www.universityofgalway.ie/exams/

As you progress in History, you will be required to write and submit essays/assignments. In doing so, you must adhere to standards of presentation and scholarly conventions. The following sets out guidelines for the presentation of written assignments in History.

All written assignments must be word-processed.
All written assignments must be double-spaced and in a 12-point font.
Leave 2.5 cm (1 inch) margins on both right and left-hand sides of the page to facilitate correction.
Write your name at the top or bottom of every page.
Be sure to include page numbers, on the right-hand side of each page, either at the top or bottom.
Every written assignment should be submitted with a title page giving the following information:

Title of Essay/Assignment
Name of Student
Student ID
Course Name and Number
Name of Course Convenor
Word Count
Date of Submission

For every written assignment, also attach a copy of the official History Cover Sheet to the front of your assignment. Please read the sheet carefully before you write your essay. It includes a declaration that your work has not been completed in whole or in part by someone else, or artificially generated. In writing History assignments, you will inevitably draw on the work of other authors. You must indicate your debt to these sources by using quotation marks, footnotes and bibliographies. A failure to do so is considered academic misconduct, even if inadvertent.
Essays/assignments must contain references and footnotes. A failure to do so will result in a fail mark (0-39%), with marks based on other relevant criteria.
Always proof-read your essay carefully before submission. This means looking out for spelling and grammar mistakes and typos. If you leave any of these in your work, it will result in a penalty.
Always retain an additional copy of your assignment.
Always backup your work as your write. Backup to the University servers, or use USB memory devices. ‘Lost work’ is not an excuse for late submission, or the basis on which an extension may be requested.

Follow any specific guidelines given by your course lecturer, particularly relating to how and when you should submit your assignment.

Late Submission and Deferrals

If you submit an assignment late, you will be penalised 2% per (calendar) day. If the assignment is submitted two weeks after the deadline, it will not be accepted. If for any reason you think you are going to miss a deadline for an assignment, contact the lecturer/tutor before the deadline elapses to discuss your options. Lecturers/tutors may give an extension of up to seven days.

If, however, you need an extension beyond that time period for an assignment worth more than 20%, you must contact the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies (CASSCS), which manages applications.

In line with the University policy on Extenuating Circumstances, procedures are in place to manage applications from students who experience circumstances that may negatively impact their performance in assessment. Students may apply centrally to the CASSCS Extenuating Circumstances Committee if the following conditions are met:

The student experiences serious, unavoidable, unpredictable and exceptional circumstances outside of their control, which may negatively impact their performance in assessment
The affected assessment is worth 20% or greater of the final module mark
Supporting documentation is provided
If supporting documentation is not available, students should submit an application to the College Extenuating Circumstances Committee, describing the nature of the circumstances. They will normally be asked to meet with our Student Support Officer, Dr Rosemary Crosse, rosemary.crosse@universityofgalway.ie to help evaluate an appropriate course of action.

Students must apply to the College Extenuating Circumstances Committee to request additional time. One application listing all affected modules and assignments should be made to cover the student's full circumstances.

Students can access our online form here: https://www.universityofgalway.ie/media/registrar/docs/policiesfromjune2024/QA209-Extenuating-Circumstances-April-2024.pdf

Students who possess a LENS (Learning Education Needs Summary) report that uses specific language about the need for 'leniency with deadlines', and who have no additional compounding circumstances, are not required to apply to the College Extenuating Circumstances for additional time. Instead, they should liaise directly with their appropriate module lecturer to agree deadline extensions. The only exception is where there are additional circumstances (e.g. a medical emergency) unrelated to those outlined in the LENS report.

Academic Integrity

Cases of inadvertent or intentional academic misconduct are recorded on the History Department's Academic Misconduct Register. Those who have been found to have engaged in inadvertent misconduct will be required to meet with their course lecturer to review the work in question and to discuss penalties. They will be required to undergo academic integrity training. Those suspected of intentional misconduct are referred directly to the Department's Academic Integrity Advisor (AIA), after which the case may be referred to the University's Academic Integrity Officer (AIO) for investigation. Students should be guided, therefore, by the norms of academic integrity. Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) should not be used in assignments, unless an individual lecturer gives specific instructions otherwise. This will be clearly stated on course assignment documents. Students whose first language is not English should not write an assignment in their own language and use GenAI to translate to English.

Students who need supports with writing skills should avoid platforms such as Quillbot, which have GenAI modes, unless otherwise advised by the lecturer. Instead, contact the University's Academic Writing Centre (AWC), which is located in the James Hardiman Library, Floor 2. For further information, click on the following: https://library.universityofgalway.ie/studying/awc/

Passing/Repeating Modules

If you fail History at the first examination sitting, you will have another opportunity in August to sit the exam and/or complete coursework for the module. The dates of the exam and the deadline for written work will be set nearer to the time.

Passing First Year

In order to pass First Year History, students must get an average grade of 40% across the four modules. If the average is less than 40%, the modules in which the student has achieved less than 40% must be repeated. In this case, students should repeat all components of the modules that they failed.

Passing Second and Final Year

For second and final year students, the University has a process named ‘compensation’, which allows you to complete the academic year even if you have failed a module. This is why you might see a failed module on your exam script yet also see the word ‘Pass’ at the bottom. You can compensate for a failed module if:

You have failed only one module overall
That module is worth no more than 5 ECTS
Your fail grade was between 35 and 39
And you got enough marks in your other modules to ensure that your average mark is above the 40% pass level.

If you got less than 35% in that module, you cannot compensate and must repeat. If you are unsure whether you need to repeat one or more modules or what you need to do to repeat, please contact the relevant lecturer(s). A Consultation Day will be scheduled in June, when lecturers will make themselves available to meet students in person or online.

Examinations

End-of-term examinations
Term-time in-house examinations
Repeating examinations – consultation day and second sitting in Aug

Rules on compensation – take from first-year handbook

If you think you are going to have trouble fulfilling the requirements of a module, you should make contact with the member of staff in charge of that module. You may email the staff member or make an appointment to discuss the matter.

If you are considering deferring modules or taking a leave of absence, contact the administrative staff in the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies (CASSCS). Only the CASSCS can issue a deferral. Contact Catherine McCurry in the College Office: catherine.mccurry@universityofgalway.ie, or phone (091) 493958. The College will communicate the decision to the History Department and to the individual lecturers. If you defer, you will sit the exam during the Autumn exam session in August, and/or complete the coursework before then.

When repeating a module, you may carry forward any marks for parts of the module assessment that you have already passed. This is permissible only if you have already obtained a deferral from the College Office. You may, therefore, need to repeat only one part of the assessment, or you may need to repeat it all. For more information on University policy on deferrals, and to access a deferral application form, see: https://www.universityofgalway.ie/exams/timetable-advice/deferrals/

Once exam results are issued, check Canvas for details on repeats. Do not expect to be contacted personally and told what you need to do to repeat. However, if you need clarification on any aspect of the repeat process, contact your lecturer.

Style Guide

History uses a note and bibliography method of citation, which is different from most other disciplines. See this link for details: https://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/turabian/turabian-notes-and-bibliography-citation-quick-guide.html

Academic Integrity/Misconduct

Cases of inadvertent or intentional academic misconduct are recorded on the History Department's Academic Misconduct Register. Those who have been found to have engaged in inadvertent misconduct will be required to meet with their course lecturer to review the work in question and to discuss penalties. They will be required to undergo academic integrity training. Those suspected of intentional misconduct are referred directly to the Department's Academic Integrity Advisor (AIA), after which the case may be referred to the University's Academic Integrity Officer (AIO) for investigation. Students should be guided, therefore, by the norms of academic integrity. Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) should not be used in assignments, unless an individual lecturer gives specific instructions otherwise. This will be clearly stated on course assignment documents. Students whose first language is not English should not write an assignment in their own language and use GenAI to translate to English.

Students who need supports with writing skills should avoid platforms such as Quillbot, which have GenAI modes, unless otherwise advised by the lecturer. Instead, contact the University's Academic Writing Centre (AWC), which is located in the James Hardiman Library, Floor 2. For further information, click on the following: https://library.universityofgalway.ie/studying/awc/

When Personal Difficulties Arise

If you think you are going to have trouble fulfilling the requirements of a module, you should make contact with the member of staff in charge of that module. You may email the staff member or make an appointment to discuss the matter.

If students secured a deferral from the CASSCS for certain components at the first sitting, the grades for the passed components are allowed carry over to the second sitting.

If you are considering deferring modules or taking a leave of absence, contact the administrative staff in the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies (CASSCS). Only the CASSCS can issue a deferral. Contact Catherine McCurry in the College Office: catherine.mccurry@universityofgalway.ie, or phone (091) 493958. The College will communicate the decision to the History Department and to the individual lecturers. If you defer, you will sit the exam during the Autumn exam session in August, and/or complete the coursework before then.

Student Supports

Student Support Wheel -- https://www.universityofgalway.ie/student-services/supportwheel/

Disability Support Services - Students who wish to register with the University's Disability Supports Service (DSS) should visit: https://www.universityofgalway.ie/disability/ Once a student is registered, the DSS will notify lecturers of the LENS accommodations that need to be made to meet the student’s needs. This registration will remain in place throughout the full term of the student's studies.
Academic Support https://www.universityofgalway.ie/student-services/academic-support/

An Ghaeilge sa Roinn Staire

Cuireann Roinn na Staire fáilte roimh obair scríofa trí mheán na Gaeilge ó mhicléinn a ndéanann an rogha san.

Members of staff in the History department accept written work (including examinations) in the medium of Irish. However, if you wish to submit coursework through Irish, please read the following:

Ba cheart do mhic léinn atá ag iarraidh obair a chur isteach agus / nó scrúdú a dhéanamh as Gaeilge dul i dteagmháil leis an léachtóir. Má tá ball foirne de chuid Roinn na Staire ar fáil leis an obair a cheartú, déanfar na socruithe cuí. Ní mór ceartscríobh na Gaeilge a bheith ag mic léinn le hobair dá leithéid a dhéanamh.

Where students have a good level of written Irish and inform their module co-ordinator/ lecturer of their wish to submit work through Irish, the lecturer will make appropriate arrangements for feedback.

Teaching Council Requirements

If you are interested in becoming a schoolteacher at second-level in Ireland and wish to be able to teach History, please bear in mind the information below.

In order to meet the registration requirements set down in the Teaching Council [Registration] Regulations in respect of the curricular subject of History, an applicant must meet all the following criteria:

(a) An applicant must hold a degree-level qualification, with History studies up to and including third level or higher.

(b) The qualifiying degree must be equivalent to at least Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) with a minimum pass level result in all examinations pertinent to the subject of History.

(c) The qualifying degree must carry at least 180 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) credits (or equivalent) with the specific study of History comprising at least 60 ECTS credits (or equivalent).

The study of History during the qualification must show that the holder has acquired sufficient knowledge, skills and understanding to teach History syllabus/specification to the highest level in post-primary education.
To meet this requirement, the degree must include the specific study of Irish history.

For further guidance, see the website of the Teaching Council (a government agency separate from the University) : https://www.teachingcouncil.ie/