IADT undergraduate programmes are semesterised. This page provides useful information and some FAQs.
Undergraduate programmes at IADT have been semesterised since 2024-25. 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.
What are the benefits of semesterisation for students?
- Semester-based systems are generally recognised to improve the student learning experience and allow 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 does the academic year look like?
The academic year consists of two semesters, Semester 1 which runs from September to January and Semester 2 which runs from January until April/May.
Workload and assessments are balanced between the two semesters. Your progression from Semester 1 to Semester 2 is automatic.
Repeat examinations/assessments for both semesters are held in August.
Visit Important Dates to see the key dates for students for the current academic year at IADT.
Frequently Asked Questions
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 |
A semester is typically worth 30 credits and consists of a number of modules. Programmes are delivered over two semesters at IADT; Semester 1 from September to January, and Semester 2 from January to April/May.
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.
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.
Assessment may consist of examinations, projects, essays, presentations, performance, exhibitions etc.
Advancement at the end of Semester 1 in January to Semester 2 is automatic. Repeat examinations/assessments are held in August for modules failed in Semester 1.
See Exams + Assessments for more information
Repeat examinations/assessments for modules failed in Semester 2 are held in August.
See Exams + Assessments for more information
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.
Visit Important Dates to see the key dates for students for the current academic year at IADT.
See Exams + Assessments for more information
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.
See Registration Information for more information
There are two key dates relating to the payment of undergraduate fees:
| Fees |
Deadline |
| Deadline for first 50% of your fees |
30 September |
| Deadline for final 50% of your fees |
31 January |
See Fees and Grants for more information
It is possible to defer modules/assessment 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 |
See Leave of Absence or Deferral of Assessment for more information
If you require further information regarding Semesterisation, please contact registration@iadt.ie.