Students coming to UL for Autumn or Spring should select their modules from the list of classes applicable to the semester they plan to study in.
Detailed information about registering for classes, lectures, tutorials and exams will be covered in the comprehensive orientation programme when you arrive. The UL Global team can also provide one-to-one advice on request.
The University of Limerick operates a modular system with continuous assessment. A class/course is called a module. A module is a self-contained package of education taught during a single academic semester. Visiting students may choose from a wide range of modules and may cross-register between faculties and departments. Acceptance on these modules is subject to academic prerequisites, timetabling constraints and ceilings on enrolments.
Please note, Year One modules may begin later during the Autumn Semester. Should this happen students will be notified. If such a delay is to occur it is outside of the University of Limerick’s control and is a consequence of state exam results being issued later than anticipated.
The normal course load is 30 ECTS Credits. Most modules are weighted at 6 ECTS credits. This ECTS are noted beside the module information on the module booklet and in the book of modules.
Classes and module information
The module code is the key in most cases to find out when the class is running. Example CU 405 1 CU is the subject area 4 is the type of study – only modules beginning in 4 are offered to study abroad students. 5 and 6 are postgraduate modules and modules beginning in 2 are certificate courses/access courses. 05 is just the departments way to distinguish between classes The final digit is the only way to determine which semester it will run in. 1, 3, 5, 7 are fall semester classes 2, 4, 6, 8 are spring semester classes 1 and 2 are first year classes 3 and 4 are second year classes 5 and 6 are third year classes 7 and 8 are fourth year classes. This is the usual key for classes but there can be some exceptions.
Choose from the following classes Autumn Classes & Spring Classes
Modules are available across all Faculties
More information can be found on the classes you are interested in taking on the Book of Modules. Note: this cannot be used for initial selection, it contains information on all classes, not just the ones available to visiting students.
A full credit load at UL is 30 ECTS credits. That is usually 5 classes/modules.
The teaching style within UL varies from faculty to faculty and from lecturer to lecturer. Most of the academic staff in UL are informal and it is possible to ask questions.
Lecture - The way in which a module is taught will depend on the subject matter, but typically, the teaching of a module will be based on lectures, supported by tutorials or labs. Depending on the subject, some modules also include practical sessions. Therefore, for some modules, you may have a lecture, lab, and a tutorial but for other modules you may only have lectures and a tutorial. Students are expected to supplement formal teaching with their own private study.
Lectures are formal talks given at set times according to a timetable published in advance and normally last two hours. Depending on the subject and the module, the size of the class may vary.
A lecture gives students the starting point for their work; some lecturers allow time at the end for questions. Many students take notes of the main points the lecturer makes or in some cases the lecturer may provide handouts summarising the work covered.
Tutorial - A tutorial is a group discussion lasting one or two hours. Typically, a tutorial group might contain ten to fifteen students and will be led by a tutor. Students will be expected to contribute to the discussion, perhaps offering different perspectives or suggesting new approaches.
Lab - Practical/Lab base modules take different forms depending on the subject. For language students, there may be sessions in a language laboratory. There are also laboratory-based classes for students taking science subjects like Chemistry or Physics and maybe computer-aided design classes for engineering students.
Non-EU Exchange students are expected to undertake the same workload as domestic students and to follow all aspects of the module, including attendance at classes and tutorials and completion of assessments and examinations. The lecturer will give you, the student, the assessment profile.
Examinations are normally made up of essays or coursework to be submitted throughout the semester and may have an end-of-semester examination. A tutorial & attendance contribution may also be an element.
View our academic calendar for semester & exam dates here.
At the end of each semester, you will be awarded a grade for each module you are registered for, which represents the quality of your performance in that module.
View our grading conversion chart here.
At Orientation, UL Global holds timetable information sessions along with some Q&A sessions. During this time we will fully explain the registration process to you. In brief, you will need to complete a module survey (which you will receive at Orientation) and submit this to our office in Week 2 of term. UL Global will proceed to register your chosen modules. You cannot register pre-arrival but you do need to preliminarily choose 10 modules during the application process.
An official University of Limerick Transcript will be issued and sent to your home university after results are made available.
To request an additional transcript or a copy after you have finished your time at UL, you will need to email SAA@ul.ie and follow their instructions.