Dublin City University
Oscail – DCU Distance Education
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Answers to some questions frequently asked by students thinking of commencing a postgraduate programme with Oscail.
- Who are Oscail?
- Why pursue a Postgraduate Programme?
- How do we help you succeed?
- What are the entry requirements?
- Are exemptions available for prior certified learning?
- What costs are involved?
- Is tax relief available on fees?
- What are the attendance requirements?
- What supports are in place for students?
- How is the course taught?
- How am I assessed?
- How much time does it take to complete the Masters Programme?
- Who awards this MSc degree
- Who recognises this MSc degree
- What level is the MSc degree awarded at?
- When can I apply?
- When and how does registration take place?
- When does the course start?
- What equipment and skills do I need?
Who are Oscail?
Oscail is the centre of Distance Education of Dublin City University (DCU). Oscail deliver distance (part-time, off campus) education programmes at both undergraduate and postgraduate level.
Why pursue this Postgraduate Programme?
With over 11,000 students DCU is Ireland's youngest university, is currently ranked in the top 4% of universities worldwide and was named Sunday Times Irish University of the Year 2004/5 and 2010/11. DCU has been offering postgraduate level education at a distance, through Oscail, since 1990. The flexibility of the programmes makes them popular with adults who wish to achieve a deeper understanding in a specialist area and achieve a postgraduate qualification while continuing to meet their work and other commitments. As a graduate of our programmes, you will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to reach advanced managerial positions in your chosen specialist area.
How do we help you succeed?
We provide a flexible system of educational delivery and support, specifically tailored to help you to achieve your qualification. As we are committed to your success, we have established a Student Support System that includes a Programme Support Team, Tutor Support and an online learning environment that is at the cutting edge of elearning. The course is delivered online, tutorials are provided online and there are no compulsory attendance requirements.
What are the entry requirements?
There are four entry routes to the postgraduate programmes:
- A Level 8 or higher degree in a relevant discipline (Engineering, Science, Business or Information Technology) from a recognised higher education institution.
- Chartered membership of an engineering institution such as the Institute of Engineers of Ireland or a professional accounting body such as the Institute of Chartered Accountants.
- A Level 7 qualification or a degree in a subject in a non-relevant discipline or non-chartered membership of a professional body, along with at least three years relevant work experience.
- Evidence of substantial relevant work experience. Such applicants will be required to submit a detailed CV in support of their application and may be required to attend for interview.
In the case of all applicants to Dublin City University evidence must be provided of competence in the English language. The English Language requirements of DCU can be found here.
Are exemptions available for prior certified learning?
Exemptions are not granted for any Masters level module.
What costs are involved?
There are five modules on the MSc programmes (including the dissertation module). Information on the modular fee is available here.
Is tax relief available on fees?
At the time of writing tax relief is available at the standard rate on fees for Oscail DCU programmes. You can obtain further information by ringing the Revenue Commissioner's Information Office or visit their website at http://www.revenue.ie.
What are the attendance requirements?
There is no compulsory attendance on the programmes. All modules are taught on line in a virtual learning environment called Moodle. Increasing use is being made of ‘live' online tutorials using a web-conferencing tutorial system.
What supports are in place for students?
You are appointed to a Course Tutor for each module you are studying. Tutors are there to:
- assist you in developing your professional skills;
- help you understand the course content;
- assess your progress on the course, through assignments;
- provide you with feedback in the form of detailed written comments on your assignments;
- help you with course-related problems;
- facilitate group discussion and amplification of course related issues to ensure lively and stimulating discussion;
- recommend appropriate resources.
Increasingly, Oscail is making use of ‘live’ online tutorial classrooms. Students can partake in Web-based tutorials at home, work or anywhere with a broadband internet connection. Students go online at specific times and receive instruction, interact with their tutors and fellow students, etc. One major advantage of this form of tutorial delivery is that tutorials are recorded and can be viewed later by students.
Postgraduate Programme Team
Oscail has developed a professional support system for its students. While Course Tutors can assist with course content queries, the Postgraduate Programme Team is available to answer student queries and offer advice on:
- workload planning;
- leave of absence;
- deferral of studies;
- study difficulties such as illness, work or domestic circumstances that may affect students' studies.
The Postgraduate Programme Team in Oscail can be contacted by telephone, e-mail, fax, post or by visiting in person. Contact details are available here.
Libraries
As a DCU student you will have borrowing rights from the DCU Library and access to the extensive online library databases of DCU. Registered students can access these databases off campus.
Additionally, postgraduate students can apply, through the DCU library, for an ALCID card which will give access (though not borrowing rights) to a broad range of Irish University libraries.
How is the course taught?
Students receive module texts, and other module resources, online. They are also provided with reading lists of both required and recommended readings. Information on the tutorial support provided is given above under ‘What supports are in place for Students?'.
Students are generally required to complete two modules in year 1 (September to April), and two modules plus the dissertation in Year 2 (September to August). Registration for the dissertation can be postponed to Year 3.
How am I assessed?
Each module is assessed by continuous assessment (generally assignments) only. There are no exams. For all modules, except the dissertation, participants are required to complete three assignments. As it is generally required that each student undertake two modules a year, in effect this means that students will have on average one assignment per month between October and April. Each assignment is weighted equally. The pass mark for each module is 40. All assignments are submitted online. It should be noted that some assignments will involve group work.
The final mark for the Masters award is a weighted average of the mark for the taught modules (66.6%) and for the dissertation (33.3%).
How much time does it take to complete the Masters Programme?
On average we guide a study time requirement of 15 hours per week for each post-graduate module undertaken. Normally, students complete the programme in a two/three year time frame. However, the MSc can be completed in a minimum of one year (full time equivalent) and a maximum of four years of registration.
Who awards this MSc degree?
All programmes offered through Oscail DCU Distance Education are awarded by Dublin City University.
Who recognises this MSc degree?
As an Irish university award your DCU degree will be recognised both nationally and internationally.
What level is the MSc degree awarded at?
The MSc qualifications are at Level 9 on the National Framework of Qualifications.
When can I apply?
The application process is open all year round.
There are two intakes of students on to the Masters programmes, one for the end of September start date and one for the mid January start date. Applicants are advised to apply in good time, normally at least eight weeks in advance of the start date.
All applications are made online via the Postgraduate Applications Centre (PAC) at www.pac.ie/dcu.
When and how does registration take place?
Registration takes place online in July, August and January. There is no attendance required for registration.
When does the course start?
The course commences in the last week of September and in mid January each year.
What equipment and skills do I need?
Students are required to have regular access to a computer (with Microsoft Office), a broadband Internet connection, a printer, a basic headset and (optionally) a webcam.
They should also be familiar with using email, browsing the Web, and using word processing packages.
