Many second year students have the flexibility to customise their programme of study. A student studies 60 credits each academic year; our flexible pathways allows you to choose how you distribute these 60 credits between your subject(s). A range of options are available to students, including:
If you are unsure about which pathways are available in your programme, please consult your programme's page on Coursefinder.
Note: All choices are subject to timetable viability and individual programme requirements. Students must pass a subject in first year in order to study it in second year.
We are very excited to offer Electives to our second year students as part of the new Maynooth Education. An Elective is a great way to enhance your degree by enabling you to develop new skills that will compliment your chosen programme. Electives allow students to broaden their perspective by studying across disciplines thus learning how to think differently and appreciate different viewpoints. We know employers want graduates who can look at the world in different ways and find creative solutions to challenging problems. Students may also choose to take an Elective because they are intrigued by the topic.
Why take an Elective:
- Broaden your perspective by taking an interdisciplinary topic
- For the opportunity to learn with students from other disciplines
- Develop transferable skills for the future e.g. study of a modern language, entrepreneurship, or science communication
- Because you are interested in the topic
Each Elective is 10 credits so for all students an Elective makes up 1/6 of your study in second year. Electives are assessed and count towards your second year marks. Taking an Elective doesn’t mean taking on extra modules; students who take an Elective do 10 credits less in their other subject(s).
If you have any questions about the Electives, please see the Electives webpage, or send an email to programme.choices@mu.ie.
Many students plan to transfer out of a general degree into a specialised degree at the beginning of year 2. The automatic transfer options for students on the MH101 programme are listed in the First Year Guide you received at registration last year.
For all other internal transfer options please read the information on the Admissions website.
The University's Marks and Standards is a very important policy, it details how we assess and grade our students. You should take the time to read the Marks and Standards relevant to your year.
It is very important that you are aware that your second year mark will contribute to your final degree mark. Generally second year of a three year degree, or a degree with study abroad, will contribute 30% towards the final degree mark, while second year of a four year degree will contribute 10% towards your final degree mark.
For the full regulations see the University Marks and Standards at www.maynoothuniversity.ie/university-policies/academic-policies-procedures
Each year the Registrar's Office compiles a guide for second year students.
This guide will be available to download in September 2017.
